West Wycombe’s Liberal Democrat spokesman, Neil Timberlake, has condemned plans of the Conservative-led County Council to close West Wycombe Library, and others.
The plans, announced in the Bucks Free Press last week, have already attracted criticism from the respected Chairman of West Wycombe Parish Council, now Mr Timberlake, himself a West Wycombe Parish Councillor, has weighed-in.
“The Library service is a vital part of the life of the village of West Wycombe. Not only does it offer books for all ages, but also magazines, videos, DVDs, local public information, and internet access. If the Conservatives locally truly cared for village life and village amenities they would be looking to extend the hours of our local library, not close it down”.
Mr Timberlake pointed out that Wycombe’s first public library had been a gift to the people of the town by a Mr W.O. Griffith, a prominent member of Wycombe Liberal Association, direct forerunners of Wycombe Liberal Democrats. Liberals in the 19th century, as now, believe in the importance of education and access to information for all. That is why the Conservatives in Bucks are cutting library services, whereas Liberal Democrats elsewhere are improving library services by extending opening hours, bringing in new technology and investment.
Example – SomersetCountyCouncil
Somerset’s ‘Answers Now’ initiative provides a 24/7, 362 days a year on-line live enquiry service and works as a three 8 hour shift partnership with Brisbane City Council (Australia) and Richland County Library, South Carolina (U.S.A.). It is thought to be the only initiative of its kind in the world.
Example – Lambeth Borough Council
This year 25% more people have been visiting Lambeth libraries and lending has increased by 12% against a national decline in library use. These figures are due to the new Lib Dem-led administration:
-
not cutting the book fund in 2002/03, which Labour had done previously;
-
investing more in libraries in 2003/04 (an increase in the Library budget of £300,000);
-
increasing the book fund in 2003/04;
-
increasing opening hours in four libraries since August this year;
-
completing the refurbishment of two libraries;
-
implementing the People’s Network Project in the nine Lambeth libraries with 150 computers providing free access to the internet, e-mail, and other IT uses.
Example – EastbourneBorough Council
When the Conservative County Council closed down Old Town Library in Eastbourne the Liberal Democrat Borough Council provided a grant to re-open it.”
