The library closures are still big news in the UK. This post by Emma Newman talks about the fight to save her town’s library. It’s stirring stuff.
I wanted to rail at the sheer disgust burning in my gut at how “they” proposed to deny free access to books and knowledge. I wanted to shake my fist and launch a searing attack against an administration who wanted to deny my child and all of the other children in this dying town the opportunity to discover the joy of books without the involvement of money. I wanted to yell that libraries are the last bastion of learning above consumerism.
This story is particularly pertinent to me as my soon-to-be in-laws live nearby, in Wells. I’m getting married just a few miles down the road. It’s where my children may well grow up.
One thing I will say though. Much of the opposition to the library closures, perfectly valid though it is, has focused on the brilliant service they’ve provided over the years. That’s fine. But let’s start looking forward.
Libraries are places to learn. People learn in so many ways these days and via all means of technology, from desktop PCs to iPhone apps.
Our libraries need investment. We need to make them learning hubs all over again. Perhaps the campaign to save the libraries can focus on change as much as staying the same. Being transformed instead of simply kept going.
It’s so tough to envisage though, what with the enormous cuts in public spending. Sad, sad times.
