Council cuts mean that Dickens Heath library opening hours will be reduced in the future and, more importantly, has resulted in the desperately sad loss of our lovely village librarian Sean Dean.
The decision follows a consultation on the future of the 10 Solihull libraries with the cuts planned to save £50,000 per year.
In a recent article in the Solihull Observer Chairman of the Parish Council Councillor Richard Holt criticised the decision:
“I lament the lack of imagination shown with these proposals and a total failure to propose volunteering to bridge the gap.
“I am sure there are many people who would be prepared to volunteer to help run the library when it is proposed to close early, in fact why not extend the opening hours with volunteers, why are Solihull Council not organising this?”
Councillor Holt went on to say that the Parish Council is seriously concerned about the timing of the reductions during a recession when unemployment is high as the library is a valuable tool used by job seekers to access the internet.
“With Dickens Heath having a very young population earning a wage for many residents is essential – the resource should be strengthened at a time of recession, not reduced,” he said.
The village online forums have been up in arms about Sean’s departure with calls for the decision to be overturned and even to the the Parish Council themselves to bridge the funding gap, acknowledging though that the Parish Council are not currently responsible for library funding.
Solihull Council have defended their decisions. Councillor Kate Wild, the council’s spokeswoman for community services, said she was pleased to see Solihull’s libraries staying open when others across the country are being forced to close. “Instead of closing libraries we have achieved efficiencies through innovation and providing our services in a different way.
So sadly, despite this opposition from within the village, the decision seems to be final and Thursday 27th September will be Sean’s last day.
Everyone is invited to call into the library on Thursday 27th September for a cuppa and cake – between 10am-4pm -to say thank you and farewell to Sean who has been a brilliant asset to Dickens Heath and will be missed by many residents.
Post your messages of thanks to Sean below and we will pass them on to him.
All the best in the future Sean, Dickens Heath will miss you.
We are very very sad to hear that Sean is being forced to leave. Sean has been a fabulous asset to Dickens Heath and will be missed. The council should be hanging their heads in shame….
Good luck to Sean for a very happy future.
Elaine Holden
Good luck to Sean, he is obviously a precious asset that very many people respect. Shame on the council I say!
Terrible.. I’m so sorry Sean was forced to leave, he was a real asset and great loss not only to Dickens Heath but Solihull Council, shame on them.
What a real shame Sean has had to leave. I’ve lived in the area a year now and went to the library on several occasions and Sean was an extremely helpful person. The council should not have made this decision. Best of luck Sean.