Libraries gave us power

As Nicky Wire of the Manics says, its hard not to feel despondent about the plight of British libraries.

Far from being outmoded, the usage of libraries actually went up in the last decade. I always felt that the death of the library would be the beginning of the end for old-fashioned values. Of course they cost money, but surely they bring good value as they are available as a source of knowledge, and inspiration, to everyone, with nothing expected in return. Closures will hit the most poorest, once again.

Nicky Wire -So often absolutely ordinary in appearance, a good library should offer escape routes down the most extraordinary avenues, pathways into different worlds from the ones you've left outside. Ridding our villages, towns and cities of libraries, which are essential in shaping a nation's consciousness, seems like a direct attack on the soul of a country.

(Seems like announcements like this always happen after a government get in power, not mentioned when they are asking for votes.)