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February 9, 2007
Jacqueline Wilson
When Jacqueline Wilson gave evidence to the Parliamentary Select Committee on public libraries in Decemeber 2005, her testimony was the most powerful of all. She explained that children write to her and ask questions about her books and her characters. She said you can tell immediately the difference between those who have merely read her website and those who have read the books. Of course you can. She spoke about the importance of books and libraries in our society and our communities. The distinguished members of Parliament were in thrall to her - it was a memorable moment
Today she is quoted at length in the Independent. After her words come the deceiving officials of responsible departments galloping along to tell the journalist that Jacqueline Wilson doesn't know what she is talking about and how lovely our libraries are.
Posted by Perkins at February 9, 2007 8:30 PM
Comments
Jacqeline Wilson is right about closing libraries; Southampton City Council is suggesting closing a branch library in Bitterne, which when it was built in 1939 was described as a model branch library. It also has a very well used meeting room, which is used by 2 mother and toddler groups, 2 art groups, a beading group, a sewing group and others. I thought there was a government policy to put libraries at the heart of their communities, so where is this one going wrong?
Posted by: janet.moore at February 9, 2007 10:42 PM