Prevent the closure of public libraries
Libraries offer computer access to the poor, give access to books to those unable to afford them, and provide education for all, regardless of social status.
They are inclusive of all, not just the 'white middle class'. They provide ways to learn about other cultures as well as our own, promoting understanding of foreign ways of life. They enable people to learn about subjects they may not have had the oppurtunity to study in the past. They provide a quiet place to study and read. They allow people to see the world in new ways.
Knowledge is power!
SAH
shared this idea
253 comments
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Ranjita Lohan
commented
Modernise libraries and make them fit for purpose for the 21st century - definitely. Close them down and an egalitarian channel for building knowledge, community and the sheer pleasure of reading is lost forever.
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Carl Hadleigh
commented
Once they're gone that's it they're gone!
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Mary Jones
commented
Libraries are needed now more than ever.
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Deborah Lepley
commented
Libraries are much more than just books - anyone can use them to access information in any format. Save Libraries & Save Professional staff too.
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Catherine Donaldson commented
Libraries help children to learn to read, help the unemployed to find jobs, help children without any books or internet access at home to do their homework and provide social contact for the elderly as well as books.
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ostephens
commented
Public libraries are places where all UK citizens can access information in any format, with the help of professional staff who can provide help and guidance to help library members to access information they want and need in the most appropriate way.
For many children, public libraries provide a place to study and to immerse themselves in reading - something that may be difficult at home, and for many it may be the place they are introduced to a wide range of literature they would not otherwise have access to.
Public libraries should be celebrated as part of a civilised and educated society, not seen as a luxury to be cut.
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Dawn Woods
commented
This is so shortsighted when the amount of money saved is a drop in the ocean
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Heather Bignold
commented
I became a librarian because they are such democratic places - anyone can go in and make use of what is on offer. If we get rid of them what does it say about us as a nation?
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Graham Meadows
commented
I grew up in Moss Side in Manchester. I am now a Solicitor in the City of London. I owe that success to my local library service. We couldn't afford the books I needed. Abolishing libraries will have long term repercussions.
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Sue Craske
commented
With an increasing number of school libraries closing around the country, public libraries are even more important.
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Gabrielle Adnitt
commented
Fighting closure *can* have an effect - two Bucks libraries have earned a reprieve. Save our libraries!
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Maia Daguerre
commented
This is really important. Once this resource has gone it will never come back again.
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Cheney Gardner
commented
Libraries are a mark of a civilised society and they promote learning, which in turn promotes tolerance, community and free thinking. Their removal signals a return to ignorance.
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Margaret K
commented
It can be invaluable to have access to books which are unlikely to be available via bookshops and which benefit "minority" groups of people who also pay for the service via their taxes. For example, I borrowed some books specially written for people with dementia which my mother really enjoyed. As well as being concerned about public libraries being closed, I am concerned about recent suggestions that they might be run by the private sector as has happened in some places in the US. There's a danger that they'd become services for the majority, measured by popularity, rather than collectively owned resources for every one.
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James H
commented
Just ridiculous!
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CazApr1
commented
As well as the many other uses of Libraries, 8 out of 10 0-5year olds in the country use their local library - reading for pleasure is so important in supporting any future academic achievement - how can this not be worth keeping?!
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Sarah Prior-Jones
commented
libraries are for everybody, regardless of age, sexuality, skin colour, social situation , state of health or income. There are no qualifiers.
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Joss O'Kelly
commented
Everyone is doing their best to stop library closures in their own areas, but a national campaign could be the way to go.
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s.vinyard
commented
When I had young children and we were quite hard up, the highlight of the week was to visit the library. There were bedtime stories for the children and they loved choosing from the myriad of books. I could find recipes for economical meals and ;learn crafts to uplift from books and DIY tips - I have taught children to act in plays which I found in the libraryt - here is something wonderful about walking into a library.It's on another level to the mundane. The atmosphere is condusive to study too. I would never like to be without a library - and the good thing was this was all free!
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Jeannie
commented
Public Libraries are important in any society. This is supposed to be the BIG Society, does that mean divesting/selling/leasing off our libraries. We must keep all our libraries, no ifs, no buts !
