Authors Join Protest Against Libraries Closure in Britain

Leading authors have joined activists marching in protest against wide-ranging cuts to cultural services including, libraries, museums and galleries.

Children’s authors Alan Gibbons and Michael Rosen and the children’s laureate Chris Riddell were among thousands of people who gathered outside the British Library before marching on to Trafalgar Square in central London on Saturday, Independent reported.

More than 340 libraries have been closed since 2010, with the loss of almost a quarter of staff in what several unions, including Unite, Unison and the Public and Commercial Services have called a “national crisis”.

Around 2,500 people joined the protest, according to Unite’s head of media and campaigns Alex Flynn. “It’s been very good natured but people have been clear in the message that libraries are vital to our communities, they are vital for education and empowering people and that libraries should not be cut,” he said.

“I think it’s exceeded expectations - the level of support and the reception we have got as we’ve marched from the British Library. We would hope that the government takes note.”

Ahead of the demonstration, Unite officer Fiona Farmer said: “Tory government cuts to local government funding have wrought havoc to our public libraries with hundreds closing”.

“Libraries are the gateway to knowledge, learning and enjoyment for all ages of people from all walks of life. Yet more and more communities are seeing their library disappear or service diminish because of librarian cuts or failed privatization,” Farmer added.