'Save our libraries' meeting to be held in Lincolnshire
A meeting will be held on the future of libraries in North East Lincolnshire this afternoon (Saturday 24th May)
A meeting is being held today (Saturday 24th May) to allow people to come together and express their views on potential changes to North East Lincolnshire’s libraries.
North East Lincolnshire Council is currently holding its second phase public consultation on the future of the area’s libraries and archive service. A first consultation last year saw people asked for general feedback, including the public’s views on libraries in shopping and leisure centres.
There is now a proposal to merge Cleethorpes Library into Cleethorpes Leisure Centre. A permanent move for Grimsby Central Library, closed since March 28, is also an option being reportedly considered.
Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society is opposed to either of the libraries moving. It has organised a ‘Save our Libraries’ meeting to be held on Saturday at St James Hotel, Grimsby, at 2pm, to allow people to express their views.
“The purpose really is just to get people together in the room so that they can express their opinions and ideas,” said Civic Society executive committee member Angela Greenfield. A number of local politicians have been invited to attend, and council officers.
Ms Greenfield said local MP Melanie Onn (Labour – Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes), Labour group leader Cllr Emma Clough (Heneage Ward) and Independents for North East Lincolnshire Group leader Cllr Steve Holland (Freshney) are down to attend already.
Ms Onn told the LDRS: “I’m pleased to be joining the upcoming public meeting on the future of our libraries. Grimsby and Cleethorpes libraries are cornerstones of our community, and are essential spaces for learning and community, and any decisions about their future must reflect the needs of local people.
“This meeting provides a brilliant opportunity to make clear to council leadership just how people feel about these proposals.” The Civic Society and the Labour group have each organised petitions to help reflect public opinion on protecting the libraries. “It’s going very well,” said Ms Greenfield of the sign-up rate to the petitions, which she said would all be submitted as one to the council.
The Civic Society’s online version of its petition has surpassed 700 signatures. Its paper version has amassed more than a thousand signatures, she reported.
The Civic Society’s campaign began as ‘Save our Library’ well over a year ago, due to concerns about Grimsby Central Library’s future. “In our opinion, a leisure centre is not suitable for a library. Cleethorpes Library is a gem, really,” said Ms Greenfield.
She highlighted the events and activities it hosted, including open mic poetry sessions. “We are fighting for both of them,” Ms Greenfield said, referring to Grimsby Central too.
Ms Greenfield said the Civic Society put forward lots of recommendations in the council’s first consultation on what it would like to see with the libraries, including Grimsby’s. “It could really feature in the whole regeneration of the town,” she said.
The council’s consultation, available here, is open until 9th July. No decision will be made until after the consultation.