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The Booksellers Association, Public Lending Right and library support body Voices for the Library have all now signed up to the industry-wide statement in support of the public library service due to be sent to local authority leaders.
The organisations have joined the Society of Authors, the Royal Society for Literature and Campaign for the Book in signing up to the statement, in a venture being co-ordinated by library campaigner Desmond Clarke and the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Trades union UNISON, which represents public sector workers, including librarians, has agreed to circulate the statement to its members.
However Clarke expressed concern over delays as other organisations dragged their heels in confirming support. The letters are set to go out to council chiefs stressing the value and importance of the library service ahead of potentially drastic cuts following the Comprehensive Spending Review on 20th October. "I am worried that we may lose the momentum at a critical stage for public libraries," Clarke said.