Thoughts from A Tutor; We Must All Play Our Part and Save Our Libraries

February 2, 2016

As a child, and even now as a Tutor, one of my favourite things to do after I got home from school, or on a quiet Saturday morning, was to take a five minute walk by myself to the local library. I was always astounded by the amount of freedom and choice I had. Rows upon rows of books to explore, and the choice to cosy up in one of the library’s comfiest chairs or to return home with a bag stuffed with novels which would shape the person I am now. I always felt a real affinity with Matilda, and the happiness she felt as a result of being able to use her local library as a home away from home.

Unfortunately, for the last few years libraries across the UK have been shutting their doors for good at an alarming rate. Due to a combination of funding cuts and steadily declining attendance, the viability of a continued library network has been threatened. That the use of libraries is half of what it was in 1997 is, in a way, not overly surprising. However it brings a certain sadness that working as a Tutor today, was shaped by my time spent in libraries as a youth. Within the last generation, libraries have gone from being the sole provider of a vast amount of knowledge to being pitted against the internet and e-books. Even in universities, students are relying as much on online resources such as journal articles and huge online databases of resources as they are on library books.

Reports have shown that over 10% of Public Libraries in the UK are under threat, with the number of full-time librarians falling by nearly a fifth in the past four years. Furthermore, there has been a huge 26% decline in the number of 5-10 year olds who had used a library within the past seven days, and and a 9% decline in children of the same age group who had visited a library within the last twelve months (for more statistics, please visit this article from The Guardian). Children’s laureate Chris Riddell, an author and illustrator, has expressed his concern over the decline in children visiting libraries, stating that libraries are “creative places where children can begin their journey as readers, as well as being creative hubs.” It seems that a partial factor of the closures of libraries is a declined interest in them from children and parents; visiting a library is more time-consuming than downloading an ebook, and previously obscure titles can now be found at the click of a button and delivered to your door. In many cases, it seems that public demand for the local library has not been large enough to sustain the library until it is too late. As a Tutor, we often recommend to students that study time is part of a routine, away from television and distraction, which is often where your local library can help. The Voices for the Library website has a map, which is constantly updating, which depicts the extent of library closures and threats of further closures (viewable via this link).

There are several proposals which have been made as potential solutions – or helping hands, at least – to the library crisis. One option, claim many, is to make libraries more like coffee shops and cafes and offer hot drinks and free wifi. Making libraries more multi-purpose and ensuring that the Internet is freely available helps to bring libraries into our fast-paced age, and means that libraries can compete with their coffee shop competitors. Another solution, which is already in action across many threatened libraries, is to bring members of the community into the management of libraries. By increasing the number of volunteers and reducing paid roles, local libraries require less funding and can dodge the threat of closure. However, voluntary workers come at a different cost; trained library staff adhere to strict professional and ethical standards, which volunteers do not (such as data protection laws). A further solution, according to some, could be the implementation of a national library card, allowing cardholders to check out books across the UK. What is clear is that there is no simple solution; regardless of changes made, the most important factor is that members of the community continue to regularly visit libraries.

Just Some of the Reasons I feel as a Tutor We Should Visit Our Local Library

Libraries are free! Whilst e-books may offer instant gratification, they also cost money. There is no substitute to free learning and free education in a library. Also, libraries offer the opportunity of free lifelong learning and education to all people. As a Tutor I still consult my local library for reference.
Libraries are not just for books! Libraries also offer: DVD loans; game loans; internet and computer usage for those who do not have home access to it; events, such as toddler events, book groups and so on (find your local library to see which events you can attend); extensive archives, specialist collections, and local history; and so much more.
Libraries are not just for children! Closures of local libraries would not simply impact children, but people of all ages: elderly people, who do not have access to a computer; new parents who attend events in the library to socialise with other families; avid young-readers; local-history enthusiasts, and so on.
Libraries offer support to the disadvantaged, and can be safe havens.Whether the support comes in the form of assistance in applying for jobs; hosting adult learning classes; or simply offering free use of books, libraries can be a lifeline to many.
Libraries are “green”! Library book loans prevent the unnecessary and excessive purchase of personal books and exist on the principle of sharing.

We believe that it is crucial that everybody play their part in support our local libraries and appreciating the services they provide; you may be surprised at quite how much your local library can offer you!

What are your thoughts regarding library closures? Do you have a favourite “library” memory, or a book which a librarian recommended to you?

Written by Helena Roots

Websites Consulted

BBC article: The rise of library volunteers

The Scotsman: Libraries are not to be written off

The Independent: The Great British Library Betrayal

Public Libraries News: Offers updates on the library crisis

Voices for the library: Library closures map

Voices for the library: Reasons for libraries

Library Campaign: Up-to-date news articles on library closures

The Guardian: Drop in child library visits

Librariesareessential.com : Why are libraries essential?