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In a new report on 'community' libraries, Tory MP Danny Kruger says: “where local authorities struggle to maintain local libraries, communities are stepping up to take over and run them. 20% of libraries are now community-managed”. Not exactly the whole story though is it?
Good old Danny (political secretary to Boris Johnson) forgot to mention that the reason that 'local authorities struggle to maintain local libraries' is because the Tories have relentlessly cut the funds available for local authorities to pay for them.
Maybe not a surprise as this 'old friend' of Dominic Cummins is previously known for stating the Tories planned "to introduce a period of creative destruction in the public services"
Naturally, they then blame the local authorities. Also, although the provision of a public library service is a statutory duty of local authorities, the Tories interpret this very loosely so that ad hoc groups of well meaning retired volunteers are considered acceptable
In reality, qualified librarians & trained library assistants with adequate funding in a network of well equipped, spacious & comfortable buildings are the bare minimum. Today 'community' libraries face crisis b/c of reliance on retired volunteers - highly vulnerable to COVID
'Community' libraries under the Tories - however well intentioned the volunteers - are used to run down public services, ease in private providers & move toward the end of a statutory service. There's something for an Opposition to get hold of
