The Good Library Blog

Dear Tim

I thought I'd drop you a line to update you on events in Devon where 12 libraries were under threat of closure by the County Council and especially Appledore - my corner of North Devon.

Communities have differed widely in their responses. Some have rolled over and played dead (very convincingly) and sadly one library has already closed. Other communities have organised magnificent campaigns. Regular readers of your blog will know about Colyton, for example but there are notable campaigns being waged elsewhere the county for example in Pinhoe (Exeter). Kingsteignton and Kingkerswell. In all nearly 5000 people have taken part in Devon County Council's consultation.

I've written about our experiences in my blog: Saveourlibrary.blog.co.uk
And on the whole it's been surprisingly positive.
The Friends of Appledore Library now numbers over 300.
We mustered 504 people in an all-day downpour to protest at the Council's Consultation Exhibtion.
We have knocked on every door in town and found that 98% of those surveyed want to keep the Library open (OK, not so surprising) but more interesting is the finding that 74% have used the Library in past three years and 82% won't or can't use another Library.
We have raised £5000 and have refurbished the upstairs of the Library building to turn it into a community information and visitor centre (with the keen support of the landlords).
Oh yes, and as you so kindly noted, I launched my latest book at Appledore Library in July.
And what's more it's working. Library borrowing is up over 40% in 12 months and membership is up over 50%.

To do them justice, the top councillors in Devon have been quite positive about what we're doing.

So what about the future? The word is that Devon won't make a decision about closing libraries this month (too many objections to wade through). They might decide in October or even November but they haven't named a date.

Meanwhile we're planning to market the Library even more effectively in the community over the winter. And in October 2007 we plan to run a book festival in Appledore - based of course on the Library.

So what's the message here? Our experience is that the best way to save a library is well-planned and positive action. Marketing to improve library usage, surveys to show community need for a library, positive and on-going plans for the future are empowering for everyone. Ultimately local councils must continue to provide libraries, but positive action is a whiff of grapeshot that concentrates their minds most wonderfully.