A “horrible situation” for local libraries

Story: Duncan Geddes | Photo: Lisa Swift

Local residents joined hundreds of protesters outside Sheffield Town Hall on Wednesday 8th January 2014 in an attempt to save libraries from closure.

1,239 people signed the petition by Pye Bank Parents Group to keep Burngreave Library open and staffed. Burngreave is one of 16 libraries facing closure. Libraries in Broomhill, Totley, Ecclesfield, Newfield Green, Frecheville, Stannington, Park, Upperthorpe, Southey, Gleadless, Greenhill, Walkley and Woodhouse are also at risk.

The Council, which has halved its library budget since 2010, plans to support five of these libraries if they can be staffed and run completely by volunteers. After the protest outside the Town Hall, 11 petitions with more than 23,000 signatures were presented to Sheffield councillors at their monthly meeting.

Sharlene Clark presented the petition for Burngreave library to the full Council chamber, and letters from pupils at Byron Wood Primary School were read out (see below). Sharlene said

“Burngreave Library is used a lot by my child. The majority of homework and school learning is done online. We don’t have access to computers and things at home, so we do a majority of learning at the library – on the computers and with the books as well.”

Nicky Reed, regional chair of the Workers’ Educational Association and Burngreave resident said:

“If we lose Burngreave Library, we’ve basically got no library within walking distance of local schools, who represent an area people have the least access to books in their home and have high levels of deprivation. It matters hugely that it stays in place.”

A combined petition from Totley and Greenhill libraries broke the threshold of 5,000 signatures required to trigger a full Council debate. Cllr Mazher Iqbal, the Cabinet member responsible for libraries, insisted that no decision had been made and that the Council had been working closely with local groups to find solutions.

“Over the past three years we have faced unprecedented cuts, which mean some services will have to stop or change drastically.”

Public responses to the consultation, which has now closed, will be presented to the Council ahead of a final decision on 19th February.

Letters written by Year 6 pupils at Byron Wood Primary School

Ali:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you because I am really unhappy about the decision that you have made about closing the amazing Burngreave library. This has been a terrible decision! Everybody in Burngreave wants their beautiful library. I love getting books from there.

Education is important! Therefore the library needs to stay open. Learning is important, and helps children have a brighter life. Books cost a lot of money, but in the library they are free. The library is used not only for books, it is also used to help children do their homework on the internet. I want you to leave the library open for at least four days a week. I am looking forward to your speedy response

Hilal:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to you because I am disappointed in the closure of the Burngreave library. The children of Burngreave think that you have made a terrible decision. The children of Burngreave are extremely disappointed. The British law states that “every council has to provide a comprehensive, and efficient library service.” This means that you are breaking the law because you are not providing the Burngreave people with a library. I would like to know if this is fair for the Burngreave children? Childrens education is important because they need to use the library for home work, reading and to have fun. Not everyone in Burngreave can afford to buy books every week. I want you to reconsider your decision. “What would the world do without our libraries

Tayyibah:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to complain about Burngreave Library closing down. I think it is a disgrace! This is a horrible situation, and you are making children depressed. It is a law to provide a good library service, and you are not doing that. You are breaking the law! This is a serious matter! 75 people are losing their jobs and it is hard to get one now. You are making their life harder! It is not fair! What will people do now? Some might not have enough money to pay bills. There are lovely books kids could read. Further more some might not have internet at home and they can come to the library and go on the internet here. You are also wasting books and throwing them away.