Library Closure Plans Elicit “Speechless” Reaction from Campaigner

An advocate working to prevent a library’s closure stated they were rendered “speechless” following a city council’s announcement of proposals to reduce its facilities. Peterborough City Council anticipates a budget deficit exceeding £20m for the upcoming year, allocated for funding services including homeless and temporary accommodation, adult social and health services, and children’s services. The council’s cost-saving initiatives encompass scaling back the existing libraries service from 10 static locations to three, placing the lido into a state of disuse, and increasing council tax beyond 4.99%. Jennie Storey, representing the Friends of Woodston Library, described these as “crucial services” and characterized the decision as “short-termism.” Peterborough City Council indicated that, like numerous other local authorities, it is confronting a substantial financial predicament stemming from “huge increases” in service demand. Dennis Jones, the leader of the authority, stated: “The city would have to call in commissioners – who will come in and sell off anything that is left. And the last thing we want to do is that.” Mohammed Jamil, the deputy council leader, affirmed that the authority’s expenditures would persist in areas of “greatest need,” including care for the elderly and vulnerable, children and families, and housing support. A public consultation regarding these proposals, allowing residents to express their views, is scheduled to run from 17 December to 14 January. The local authority indicated that the potential closure of seven libraries throughout the city could generate annual savings of £314,000. The council intends to invest in an updated central library and two further libraries, alongside establishing smaller self-service facilities within community hubs city-wide. Ms Storey commented: “I was speechless. [The] council’s priority areas are for the elderly and children and we don’t understand why the council is not utilising these libraries to deliver these priorities. “Reducing them to three libraries – with the lowest literacy rates in the country – it does not add up.” She continued: “This seems to be short-termism. Concentrating on short term measures for immediate profits in expense of long-term security. “[Libraries] supply education and learning. They are crucial. Our library provides services for local schools bringing in 40 children every Thursday as well as activities for older people.” Ms Storey added: “There is so much deprivation around the city including data poverty and that’s where libraries can help. They are so much more than books.” The Woodston Library, located on Orchard Street and 73 years old, is among the assets Peterborough City Council is contemplating selling or repurposing in an effort to balance its budget. Earlier in the current month, the Friends of Woodston Library submitted a petition bearing 600 signatures to the local authority, advocating for the library’s preservation.