By Ashley Young-
Norfolk Councillors are begging for a small number of Norfolk’s libraries to be reopened, but council bosses have rejected those pleas due to regulation rules.
Norfolk libraries, like all libraries in other counties have been closed since the middle of March, due to the government’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
However, continuing library closures are frustrating a number of parents in Norfolk who say their children are not getting the exposure and therapeutic benefits libraries provide.
A survey of 1200 parents with children in the Norfolk area showed that 75% would like to see libraries open for children to use if social distancing is observed and ensured. Of the 75%, 60% said they would be happy for libraries to open if an adult were present.
Sharon Wilde, 33, from Norfolk ,who has two teenage daughters said:
” My teenage daughters use the library every Saturday and Sunday. I brought them up to go there and read books as well as use the computers to further themselves. People need the library to find work, because its not only those with jobs who can work. I have been pressing the council to ty and get some open. There is enough space for people to be two metres apart. It’s not as if libraries cannot control the number of people who come in to make sure they are not crowded”
Another Norfolk resident, Mike O’Grady said: ” If people can go to work but observe social distance then they can do the same in libraries. People can be made to sit opposite the nearest person to them, so that social distancing is guaranteed. If work places can open, so can libraries. A lot of people will decide not to go to them, but those who want to go and keep their minds busy or plan their future should be able to do so”.
Many children come from families that don’t have a lot of books at home, and want to be able to us libraries to develop themselves, although Norfolk library told The Eye Of Media.Com that there many people who had borrowed books that had not yet been returned, but won’t have excess charges placed on them.
Current government regulations do not permit the opening of libraries.Norfolk county councillor Mike Castle has speaking on behalf of his constituents when he tackles the issue, and wants to see libraries reopened. Mr Castle was ceasing on the recent easing of restrictions to pose a question to the council’s Conservative controlled cabinet if it might be possible to get some of the libraries open again.
Mr Castle, who represents Great Yarmouth North and Central at County Hall said libraries were an “essential service” for many people.
He said access to computers was “an absolute requirement for folks applying for and maintaining eligibility to state benefits”.
However, Margaret Dewsbury, the cabinet member for communities and partnerships, Margaret Dewsbury insists that libraries can’t be reopened yet.
She said: “The UK government regulation in relation to COVID-19 specifically mentions libraries as places that must be closed, and we need to ensure that when restrictions are lifted we put in place measures to keep staff and public safe.
“We will follow the guidance of Public Health England in doing this.
“In the meantime, detailed recovery plans for libraries are being drawn up with computer access for the most vulnerable being one of the most important functions to recover first.”Mrs Dewsbury today told reporters that during the closure period, library service staff have been redeployed into supporting food distribution, buying personal protective equipment and coordinating the volunteer effort across the county.
Ms Dewsbury said they had also been investing in e-books and e-magazines and setting up an online library activity offer.
Image:greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk