Battling on

[John Dean]

I have, as some of you might know, been involved in the campaign to protect UK libraries at a time of budget cuts, which has reinforced for many writers the passion their readers feel for books and those who supply them. Well, according to the Guardian.co.uk, website, there are signs that the campaigning is starting to have an effect with a number of councils reconsidering the scale of their cutbacks, particularly when it comes to closing libraries that are such a lifeline for many people in their communities, particularly elderly people.

According to the Guardian, Northamptonshire is the latest council to change its mind, deciding to reprieve some threatened libraries. A number of other councils have shown signs of rethinking their proposals as well, with some even investing more in their libraries, partly it would be safe to assume, due to the effect of the recent widespread public protest, which saw 100 events staged on Save Our Libraries Day on February 5.

Despite all this encouraging news, however, the Guardian reckons that almost 500 libraries remain under threat so the battle is not over. Not by far.