Call For Head Teachers To Support Council's Mobile Library Service

Head teachers in Greenwich are being urged to support the campaign to save the council's mobile library service which deliveries at least 22,000 books a year to children and those with mobility problems in the borough.

Unite the union is spearheading the campaign against the council's plans to scrap the mobile library service, which will lead to an annual £126,000 in so-called 'efficiency savings', despite the fact the council has £320 million in its reserves.

Unite will be balloting its 84 library members in Greenwich from today, 11 January, for industrial action short of a strike and/or for strike action to save the mobile library. The ballot closes on 29 January.

Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said in a letter to 33 head teachers: "In Greenwich, action by this trade union has ensured that our libraries are adequately staffed and our previous campaigns have prevented proposed closures.

"We are now having to campaign again to prevent the closure of the mobile library service. I am now writing to ask for your support.

"The mobile library service in Greenwich issues in excess of 22,000 books to children across the borough. The mobile library visits schools and nurseries where visits to a static library would be too difficult, maybe even impossible to organise."

The mobile library visits schools, nurseries and children's centres that are unable to visit static libraries. According to the council's own figures, a minimum of 22,000 books will not be issued to children if the mobile library is scrapped.