"Libraries are not an indulgence. They can have a transformative power, especially for those marginalized, disenfranchised, alone, or simply open a world of stories and imagination to readers young and old. The Children's Laureate Julia Donaldson has written an open letter to new culture Secretary Maria Miller slamming library closures. The author of The Gruffalo called on Mrs Miller to improve on the record of Jeremy Hunt and condemned the government's "refusal to intervene" on the issue of library cuts. Her letter was published in the Independent on Sunday and cited a recent survey by the Public Libraries News.
It suggested that 250 libraries are currently under threat of closure, have been closed or have left the control of their local authority since April. Julia Donaldson warns that the country is heading for a less literate society if cuts continue, leading to social problems, more crime and less competitiveness. She asked the new culture secretary to consider ring-fencing council spending of children's library services or using part of the education budget to help. In the letter, she said Jeremy Hunt and libraries minister Ed Vaizey had repeatedly ignored the issue and failed to respond to campaigners concerns. A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the new culture secretary with be happy to meet Mrs Donaldson.
Malorie wrote that the closure of libraries was blow to the increased government emphasis on children's reading and educational attainment. Research published by the National Literacy Trust last year suggests children are reading fewer novels, comics, magazines and websites with 17% professing that they would be embarassed if a friend saw them with a book. She said, "Libraries are the best literacy resource we have,"she said, For Children , they provide an equaliser that allows everyone the access to books, storytelling sessions, homework clubs, expert librarians who provide non-partisan assistance and advice regarding books and warm and safe environments within which to discover and explore the world of literature. Libraries switch children on to a love of reading the books, with all the ensuing benefits, and can make them lifelong readers. Without them, literacy may increasingly become the province of the lucky few, rather than the birth right of everyone.