21.11.2022

Libraries at risk of cuts despite 'unprecedented' rise in users

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The BBC report how Libraries are at risk of cuts despite 'unprecedented' rise in users

Community libraries are seeing an "unprecedented" rise in the number of people using their services, but many are concerned about their future.

The rise in the cost of living has seen people turn to libraries to save putting the heating on at home, with some services hosting food banks.

But soaring costs could force some to make "drastic cuts" and even shut next year, said charity Libraries Connected.

A body representing councils said budget cuts were inevitable.

"No council wants to reduce library services, but the dramatic increase in inflation alongside increases to the National Living Wage and higher energy costs has added at least £2.4bn in extra costs onto the budgets councils set in March this year," said Gerald Vernon-Jackson of the Local Government Association (LGA), which represents local authorities in England and Wales.

Libraries Connected, which represents libraries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, says many libraries have expanded their services to help people struggling with higher prices - running food banks, giving out clothing donations, extending their opening hours and providing hot drinks.

Isobel Hunter, the chief executive of Libraries Connected, says there has been a "range of people" attending libraries in recent months - from pensioners and younger people, to those working at home "who can't afford to heat their homes, but haven't necessarily got an office".

Many libraries, which are funded by local councils, do not know what their budgets will be for next year. However, Libraries Connected says that its members that do know are already considering cutting staff, services and the number of books they stock, with some even contemplating closure.

"The scale of the savings that libraries need to make and also the impact of inflationary costs means that these aren't savings that can be found down the back of the sofa or trimming little bits here and there," Ms Hunter says."It is a really serious situation."

At present, councils in England must hold a referendum if they want to increase council tax by more than 3%, but in his Autumn Statement on Thursday the chancellor said he would raise this to 5%.

Even with this change, Libraries Connected says council tax on its own is not a long-term solution for funding public libraries. Instead it argues that what is needed is a change to the way councils are funded.

The charity believes the chancellor's announcement will lead to cuts in funding for libraries and other frontline services.

Full article:

The BBC - Libraries at risk of cuts despite 'unprecedented' rise in users