The County Council (which in itself is becoming a debatable name for a bunch of barbarians) has released its proposals for the future of libraries in Somerset.http://www.somerset.gov.uk/irj/go/km/docs/CouncilDocuments/SCC/Documents/Community/Libraries/Library%20Consultation%20Document.pdf
The 34 libraries currently cost £5.4m to run, and have an income of £1.1m. They're intending to cut the runn
ing cost from April to £4m and in the process reduce the number of libraries to only 14 (of which 6 will be partially self-service)
Libraries proposed for closure are: Bishop’s Lydeard, Bruton, Castle Cary, Dulverton, Highbridge, Milborne Port, Nether Stowey, North Petherton, Porlock, Priorswood, South Petherton, Sunningdale, Watchet, and Wiveliscombe
There's an online survey where you can vent your anger http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/survey/libraries/
The closure at Wiveliscombe is despite them spending £66,000 on fitting out last year, and being only one year into a 10 year lease at a rent of £7,500pa. Similar stories probably exist for the others. The Council are saying that communities can take on running their libraries, but they're not providing any funding, and there's no mention of even providing the books - just a bit of advice and (laughably) IT support. What the **** can we do to stop them?
