Libraries were an important part of my childhood. When I was growing up my parents couldn't afford to buy us books but my dad took me to the library every Friday. I remember it with great affection as it was something we did together and it also gave me a love of books I have to this day. I doubt if I'd be an MP now if it wasn't for library books!

The first public library in Swindon was opened in 1943. The town has come a long way since then – but it’s incredible to think that Swindon Council wanted to take two of them away.

Libraries are the bedrock of civilization. There were libraries in Mesopotamia 5,000 years ago. In the 19^th Century the sharing of knowledge and culture gave ordinary people power – and created the Britain of today. Libraries have grown and advanced with technology – they now have internet, a modern resource that the community can share.

I have been actively involved in campaigning for the Old Town and Walcot libraries to stay open and we have succeeded in getting them a temporary reprieve so far – but the fight goes on.

It was said that by closing two libraries in Old Town and Walcot, money was being saved for the main library. The amount that would have been saved was £24,000. This doesn’t seem like much compared to the predicted annual running costs of over a quarter of a million pounds for the new Central Library, and the loss of their libraries would have harmed both communities.

Old Town is a mixture of the older generation with a significant number of houses being built that are bringing younger families back into the area. Local schoolchildren from Lethbridge and King William Street Schools regularly use the library and I could not see staff and youngsters trudging down the hill to the new library and back up again. They simply wouldn’t have the time to use the new library.

Shutting down libraries is harmful to everyone. It promotes the idea that books aren’t useful and reading isn’t fun. It would increase anti-social behaviour and make it more difficult for children to succeed in school. The more resources available to children, the more likely they are to succeed.

I was first told about the proposed library closure by parents of children from Lethbridge school, who were concerned that they would lose the library that the school uses.  

I was then in contact with Shirley Burnham, the organizer of the group Friends of Old Town Library. After hearing Shirley’s concerns, I was determined to sign the petition to keep the library open. This petition was signed by 450 people and handed in to the Mayor of Swindon. I have had regular contact with Friends of Old Town Library and researched statistics on the Old Town Library use. There was a possibility of having a Library Bus service, but this caused concern for the community because they felt that this would isolate them, especially when the library was a social centre.  

The Councillors have listened to supporters of the ‘Save Old Town Library’ campaign and have agreed to keep the library open until April 2009, when they will review the situation. Because the library has been granted only a temporary reprieve, I urge all residents to sign up as ‘Friends of Old Town Library’ and to JOIN the library, use it, and enjoy it.  

You can enroll as a member of Friends of Old Town Library by signing a list during library opening-hours. Alternatively, you can email Shirley at : friendsofoldtownlibrary@hotmail.uk  People of all ages are welcome and Membership is free.