I just heard on the news that library services will have to make cuts to services if the budget is to remain at 0% increase.

This is another example of how the London tax freeze hurts the less priveledged in our city.  I use the library frequently and have since I found myself as a single parent of 2 young girls.  Being avid readers, previously I would have bought many books but when money became tighter, we started regular trips to borrow books.  As the value of literacy is increasingly recognised as essential to communication and early reading skills, libraries should have funding increased.  Those who find themselves with fewer resources or fixed incomes can use library services for parent/child groups, access to computers, access to current magazines and books.  

 

Reducing hours?  I have thought it was a shame that more branches weren't open on Sundays to take advantage of school-free/workfree hours to give people a chance to help yheir children on school reports or use a quiet Sunday afternoon reading in the library.  

 

Many people with money, cars, computers and internet access at home don't understand what disadvantage it is to not have the same resources.  

 

I hope you can find some solutions that don't affect services!  Feel free to contact me regarding any of my comments and feel free to share them with city council if it helps make a point.  

30 year Library user

Admiring the persistence you put into your blog and in depth information you offer. It's good to come across a blog every once in a while that isn't the same outdated rehashed information. Wonderful read! I've saved your site and I'm adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.