IRBY LIBRARY - The denouement?

Is Irby Library simply a victim of a Civil Servants pen who seeks to pat themselves on the back for saving yet more money? Has the library really been a thorn in the side of our Council and Councilors? Well one would think so, as those of us who have been a part of this essential service for many years have witnessed the knife wielding threats from those entrusted to manage such facilities, for the last 4 or 5 years!

ITPAS has carried out a number of activities with our local libraries over the years. I would like to stress that our work with both Irby and Pensby libraries has not just been in the twilight weeks, but for several years now we have linked in with them in one form of activity or another.

I have to say though, when the announcement of the ‘Strategic Review’ came, I did feel an air of finality for both Irby and Pensby libraries. Thankfully Pensby is saved - for now!

Having got wind of this ’strategic review’, ITPAS did all it was able under the circumstances - and we continue to do so. However, when a word such as ’strategic’ is used, one’s eyes open a little wider. A word that finds itself more commonly used in a Military context! Then one has to think of the axe wielding civil servant who’s looking to come out the other side flying his or her own little flag of victory!

Of course, one can’t just point the finger of blame at the Council Oficer(s) who saw this proposal through. Let’s not forget our elected representatives who actually voted ‘for’ the closure of Irby library. Don’t be under any misinterpretation that our Councilors were out-voted by a majority of cross-Wirral Councilors. OUR local Councilors voted FOR the closure!

Amongst our opposition to the closure, ITPAS asked the question, what will become of the building? It seems a negative question - as if admitting defeat, but if you think about it, any answer would have provoked many further questions, such questions i’m sure could have proved embarassing at the least. Anyway ‘they’ obviously saw through our ‘plot’ as, like many other communications we have submitted to WBC, our letters received no response!

I shall finish where I started - with a question. That same unanswered question of what is to become of the building? Is it seen as a valuable assett that selling would raise funds for the next finacial year (the usual short term sighted view as opposed to the long term benefits continued funding of a local library would bring!) or is it going to be handed over to the Community? If so, as what and funded from where? Many many questions both conclusions raise and nobody appears to be answering them at the moment!

I suspect the matter will go on for a while yet, we’ve certainly not heard the last, but this moment in time would appear literally to be the ‘denouement’ but more importantly for some - it will not be forgotten!

Tim