A petition started by Island resident, June Quigley, has gathered several hundred signatures.
Started just two weeks ago, the petition has been successful in attracting signatures from residents concerned with the planned closure of East Cowes Library, as well as nine of the eleven libraries on the Isle of Wight.
June’s husband Dave, who told us about the petition, first started using Cowes Library 65 years ago and tells us that he’s still an avid reader.
Will ‘Local Libraries’ break Data Protection Act?
He goes on to raise some valid queries in relation to the proposed ‘Local Libraries’. He makes the point that as volunteer staff would have access to the Library’s computer system, and therefore able to see the personal data of library users, would this not be a breach of the Data Protection Act?
His second point raises the issue of volunteers being fully Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checked. As the volunteers will be coming into contact with children, it’s obviously something that should be required for the protection of young Islanders.
Sign the petition
If you want to sign the petition, it’s available in The Market (York Avenue), Fin and Fur (Clarence Road) and Whippingham Post Office.
Image: © Google Streetview
