by Keith Richmond
UNISON has reacted angrily to the news that Wirral council on Merseyside has approved plans to close 11 of its 24 libraries – despite widespread local protests.
The council, controlled by a coalition of Labour and Liberal Democrats, has ignored protests, marches and petitions to impose its much-criticised “strategic asset review”. The move will hit poorer people in the metropolitan borough particularly hard as the credit crunch-inspired recession continues to bite.
Dave Prentis, Unison’s general secretary, said: “It is a disaster for people on the Wirral who will lose 40 per cent of their local libraries. Buying books is expensive and, as the recession deepens, many low income families will depend on their local libraries to help children with their school work and reading.”
More people visited their local library last year than went to the cinema or a football match and the services they provide are vital in these difficult times.
But the public service union, which represents most of the 27,000 people employed as librarians, library assistants and managers in England, Scotland and Wales, says services are seen as a “soft target” by councils keen to cut costs.
Mr Prentis said: “These cuts are part of a worrying trend. The country’s library service is already nearing crisis point after suffering years of funding cuts, deskilling of the workforce and recent threats of outsourcing. Libraries should not be a soft target for cuts and Unison will be working with local people to challenge these closures.”
