Libraries fear effect of council changes: David Lister reports on local government reorganisation plans which could threaten free services and the cultural and academic life of many counties

THERE has been an outcry over the threat posed to one of Kent's best-used and most distinctive buildings, writes Graham Moorby.

The popularity of Maidstone central lending library - threatened by planned local government reorganisation - is obvious. It has 20,000 registered users and one of the best collections of non fiction and academic works in the South.

Among its 300,000 items is one of Britain's biggest collections of music scores. Most are stored in an 11-storey tower but it is the two- storey library that stands out - a dodecahedron of steel and glass. 'If people walked into the central library and they did not get the same level of service they get now there would be merry hell,' said Yinnon Ezra, director of Kent County Council's arts and libraries department.

'It would be a devastating blow for the cultural and academic life of the county. There is nowhere like this in the South. I fear for the quality and level of services if these changes go ahead. It is very depressing.

'As far as we are concerned this library is the linchpin. However, if services are fragmented it is probably the most vulnerable. The case for reorganisation has not been made. I can put my hand on my heart and say that I do not see how these changes will improve services.'

Staff in the libraries department fear the central library could be closed or face cuts because local authorities would concentrate on local services.

Even if the central lending library was not closed they fear cost-cutting measures would reduce opening hours and restrict inter-library loans. This would reduce access to stock, including its specialities, sociology and literature, and its large collection of sheet music, tapes, vinyl and compact discs.

County council staff point out that all of Kent's 900,000 library users currently have access to the central lending library via a computer

network.

They say cuts would lead to fewer new purchases and jobs could also be under threat.

(Photograph omitted)