Cllr John Goddard, the Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet with responsibility for libraries, has set out the Liberal Democrat Group’s concerns about the proposals which could lead to 20 libraries being closed in the county. He said:

“Who cares about public libraries? I am not sure that the ruling Conservative clique in the County Council do.

“A library in 2010 is not a silent zone dedicated to book borrowing. It has become a social hub of the local community. It is where people of all sorts go for their stimulus to read, to view and to learn. It is where interests are developed, access to wider horizons is offered and, not to overstate the case, life made more worthwhile.

“The present proposals look as though they have been dreamt up in some bean-counting establishment where Charles Dickens’ Mr Gradgrind rules the roost. The cost of cutting library facilities is not to be measured by a bottom line: it will damage the society that lives by more than cash alone.

“For success a library needs easy access – not too costly to the user in terms of cash or time and not so rarely open as to be inconvenient. There has to be skilled management of the hardware: this could well be part time. There has to be properly maintained premises: this could well be shared with other community organisations including schools, children’s centres and youth clubs, community centres and health centres. For each community the best answer will be locally determined after full public involvement. This requires, immediately, open and full consultation, locally-based.

“At present the County Council plans to set a budget in February and to start consultation on the library closures in March. This will guarantee that the key decisions have been taken before consultation. Does this sound familiar to County Council watchers? Come on, County Hall! Show that in your book the big society involves listening, learning and local decision-making!”