"No one can be lonely who has a book for company." ~ Nelle Reagan

Monday, January 17, 2011

Supportive Library Patrons Clear Shelves in Protest

It could  happen in your neighborhood!  With economic uncertainty worldwide, cuts are being announced all over.  In the UK those cuts include the possible closures of two libraries.  Stony Stratford library is one of two branches being considered for closure by Milton Keynes council.

In an attempt to save the Stony Stratford library, a facebook campaign encouraged library patrons to borrow their 15 book allottment and they came in droves.  A member of town council, Robert Gilford, arrived too late to participate.  Every shelf in the library was cleared of the 16,000 volumes they normally carry, a day ahead of schedule.  If that doesn't speak volumes (pun intended) to town council, I don't know what will.

It is sad that during times of economic downturn, literacy and education seem to rise to the top of the chopping block.  If anything, those are areas that should receive ultimate emphasis along with healthcare, of course.  It is the literate and educated who will keep the economy going.  With education comes opportunity, and employment, which begets a positive impact in the retail industry which in turn boosts the economy. Why don't politicians see it that way?

I applaud those individuals who stood up for their local library.  Action speaks louder than words.  Support your local library.  As one man was quoted "The library is the one place where you find five-year-olds and 90-year-olds together, and it's where young people learn to be proper citizens..."  So true!

2 comments:

  1. OUCH! As a book reader, this is a hard thing to hear about. Thanks for sharing!

    I'm a new follower, just stopping by from Stacie's FFF meme.

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  2. Great post! Having just graduated with my masters in Library Science and trying to find a job at a Public Library, I love to see posts about the current 'situations' Public Libraries all over the world. Great post. My post on my public library I did a while back: http://patriciasparticularity.blogspot.com/2011/01/discussion-love-your-public-library.html

    <3 Patricia @ Patricia's Particularities
    P.S. New Follower

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