Coming to a Library Near You ...

As part of the County Councils plans for the Library Service our local library (Arbury Court) will be closed for a week to allow the installation of self-service machines (like the one pictured from the Central library) and to allow time for staff training.

This investment in the local library is welcome. What is less than welcome is this Conservative Administrations' cuts to staffing and opening hours - a library is only useful to it's local community when it's open and people can only get the best use out of it when there are trained staff on-hand to help.

You can keep up to date with events at your local library by following the Friends of Arbury Library blog. The County Council has just finished a consultation on opening hours the results of which are not yet available - when something is available I will post it here.

Library Service - Opening Hours Consultation

Cambridgeshire County Council are currently running a consultation on the opening hours for Arbury Court Library, Histon Library, and the Cambridge Central Library which directly affect King's Hedges. The catchment for Milton Road Library *apparently* does not include King's Hedges. 

Looking first at Arbury Court (where I'm a friend of the Library) at the moment the library is open for 32.5 hours a week. The proposal is that this be reduced to 27 hours a week. This reduction is around 17%, substantially more than overall reduction of 7% being proposed for the entire service.

Unfortunately the news for both Histon (a 10% reduction) and the Central Library (a 9% reduction) are not substantially better.

It seems after attempting to rig the original survey identifying the libraries under threat of closure against City Libraries the Conservative administration is now attempting to rig the opening hours cuts so that they disproportionally affect city libraries - and this is surely what these cuts (based on the population of the catchment area - rather than actual usage) will do.

Once again the Conservative administration is ensuring that the harshest cuts are inflicted on Cambridge City.

The surveys can be completed online by following the following links;

Arbury Court

Histon Road

Cambridge Central Library

And for those of you for whom the Milton Road Library is more appropriate a link to this survey is available here.

Save Milton Road Library Public Consultation

The friends of Milton Road library (which is still under threat of closure by Cambridgeshire County Council) are holding a public consultation meeting at St. Laurences Church on Milton Road at 7pm on Monday the 16th of May.

It's important that as many people as possible attend these public meetings to show the local communities support for the local library.

If you'd like to contact the Friends of Milton Road Library their email address is fmr.library@gmail.com.

Attached is a PDF of the library poster (shown on the left), please print this out and display wherever possible.

County wide library petition

The various Friends groups of libraries across Cambridgeshire have set up a County-wide petition.

The petition reads:

We the undersigned call upon Cambridgeshire County Council to reject proposals to close libraries or to replace the existing professional service with a reduced service run by volunteers.

We believe that libraries are a vital part of the community.

Every community that has a library values this service, whether it is in the City, like Arbury Court library in our ward, or in the villages.

I hope you can join me in signing the petition.

Library Review @ North Area Committee

The minutes documents for this meeting have been published on the City Councils website (click here). It is very unfortunately that neither Sir Peter Brown (the Conservative Cabinet Member responsible for Libraries) or any Officers from the County Council were able to present themselves to the Area Committee to address local concerns.

There is a lot of local feeling on the issues of Libraries that they should have put in an appearance to address.

The minutes from the Libaries segment of the meeting are;


"The committee received an oral report from Councillor Wilkins regarding his understanding of the current position concerning County Council library services.

The County Cabinet considered a budget proposal 25 January 2011, which suggested that 2 of 5 libraries in Cambridge (excluding Central Library) could be closed in order to cut costs. This could affect Milton Road, Rock Road and Arbury Court Libraries in particular.

A Library Service Review Report has been written setting out actions, proposals and expected cost savings.

Members of the North Area Committee and public expressed grave reservations concerning the proposed library service cuts set out in the Library Service Review Report, and expected impact on local communities. The consensus of opinion was that libraries were important for education and learning, the City could not afford to lose these facilities. Meetings at local libraries were signposted to muster support to voice concerns about the Library Service Review Report proposals.

The Committee agreed to bring back an agenda item to the next Area Committee on library services to:

(i)  Express concern about Library Service Review Report proposals.

(ii)  Point out the differing needs of rural and urban areas for library services, as the County Council appear to be taking a generic approach.

(iii)  Discuss land use protection afforded in the Cambridge Local Plan (2006), and whether this has an impact on libraries."

As always if you have any questions or concerns related to libraries please get in touch with me (County Councillor Andy Pellew) and I'll be able to update you. It is also my intention to be at the next Friends of Arbury Library meeting in order to answer any further questions.

Read-In at Arbury Court Library

Yesterday's read-in at Arbury Court Library was a great success. The library was packed with people reading and determined to do what they can to help support the Library Service and save it from damage.

Julian Huppert came along to lend his support after his morning surgery, and in the rather posed photo at the top you can see me, Julian and East Chesterton Councillor Clare Blair. Many residents took up the chance to chat to Julian about libraries and other issues.

There was also a photographer from the Cambridge News, and I'll update this post with a link when they publish their story and picture.

It was nice to meet a lot of old friends I wasn't expecting to see, as well as the members of the Friends group.

One resident chatted to me about the value of the library to her in gaining legal advice, others about the importance for their children, others about their role in providing access to services that are online.

The Friends of Arbury Library did a superb job organising the event: and they deserve a huge thank you. Your local Focus team will continue to campaign to protect Cambridge Libraries, not just at Arbury Court but also on Milton Road and throughout the City. Libraries are not a luxury but an important part of our educational and social infrastrcuture.

We will keep you posted about any future events, or anything else you can do to help.

Update 8/2/11: The Cambridge News article was published yesterday.

Friends of Arbury Library meeting

Just back from the Friends of Arbury Library meeting at the Arbury Community Centre.

A good number of residents managed to attend the meeting, and there was a good discussion about the library, as well as the business of the evening: to formally adopt a chair, secretary and committee.

Unfortunately Andy Pellew was unable to attend due to a family illness, so the meeting started with a brief outline of the background from Mike Todd-Jones. This was followed by passionate defences of the role of libraries from East Chesterton Lib Dem Cllr Clare Blair, and local residents Liz Brennan and Pete Shipton.

Clare explained how libraries had helped her children learn, and this was echoed by residents in the general discussion.

Local author Paul Shipton talked about the impact of the library in local schools, and his positive reception when talking about the library in our local schools.

The discussion from the floor emphasised how strongly people feel about the library service in general, not just about Arbury Court Library. A member of the Friends of Milton Road Library spoke about the threat they face, and the need to work together.

Arbury resident John Marais was then re-elected as chair of the Friends. He has done a superb job as acting chair. John made it clear his hope for FOAL to work with all other Friends groups across the city.

A committee volunteered, and local city and county councillors were asked to attend committee meetings ex-officio. An invitation that the local team, and our LibDem colleagues in Arbury and East Chesterton were keen to accept.

The hard work of making sure that the Conservative run County Council hears that we don't want the library service damaged starts on Saturday with the read in at Arbury Court Library at 2pm this saturday. This is a really positive demonstration.

The Friends have their own website, if you want to get more involved with FOAL come along on saturday or get in touch with them or the team.

North Area Committee results...

Last night at North Area Committee a few issues that affect the ward were discussed.

Firstly we had many Friends of Arbury Court Library along, and I'd like to promote the meeting they are holding at 7pm on February 2nd. This meeting is to formalise the group and come up with ideas to support it, and the other libraries threatened by the Conservative County Council. They are also staging a "read-in" at the library on Saturday February 5.

The report back from County Councillors suggests that Milton Road library is under bigger threat, but the local Liberal Democrats are campaigning to save all of Cambridge's libraries.

We also had some community grants to groups in King's Hedges. I managed to get the committee to agree to go against officers and give a grant to the Meadows Children and Family Wing, who do a lot of work with families in Arbury and King's Hedges. This is subject to checks that it isn't a "double" claim, but seperate project work. There were also grants to King's Hedges Brownies and the King's Hedges Family Support Group.

There is still some money in the pots, so if you know of a community group that could do with some help get in touch.

We also had the police priorities and I discussed issues of ASB with Sgt Wragg. He has agreed to meet me to see what can be done about some specific local problems.

Library Service Review

It seems like central government is beginning to become concerned that local councils are planning on making huge cuts to Library service provision as a means of balancing the books. Ed Vaizey, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative industries, has taken the step of writing to Councillors to remind them that they have a statutory obligation under the Public Libraries & Museums Act 1964 to provide a "comprehensive & efficient" library service.

This should server as very timely reminder for Cambridgeshire County Council. The Conservative-controlled body has yet to announce the results of it's review into the Library Service in Cambridge but all the rumours (including a recent article in The Guardian) point towards "swinging cuts" to the service.

Needless to say your local Liberal Democrat councillors are committed to the continuation of the existing provision in Arbury Court. If you are interested in becoming more involved in supporting this effort please let us know! You can visit the "Friends of Arbury Library (FOAL)" blog here.

The full text of the letter is;


"Dear Councillor 


SPENDING DECISIONS AND LIBRARY SERVICES

The financial deficit presents very difficult challenges for all public bodies and I recognise the pressures you are under. The reduction in local government resource over the next spending period presents a real challenge. 


l have written to you recently about the value of libraiy services. They are places which can be used by anyone without judgement. They help people to learn new skills, read, access information, get online or find entertainment. 


I want to emphasise the importance I place on compliance with the statutory duty to provide a "comprehensive & efficient" library service under the Public Libraries & Museums Act 1964. As you know, the Secretary of State last exercised his statutory power to intervene in April 2009, by commencing a local inquiry into Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council’s compliance with its duties. The inquiry determined that the ‘comprehensive and efficient’ service that local authorities are required to provide is a balance between meeting local needs within available resources in a way which is appropriate to the needs of the local community. 


No two authorities are the same and there is no single way of making an assessment of the needs of a community.


It may be helpful however, if I set out the key considerations that every local authority should have in mind, as set out in the Chaiteris review on the Wirral closures. These are;

• a statement of what the service is trying to achieve;
• a description of local needs, including the general and specific needs of adults and children who live, work and study in the area;
• a detailed description of how the service will be delivered and how the plans will fully take into account the demography of the area and the different needs of adults and children in different areas (both in general and specific terms); 
• the resources available for the service, including an annual budget. 

I hope that local authorities will develop a creative and bold approach to decision making around the public library service. Along with the Local Government Group, I launched the Future Libraries Programme in the summer to provide local authorities with support in delivering the service more efficiently. 
Among the ideas being explored are transferring control of some library services to communities to run, merging services provided by two different authorities into one cross-­boundary library service and locating library services in retail stores. There are 151 library authorities in England. With fewer than 40 of them taking part in the programme it is important that the findings from the 10 initial pilot projects are shared Widely so that all authorities can learn from the experiences of those authorities that are participating. This process is just starting and l hope you will be inspired by some of the work that is progressing. 


You can find out more at;
http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/programmes/the_future_libraries_programme


ED VAIZEY Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative industries"


The original letter is available here.

Library Opening / Closing Arrangements: Christmas 2010

I have received the following email (sent to all County Councillors) from the Acting Head of Libraries, Archives and Information relating to Christmas opening hours of Libraries across Cambridgeshire;

"Dear Councillor,


This is to inform you of the arrangements for Libraries and Archives over the Christmas period. Libraries with the exception of Central Library, will be closed from 1pm on Friday 24th December through to Tuesday 4th January 2011, when normal service will resume.


This was originally a staff suggestion for saving money, and the vast majority of staff have agreed to take their leave on these days in order to help make savings. We know that libraries are traditionally quiet during this period and it is estimated that the service will save in the region of £11,000 as a result.  Please note that the loan period for all items will be extended accordingly, items may be renewed online or by telephone, and that extra items may be borrowed on request.


Cambridge Central will remain open during the festive period because statistics show this is the busiest library over the Christmas period and Cambridge is very busy with shoppers at this time.  People increasingly expect the library to be open whenever the shopping centre is open - including public holidays.  Central Library will also provide support for Contact Centre referrals and enquiries to libraries.


If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Regards,


Christine May
Acting Head of Libraries, Archives and Information"

I think this shows the dedication of the staff who work in the Libraries across Cambridgeshire and is definitely something I welcome as your local County Councillor. The details of the library service review will be published soon although there are some disturbing items appearing in the National Press about "swinging cuts" in Cambridgeshire. I will update this blog as soon as there is news.

City Council: Keep our Libraries open!

At last Thursday's meeting of the full City Council meeting I proposed a motion to ask the County Council to rule out library closures in the City.

The motion was passed unanimously sending a strong message to the Conservative run County Council of how much our libraries are valued. Our library network is vital not only for the people of all ages who use it for educational and leisure purposes, but because it plays a key part in our communities.

Taking away our libraries impacts on the whole fabric of our society, denying people access to life-long learning opportunities and the wide range of events that take place there.

I grew up in a village with a travelling library so I also know the great benefits that rural libraries bring to people who have few other services. At the Cabinet meeting it appeared that Tories in the county council Cabinet know that libraries will be lost and they are fighting to protect those in their own wards.

We need to keep the pressure on the County Council to rule out closures anywhere in the County, but especially in King's Hedges.

Help save Arbury Court and Milton Road Libraries

As you may be aware the County Council have announced a review of the Library service. They seemed to be surprised at the outcry this provoked and have started holding some public meetings on the plans. The next one in Cambridge is 9th September, from 7pm to 9pm at the Central Library.

The County Council report makes it clear that they are considering closing local libraries, and it is vital to show the support and need for both Arbury Court and Milton Road libraries.

There is a recently set up Friends of Arbury Court Library who are keen to get new volunteers, and have organised a petition to save the library. They also have a Facebook group. Please sign the petition and join the group.

When the Friends have a web site and a settled contact address we'll advertise it here, but if you dislike Facebook the Focus team will put you in touch with the organisers.

Milton Road library has a well established friends group who are campaigning to save their library. They can be contacted via email, and have a web presence at Chesterton Community Association.

Andy Pellew and you City Councillors will be campaigning to keep both libraries open and providing a vital service to the local community.

Arbury Court Library: County library review

The County Council have announced a review of the Library Service throughout Cambridgeshire.

It isn't clear yet what result or impact this will have on the Libraries in Cambridge, but they County have not ruled out changes to the service at either Arbury Court or Milton Road Libraries as drastic as closure.

Last Saturday the Friends of Milton Road library held a discusson and there a similar meeting has been called on Saturday 17th July at 3pm in Arbury Community Centre to see what can be done by the community to defend the Arbury Court Library.