We should get a temporary library (From Basingstoke Gazette)

We should get a temporary library

8:46am Friday 5th February 2010

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Sir.– Are we just poor relations?

Basingstoke Library is set to close for up to six months for major refurbishment.When similar works were undertaken in Winchester, the Tory-led county council provided a temporary library. But what will Basingstoke get?

According to the Tory executive member responsible for libraries, Basingstoke will get a mobile library service for the town centre (Letters to the Editor, December 23).

We all agree that as much money as possible should be spent directly on improving our current library facilities. But at Winchester, the importance of providing a reasonable level of service during the refurbishment was also agreed. Residents there got a temporary library.

Whenever I visit our town centre library, there are always 30 or more fellow residents using the services. It has thousands of children and adult books, free internet service, DVDs and CDs, underfives story time, Baby Rhymetime etc. A mobile library is going to be a very tight squeeze.

Unfortunately, Basingstoke, once again, is going to be short-changed by the Tory county council. A mobile library for up to six months is just not good enough.

Residents young and old, including those with impaired mobility, will need to traipse across town to our smaller libraries at South Ham and Chineham.

Surely what’s good enough for Winchester can be provided for Basingstoke, or are we just poor relations?

–Ron Hussey, Liberal Democrat councillor, Basingstoke

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