Library campaigners were handed more bad news this week when local authorities announced more austerity measures to cut back on cherished services.
The Big Issue’s #WhyBooksMatter campaign has fought to keep libraries open and champion greater literacy, winning support from authors, publishers and reading organisations.
But library users in east England were devastated when North East Lincolnshire Council unveiled its plan to slash libraries opening hours across the area, including the closure of four libraries completely one day a week.
“We need to provide a modern-day library service that makes the best use of the decreasing budget available,” councillor Jane Hyldon-King, the local authority’s portfolio holder for libraries, told The Grimsby Telegraph.
“People are changing the way they access the library services and what they access when they are there.”
Meanwhile, Powys County Council in Wales has announced plans to cut £250,000 on its library service over the next two years. The cuts could affect 11 libraries, with council bosses looking at “community partnerships” to keep the venues running.