Libraries: Closures

Debate between Lord Bishop of Worcester and Lord Gardiner of Kimble

Monday 11th February 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

As the noble Lord has referred to, this is about a comprehensive and efficient system. I shall expand quickly and briefly on the fact that we have heard about closures but there are in fact some incredibly good success stories of openings and relocations. One of the key challenges for public library provision is where we locate them so that they can be an even greater part of the modernised situations—for instance, new libraries alongside cafes and adult learning classes. These are areas where we can have new openings in urban and rural areas and expansions in certain areas. There will be cases where they will be rationalisation but there is a responsibility to ensure that it is a comprehensive network.

[The Lord Bishop of Worcester]

My Lords, the Minister has just mentioned success stories. I wonder if he is aware of an exciting development in Worcester of a joint university/city library, which Her Majesty the Queen opened last year. Does he agree that this unprecedented partnership provides a model—a win-win approach if ever there was one—for other places to follow? I wonder, if he has not done so, whether he would like to visit it.

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

I am very keen on rural rides. The Hive in Worcester, as the right reverend Prelate has mentioned, is a new library and history centre, and the first ever joint public and academic library in the country. I could go through the very long list of success stories. I know that there are communities worried about their public library provision but there are good stories to be told in Hackney, Lewisham, Newton Abbot, Clapham, Oldham, Northumberland—I could go on.