“Ralph”(11 y/o) Save Barnet Library campaigner delivers inspirational speech
British Library, Kings Cross.
March to protest about cuts to libraries, museums and the arts.
Barnet Unison were on the march along with striking Barnet library staff.
05/11/16 BP
AMS
“Can you imagine a world without books? Where would the world be without the knowledge accumulated over the centuries? Would we be as intelligent? Would we be as creative? Could we ever be transported to another time or place? Libraries are vital in sharing this knowledge and free access should be a right for us all, particularly those without money and power. Like me.
Our local councils don’t want to listen to an eleven year old boy. I don’t have a vote and clearly I’m not worth spending money on. Why do I say this? Because the council wants to get rid of over 50 full time library staff and reduce the floor space in libraries by up to 90%, making some libraries no bigger than a family living room! This will have a major impact on me and other children who love libraries for the opportunities they give us for broadening our minds and horizons.
Our councils hope volunteers will help out with the staffing as they don’t want to pay for the professional librarians whom I have found so helpful.
But even worse for children like me, libraries will be unstaffed up to 70% of the time and accessed via computerised doors watched by CCTV, not people. Furthermore, at such times I, being under 15 years of age, will be forbidden entry unless accompanied by my busy parents who already have enough demands on their time.
So, in effect, my council wants to ban me from going to my library.
I don’t know what it is these days about this constant campaign to close down libraries. Now you can tell me that the council are trying to save money and that makes sense in which case why are they spending more money on trying to close libraries than it would cost to keep them open?
For years now we have been fighting against plans to slash funding for our libraries. There will be/have been a lot of speeches today and they are all reinforcing the same truth: libraries are the key to our community and our lives. Interfering with them tells me that our councils do not really care about education at all. If we can get that message across to as many as possible and encourage them to take action, then none of this will have been wasted.
We are here today to continue that fight. And on that note I want to leave you with some words from that champion of freedom, Dr Who:
“You want weapons? We’re in a library. Books are the best weapon in the world. This room’s the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself!”
Ralph Vincent 5th November 2016