Campaigners hope for brighter future for Essex libraries
It's after a change in leadership at the County Council
Campaigners trying to protect Essex libraries say they're hopeful for the future, after a change in leadership at the Council.
The former cabinet member who oversaw the service at the County Council is out, as a new department's looking after libraries.
Save Our Libraries Essex say they hope the change means community spaces can be protected.
Sue Barker told her local newspaper that she was 'disappointed' not to be part of the new administration. Her Customer, Communities, Culture and Corporate portfolio has also been abolished.
Libraries will now be part of the new Devolution, Art, Heritage and Culture brief, which Graham Butland, also leader of Braintree District Council, will be taking on.
A SOLE spokesperson said:
"Sue Barker says she’s "disappointed" to be sacked.
"Well, it would be something of an understatement to say Essex was very disappointed by her policies on libraries.
"Without the biggest people-powered campaign the county had seen in generations, she would have closed two thirds of our libraries.
"However, despite this defeat, she and the previous administration persisted with this closure plan by the back door, through so-called "community libraries". So many library buildings would be sold off, the staff got rid of, and volunteers would be left to house, fund, and run their library. These charity shop libraries are unsustainable, and a closure plan by stealth.'
"We hope Sue Barker’s sacking signals a change in direction. A move away from closing our libraries by stealth. We need our professionally run, public libraries more than ever and now is the time for the new administration and Graham Butland to show a new beginning on libraries. And commit to a publicly run, publicly funded, professional library service."