Rhiwbina, Rumney and Whitchurch libraries in Cardiff under threat

[editor]

This is a lovely library and it's good to see the community fighting to keep it.

More than 200 members of the public have packed a meeting in Rhiwbina in a bid to save the village’s library.

Residents tonight voiced their opposition against proposals to close their local library at a meeting at All Saints’ Church hall.

Rhiwbina is one of a number of libraries which could have its funding withdrawn to help plug a gap in council finances.

An online petition to keep the library open has already attracted more than 850 signatures with petitions still in many shops.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/hundreds-turn-out-support-rhiwbina-8300263

Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/HelpSaveRhiwbinaLibrary

 

[editor]

Since 2011, 324 libraries have closed, with a further 400 now run by volunteers. 35% of people use libraries regularly: 50% in poor areas.

FFS.

 

[Plumdaff]

It's not just Rhiwbina, but also Whitchurch, Rumney, Radyr, Rhypenau, Cathays, and Roath Plus no children's play centre provision and a huge reduction in older people's day services. No funding for the country fair and even no Christmas trees. All couched in the language of volunteerism and co-production. Pretty dreadful and dramatic. https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/Your...t/2015-16/Pages/Budget-savings-proposals.aspx

The consultation finishes on Monday 12th.

 

[ddraig]

"consultation"

 

[Plumdaff]

Indeed

 

[editor]

Nice use of a FoI request here:

Three libraries threatened with closure in Cardiff had nearly 250,000 visitors between them last year.

Some 246,342 visitors went through the doors of Rumney, Rhiwbina and Whitchurch libraries between January and October last year, or 810 people between them per day.

Whitchurch recorded an increase in the number of people visiting in the first ten months of 2014 compared to the whole of 2013.
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/three-cardiff-libraries-faced-closure-8407366

Borrowers at Rhiwbina took out 122,843 books, audio books and other items in the first ten months of 2014, making it the busiest library in Cardiff in terms of loans apart from the Central branch in the Hayes.

Rhiwbina councillor Jayne Cowan said: “It is totally bizarre and ill thought out to consider closing a library such as Rhiwbina which issues so many books, and which is so well used and adored.

“Rhiwbina has issued each and every month more books than any other branch library in the city since 2009.

“The library employs exceptional staff and this in turn helps to attract people back to use the many services which include computer use, reading groups, ward surgeries, meetings - to name just a few.

“It is essential that the council continues to fund and maintain our libraries - without them, we would be doing our communities a disservice.”

 

[Tankus]

Caerphilly's had a new one put in the old post office ....well good ........ coffee too

 

[ddraig]

"saved" for now...
must be an election coming up? or people power?

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/victory-delighted-campaigners-rejoice-cardiffs-8618418

https://cardiffuncut.wordpress.com/...ff-libraries-saved-lets-keep-up-the-pressure/

 

[editor]

They've put an impressive campaign throughout this. Good work!

 

[ddraig]

and Barclays was turned into a library for a bit

 

[ddraig]

someone some of you will know
I Love this man

 

[shygirl]

Who is he, ddraig?

 

[zog]

On a separate protest for the CADT, was that pigtails I saw interviewed on Wales today?

 

[ddraig]

thought i saw them in a pic but didn't want to say

 

[pigtails]

It was me. Got a bit tongue tied

 

[editor]

Good news:

BREAKING NEWS... Rhiwbina library (and all standalone libraries) will be funded by the Council until 2017 unless other arrangements can be made. Fantastic.

 

[nogojones]

From what I've heard the CADT cuts were reversed as well, but not read the finer details so don't quote me on that. It looks like the things that had the biggest protests were the ones that were saved.

If that is the case it seems to me that protesting is a lot more effective than voting

 

[pigtails]

CADT decision not reversed. They are talking about funding it for 6 more months while supposedly looking for more sustainable funding elsewhere. I'm pretty sure the service as it is can not continue but hopefully it has helped to try and secure a substance use counselling service somewhere.

The problem with the 6 month extension Is that the voluntary severance scheme the council is running will half after march so there is a possibility the counsellors will go as they could be in the same position in 6 months.

It feels to me that all the amendments are just bollocks to try and appease the potential labour rebels and all the original cuts will still happen just in stages.

Maybe I'm just cynical.

 

[pigtails]

Just had the news today that CADT not saved or given a reprieve. Doors closing on counselling team on 31st March.

The council are funding one post for a year to develop a volunteer service within other agencies, whatever the fuck that means.

What utter lying deceitful cunts. Heart broken.

 

[ddraig]

Shit! Nightmare