Lib Dems Urge Rethink on Library Closures

The Liberal Democrat Group on Surrey County Council is calling on the Conservative-run Executive to reconsider its plans to close six of Surrey's libraries. Diana Smith, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Schools and Communities, said that over the years a lack of investment by the Tories in one of the county's key resources had left it unable to grow to meet modern needs, with the number of people using libraries falling. "In an increasingly 24 hour society it's no wonder people aren't using the libraries, when opening hours are so limited. And when they get there, often the choice of books is restricted and there isn't room for the range of computers that a modern information centre needs."

The Tories claim that the number of people using libraries has fallen by nearly a fifth over the last five years and, in order to improve the larger libraries, they have to close some of the smaller ones. Those slated for closure are Virginia Water, Bagshot, Caterham Hill, Hersham, Ewell Court and New Haw.

"The Tories on Surrey County Council won't contemplate putting new money into the library service," said Diana Smith. "Millions of pounds have been wasted developing plans for a new County Hall in Woking, while a service that is a core part of the local authority's role has been starved of the resources that would have let it grow to meet modern needs. I hope the Council will think again."

All six libraries suggested for closure are amongst the smallest in terms of floor space and number of books per head of the population. One major common denominator is low opening hours:

• All are part-time
• Bagshot only opens for 15 hours a week
• 'Flagship' libraries in Woking and Epsom are open for 54 hours
• The library at Oxted, which has a smaller population within two miles reach than any of the six named for closure, opens for 38.5 hours a week.