SPEAK UP FOR LIBRARIES

Early day motion 2817, tabled 5 March 2012 by David Anderson (Labour). Signed by 52 members.

That this House recognises that public libraries are important community spaces and a vital public resource; acknowledges that many are under threat due to wide-scale budget cuts; is concerned about the impact of closures on social inclusion, social mobility and society more generally; welcomes the formation of Speak Up for Libraries, a coalition of national organisations and library campaigners that is leading a delegation of supporters from around the country to Parliament on 13 March 2012 in order to highlight the vital role that library services, run by professionally trained and qualified staff, play in the community and for individuals; and therefore calls on the Government to undertake a thorough assessment of the state of the public library service and develop a national vision for the service.

Signatures by party: Labour 37, DUP 5, Liberal Democrat 5, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Conservative 1, Green 1, Independent 1.