8/2/2011

Ref: 110207

“Once the libraries are closed, it will be nearly impossible to recover and replicate the vast resources and services they offer to all members of our communities,” proclaimed Ian Grant, Managing Director of Encyclopædia Britannica.

Grant continues, “These closures will harm our society’s most vulnerable the most – the young, elderly and unemployed – who will no longer have access to the large variety of free services, both books and online, which libraries offer.  Our usage statistics show libraries and Encyclopædia Britannica’s resources are used heavily during revision periods reflecting the importance that freely available and easily accessible research materials have for young people studying for their GCSEs, A-Levels and other exams.

“Additionally, the free access to online services which libraries offer is vital to the less affluent and unemployed in our society.  Removing access to these and other services at any point in time, but especially in this particularly difficult economic climate, is very damaging.  We are delighted that so many high profile figures in the literary world are supporting this important cause and Encyclopædia Britannica is proud to add our historic name to the campaign.”

As a result of the Government’s local government spending cuts, as many as 400 libraries are facing closure.  Over the past month, authors Philip Pullman, Kate Mosse and Jilly Cooper have publicly protested against the closing of libraries due to the Government’s local authority cutbacks.

Encyclopædia Britannica offers its local authority library members remote access to its online resources.  So even if a member’s local library does close, the public will continue to have the ability to access Britannica’s services and its extensive resources.

Grant concludes: “Library closures will decrease the available outlets for book publishers to reach their audience. However, many online services can be accessed from home by anyone registered to a library; this is something that should be emphasised to customers to enable them to utilise this valuable resource. In turn, publishers must ensure they make their materials available online in the first place. The Government must help improve such online access and raise awareness to the public about ways they can benefit from it.”

Encyclopædia Britannica is proud to be supporting Voices for the Library, an organisation dedicated to providing facts about public library services in the UK and the work librarians do. For further information and to donate to this important cause, please visit www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk.

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