THE news that four libraries in Swindon are to open for longer (SA, April 9) is very welcome.

Nevertheless, I am writing in support of Labour’s motion at Full Council on Thursday, April 14.

“Why?” You might well ask “is this woman banging on about libraries again?” I’ll explain.

Residents have never been able to assume from one year to the next that their local library is safe. That uncertainty is intolerable to library users, affects staff morale and sends a negative message about libraries to the whole town. I am hoping that councillors of all political colours will approve Labour’s motion! I no longer think that is a vain hope, because Coun Fionuala Foley herself has publicly championed libraries. Without cross-party support for Labour’s motion on Thursday, people will have reason to be alarmed because uncertainty still reigns.

The uncertainty to which I refer is that our council has recently paid external consultants around £45,000 to produce a report, setting out ‘other delivery options’ for Swindon’s library service. A number of local authorities are coercing residents into “running” and “financing” their local libraries themselves; if they don’t, these will be closed. Other local authorities are looking to private ‘for profit’ companies to take their libraries over. The firm J Laing was the first to do so in Hounslow, with great fanfare, in 2008 - but Hounslow residents are now having to fight eight library closures. LSSI is another firm trying to grab a slice of this lucrative market.

If Swindon’s consultancy report has been completed, it should be published now. People deserve to know what ‘delivery options’ are being looked at. Is it fair to say that the administration might sit on this report until after the local elections in May? If so, why?

All such uncertainty would be swept aside if Labour’s motion is carried on Thursday. Swindon will then be a beacon for other councils by having firmly agreed a principle - community libraries are essential to the fabric of Swindon; in this town, unlike others, they will continue to be kept open, improved, publicly run, publicly funded and properly staffed.

SHIRLEY BURNHAM

Arundel Close

Swindon