Greetings Supporters,

I hope you are all well,

This is just to inform you that Ealing UNISON in collaboration the Save Ealing Libraries Campaign and a number of Library campaigners have jointly organised a Public Meeting which will take place on Wednesday, 8th May, in the Liz Cantell Room, Ealing Town Hall, from 7 pm to 8.30 pm.  We are in the process of contacting a number of key literary figures and political activists, committed to the cause of saving public libraries.  We are still open to having speakers with political ‘clout’ (forgive the expression) from Ealing and beyond, who can pull audiences so please do get in touch with me directly if you would like to take part. Ian Anstice of Public Libraries News has provide us with a powerful statement for the event as he's unable to make it.

At the two Council organised public consultation meetings I have attended for Hanwell Library and West Ealing Library Ealing in the past two weeks, residents expressed a great deal or rage and outrage at the council representatives, over the draft strategy, in particular , towards, Councillor Jasbir Anand, who seemed to misjudge terribly the mood of community/ties present.

With more than 4, 667 signatories, and with over than half of these  being Ealing Library users and residents we hope to fill the space!  It’s so important for your voices to be heard, even though I appreciate that mid-week, term-time isn’t great for parents with young children and young people in education.  This affects me too but I feel so strongly about this cause I’m prepared to make this sacrifice for the good of the community.

Please do circulate this information and I’ll update you soon about the line-up of speakers and other relevant information in due course.

Many thanks,

Grace (Akuba)