Campaigners claim that libraries are vital for society
PEOPLE in Northampton town centre were asked to demonstrate their love for the county’s libraries to celebrate National Library Day.
Outside Central Library in Abington Street on Saturday, members of the Northampton Alliance to Defend Services (NADS) invited people to fill in a “love heart” explaining what they liked about their library and then pin it up on a clothes line.
To mark the occasion, members of the group “hugged” the library. A similar event also took place outside Towcester Library.
Jill Elks, of NADS, said the aim of the event was to show how important libraries are to a large number of people in the county
She said: “We want the council to stop the cuts to the libraries.
“Some people don’t think they are important, but there is a whole strata of society that use them much more.
“For some people the first time they will speak to someone will be when they go to the library and other people will go there simply to keep warm.
“There is a lot of research which says the Government would end up paying more in emotional support if they closed the libraries.”
Bob Ansell, of NADS, said he had used libraries all his life and borrowed his first book when he was five-years-old.
He said: “If you staff libraries with volunteers that makes them so much weaker and more vulnerable to closure.
“And if we close the libraries what message is that sending out to the community about education and learning?
“We are trying to offer a positive message and show the council that libraries are a resource we need.”
Culture Minister Ed Vaizey MP has launched a national campaign to encourage smartphone users to celebrate UK public libraries by putting their library on a specially-created Google map.
Using the ‘Find a Library’ mobile app available at www.findalibrary.org.uk, people can go to their local library, click ‘Use my Location’, select their library and then ‘Put Library on the Map’. This will ensure that their library is included in the national database of public libraries.
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Weather for Northampton
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Comments
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lady muck
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:35 PMI was in central library this afternoon...noticed they are thinking of Sunday opening....not gone down too well with the staff apparently...
Finker
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 11:09 AMLadyM, the Borough said they were going to develop it but forgot they don't own it - seems to be a pattern.
Common sense
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:46 AMALL 7 campaigners?
Removed by moderator
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:45 AMSomewhere warm to go this weather I suppose. Are libraries not really needed any more? Bit like 'phone boxes.
lady muck
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:41 AMI'm sure it was only the other week that we were told the library is to be re-developed or something....somebody please refresh my mind
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