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Concerns over library cuts grew this week with the news that public consultation on closing five libraries in Lewisham will begin this summer, while Cambridgeshire has embarked on a major cost-cutting library review.
Sydenham, Blackheath, Croft Park, Grove Park and New Cross libraries are under threat in Lewisham, as the council looks for £830,000 budget savings for 2011–14. Cambridgeshire council said councillors were being asked to support "an urgent review of library provision in Cambridge and the surrounding area" to save £2.2m over three years. The council said it was keen to use volunteers and wanted "to reduce as far as possible" the need to close libraries.
Buckinghamshire, Northumberland, Dorset and Blackburn with Darwen's councils are all conducting reviews of library services. Buckinghamshire has a public consultation set for August, while Dorset has identified reducing spend on books as one of three areas for achieving savings. Other councils are waiting to learn the size of cuts in the autumn spending review before exploring plans.
New culture minister Ed Vaizey last week (1st July) announced a "support programme" to be led by the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council and the Local Government Association, aimed at helping libraries achieve savings without affecting frontline services, working intensively with 10 councils initially.
An MLA spokesperson said it was at the stage of open invitation for the programme and the 10 authorities taking part in its first stage would be confirmed "perhaps in August". He said: "We have been in touch with Cambridgeshire and Lewisham in recent months but ultimately councils are in control of their own decisions, guided by their own budget cycles. It is up to each council to manage their library service as they think fit, provided they meet the 1964 legislation on providing a comprehensive and efficient library service."
Campaigner Shirley Burnham said: "To show that he is not a man of straw, the minister must declare a moratorium on all library closures until his department and the MLA have properly briefed councils on alternative ways to relieve the budget pressures without depriving the public of their library service."