SAVE OUR SOUTHEND LIBRARIES

The Cabinet member for Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Leisure, Southend City Council - Cllr Derek Jarvis

SAVE OUR LIBRARIES - WE SAY NO TO CUTS

This week, it has been announced that the Conservative City Council plan to CLOSE two of our city’s libraries, and intends to reduce the service and hours at three of the remaining libraries.

We will not let these proposed cuts happen without a fight.

We have launched this urgent petition to send the council a strong message that residents will not accept ANY cuts to our library services.

Please SIGN and SHARE this petition:

*please note; OPT IN to future communications to be kept updated about this campaign.

To: The Cabinet member for Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Leisure, Southend City Council - Cllr Derek Jarvis
From: [Your Name]

Cllr Jarvis,

We the undersigned, condemn in the strongest possible terms any suggestion of the closure or reduction in service of our City’s libraries by the Conservative administration.

We do not accept that these cuts are proportionate, considered, or fiscally appropriate.

Libraries are the cornerstone of the community, serving as havens for knowledge, personal growth, and cultural enrichment. They are one of the last remaining safe and staffed spaces where individuals can access resources and services without the expectation of spending money. They serve as welcoming and inclusive places for people of all ages and backgrounds to read, learn, engage in community events, and find solace in a quiet space. Libraries remain crucial in bridging the digital divide, offering access to computers and the internet for those who otherwise might not have access to it, and enhancing social mobility. Probably most importantly, Libraries are essential for encouraging a love of lifelong learning amongst our citizens, helping people become independent, informed, engaged, and critical thinkers.

The decline of local libraries not only threatens our cultural and educational heritage but also jeopardises our commitment to equality and inclusivity. By investing in our libraries, we invest in the well-being, growth, and intellectual development of our community, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to exist, learn, and find peace within the pages of a book.

We demand that the city council urgently reevaluate these proposals, and take our beloved local library services off your chopping block.

Like thousands of other residents, we are prepared to fight for our services, and we will not let this matter fall from public attention. You have the opportunity to correct your misjudgement. We suggest you do so urgently.

Yours sincerely.