An article from Surrey dated today, bearing the headline "Progress On The First Wave of 'Community' Libraries" goes on to contradict that positive spin, quoting representatives of two local libraries, the first of whom says "We would rather not be in this position, but we are and we are going to make the best of it"; and the second who states "We are wholly against the policy. We don't want to go down the volunteer route; that is a recipe for disaster as far as we are concerned".
http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/Progress-wave-community-libraries/sto...

Dozens and dozens of similar reports abound : Dorset campaigners are "heartbroken", cries of despair emanate from Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Isle of Wight, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Yorkshire, London boroughs : the list is too long to itemise. Many fine public librarians and library assistants have lost their jobs or are obliged to train volunteers whilst awaiting their brown envelopes; demoralised likewise, but enjoying little useful support from their professional bodies.

In the background, plumply, sit Ed Vaizey, Culture Minister and Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State -- "watching carefully," the kiss of death being applied to the public library service for which they have statutory responsibility. Busy with other matters perhaps or, I suspect, standing over the photocopier, printing up "Do Not Resuscitate" orders -- to be affixed libraries throughout the land.

One can only hope that the WI will give them a good shaking and bring them to their senses, before it is too late.

Community libraries, promoted by the now-defunct MLA, are an idea spelling disaster for public libraries. Funding for a year, no new stock, volunteers to serve users...and no captial to start with. Just watch them fall as council after council offers libraries they want to close to "the community".

Where is the government's promise to support libraries? With more unemployment comes greater need for the way libraries serve all people with access to information, internet, and interests. But this government is ignoring the truth coming from support groups in Lewisham, Greenwich, Camden, Brent, Barnet --just to start in London. Councils are not being told to protect these vital services, despite promises made at election time.

We want the truth from DCMS and an answer to letters. Is there to be help for councils to provide a proper library service? or not. We need to know.

Not only a reduced service but a wicked waste of existing stock. In the case of the Blackheath Library (Lewisham) most of the stock remains in a closed library whilst a very small collection is available in the Reminiscence Centre which has taken over the "service". Lewisham libraries that have been removed from direct Local Authority control are asking for books to be donated. How does this relate to balanced stock selection? I agree with the comments made by the WI concerning volunteers.

We've seen service after service slide downhill in this area - since long before the recent round of cuts. All I ever seem to get from my own local council is excuses that they're "under-resourced". They don't seem to be under-resourced in terms of bums in seats at the top, and no-one ever seems to try cutting a few four-figure salaries instead of a lot of lower-paid. And where services are - why does the high-salaried administration that oversees those services always seem to survive intact?

It leaves many of us wondering - what exactly are we paying for?

If our local library is to be run by volunteers, at least let's get logical - surely we don't need a top-heavy administration to oversee them?

But if the Government can't be driven to change its policy and given the corporates' stampede to take over public services, shouldn't we be seeing W H Smith back in there with their circulating libraries?

In the authority where I work (tho probably for not much longer) it is already too late... :o(

I live in Lewisham and I don't recognise the Richardson's constant whinging. Crofton Park library is great.

Pat - you don't speak for me, so shut up, please.