Writers protest at cuts threat to libraries

One hundred writers from the East Midlands have signed a letter protesting at proposed cuts to the library service in Nottinghamshire.

The cuts are among 164 proposals that will go before a meeting of the county council tomorrow.

The proposed changes to the library service would lead to a reduction of 83.4 full-time equivalent jobs, a reduction in the book fund of 75% and a reduction in opening hours of eight to ten hours a week at 28 of the county’s smaller libraries. They include Bilsthorpe, Burton Joyce, Collingham, Farnsfield, Lowdham, Sutton-on-Trent and Tuxford.

The letter has been drawn up by Mr Ross Bradshaw, of Five Leaves Publication of Nottingham, who was the council’s literature development officer for ten years.

He said that all the writers he talked to were shocked at the proposed cuts. Those signing the letter include Helena Pielichaty, of Collingham, former Magnus pupil Matt Haig, and Janet Streeter, of The Bookcase, in Lowdham.

Mr Bradshaw said: “Children’s writers in particular are astonished at these cutbacks as they know more than anyone how important libraries are in children’s lives.

“These cuts seem particularly thoughtless as the previous administration at county hall invested a lot of money refurbishing many libraries, including Southwell, making them into beautiful places for the 21st Century.”

The letter will be sent to the council on Monday.

The council needs to save £150m over the next three years, which includes proposals to cut 3,000 posts.

The council leader, Mrs Kay Cutts, said the council faced a challenging financial future. She said no firm decision had yet been made on how the savings would be found.

Public services union Unison is organising a mass rally outside County Hall tomorrow afternoon to protest against the proposed cuts.