This time last year Hampshire Library Cuts Protest March

I was one of over forty authors who lent my support to the campaign to stop Hampshire County Council from closing several libraries and cutting the hours of many others in the county. On Monday 13 January 2020 on the steps of the council offices in Winchester we handed over an open letter of protest to Councillor Woodward, who was then executive member for recreation and heritage at Hampshire County Council.
The local authority had announced that it was consulting on shutting some library facilities in a bid to save £1.76m from its libraries budget. Remaining libraries could also see their opening hours slashed under the scheme and four community-run venues could shut if they don’t find a new funding model.

Over the last ten years central government has consistently failed in its legal duty to adequately fund libraries, causing many to struggle and providing an excuse to local councils to say they are not working. Once a library in a community is closed it is gone forever.

Unfortunately the pandemic crisis overwhelmed events, and sadly the council's decision was to closelibraries and cut hours. Only Emsworth Library was saved from closure. However, at the time of writing this entry (2021), and with all the upheaval of the pandemic, I'm not sure what the future brings for libraries. They saw a massive surge in borrowing in ebooks during the lock down, which is great but there is still the need both for the physical building and to supply physical books and reading matter, not to mention all the other functions a library provides - community groups, social interchange, access to learning and free use of computers and a quiet space to go to meditate, relax, and browse. I fervently feel they are an essential and vital part of our communities.
POSTED BY: PAULINE ROWSON - JANUARY 13TH, 2021 @ 7:05:36 UTC
- 2021
- January
- Read a preview of DI Andy Horton LETHAL WAVES
- Read a preview of DI Andy Horton BLOOD ON THE SAND
- This time last year Hampshire Library Cuts Protest March
- DI Andy Horton has three investigations set in January
- Read a preview of DI Andy Horton DEAD MAN'S WHARF
- A blast from the past at Monks Brook U3A
- From inspiration and ideas to plot lines - writing a novel
- New Year Honour for crime author Pauline Rowson
- Pauline Rowson wishes you a safe passage in 2021
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