City's Lib Dems slam library review

Date: 14/08/2012. Story submitted by: Lucy Ashton

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Sheffield Liberal Democrats have criticised a council review into the city's libraries - claiming it's "the first step on the road to closures".

Council officers have launched an eight-week review into the service and are asking people how they want their library services to be shaped in the future.

Labour councillors say they cannot rule out library closures and job losses as the authority has suffered major cuts from central government.

But the review has prompted a backlash, amid fears the service will be slashed.

Councillor Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of Sheffield Liberal Democrats, said there were plenty of other things which the council could cut first before turning on libraries.

He said: “We have seen these consultations held by Labour in the past, which have little effect on the final outcome.

“Given that council officers have confirmed to me that closures haven’t been ruled out as part of this process, I fear that this is the first step on a road that will lead to libraries shutting their doors.

“The massive financial deficit left by the last Government means that there are difficult choices to be made in order to reduce public spending.

"However, when the Lib Dems controlled Sheffield Council, closures were avoided.

“The real question is why is the Labour Council planning to spend millions on refurbishing Town Hall offices at the same time as making this announcement on Sheffield’s much loved libraries?”

And former Council Leader Paul Scriven said libraries were a crucial frontline service.

"I predicted over 12 months ago a Labour Council would use the council as a political battering ram against the government to make a political point,” he said.

“First they came for our black bins and now our libraries are taking a battering. What will be next?

“Whilst we all know savings have to be made locally Labour are axing the most important front line services for party political reasons.”

You can fill in the council’s survey by clicking on the weblink below.

Alternatively, you can collect a paper version of the survey at First Point, Howden House, Union Street in the city centre or from any library.

Additional info

Address: Pinstone Street Sheffield S1 2HH

Tags: library closures

Web link: http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/libraryreview