Library plans All pain and no gain- Local author backs Councillor’s campaign to save local Libraries

Local Councillor and Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Bosworth Michael Mullaney was approached by local author Stewart Bint who offered his support to Michael Mullaney's fight to save threatened local libraries.

Michael Mullaney met Mr Bint, from Desford, at the Desford Library to discuss the campaign.

Michael Mullaney said "It's great to see local authors backing the campaign to save our local Libraries. Here in Hinckley and Bosworth we have eight local Libraries under threat. Desford, Barwell, Burbage, Newbold Verdon, Markfield, Ratby, Groby and Market Bosworth could be closed by Conservative run Leicestershire County Council.

"The County Council are saying that if volunteers can't be found to run these Libraries they will close.

"It would be a tragedy to lose these important community facilities, especially as many of these villages have lost other services and amenities over the years.

"These threats to Libraries are unlikely to even save much money. The County Council wants to save £800,000 through closing these Libraries. But one of them, Newbold Verdon, was built recently with over £700,000 from the Big Lottery Fund which the County may have to pay back if they close it. This would wipe out almost all the savings and so it would be all pain with virtually no gain.

"I hope Conservative run Leicestershire County Council have a rethink and keep the Libraries open."

Local Author Stewart Bint said "How can our County Council live with themselves by wanting to deny people's access to books? It's akin to the book-burning regimes which litter history.

"Desford Library also provides free internet for people who aren't online at home.

"The County Council are attempting to remove a vital public service and they should be ashamed of themselves. Not everyone can afford books, and the library is used by people who otherwise would have no access to books or the internet.

"The Government is pledging to provide broadband for everyone and these
County Councillors are trying to take it away. As an author I am dismayed by this attack on many people's only source of books, education and knowledge.

"It will hit people in their pockets as they'll have to catch a bus to visit a library. We pay our Council Tax for the County Council to provide a service to us. And here they are imposing their ill-thought-out will on us. Desford Library is only open 15 hours a week as it is, and closes for two full days in the week.

"The County Council are hardly providing an a dequate service now. Libraries have their origins in 1464 and have been widespread and popular since the mid 19th Century. Will this County Council go down in history as being the ones who lost this essential part of the English heritage on their watch? It's disgraceful."