Suffolk Libraries would like to acknowledge the support of many thousands of people across Suffolk and beyond who have made their views clear on Suffolk County Council’s plans to take the library service back in-house.
At the time of writing over 22,000 people have signed an online petition opposing the recommendation with hundreds of people also signing physical petitions. Feedback to Suffolk Libraries also indicates that a substantial number of local residents have taken direct action, emailing their local MP or county councillor to request their active involvement in overturning the decision.
Protests have taken place at libraries across the county, with supporters of Suffolk Libraries’ also planning to stage a demonstration at Endeavour House before Suffolk County Council makes its final decision on Tuesday 18 March.
Suffolk Libraries Chief Executive Bruce Leeke said:
“We are so grateful to the people of Suffolk, who have spoken out so powerfully against the plan to bring the libraries in-house, urging the council to respond to their right to be heard. We are just a small charity, wanting to continue the good work that we’ve put in over the last 12 years, maintaining and further improving Suffolk’s outstanding library service, a service which is regarded as exemplary within the industry.
"We are saddened to have been drawn into what can only be described as a David and Goliath type contest, where it seems, the council is refusing to listen to reason, not even responding to a new proposal where we shared details of how it can access additional funding to retain the current service for the next two years. We don’t understand why it is deemed more appropriate to spend the additional £1.8m associated with moving the libraries back to management by Suffolk County Council. As we’ve always stressed, we remain open to an invitation to return to the negotiating table.
“Because we care deeply about the people of Suffolk and the impact the library service has on their lives, we will gracefully accept whatever decision is finally made and work hard to ensure a smooth handover. We just wanted to take one final opportunity to thank people for their support and highlight that we feel the current proposal is not the best use of already scarce taxpayer money.”
Richard Fawcett, Chair of Thurston Library Friends’ Group, said:
“I have heard from many of the Library Friends’ groups across Suffolk. They are appalled at the County Council’s proposals and have been, and still are, trying make their voice heard. Friends’ groups have never been consulted about the proposals. Suffolk Libraries does an excellent job in running our libraries including working with Friends’ groups to ensure local communities have a voice and way of supporting their local library. Why are they about to throw all this away?"
Lady Carla Carlisle is a patron of Ixworth Library Friends’ Group, and also added her support to Suffolk Libraries:
“Taking back control of the charity-run Suffolk Libraries is like causing a massive heart attack in the Suffolk communities large and small. Suffolk libraries are located in spaces large and small, in market towns, in small villages, on housing estates. The charity-run libraries have one thing in common: they spark joy. It doesn’t feel like an institution with official rules and guidelines; it feels like a welcoming space fuelled by energy, improvisation and the conviction that books and people who read them matter.
“The Friends of the Ixworth Library work tirelessly to make their library the heart of the village - and it is. Suffolk Libraries is the real thing in these times when we need ‘community’ more than anything.”
There have so far been over 500 comments added to the petition and here is a selection:
"The Industrial and Provident Society has been doing a marvellous job maintaining and improving our libraries. I cannot see any reason why Suffolk County Council should want to interfere with this and take them back. This should not be allowed to happen. Our libraries play a vital role in our communities."
"It will do untold harm to move the library service back inhouse. Why change it if it isn't broken. Speaking as a volunteer and user."
"The charity Suffolk Libraries has done a stupendous job over the past twelve years running local libraries with the wellbeing of local people at its heart. It has saved the County Council millions of pounds over that time and is a leader in the field.”
"Suffolk Libraries is a nationally recognised library service that has led the way for other library services. They are doing a great job and should be allowed to continue."
"I see how my local library is thriving under the present arrangements."
"Our libraries our simply the best. Do not change them please."
"I'm concerned about our libraries. They seem to work really well at the moment."
