Lib Dems score breakthrough in fight to save libraries
September 4, 2010 10:23 PM
Susan van de Ven
Campaigning Liberal Democrats have scored a major breakthrough in the fight to save the county's smaller city libraries by forcing council chiefs to think again.
They were under threat after the county council launched a £2.2 million cost cutting programme.
Small libraries cost very little to run, and Cambridgeshire County Council has admitted that it can find other ways of saving money.
The announcement comes after Lib Dems joined residents to fight the closure of libraries, including those in Milton Road, Barnwell Road, Arbury Court and Rock Road in Cambridge.
"It is too early to say that the libraries are safe," said Lib Dem Libraries and Communities spokesperson, Susan van de Ven, "but this is a very positive step in the right direction.
"Libraries bring people together and are at the hub of our communities. Taking them away would erode community life. We have already lost many of our village libraries in a previous round of cuts and we will do everything in our power to prevent any further library closures."
Cost cutting plans being investigated include reducing staff numbers and using specialist volunteers and joining forces with other authorities to carry out back room library services such as book binding and cataloguing.
Residents' campaigns to safeguard the future of Milton Road and Arbury Court libraries have been strongly supported by Lib Dem councillors from Chesterton and across north Cambridge.
East Chesterton City Councillor, Susannah Kerr said: "The strength of feeling has been immense. People are not prepared to sit back and let this happen and we are giving them all the support we can.
"Libraries have become easy targets but there has to be a better way."
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