Archived news: 13 January 2012
The Society has submitted a response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into library closures.
In this submission we comment that authors are not only suppliers to libraries; they are also heavy users of the library services and many were inspired to become readers, and later writers, because of libraries.
The planned library closures will have a devastating, long-lasting and irreparable effect on local communities as well as on the wider community and the nation and constitute a breach of the requirements of the Libraries & Museums Act 1964 and the Charteris Report.
While it is not for the Society to dictate details of how library services are best provided, a comprehensive and efficient library service for the 21st century must allow free access to a wide range of books in a safe, comfortable, convenient and accessible space. Libraries must be knowledgeably managed and curated by trained professional staff.
We are confident that Government has sufficient powers under its general jurisdiction to prevent these devastating closures and ensure that Britain has a thriving, comprehensive and efficient public library service throughout the 21st century and beyond and urges the Government and the Secretary of State to exercise those powers now.
In addition we urge:
- School libraries be made compulsory;
- Public Lending Right should be maintained and the rate increased;
- Public Lending Right should be extended to ebooks and audiobooks.