Library Closures Top 400 In Five Years

More than 400 libraries have closed in Britain in the last five years due to budget cuts, technology and the internet age.

As part of National Libraries Day, campaigners are calling on local councils and the Government to protect libraries, by diversifying so that they make money and offer more than just books.

In Whitechapel, east London, the library has lost its traditional name and is now called the Ideas Store.

With even more pressure to make money, it hosts festivals, organises language classes and dance workshops.

The events it organises reflect the diversity of the area.

Julia Slay from The New Economics Foundation said: "The biggest challenge to local government is to reimagine the role of a library and bring in other partners across the NHS and local authority to think about how they can deliver services through access they have."

Last year libraries across Britain had 265 million visitors - more than the number of people that went to church or Premier League football matches.

In Lambeth, south London, the council has decided the best way to protect some of its libraries is by offering fitness facilities as well.

However, it has been met with criticism by some users, who have been protesting.

Some staff will also be going on strike on Monday over compulsory redundancies.

The Minister of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Ed Vaizey, told Sky News: "I think it is important that councils think through the range of services they can provide in a library.

"The Government can work with Arts Council England to fund cultural experiences in libraries, there are libraries that even put on gigs in the evening.

"I think that is a great way of getting audiences to come and pass through the doors."

Councillor Ian Stephens, chair of the Local Government Association's Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: "There is a fantastic amount of creativity and ambition among library staff, councils and their communities to make the very best of resources.

"Libraries are playing an increasingly important role as community hubs, empowering local people to use a wide variety of services ranging from homework clubs to public health and business advice.

"They are also helping our residents and businesses to boost their digital skills and get online, with all the extra economic and social benefits which these bring, and providing free Wi-Fi."

For many, libraries remain the focus of local communities, and top authors will today call on book lovers to speak up for them.

If they don't, the fear is that before long there will be nothing left to shout about.