VB reader, Dave Quigley kindly sent VB a letter this week that he’d received from Island MP, Andrew Turner.
The letter was in response to Dave’s concerns over proposed library closures.
As readers may remember, the Isle of Wight council, as part of their spending review, will cease funding libraries in Niton, Shanklin, Bembridge, East Cowes and Brighstone from Friday 1st July.
Supplement, not replace
Mr Turner’s response shares the views of Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, who states that volunteers should not be used to replace librarians, but to supplement them.
We’ve embedded Mr Turner’s letter below for your convenience. He makes some interesting points in relation to library provision, such as local authorities being bound by statute to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.
