We were pleased to be asked for our support for the library campaign. Below is the brief background. Libraries are community sustainable hubs like us.
Here’s the petition to sign.
Photographs of Halesworth march brilliantly organised by multiple people ad organisations, Halesworth Library, Halesworth Greens, HASH, in particular, Kim and Michael.
East Anglian Daily Press – covered our story Protest set at Halesworth Library. Campaigners in a market town are set to protest against council plans on taking back control of libraries.
Here’s our press release:
PROTESTERS TURN OUT IN HALESWORTH TO OPPOSE COUNCIL’S LIBRARY PLANS
Over 100 people – many dressed in costumes and carrying placards – protested in Halesworth on Saturday against Suffolk County Council’s (SCC) planned takeover of 45 libraries run by the Suffolk Libraries charity. Hundreds more signed Lesley Dolphin’s petition opposing the measures, bringing the current total to over 17,500. Following Halesworth’s lead, similar protests are planned throughout the County this week, ahead of SCC’s Cabinet meeting on 18th March which is expected to ratify the decision.
Annette Dunning, the County Councillor representing Halesworth, addressed the protesters at Saturday’s rally, saying that it was important for people’s voices to be heard in support of the existing library provision and outlining the risks of cuts and closures if the service was taking taken back “in-house” by the Council. In an interview, she also made clear that the issues go beyond how Suffolk’s libraries are run, “I am so cross that Suffolk Country Council can make this decision without actually speaking to the people of Suffolk first,” she said in an interview. “We need to go back to the table to talk. SCC did not inform other elected officials; I was not afforded the opportunity to discuss anything. We were told we could not be involved because there was a tendering process [to carry out library services].” Dunning said being excluded from the process by SCC was “shameful, as it became clear that the only organisation who had applied to run the service was in fact Suffolk Libraries.”
One of the protest organisers, Michael Imison, addressed the concerns of library users “Suffolk County Council cannot guarantee the future of the library service if it’s taken back in house – whereas we know that Suffolk Libraries can: they are able to bring more money to the table through charitable grants, fund-raising and volunteer support; they’ve managed to invest in longer opening hours and a fantastic range of activities for users since being awarded the contract in 2012 – they’re at the heart of our local community.” The Lesley Dolphin petition highlights an additional risk of SCC taking on libraries from recent local government changes, “It’s common knowledge that the Council might be swept away in a couple of years should devolution come. How can we trust the Council with our libraries if they are prepared to risk their future against this backdrop?”
Residents have the right to speak at the Suffolk County Council Cabinet meeting on 18th March which is currently expected to endorse the decision to remove the contract from Suffolk Libraries.
“It’s not too late to make a difference” says Michael Imison – “these people are our representatives, and we don’t agree with what they’re doing – make your voices heard!” Requests to speak must be submitted through the County Council website no later than Wednesday 12th March “Apply to speak at a Public meeting” https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/the-council-and-its-committees/apply-to-speak-at-a-public-meeting.