Library users show they have plenty of heart

We had a fantastic response to the 'Love your library' intiative, with plenty of children and adults marking Valentine’s Day by writing messages of support for Arbury Court Library on paper hearts.

You can see a selection of the messages people left on our Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/hHjE8F.

One user wrote: “I love books and reading and this library is so handy, with friendly staff and a good range of books.” Another said: “This library is special.”

Library staff described the response as ‘hugely positive’. One staff member told FOAL: “Every second person who comes through the door asks us about the future of the library and shows concern.”

 

The ‘Love your library’ initiative was the brainchild of Barbara Bueltmann, secretary of FOAL. She said: “I thought Valentine's day was a good opportunity to give the community a chance to express how much they appreciate Arbury Court Library, so I made some hearts and left them at the counter.

 

“You can see from the messages how much the library is valued as a communal space offering well managed access to information of all sorts. Someone calls it a 'life saver'. There is much concern about the future of the professionally-run library service – not just the Arbury Court branch.

“I am angry about the cuts that were agreed to in this week’s county council meeting. I think the cuts are hitting the wrong people worst – people at the lower end of society. I wish to live in a society that allows all to have access to information and education, and do not agree with the current Government strategy to cut public services in the way they plan to.  That is why I became active with FOAL, and we will keep making noise about this.”

Show your love for the library on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, but forget old clichés like flowers and chocolates - this week we're asking you to show your love for Arbury Court Library with a simple paper heart.

You can express your feelings for the branch by helping yourself to a heart, and adding your name and a message explaining why you love the library. If you're feeling creative, why not draw a picture or decorate it too?

Blank hearts can be picked up from the counter until Tuesday, February 15, after which they will be collected and made into a chain. We'll try to post some of the best messages on the website.

Read-In success - Save Our Libraries day

We had an amazing turnout at Arbury Court Library's Read-In today as part of the national 'Save Our Libraries’ day.

Children and pensioners were among the dozens of library users who held an hour-long Read-In to demonstrate just how much the branch means to them. The event was also attended by Cambridge MP Julian Huppert. Plenty of books were checked out, and it was great to see so many people enjoying their local library - meanwhile the wonderful staff (who no volunteer could adequately replace) were very gracious about us descending on them for an hour.

During the day, people across the UK took part in similar actions in response to cuts and closures facing library services up and down the country. Other actions included a reading flashmob in Cambridge’s city centre, organised by library users angry about proposed cuts of £3.2m in Cambridgeshire.

Cambridgeshire County Council plans could see the county’s library service transferred to a trust, with fewer staff and an increased use of volunteers at branches.

At the same time, 13 of the county’s 25 community libraries are ‘under review’, and although Arbury Court is not among them, we are anxious about the impact these changes could have on library users across the city and county. We are pledging to oppose any reduction of library facilities or services.

Arbury Court Library is a vital facility for its community, as are all branch libraries across the county, providing access for all to essential resources and knowledgeable, trained staff. Any reduction in that service would be a disaster for residents, and we're delighted that so many of them turned out today to make their voices heard.

The library is always busy, but today it was absolutely buzzing. Thanks to all who came out to show their support!

Save Our Libraries Day: Feb 5

This Saturday, Feb 5, is national Save Our Libraries Day, when people all over the country will be descending on their local branches to show just how much their libraries mean to them. The day is designed to raise awareness about cuts and closures facing library services up and down the UK.

Two events are planned in Cambridge, including our own family-friendly Read-In at Arbury Court Library from 2-3pm. You can show your support for this fantastic facility by showing up, borrowing a book and reading with other library users.

Earlier in the day in central Cambridge, shoppers in and around the Grand Arcade will be treated to a reading flashmob from 11am. Details of this child-friendly action can be found on the event's Facebook page.

If you're not already a library member, why not take the time to join on Saturday?

Public meeting over Cambridgeshire library plans - February 2

A public meeting is to be held next week about proposals to transform Cambridgeshire's library service.

Our group is anxious about Cambridgeshire County Council plans that could see a charitable trust take over the running of library services in the county, as well as increased use of volunteers at branches.

We are encouraging residents to attend a public meeting about the proposals at 7pm on Wednesday, February 2, at Arbury Community Centre in Campkin Road, Cambridge. People will also be invited to register their interest in joining FOAL at the meeting.

Separately, we plan to join other groups across the country for a Read-In on Saturday, February 5, from 2-3pm at Arbury Court Library. This national day of action will see people all over the country demonstrating their support for their libraries by showing up to their local branches and quietly reading - and you don't even need to bring a book: the library has plenty.

Read-In protest event, February 5 - show your support for the library

Library users at Arbury Court Library will be joining others across the country for a Read-In on Saturday, February 5, from 2-3pm.

The event is part of a national day of action that will see people demonstrating their support for libraries as vital public services, by showing up to their local branches and quietly reading. Our Read-In will be a peaceful way of showing Cambridgeshire County Council just how much the existing service is valued by the community.

Anyone is welcome to attend. There is no need to bring a book - there are plenty to choose from on the library shelves - and if you are not already a library member, February 5 could be the perfect time for you to join.

Cambridgeshire County Council Cuts - What's your view?

On Thursday, December 9, the County Council released some preliminary information of the spending cuts it is currently planning. The surprising thing was that only on Tuesday, at Full Council, the administration was refusing to release details of the cuts.

A few days earlier the Conservative administration briefed County Councillors (including Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors) regarding the scope of the cuts. Those attending this briefing were sworn to secrecy regarding the changes - they are still unable to discuss specific areas of the cuts that have not yet been leaked by the administration into the public domain.

The BBC News covered the story here (with an interview with John Reynolds the cabinet member responsible).

One of the features of the current review is that the County Council is asking residents across Cambridgeshire to prioritise the services the County offers (i.e. say which areas should be cut and which should not). 

The survey is available here. One of the options given on the survey is to close 19 libraries across Cambridgeshire, which we believe would almost certainly include some in the city. While we have reservations about the use of such a survey, which will effectively be used by the County Council to "justify" the areas they plan to cut, we would urge those who feel strongly about their library provision to complete the survey and make their views known. If you think closing libraries in the county is a bad idea, let them know!