Sirs,
On 1 August 1919 Wiltshire became one of the first counties to have a public library service. In 2019 Alison Bucknell, Conservative Councillor and Cabinet Member for Libraries, said, “We’re delighted to celebrate 100 years of the much-loved library service in Wiltshire.”
In 2020 Conservative led Wiltshire Council has published a consultation document inviting residents’ views on the “partial and phased reopening of library services.” Respondents are asked to choose from three options all of which entail a reduction in library services in the County. “20 libraries could potentially be open by the end of September, subject to staff and finances being available.”
Free, local, public library provision is something to be immensely proud of.
In 1919 they had just come out of a dreadful war and were battling Spanish Flu. That’s when Wiltshire libraries were started.
Are we being softened up for the imminent death of our “much-loved library service”?
Yours,
A P Smith
Marlborough
Marlborough’s Library: Wiltshire Council open consultation to decide about re-opening
