The Save Braunton Library campaign believes that its first priority is to call for the URGENT RE-CLASSIFICATION of Braunton Library from a “smaller and less-well used” library to a “medium to large” library and so has the opportunity to engage in a consultation under ’Proposal 1: a Devon Centre model.’
We believe that Braunton should be treated, at the very least, in the same way as Holsworthy, where the Countyis looking at potential schemes which could deliver the Devon Centre model there. Braunton as a community is more than willing to engage in meaningful discussions as to how we can take the Devon Centre model forward on a basis of how we extend and not diminish its Library service.
We reject the categorisation of Braunton Library as a “small and less well-used” library and being confined to a consultation about how the local community can sustain the library in new and innovative ways (Proposal 2). The inappropriate categorisation of Braunton before the start of the consultation has failed to recognize the true size and usage of Braunton Library and thus has undermined public confidence in the consultation process.
We are asking Devon County Council to urgently reclassify Braunton library, from a “smaller and less-well used” library to a “medium-large” library reflecting its true status, so that we can engage in an appropriate consultation about it’s future.
We cite the following as grounds for reclassification
- DCC is wrongly categorising Braunton because of its technical village status, labelling our library “smaller and less well-used”.
- The reality is that Braunton library serves over 13,000 people, just a few hundred less than some “medium to large” libraries, and is a much loved, lively and important part of our community with 1 in 5 people actively using it and 30% of under 18s.
- Any consultation about Braunton library should include Georgeham, Croyde, West Down, Woolacombe and other surrounding areas covered by the library.
- According to Devon County Council data Braunton library has more “active users” under 18 than four official medium-large libraries (Seaton: 505, Torrington: 546, South Molton: 600, Dawlish: 612, Braunton: 640).
- According to Devon County Council data Braunton has more Total Active Users than two medium-large libraries (Torrington: 1676, South Molton: 2025, Braunton: 2025)
- The % of the catchment area using the library in Braunton (20%) is higher than Barnstaple, Newton Abbot, Honiton, Tiverton, Collumpton, Torrington, Okehampton, Sidmouth, Ilfracombe and Teignmouth), according to Devon County Council data.
- The data from Devon County Council shows a reduction in library use in Braunton in recent years but in recent years Braunton Library has been closed for half of the week due to previous cuts and so reducing access to the public and not surprisingly this has led to a reduction in visitor numbers; a self-fulfilling prophecy which residents fear is now being used to justify more cuts. Despite this the usage figures (totals and percentage) also show a higher usage than other official “medium to large” libraries.
We believe that the weight of evidence to support a reclassification is substantial and we request that Devon County Council moves swiftly to give Braunton Library the status it warrants. This will allow a meaningful consultation about how we move forward to secure a positive future for this valuable resource.
About ‘Save Braunton Library’
Save Braunton Library is a community-led campaign that brings together local people concerned about the future of their library and helps raise their voice and concerns. The first community meeting of Save Braunton Library was held on Wednesday 21st May.
Support for Braunton Library
Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative candidate): “Braunton cannot be placed in the same category as libraries in the sparsely-populated rural areas, and yet this approach is being adopted by the consultation.”
Mark Cann (Labour Candidate): “Braunton Library is a cornerstone of the local community and I’m hopeful that with concerted public pressure we can save Braunton Library and I’m happy to be a part of that campaign”
Nick Harvey MP (Liberal Democrat): “Libraries provide a vital community service both for leisure and educational purposes. Any moves to close or rationalize Braunton Library is clearly a retrograde step”
Veronica Henry (Local Author): “Closing Braunton library would be an act of shortsighted savagery. Going to the local library should be every child’s right, and that right should be there for all of their life. Libraries should be at the heart of a community, not expelled from it.”
May 26 2014
