Please view this website in Explorer
Write to the Secretary of State

Back

Why is it important to write a letter ?

Libraries are a statutory service, governed by the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act.  Many areas stand to lose a significant number of their community libraries, mobile services and frontline staff.  The Secretary of State is required under the Act to intervene when a council's library service is in breach of its statutory obligations.   Receiving numerous letters from library users, authors and organisations will alert the Secretary of State to public concern. Letters will request him to exercise his powers of intervention under the 1964 Act.

Some suggested guidelines for your letter are set out below.

Write to the Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt MP

Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP
Secretary of State
Department of Culture Media & Sport [DCMS]
2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH

Your name and address; the date

Your letter should be headed : "1964 Public Libraries Act  :  [name your local authority's library Service]"

Purpose of letter : "writing to request that the Secretary of State use his powers under the 1964 Public Libraries & Museums Act to intervene and call in [ name of ] Council's proposal to close [ number .. ] [ number in words ] community libraries"

Provide : outline detail of your complaints.  Point out that the proposals/decision will fail to provide the improving, comprehensive and efficient service specified under the Act.

Request : early confirmation that your letter has been received and that the action requested above will be undertaken.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NB : If you wish, please let us know that you have written by e-mailing to : saveoldtownlibrary@live.co.uk

The info above may be useful as a guideline