another chapter in the fight to keep open libraries in Shaldon, Kingskerswell, Kingsteignton and Ipplepen was written this week when Newton Abbot Town Council added its support.
At its full meeting on Wednesday, members agreed to back keeping library facilities in the four villages and will forward its views to Teignbridge Council, which is reviewing the situation.
Fourteen members were in support and Cllrs Anne Fry and Keith Smith abstained. Former teacher Cllr Ken Lewis asked what was the point of trying to encourage children to read if they could not get a book?
'Imagine someone from Shaldon having to go to Teignmouth, collecting five books and having to get them home again. Libraries are for the public. Keep them open,' he said. Cllr Mike Hocking was concerned about the future of Newton Abbot's library.
'If they start closing these libraries where will it stop? Will our library be under threat in a few years time? We did not think the post office would be under threat a few years ago, but it is now,' he stated. Cllr David Corney-Walker said local libraries were enormously important, particularly to the junior citizens. We also need to have local libraries for senior citizens too,' he maintained.
Describing libraries as community centres, Cllr Geraldine Gaskell said that maybe libraries that were under threat could set up a league of friends, reading circles and children's corners, even a cafe, to encourage everyone to go in.
But Cllr Smith said the library service wanted to move forward and get computerised. 'There is no reason why a member of staff could not go around with a computer. They do not need buildings. The library service needs to get into the 21st century. Until it gets modernised I think we will see more and more closures,' he warned.
Cllr Anne Fry said all youngsters wanted to use computers. 'I think we have to realise society is changing and the role of libraries is changing. Could their role change to a one-stop shop once a week and hold police surgeries there? I am sure there are other ways we could have libraries used a lot more,' she said.
Teignbridge MP Richard Younger-Ross, who attended the meeting, said he was urging Devon County Council not to go down the road of closure, but to look at ways of how they might be able to generate income.