I started the Leave our Library Alone petition with just my own voice. I do have a habit of saying out loud what everyone is thinking, which usually causes some offence and is generally something I have to try hard to control but when it comes to creating a petition, that's when my weakness is a strength. I write it from the heart and write what I feel is my truth and if people agree with it, they sign the petition, it's as simple as that. A petition isn't just about what I as an individual think, it is a tool to accumulate power for our collective voices to be heard and that's why, I think that if you sign a petition, it's really important to write your own personal comment about what you think about the issue. A petition isn't always a perfect document and society is of course made up of many individuals, each with their own story or angle on the situation. The petition I have created isn't a list of perfect wishes of mine, that need to be magically turned into reality, it's a starting point to attract like-minded individuals, to campaign for what our town needs and to encourage discussion with Somerset County Council. The people on Somerset County Council are real people too, they are not some ogres and I truly believe that when they understand how much our library means to us, in the position it is, that we can come together and create a solution. Nope, I don't know what that solution is but that doesn't mean that I can't campaign against something that is just plain wrong!
So, the petition that I created has three main points:
1/ For our library to be left where it is at the heart of our town.
2/ For opening hours to be longer.
3/ For staff to be supported by automation and not cut because of it.
In just a few days, the campaign has been gathering momentum and there are several powerful comments already on the petition which is just about to reach the 400 signatures landmark!
Please join your voice with ours and get our message heard:
Please sign and comment on the petition, here.
Please share this article on Facebook and encourage your friends and family to sign too.
Thank you so much for all your support so far.
Here are some of the other voices joining the protest.
It's a vital resource for the community, and should be kept in the centre of the community.
Mary Boston, Cranmore, United Kingdom
I do not think that Mendip will be happy until the whole of Shepton has become a dormitory town with only the shops at the top of the town to serve the town. This is a beautiful town and yet the agenda of Mendip is a brain teaser. LEAVE the library where it is, at least when people go there then they are passing shops who may benefit from a visit from them also, if it is at the top of town in Mendip then what is the point?
Lindy Wilson, Glastonbury, United Kingdom
Libraries AND librarians are a wonderful resource that help reduce crime, improve social mobility and make people happy especially older people and children
Helen Clemence, Shepton Mallet, United Kingdom
Libraries are important for the future of our children and should be kept in the heart of the town
Norma Frood, Shepton mallet, United Kingdom
A library is an investment in the future of our grandchildren. The heart and soul of a community passionate about learning.
Tony Conway, Shepton Mallet, United Kingdom
The library should be at the heart of the community and we have the same problem in Church Stretton, Shropshire and we took the Council to court using judicial review of the location decision and the council conceded that its action was unlwawful
John Whitelegg, Church Stretton, United Kingdom
I work at Shepton Mallet Infants School and our children use the library, if it moved they would not be able to walk there
Pet White, West Pennard, United Kingdom
I love the staff in Shepton Mallet library - they are so friendly. The library is a hub of the community where people can meet and be sociable. It also encourages shoppers in to the High Street to support the small local independent businesses.
Amanda Stone, Polegate, United Kingdom
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