Doncaster library cuts are cultural vandalism

an article by Lauren Smith in Society Guardian

In such a deprived town, libraries are vital to the community. But the council sees them as “soft targets” in the spending cuts

Doncaster is a town in trouble. It has some of the highest rates of unemployment (one in five adults is on benefits), teenage pregnancy and illegal drug use in the country, and 38% of people in the town aged 16-74 have no qualifications. It has a history of “dysfunctional politics, poor services and ineffective leadership” identified in the audit commission’s report following investigation into the failing council. For many, this was a positive sign; the government stepped in and plans were made to improve the council.
With severe public sector cuts looming, George Osborne is eager to remind people that his guiding principles are “fairness and growth” – and that those opposing spending cuts are “deficit deniers”. What cannot be denied is that Doncaster’s struggling services face a troubled future. The economy is projected to shrink by over 10%, thousands of council employees will lose their jobs and the most vulnerable will lose vital services. Libraries are often seen as “soft targets” and will be the first to be cut. Management have admitted the cuts could fall foul of existing legislation, including the 1964 Public Libraries Act, which makes public library provision statutory.

and so it goes on
Read the full article

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