Dear Mayor Glanville,
Hackney's libraries are a vital and much-loved public asset. In an area of extreme inequality, libraries offer our citizens knowledge, empowerment and community.
But our libraries service isn't just the buildings and books & materials they house - it's run by caring and dedicated staff. It's our staff that make sure the libraries open on time, run the events and offer help to those in need. Put simply, Hackney's libraries are great because we have great staff.
This is now at risk with plans to cut a significant number of libraries staff jobs. The result would be a reduced presence with less staff for users to interact with, riskier to effectively prevent or manage health & safety issues, and make temporary closures more likely in the event of staff shortages.
It's also especially unfair that the senior management team received an additional £50k funding only for that to be paid for by further staff cuts.
Despite your own commitment, these changes could make it unsustainable to run our libraries in the long-term and result in permanent closures.
We call on you to stop these plans, invest in the service using the Council's significant reserves, and protect our libraries for future generations.
Petition organised by Hackney UNISON Local Govt branch
Why is this important?
Help protect staff jobs and our libraries for current & future generations.
We need at least 750 signatures from people who work, live or study in Hackney to be considered by the full council at Hackney Town Hall in November!
How it will be delivered
Email and paper copies to Mayor Glanville
