Sunday, October 24, 2010

Closing Libraries

We’ve talked here on Straight From Hel about libraries closing around the US. Now it seems they’re worrying about them closing in the UK, according to an article in The Guardian.

Authors, librarians, booksellers and others are coming together to try to avoid the closing of a possible 1,000 libraries.
"Forty per cent of the UK population uses public libraries and millions of people rely on them. We're trying to get out a strong statement about the value of public libraries to key decision-makers in local government who don't necessarily appreciate them and sometimes see them as a soft touch."
Whether you live in the US, the UK, or elsewhere, I think we should all support our libraries. For some, they are the only access people have to books.

25 comments:

  1. This is really sad news. Thanks to the UK government cutting 25% of the culture budget, this is going to be an ongoing thing for us :( As well as that, many publishers are having their funding pulled from the Arts Council because of these cuts putting a strain on funding. It's a sad, sad time to be a British Bibliophile...

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  2. Small towns are especially being hit hard when it comes to keeping libraries going. Libraries provide so many wonderful services.

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  3. 1000 libraries? That's a huge chunk!

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  4. I love my library like a best friend, and I almost intentionally keep books past the due date to pay a fine. I figure it's another way to support them.

    One thing I've noticed lately is that the computers are always full while only a few people are scattered about reading at available tables and chairs.

    There are those who would take the public out of everything, libraries included. Can you imagine a world where libraries were like private clubs, where you had to pay to belong? Happily our red community passed a library mileage last year so we have a brief reprieve. It would appear there are still some old-party Republicans left. My grandfather's Republican Party is not the Publicans of today. But I didn't mean to go off on a tangent. Thanks for this post pointing out the danger of what's afoot.

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  5. More people than ever are using library services and yet our state says they aren't necessary. No money for learning but a big increase for in the budget for "travel and extras" for government representatives from local to national level.

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  6. That is tragic. It would cut off so many people from reading and the other services that they otherwise couldn't afford. I guess literacy isn't a high priority.

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  7. All great arguments for keeping libraries open and free. Libraries seem to be trying to do what they can to stay viable and open. Having computers available, as y'all have noted, making it possible to check out eBooks, offering classes, some libraries have coffee shops, sharing of books between libraries, users can request books the library doesn't have, and so on. I'm old enough that it seems hard to imagine a world without libraries, yet I know it could happen.

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  8. 1000 libraries! That's heartbreaking! I hope we never lose ours!

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  9. I love our local library. I give most of my books to them where they sell them or put them on the shelves. No use in keeping them only to collect dust.

    Stephen Tremp

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  10. I agree - it is a very worrying trend. Recently, there was also a big outcry from authors here in the UK over cuts to their PLR earnings. Libraries are SO important and they need to be protected.

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  11. There's enough wasteful government spending to fund 1,000 new libraries. We need some economics in Congress to straighten out the pork barreling politicians who have even done away with physicial education in schools. No wonder our kids are overweight. (It's certainly not from reading).

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  12. Make that economists in Congress. :)

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  13. I would give anything to sit in a library again. In Cyprus we do not have any to enjoy.

    I think it is sad to think they are to be closed. What a shame.

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  14. I agree, supporting our libraries is very important. Many people like to hold a book in their hand when they read. Some people do not have computers and therefore, cannot access an e-book. I personally love books. It's like having 'my things about me.'

    Good blog, Helen.

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  15. Closing libraries is a very bad idea. And if you compare it to the amount of money that USA spend in Iraq and Afghanistan, I bet the entire library budget is about the same as ac few hours of warfare

    Cold As Heaven

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  16. Libraries were a godsend to me, growing up with a mother who frowned on books. In these economic hard times, it seems unfair to take away an establishment which might provide some much needed escape. (Hugs)Indigo

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  17. Access to books should be a right. There are too many kids who do not have access to a library now, let alone if they start closing down.

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  18. Unfortunately, several libraries here have closed. :( Libraries are my favorite places..it just makes me sick to see one close its doors.

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  19. Our local libraries have cut hours but all have managed to stay open. Many people use them as access to the internet, meeting places and ours offer many activities for preschool kids. In PA, the new budget increased funding for prison inmate education and cut funding for public libraries.

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  20. The thought of my library closing makes me physically sick.

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  21. Susan, I've heard of more libraries doing that - adding services. I also heard about the increased funding for prisons while libraries are closing. I wonder if more libraries closing will mean more prisoners in the future. Education, including self-education, is so important.

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  22. I hate to think of libraries closing anywhere, but especially in the UK cause that's where I grew up, 'cause the library's where I learned to love books, 'cause it matters that reading should be free.

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  23. It is a real concern. Although it's been a long time since I've used a library, I know many people whom the libraries are essential.

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  24. I find it sad that libraries are being cut.

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  25. That is really too bad. It is so difficult to get a library going (I should know, we have so few of them in India) that it is a pity any should have to shut down.

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