Comments on: Public Libraries now have Ambition. Well, perhaps … https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2016/12/public-libraries-now-have-ambition-well-perhaps.html What's happening to your library? Tue, 06 Dec 2016 21:03:48 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 By: Shirley Burnham (@ShirleyBurnham) https://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2016/12/public-libraries-now-have-ambition-well-perhaps.html#comment-7979 Mon, 05 Dec 2016 17:54:12 +0000 http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/?p=11752#comment-7979 “The message here is, look, your budgets are going to continue being cut, you’re on your own, so be cleverer with what you have. And if you don’t innovate, then it’s your fault if you close….”

Here’s a disturbing analogy. A student has no money when he/she gets to university, not a cent. What will he/she do to survive? Be an escort, turn to prostitution? Such a tragic outcome is, I understand, not unknown. Similarly, the sad fact is that because government refuses to fund public libraries properly they will be corrupted, prostituted and rubbished.

My lovely library in Old Town Swindon was co-located a few years ago into the nearby Arts Centre, to much applause and self-congratulation by the same councillors who may well rubber stamp their latest grotesque ‘strategy’ this week — and close it.

The council has no money, they say. They may be right.

Tell me, all you experts — How can you explain away how a libraries budget that has been cut by 60% will provide a service of any calibre whatsoever? It’s absolute NONSENSE! I have finally lost respect for those who are pontificating.

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