Same old story as libraries face yet more cuts
LIBRARIES in England have had their funding slashed for the fifth year in a row, an analysis of government figures has revealed.
The Library Campaign, a national charity, said further cuts to stretched services were “like taking a hammer to a wall that’s already full of holes”.
In 2017/18 local authorities cut spending on libraries by five per cent, according to financial data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
In real terms, the cut has left libraries in England £37million worse off than they were in 2016/17 as spending has fallen to £720million.
Laura Swaffield, chairwoman of the Library Campaign, said: “Libraries are being hollowed out so much that people have forgotten what a library should be.”
Some councils have turned libraries over to volunteers, or removed staff altogether, to cut costs, she added.
As there is no specific funding provision from central government, the decision about how much funding to provide libraries rests solely with the local authority.
An online petition for a ring-fenced library grant was rejected by the Government earlier this month despite attracting more than 30,000 signatures.
Miss Swaffield added: “Having a ring-fenced grant would help, but what would really help is to have a government that gave a damn about libraries.”
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “Over the next two years, we are providing councils with £90.7billion to help them meet the needs of residents.
“We have also invested almost £4million on libraries projects to increase access to new technology and improve people’s digital skills, literacy, health and wellbeing.”