Libraries cater for the middle classes, not the deprived
Tory MP defends library closures on the basis that they pander to the affluent and no longer serve to educate
“I guess the book buying had been well judged to cater for the demand of a fairly affluent local community that said it wanted a public library,” he said. “Some defenders of every public library imply that they are for a different clientele. They conjure images of children from homes living on low incomes developing a passion for reading serious books borrowed from the local library. The library is seen as a force for self improvement and the pursuit of knowledge. I fear that in many cases this is no longer true, if it ever was.”
Theres another issue
People can have libraries if they want to pay more taxes. But they never give people that opportunity. If you could tie an increase (as they seem to in the US) directly to provision of one service I’m sure that would be a lot more popular.
Cuts have to be made, for me it would be nice if the local councils actually invited suggestions on how the cuts should be made. One you shut up the ‘no cuts’ people into realising how the real world works you’d actually get provision of services that the people want.
Also find it interesting that Zadie Smith said “but for those families for whom getting on a train to visit the British Library is inconceivable”
Obviously she doesn’t know that the British Library isn’t a general public library, it is a library of last resort and not open for people to just go in. You need to have a reason and not have access to that item near you in another library or inter-library loan system. Reasons like researching a new book perhaps?