Literacy news
Andrew Motion defends libraries against cuts
14 Jun 2010
Former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion has described any move to cut library spending as "foolhardy".
Concerns have grown over the future of library funding in the run-up to the budget announcement on 22 June, which is likely to include swinging cuts across sectors in a bid to reduce some of the country's deficit.
Andrew Motion said:
"Libraries help people access books and information; they play a life-changing role, empowering individuals, liberating thinking and enabling communities to weather the effects of economic setbacks. A fundamental review of public services that asks the question should children, the poor and disadvantaged be deprived of access to books because of their circumstances, can be answered with a simple ‘no’ – turn the page."
Motion added:
"It is a foolhardy notion that a modern economy would wantonly abandon resources that support learning and help build our potential as human beings. We are at a critical time. A time for big thinking, not big mistakes that would set the country back and harm the most disadvantaged who need the best possible libraries and free access to books."
Read the full article at The Bookseller.
