Forums Forums Wirral Information What's On Wirral No to Reduced Library Hours- Public meeting

A lot of supporters on here I see

I'd rather see the money spent elsewhere. Libraries are old news, and they're only getting more and more obsolete. In this day and age of spending cuts etc.

It's usually the same people moaning about bedroom tax and the such.

The fact is if the budget isn't there then things simply have to go.

These are difficult times, undoubtedly - and likely to get more difficult as cuts continue, not just for libraries. If the libraries win more time, something else will suffer. My local library is thriving but has been cut down to 18 hours staffed opening a week like many smaller ones, and we'll just have to see how that works out. At least it hasn't closed.

I don't think libraries are growing obsolete; they offer a variety of facilities to the local community members young and old, and provide access to a wealth of information as well as fiction to borrow. Not everyone is online at home, not everyone has a Kindle or similar, not everyone can afford to buy books.

I think libraries will continue to play a part in community life - but probably with more input from volunteers, Friends groups etc. Our Friends group has been given permission to open the building for evening talks, for instance, so they can continue to fund-raise. It's not ideal, but this is not an ideal situation Wirral is in at the moment.

This government has wasted billions of taxpayers money and still continues to fail in collecting taxes from corporations that are deliberately finding ways to not pay them (film exists of companies being given advice on how not to pay taxes via legitimate loopholes - which it seems is being deliberately left unplugged). As a results millions of pounds has been cut in allowances and funding from central to local government leading to loss of services and jobs. Libraries are not just a repository for books but is very often the hub of a community.

I was tempted to sign the petition, but it would be hypocritical, I've not stepped into a library in years. I hope those signing are regular users.

I think they need to change to fit into the 21st century, be a part of a community hub which might include a job centre, sports centre or other public building, or even a private one like a supermarket.

I noticed that Bidston Tesco now has community rooms that can be used.

I'm with Gibbo last time I was in a library was 1976, a similar post was on facebook I was unable to sign again it would have been hypocritical.
Having a drink that night I asked all 13 people in the bar how many had used a library recently not one. the last person to use one was 7 years ago.

Can't remember the last time I used one either so I certainly won't be signing it.

I'd rather not have to pay for my brown bin. I get a lot more use from that and that's been taken away from me.

Yet if the libraries stay open I'll have no choice but to continue to contribute to that in the same way I had to pay to keep my brown bin!!

My mum makes that mistake, assumes they haven't changed since she last set foot in them.

They are completely different from the days since I used them regularly, not all to the good in my mind as Birkenhead central probably only has a quarter of the books it used to have but the computers and news/magazines are used comprehensively.

The large noticeboards are chocker with adverts for clubs, societies and events.

Libraries have been for thousands of years, and what a wonderful source of information they hold which cannot be found on the internet. As we know, much of what IS put on the internet is not always correct information and varies considerably. I have used libraries in recent years but not by any means on a regular basis, although that doesn't mean I agree others should be denied. Libraries belong to the people and should be accessible to everyone. If reduced hours within our libraries are made according to demand, then it has to be a better option to closing any.