Archives for January 2011

I don't just mean why are they taking such a hammering as councils slash their spending.

But how come they stir up much more protest than other, bigger cuts?

Dozens are threatened with closure across the West. Somerset County Council went furthest, at first announcing 20 would lose their funding.

Gloucestershire propose sweeping changes - with up to 11 closing.

Wiltshire are following suit, with 10 small branches in jeapordy.

There are some straightforward reasons why councils are doing this. Libraries aren't a matter of life and death. Many other things they spend money on, such as caring for the elderly or vulnerable children, can be.

The public know this; when consulted about cuts, there is very strong support for protecting social services.

So the cutting eye of the council axeman turns to less critical things, like youth clubs and libraries.

Losing the former affects relatively few. Losing the latter matters to many - and they can be formidable campaigners.

I have talked to groups from Gloucester to Glastonbury: they're eloquent and well-educated.

Add to that the fact that libraries are very visible, a tangible local asset that cameras can easily focus on, and you have a very potent mix.

The eruption of anger in Somerset has already brought a big u-turn: nine libraries have been reprieved.

But the leader of the council was keen to stress the cuts must go on; they'll just be spread more widely around the county's libraries.

And perhaps the furore has its uses.

It diverts attention from where much bigger cuts are being made.

Top of the hitlist: council staff.

In Somerset 1,500 jobs are expected to go; in Gloucestershire it's around 1,000.

Talking to one union man I asked if he felt frustrated at the lack of public sympathy for threatened civil servants, who are often dismissed as backroom bureaucrats and pen-pushers.

His reply suggested resignation more than anger.

"They won't really care until their services start to suffer in a year or two's time."

And, as any politician will tell you, a year or two is a very long time in politics.