PUBLIC LIBRARY PROVISION IN WALSALL SOUTH

Early day motion 1496, tabled 1 March 2011 by Valerie Vaz (Labour). Signed by 9 members.

That this House values the importance and vitality of local libraries, including the five libraries of Walsall South constituency; notes that English public libraries are visited by over three quarters of a million people a day; further notes that libraries in Walsall South had over 730,000 visits and almost half a million books borrowed in 2009-10; acknowledges that these libraries are focal centres of community cohesion providing not only books, but also council contacts, jobs, activities for adults and children, computers and IT services to those seeking resources for employment opportunities, driving test practice, academic study, recreation and local history; congratulates local activists for their campaigns on Save Our Libraries Day; welcomes the recent announcement by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council that no Walsall libraries will close in the upcoming financial year; calls for continued provision of public library services by skilled professional librarians; and urges the Government to support local libraries, which are now more important than ever for people of all backgrounds in Walsall South and across the country.

Signatures by party: Labour 9.