Councillors celebrate National Libraries Day and call for services to be retained

COUNCILLORS have celebrated National Libraries Day in Hinckley and are calling for libraries threatened with closure to be retained.
Borough representatives Councillor Mathew Hulbert (Lib Dem, Barwell) and Councillor Michael Mullaney (Hinckley, Trinity) went along to Hinckley Library to be part of their events as part of the day which celebrates the role libraries play in communities up and down the Country.

Councillor Mullaney says, ''National Libraries Day is a time to celebrate the great contribution Libraries make to our local communities.
So many people benefit from the free education service Libraries provide, particularly young people who are studying as well as people engaged in life-long learning.

''In addition there are also the many social events that now take place in libraries.
In many areas, particularly rural ones, they are a focal point of the community.

''Through the computers and Internet
service they provide they also help job seekers who are looking for work-and can't afford the Internet at home-to apply for jobs.

At present a number of Libraries in the rural areas of Hinckley and Bosworth are under threat because Tory-run Leicestershire County Council are removing support.

I hope LCC will ensure that these vital community facilities are preserved for the benefit of these communities.''

Councillor Hulbert says, ''It was great to celebrate National Libraries Day at Hinckley Library and to see so many people there benefiting from the myriad services and chances for social interaction that it-and all libraries-provides.

Under current plans from LCC Hinckley Library will, quite rightly, continue to be funded by the County Council and staffed by professional librarians.

Sadly many other libraries, including Barwell's, are under threat of closure if volunteers don't come forward to run them.

Thankfully, in Barwell, such a group has come forward and I wish them every success if a final decision is taken by the Conservatives at County Hall to withdraw their support from the of running it.

''But I continue to call on the County Council to withdraw their planned changes and keep the libraries open, Council-run and staffed by professional librarians to ensure none of their current services are lost.''