Save our libraries

I was delighted to see a stall at Stroud Farmers' Market campaigning to save our libraries.

No fewer than 11 of Gloucestershire's libraries will be reliant on volunteers to stay open as the county council looks to make £108 million of cuts in its overall budget. Another 11 will be pared down, opening for few hours, and seven more will be self-service facilities based in police stations or other community buildings.

The proposals are in their so-called 'consultation' phase, but there was been widespread opposition, including marches to Shire Hall in Gloucester.

Campaigners say it will be the death knell for many facilities.

Today's stall was set up by several local authors, including Katie Fforde, Alice Jolly. illustrator Inga Moore and children's writer John Dougherty, who is pictured looking on as people queue to sign a petition against the changes.

I usually try to avoid politics in these daily thoughts, but I have to make an exception where our libraries are concerned.

The availability of books is such an important issue. It cannot be right that children from families living in some of the poorer parts of Gloucestershire could be denied access to them. The library is often also the only place where they can access the internet - for information on education courses and job availability, for example.

Anyone who feels strongly about this can access the website of the campaign group Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries, where a petition is available to sign.