Top Merseyside author condemns Wirral library closures on national radio

Feb 25 2009 Birkenhead News

A TOP Merseyside author went on national radio to condemn Wirral library closures.

Frank Cottrell Boyce has slammed Wirral Council’s decision to close libraries as “appalling” and said it was bidding to be “Capital of no Culture”.

Frank, from Crosby, suddenly lost control during an interview on Radio 4’s Today programme.

Following the acrimonious row about Wirral Council’s massive closure programme of libraries across the borough, Today presenter Sarah Montague asked him if libraries were really that vital.

Ms Montague asked if it wasn’t more important to prepare young people for the digital age, instead of providing books.

Frank said: “I don’t know what came over me – I went bonkers. I just started ranting and raving about the terrible impact of losing libraries filled with books.

“I said there was no point in writing more books to get youngsters interested in reading if libraries were becoming places devoted to anti-reading matter. Eventually, I think she pulled the plug on me.”

Frank adds: “Cllr Steve Foulkes had his ‘Marie Antoinette moment’ when he said those who couldn’t borrow a library book should buy one instead from Waterstones bookshop.

“If the man who leads the council can’t tell the difference between buying and borrowing, then we are being led by a confederacy of dunces.

“And if you live in Wirral you’ll have to leave the borough to look up that particular literary reference.

“Wirral complained that it was left out of Capital of Culture, now it appears to be bidding for Capital of No Culture.”

Far from feeling he went too far on Today, Frank also appeared on Any Questions on Radio 4.

He said: “This is an appalling act for Wirral’s Labour council to undertake, supposedly a party dedicated to improving the life of ordinary people, no matter what their economic background.

“I also wonder what the price tags are on the library sites. Will there be more supermarkets? In spite of the recession, we see the big new Morrisons planned for New Brighton, so we should be aware of these schemes.

“What libraries do goes beyond mere education. They are a social provision for old people, young mums, people with toddlers, teenagers who want somewhere serious to hang out.”