We continue to be inundated with dreadful stories about library plans. The sheer size of Birmingham shows up the insanity of cuts (essential social services! 25 libraries! almost all cultural provision! fire
sale of assets!) so clearly that even the Telegraph has noticed. It is urging central government to “act, and fast… [or] it will be remembered as the one that abandoned English cultural life”. And much
more…
We document all the stories.
Now the librarians’ association CILIP is starting to do the same. If you send us news of your own service (to thelibrarycampaign@gmail.com), please also go through the rather fiddly process of adding it to CILIP’s national map at https://cilip.org.uk/page/libraries-at-risk. If you want to be contacted, put in your email address.
CILIP has also published some brief but sensible advice on campaigning. You have to register to see it at
https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/know-your-rights. Right at the bottom is an offer of direct help from CILIP – “our capacity is limited, but we will help whenever we can”. As, to be fair, it has sometimes done in the past. This help might include letters to council, DCMS, MPs etc or, “in extremis”, local media. Only if your library staff includes a CILIP member. But well worth a try.
All this is coming rather late in the game, it has to be said. But it is good to see CILIP moving in the right direction. Meanwhile, you can find much more comprehensive advice and info straight off from us at
http://www.librarycampaign.com, or one-to-one via email.
