Save our libraries

Norfolk County Council threatens huge cuts to our library services which will, if implemented: adversely affect literacy in Norfolk, lead to job seekers not being assisted, see adult and children's education not supported and mean vulnerable people being denied access to a safe and welcoming environment. 

To raise awareness of this threat and to encourage people to take action by signing a petition against the proposed cuts, writing to their MP and the local press telling them why they value Library services and by taking part in the County Council's consultation on the cuts (I hate these consultations - it feels a bit like choosing your poison) myself and other activists from the Norfolk People's Assembly organised a one-hour action in the Millennium Library in the centre of Norwich where we invited people to write on red paper hearts why they love libraries.  In the course of the hour over 70 people wrote messages, and we then blu-tacked these onto concrete pillars around the reading area or 'planted' them amongst the book displays so that it looked like the place had been 'love bombed'.  We also did a 'banner drop' with the message 'Save Our Library' on it. It's not just 'fixed' libraries that are under threat but mobile libraries too, as they are talking about stopping Saturday visits and reducing the frequency of visits elsewhere.

All the comments from every one of the hearts have been typed up and will be included in a letter to the County Council and the hearts themselves will be given to the Millennium Library in time for National Library Day in early February.  One of the librarians asked us if we could let them have the hearts, which was lovely.

What struck me when I was typing up the comments was how frequently the words 'safe' and 'lifeline' appeared.

We also got coverage on the local TV news and a reporter from the local paper came down, which resulted in an on-line piece appearing pretty sharpish which was a first.