Editorial: Speak up over library closures

Linda Hall, assistant editor, Hawke's Bay Today.

What is happening at the University of Auckland should ring alarm bells for book lovers across the nation.

More than a year ago the university shut down its engineering library. A member of staff claimed at the time that thousands of books were burned as it was "the cheapest way to get rid of them".

Now they are proposing to shut down further specialist libraries, including fine arts, music and dance and architecture and planning. They want to merge them with the main library but of course there won't be enough room for all the books.

The move is to save space and money but at what cost to the general public?

Libraries are special places in any community.

They are places of learning and fun, a place to gather with friends and explore the wonderful world of books.

Students from the university packed the fine arts library on Saturday, sitting in aisles in protest of the proposed closure. Good on them, but will their voices be heard? I very much doubt it.

What concerns me the most about this is what's next? In a decade's time will it be decided that the spaces occupied by libraries, art centres and other community hubs are needed to build houses?

We must all stand up and protest loudly about any move that takes culture and art out of our community.

Oh and this time the university has promised not the burn any books — instead they will shred any that can't be stored — I do hope that makes them feel a little better.