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Public Library Subsidy

22 Comments

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Anne Laws
11 years ago Featured

As former University Parliamentary Papers Library Retrieval System Assistant, it is essential we have hard copy available.Valid reasons in the petition.ers

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Anonymous
11 years ago

Not everyone has access to computers ( even with visiting their library - limited pc's and staff to assist) so some form of hard copy is still required. If we wish to keep people informed it needs to be in both formats.

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Anonymous
11 years ago

This will have significant impact on libraries ability to provide government information to all.

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Gina Nicholls
11 years ago

It is essetial that alternative forms of access to government information are made available to ensure inclusivity for all and not everyone wiants or can read complex documetns on a small scree for a wide range of reasons.

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Sue Copp
11 years ago

I remember the time the town library I worked in took Hansard. Different world

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Katherine Ann Berman
11 years ago

It is a total myth that putting things online stops the need for paper copies. As listed in the petition wording, there are many reasons why people still need to read print copies. Please do not cut the subsidy, or public libraries will no longer be able to stock these items, or will have to cut down radically on what they buy.

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L. Robertson
11 years ago Featured

Paper copies held in physical archives and libraries are an important resource for researchers. I know from experience how difficult it is to find official publications that are more then a few months old unless a paper copy can be traced

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m cove
11 years ago

Many are digitally excluded and libraries are being closed so print remains an essential format.

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Ann Marie Murray
11 years ago

It is undemocratic if a portion of the population is unable to access and use government publications. All formats shoule be available so that people can use the information in the way that best suits their needs.

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Clive Evers
11 years ago

It is essential that official publications are available to the general public in print especially older people not used to computers.

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Penny Armatage
11 years ago

Public documents are for the public to hold, handle and read. They are not the property of the IT literat.

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Mel Petricko
11 years ago

Public Libraries are a key player in civic action in america. Online documents are important, but many people don't have computer access and skills. With paper documents they can be more effective

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Alan Wylie
11 years ago

With an estimated 11m people in the UK stuck in the 'Digital Divide' it's crucial that the public have access to hard copy official publications. Further cuts to the subsidy would mean that many libraries would be unable to satisfy this demand/need.

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Alan Wylie
11 years ago Featured

With an estimated 11m people in the UK stuck in the 'Digital Divide' it's crucial that the public have access to hard copy official publications. Further cuts to the subsidy would mean that many libraries would be unable to satisfy this demand/need.

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Michael Lightowlers
11 years ago

It is important that public information is freely available to all, and that public libraries are funded to enable this.

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Jennie Grimshaw
11 years ago

I support the need to make official information available to the citizen in print as well as online to prevent digital exclusion.

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Gerry Torley
11 years ago

Aim to provide equality of access to all customers regardless of format

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Steven Hartshorne
11 years ago Featured

Access to print is essential since online resources can be difficult to locate and have no guaranteed permanence. Also online governmental publishing is currently chaotic and documents and resources can be difficult to find.

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Julian Mills
11 years ago

Also, some of the information, although published online, is not that easy to find unless you know where to look, and many members of the general public get lost in the maze of the ONS website

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Claire Pickering
11 years ago Featured

I would reiterate the sentiment that making something available online is not the same as making it accessible. Deflecting the cost of this subsidy back onto public libraries is not helpful at this time as we struggle to make citizens more aware of their rights and responsibilities and to make Westminster seem more relevant to their everyday lives.