Letters - November 23, 2016

LIBRARIESCouncil has to give us our librariesCoun Fail and his colleagues point out their need to maintain statutory obligations (Your Say, Gazette, November 18).
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Nov 2016, 10:23 GMT
Updated 29th Nov 2016, 10:26 GMT
Protest over the potential closure of Freckleton Library. Youngsters Evie Knowles, 11, Sean Rhodes, 10, Steven Rhodes, 11 and Kelby Knowles, 8, with other protesters behind.Protest over the potential closure of Freckleton Library. Youngsters Evie Knowles, 11, Sean Rhodes, 10, Steven Rhodes, 11 and Kelby Knowles, 8, with other protesters behind.
Protest over the potential closure of Freckleton Library. Youngsters Evie Knowles, 11, Sean Rhodes, 10, Steven Rhodes, 11 and Kelby Knowles, 8, with other protesters behind.

It seems odd, therefore, that they are closing libraries all over Lancashire when they have a statutory obligation to provide a “comprehensive and efficient library service” under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964.

Coun Fail’s comment that an “adequate service level” is being maintained, is I suggest, not a satisfactory statement to those users of Thornton, Cleveleys, Northfleet, Frackleton, Lytham and other libraries that have now closed.

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It was found in a survey in Wales 50 per cent of users of library computers had no access to any other computers, and I would expect the response to be much the same in Lancashire. It would be interesting to know if provision has been made by the county council for those missing out on the digital age.

Had they not spent thousand of pounds on 20mph signs and road markings (I find it cost £16,000 in Helmshore alone) that seem to be more “honoured in the breach than the observance” perhaps this money would have been available to maintain one of the great institutions of British life – the public library, aka the university of the common man.

Derek B Timms MCLIP Dip.Loc Hist

Mere Avenue

Fleetwood

AIRCRAFT

Drones are a real risk to the public

The Government is guilty of massive dereliction of duty and endangering the public safety by not severely restricting the use and availability of the remote controlled private light aircraft known as drones.

A recent reported near miss over central London makes clear it is only a matter of time before there is a major disaster and loss of life.

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It is reported there are now two million drones in the country. That is almost two million unnecessary aircraft that are not being employed for any legitimate or necessary reason but merely for recreational and, if HM Prison Service is to be believed, criminal purposes. I would suggest that the Government should legislate urgently to control their availability and license their use as strictly as handguns.

Neil F Liversidge

via email

US POLITICS

US election puts the case for monarchy

Now that the dust is settling, didn’t the American election just make the case for the monarchy?

G Reid

address supplied

Related topics:GovernmentLancashireCleveleysThornton