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Fight is on to save 10 libraries Campaigners urge public to make views known
Campaigners fighting to save 10 Plymouth libraries from closure are urging the public to make their views known before the consultation deadline is reached. A period of public consultation on the Plymouth City Council's controversial 'Plan for Libraries' ends on April 19. Meetings have been held at libraries across the city giving the public the opportunity to hear about the proposals in detail and to make their views known. Conservative and Labour councillors have voiced strong opposition to the plans which would see the closure of Peverell, Stoke, North Prospect, Eggbuckland, Efford, Ernesettle, Estover, Laira, Tothill and West Park libraries. Petitions have been raised, protest meetings held and Facebook pages launched – all aimed at opposing the closures. Labour leader Cllr Tudor Evans said: "Libraries are essential to communities. They are where children discover reading, people get hold of books they can't afford, computers give everyone access to the online world. We had started the job of making them a place to access council services, like at the new library now listed for closure in North Prospect." Conservative MP Oliver Colvile has said he has reservations about the proposals
Fishy goings on at Plymouth primary school – see page 19
and has suggested that the libraries could be run by staff with support from local communities. He has met with Coun Glenn Jordan, the City Council Cabinet member responsible for the plans, at the Houses of Parliament and has also raised the issue with Government ministers. The council's proposal highlights the fact that the seven libraries which would remain open - Crownhill, Devonport, Plympton, Plymstock, St Budeaux, Southway and Central Library - account for 80 per cent of all visits and 75 per cent of all items borrowed. Plymouth City Council has set up an online consultation facility at www. plymouth.gov.uk/libraries/planlibraries. People are also being encouraged to sign an online petition calling for the closure plans to be scrapped. This has attracted nearly 1,500 signatures. The petition can be found at www.change.org/p/cllr-glennjordan-stop-the-closure-of-libraries-inplymouth
April 2017
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