Latest news with #libraryclosure
BBC News
17 hours ago
- BBC News
Norfolk Library locks doors when open due to antisocial behaviour
A library has closed its doors during opening hours in response to "recurring antisocial behaviour incidents".Gorleston Library users must now use their library cards to access the branch on Lowestoft Road "most afternoons and evenings", after eight incidents were recorded in 2025, Norfolk County Council (NCC) a library in Great Yarmouth has had periods where toilets have been closed owing to antisocial behaviour and vandalism.A NCC spokesperson said reports had been made to the police and added: "The incidents typically involve groups of teenagers entering the building and behaving inappropriately, [and] can involve swearing and being rude to customers and staff." They continued: "They have often refused to leave when asked." The council said any behaviour that left staff or users feeling unsafe was "wholly unacceptable and will not be tolerated".They added: "All the incidents have been reported to the police, and we are working closely with the local beat officer to manage the situation."We have introduced some entry restrictions in the evening, which will remain in place for as long as needed to ensure the safety of our staff and library users." In a separate issue, the council said toilets at the library at The Place in Great Yarmouth have frequently been closed due to the BBC visited, the toilets in the children's library, one disabled toilet and the Changing Places toilet were all closed owing to damage, leaving one disabled cubicle and two unisex cubicles available.A market trader told the BBC that they had to buy clothes and trainers for a disabled man who claimed he was denied access to the facilities and soiled his council said: "Unfortunately, the toilets in The Place are sometimes unavailable due to blockages caused by misuse. We're working to restore full access as soon as possible. "We kindly ask all customers to treat the facilities with respect and report any issues to library staff. At no point have we denied access to working toilets." Janet Tough, 78, of Gorleston, said: "I know they lock the toilets because of that sort of thing and Great Yarmouth's new library, they've had to lock their toilets because of unruly people."But this [locking the doors] I haven't seen before. It's the way of the world at the minute; it's not acceptable, but it starts at home with disciplining your children."You can't expect staff to take it on, because you don't know who's going to draw a knife." Ian Measures, 49, of Gorleston, said: "It seems a bit strange. I guess it's a sign of the times; you can't trust everyone. It seems a bit extreme to lock the doors." Sadie Laurence, 33, of Gorleston, said: "It's bad. But maybe [locking the doors] is a good thing. Maybe they should get some security instead of doing that." Gaynor Hannon, 59, of Bradwell, said: "If someone's being horrible, you don't want them in there. I don't want people being antisocial when my grandson's with me." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
31-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Tynemouth 'book bus' axed due to decline in use
A town's mobile library service is to be axed following a decline in book bus has been visiting Tynemouth twice weekly since the closure of the library in 2020, and it also serves care home and sheltered accommodation Tyneside Council has now said that it will be scrapped due to low usage and that the vehicle has reached the end of its life Lewis Bartoli, the Conservative councillor for Tynemouth, has called for it to be retained saying that to axe it while the library remained closed was a "cruel decision". The Local Democracy Reporting Service said that according to the authority, the bus is now only used 22 times a day, with 90 care home and sheltered accommodation residents using it in the past month. It said that residents in supported living arrangements would still be able to receive home library deliveries or rotating collections of books. Councillor Hannah Johnson, cabinet member for the environment, with responsibility for sports, leisure and libraries, said: "Our community hubs and libraries are now busier than ever and we'll make sure the small number of remaining users are fully supported. "We're contacting people directly to help them."Bartoli said: "Residents in Tynemouth have been without a library for almost five years. "The book bus has been a lifeline for elderly and vulnerable residents across Tynemouth since its closure. "To remove this service now, with no sign of when the physical library will reopen, is cruel. "I hope the mayor will reconsider and delay this change until the new library is finally open." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Library closing would be a great loss for Rottingdean'
Villagers have expressed sadness at the potential closure of their library as part of cost-cutting Library was the sixth most visited library out of 13 in Brighton and Hove with nearly 29,000 visitors per year, but has still been earmarked for closure. Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) is meeting on Thursday to discuss closing Rottingdean, Hollingbury and Westdene libraries to save £250,000 from its annual £3.7m library budget over two said it had "tough choices to protect library services where they're most needed, while achieving necessary savings to ensure the council remains financially sustainable". Closing Rottingdean library, which is based in the 17th Century Grange building, would save BHCC £25,000 per Julia Harris said she would feel "very deprived" if the library closed as it was "very accessible to me for my disability"."I have two young children and we use it regularly," she said."I think it's a great loss for the community and as an educational institution used by schools."Tom Slinn, another resident, told BBC Radio Sussex: "We'd be really disappointed, it's been a really useful place to bring our daughter. "Last summer she read 100 books, that was something that wouldn't be possible without the library."It's a place that we can come that's free and we can sit and have a quiet moment. It wouldn't be practical for us to go to the other libraries they want to keep open." 'Crucial role' A petition set up by locals calling for the library to remain open has received more than 3,000 signatures.A report to the council's cabinet said Rottingdean Library was within two miles (3.2km) of Saltdean Library, had good transport links and many people used both area was described as having "less evidence of deprivation" and reducing the number of libraries from two to one would achieve savings with "minimal impact" on residents, the report Library, based in Old Boat Corner Community Centre, was also proposed for had the fewest visits of all the branches, with 6,554 visitors. While Westdene, in Bankside, had the second fewest with 10,039 Alan Robins, cabinet member for sport, recreation and libraries, said these were "difficult decisions" to make and that libraries played a "crucial role" for the added: "At this stage, we're only looking at starting a consultation with residents on a number of proposals. "Our key aim is to investigate whether the library spaces affected by these proposals could be provided in a different way, for example by transferring them to a community group or voluntary sector organisation."The council said it looked at a number of factors when discussing libraries proposed for closure including usage, proximity to alternative libraries and operational costs.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Birmingham City Council to close Sutton Coldfield library
A community library is to close under plans to transform library services across the Birmingham City Council Coldfield library would shut on 27 June, due to what the local authority called "significant investment" required to address the building's condition and health and safety closure of the facility, based in the Red Rose Centre, would also allow it to redevelop the site, it added.A spokesperson said the authority remained committed to providing a library service across Sutton Coldfield and a mobile library service would continue. The cash-strapped local authority had set a target to cut its libraries budget in a bid to save costs, with 10 community libraries set to become hubs, opening for a minimum of four days a a cabinet meeting on 11 February, senior councillors had agreed on plans that would leave seven libraries in the city at risk of closure, if new partners could not be found to run Saima Suleman, cabinet member for digital, culture, heritage and tourism said they would continue to work with partners for the continuation of the Boldmere and Walmley libraries, alongside services at Mere Green Library."The mobile library service will also continue to serve the area providing access for those impacted by the closure," she added."Residents in Sutton Coldfield can continue to access the 24-hour online service, citywide book reservation service, self-service, library services at home, and digital library offering." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Patmos Library temporarily closes after staff resigns
JAMESTOWN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The Patmos Library in Jamestown is temporarily closed after most of its staff resigned unexpectedly, the library said on its website. 'This brief closure will allow us to ensure a smooth reopening and to prepare for a strong kickoff to our , which remains a top priority,' the said. Library defunded over LGBTQ books sets 2024 closure The library was facing closure in recent years after parents expressed concerns over the type of books, specifically LGBTQ+-themed stories, available for children to check out. The library previously said it has about 90 such pieces of material out of a total inventory of about 67,000. A September 2024 closure date was announced in 2022 after a second attempt to renew its millage failed. Romance novelist to the fund, but the library said it was still not enough for the library to remain open. Controversial W. MI library millage returns to ballot On the third try, the millage passed in 2023, allowing the library to remain open. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
