Union launches national campaign to save libraries

Dec 15 2008 By Lorna Hughes

A UNION has launched a national campaign to save the UK's libraries - weeks after Wirral Council announced proposals to shut 14 libraries on the borough.

Unison is warning the country's library service is nearing "crisis point" because of cuts and closures and the threat of privatisation. 

Union leaders said across the UK a number of libraries have closed in recent years or are facing closure - citing Wirral as an example.

The union has published a five-point plan calling for extra spending and more support from communities to save their local libraries.

General secretary Dave Prentis said: "The library service is nearing a crisis point after suffering years of funding cuts, deskilling of the workforce and recent threats of outsourcing.

"Although more people visited their local library last year than went to the cinema or a football match, the numbers are declining and so we also need to concentrate on attracting new readers.

"Unison's plan aims to put communities in the driving seat to shape their local library service.

"We need a skilled workforce for the future and it would be a good investment for the Chancellor to spend some of his recession proofing pounds on libraries."