Library Cuts - Letter from WGGB to Cardiff Council

F.A.O. 

Cllr. Phil Bale,

Leader, Cardiff Council

County Hall
Atlantic Wharf
Cardiff
CF10 4UW

Dear Councillor Bale,

The Welsh Committee of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain would like to add our voices to those expressing profound concern at Cardiff Council’s plans to make cuts to library services in the city.

While we understand the financial pressures under which the Authority is forced to operate, it seems clear that such measures as removing funding from smaller libraries, which are vitally important to local communities, can only be harmful in the long term. Replacing trained staff with volunteers (however committed and well-intentioned) does not seem conducive to the continued provision of what has, for many years, been an excellent service. There is also the possibility that the security of historically significant archive material might be compromised, not to mention the danger that valuable buildings might fall into disrepair.

Furthermore, proposed cuts at Cardiff’s Central Library seems inconsistent with its status as a high-profile feature of a major European capital.

As writers and readers, we urge you to re-think these plans.

Yours faithfully,

Sion Eirian, Gillian Brightmore, Othniel Smith

pp Manon Eames

Chair, Welsh Committee,

Writers’ Guild of Great Britain