Yesterday, Cllr Chris Wheatley and I had an appointment with our MP to discuss the mobile libraries. We spoke about the library numbers and showed him that actually in the last five years there hasn’t been an obvious decline and in huge areas of Devon the numbers using the service have increased significantly. The statistics that have been referred to in the County reports are comparing to 2012 figures when there were double the number of vans and a fortnightly service.
We also discussed some of the opportunities that could be explored and possibly included within the mobile library service. We suggested Devon County Council should look at examples of the service in other counties, those offering an improved service for rural communities such as partnerships with the deaf association, opportunities to work with citizens advice, as well as the potential for a council enquiry service.
He was well aware of the campaign to save the service and the numerous celebrities and authors backing it, with the petition which has now reached more than 4000 online signatures. And he also told us he has been hearing from worried constituents in other parts of the constituency.
Our MP was however, insistent that the decision lies with the County Council. Our argument was that actually the county council has a statutory obligation to provide equal access to books through the library service, which is where central government would have influence. In the end he did agree he would raise concerns with the Secretary of State Lucy Frazer MP, and told us we could use the following quote from him: “Geoffrey strongly supports the continuation of our mobile libraries and sees them as an important service to our rural communities. We need to look for alternative financial models to sustain them and do all we can to continue the services they offer with more benefits.”
Please do contact your Devon MP and urge them to support our mobile library service across Devon!
Find contact details for your MP here:
https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons