Residents have taken to the streets in a show of affection for their local libraries, warning that reduced staffing could leave vulnerable people without vital support.
With just a week remaining before the deadline for on library provision by Devon County Council, campaigners organised a “Love Your Library” walk to raise awareness of the consultation and encourage people to have their say before Saturday, February 22.
Across the country, local authorities are facing financial pressures and looking at ways to stretch limited budgets. In Devon, while there is no stated intention to close libraries, proposals include reducing the hours when employed, trained staff are available.
Considerations outlined in the consultation include extending opening hours through the use of volunteers, introducing open access for registered users outside core staffed hours and asking local organisations to manage day-to-day operations.
Ilfracombe town councillor Terry Elliott and campaigner Netti Pearson said: “We cannot assume that volunteers and untrained staff can cope with the needs of people who now use the libraries.”
They added: “The proposal does not recognise the unique contribution that a library makes to a specific community, especially around health and well-being in deprived and isolated areas. Devon County Council should be adopting an equity approach and directing more library services to areas with the greatest need.”
Highlighting the evolving role of libraries, they said: “Libraries have changed: no longer just places where books are borrowed. They offer a warm, welcome space often with refreshments, a meeting space for book clubs, crafts and other special interest groups for all ages, somewhere to access online services along with advice on how to use them.”
They continued: “They substitute in many ways for the loss of other public services. Volunteers cannot be expected to have the specialised skills and knowledge to provide help to people with very often crucial needs, who have nowhere else to turn. And access to the library is free.”
Cllr Sara Wilson, Ilfracombe’s county councillor, said she understood the difficulty of balancing the authority’s budget but could not support further reductions.
“As Ilfracombe’s county councillor I understand the difficulties in balancing the council’s budget but I cannot support any more cuts to Devon Libraries,” she said.
“In Ilfracombe, where we have lost so many services, we cannot expect volunteers to replace paid library staff. With poor public transport links and vulnerable populations, reducing paid staff and opening hours in Ilfracombe and Combe Martin libraries risks imposing even more disadvantages on already vulnerable groups.
“Coastal communities need more than incredible volunteers filling in the gaps where services have been lost.”
A group of residents, concerned that the consultation may have passed some people by, organised a “Love Your Library” walk from Wilder to the library in Ilfracombe. Led by the Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland, they handed out leaflets explaining how to access the consultation before the deadline.
The consultation can be accessed online by the end of Sunday, February 22, or by using a paper form available from the library. Residents can also email their views directly to communitiesconsultation@devon.gov.uk.
