Today hundreds of library users travel to Westminster to highlight the vital role of our libraries and library staff. They are speaking up for millions of people – young and old – who use public libraries for a myriad of reasons every day. At a time when 23% of households do not have an internet connection and one child in three does not own a book, this open and accessible public service at the heart of our communities is a more valuable and relevant resource than ever, yet many of our libraries are under threat. A toxic cocktail of closures and cuts to staffing, opening hours and book funds has left our library service in crisis and, despite the government's responsibility to oversee the library service, its only response to the cuts has been a deafening silence. Library users are urging the government to make good on its promise to champion libraries, by ensuring that local authorities provide a comprehensive and efficient library service, and establishing national library standards.
Dave Prentis General secretary, Unison
Ruth Bond Chair, National Federation of Women's Institutes
Julia Donaldson Children's laureate
Roger McGough Poet
Kate Mosse Author
AC Grayling
Michael Rosen Author
Chris Addison Comedian
Robin Ince Comedian
Josie Long Comedian
Jenny Eclair Comedian
Rebecca Front Actress
Justin Edwards Actor and writer
Malorie Blackman Author
Jean Ure Author
Berlie Doherty Author
Beverley Naidoo Author
Jamila Gavin Author
Alan Gibbons Author, on behalf of Campaign for the Book
Bali Rai Author
Tony Roche Writer
Anna Perera Author
Michael Holroyd Author
John Dougherty Author, parent, former teacher
Terence Blacker Author
Steve Skidmore Author
Steve Barlow Author
Linda Newbery Author
Ann Jungman Author
Philip Ardagh Author
Chris Holifield Director, Poetry Book Society
Kevin Crossley-Holland President-elect, School Library Association
Viv Bird Chief executive, Booktrust
Andrew Coburn The Library Campaign
Adam Lancaster National chair, Federation of Children's Book Groups
Gary Green On behalf of Voices For The Library
Elizabeth Ash Croydon Libraries Campaign
Mar Dixon Founder, #savelibraries; Shropshire Chinnor Library Group
Laura Swaffield Friends of Lambeth Libraries
David Butcher Director and trustee, Friends of Kensal Rise Library
Philip Bromberg Brent SOS Libraries/Friends of Preston Library
Jeff Doorn Vice-chair, Friends of Carnegie Library
John Hamilton Secretary, Lewisham People Before Profit
Sonja Nerdrum Brent SOS libraries - Cricklewood
Ian Cameron
Benedita Whitehouse
Desmond Clarke
Ron Salmons
Helen Tomkins
Shirley Burnham
Alison Hopkins
Pauline Gaunt Lambeth
Laura Collignon
Lesley Sapsford
Sophie Mount-Thurston
Nicolette McKenzie
Kate Dobson
Julie Barber
Sean Creighton
Audrey Schoellhammer
Barbara Darnley
Gaynor Lloyd
M Griffith-Jones
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