New York Public Library

City libraries are always lovely. We have so many cutbacks taking place at the moment. Three local libraries in Southport have been closed, two of them knocked down! My mother now drives all the way to Formby to the library because she can't park close enough to the one in the town centre - at almost 90, she can't carry her books far. She still insists on going on her own, though; which is probably why she still can!

The situation here is no different. The libraries are doing everything possible to remain relevant, including installing works of art and catering.

Yes - it's a pity. Our main library in town is thriving, fortunately, but the smaller branches were important to the community as well, especially older people. A couple of community groups tried to acquire them in order to run them, but the council wanted to sell the land. We've just lost a chunk of green belt land to housing development as well. That's been under water for the last three months so I don't think I would want to buy a house there!

Wow what a difference from when we were growing up. I remember our community library offered many after school programs- puppet shows, science fairs, plays, etc. You can always find somebody there to help you with your homework. All of that is gone.

? I'm afraid so.