Angry protest over Folkestone Library closure

Many protesters gathered outside the now closed library Photo: Ray Duff

By Ray Duff… Following the shock news from Kent County Council of the proposed closure of the main library in the town, a large demonstration was held outside the now, and possibly for ever closed, Folkestone Library. 

The hastily arranged demo which was organised within 18 hours, was attended by a large crowd of around a hundred people this morning, 25th March 2023.

Protesters included local Councillors and Folkestone’s Deputy Mayor Cllr Belinda Walker, the leader of the Labour Party at Folkestone & Hythe District Council, Cllr Connor McGonville, County Councilor Cllr Jackie Meade (Lab), Cllr Georgian Treloar (Green), local historians, arts groups, and other residents and families. Standing on the footpaths on both sides of the road, many passing vehicles tooted their support.

Cllr McGonville said:   “It would be nice to see KCC officers offer the people of Folkestone their explanations in a public forum, open to questioning, rather than in press releases.

“KCC should be engaging with partners to try and find an immediate alternative site within the town centre to offer library services, rather than continuing to expect local residents to travel to other parts of the district. 

“This is yet another example of why the two-tier system does not work. Local services should be delivered locally, people’s taxes should be invested in the places they live.”

Kent Council Council’s Deputy leader Cllr Peter Oakford (Con), had earlier claimed that they cannot now afford the circa £1.8million repair costs, but one local resident claimed: ” It is a Grade II listed building which has not received the necessary upkeep for many years before now, even the recent 2021/22 work seems to have been mere sticking plasters. Doing the upkeep would have cost far less.”

I feel my life is over

According to a local historian, all of the Districts Libraries should never have been placed in the hands of KCC way back in 2024.  Another now elderly and eminent local historian gave a heartfelt comment saying: “I feel my life is over, I had more than several projects to complete and may not now live to see them done.”

Another historian was concerned that the Heritage Room collections may well be lost to future generations, or put out of reach at Maidstone.  It was claimed the collections are still needed,  not just right now to inform current important history and archaeology projects but many more known to be in the pipeline.

He believed the loss would be incalculable and claimed that KCC refused to answer why they have just left this building to rot, they need to be made to do so. He continued that people do not want a downsized version elsewhere and want and need this large and multi-use space to be fully protected for everyone now, and well into the future.

Other library-goers at the demo, many with their children, voiced great concern that because they cannot afford the travel costs to other libraries, even with extended opening hours, and/or they cannot afford to run home computers or expensive smart phones, so need access to a nearby facility. They added that their children greatly valued access to their section, to help with reading; not everyone can afford books these days; and to further school projects.

Utter disgrace

Some older residents stated that they had long used the Library to access the book collections, and now as a means to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. One person stated: ” I do not know what I would do without my Library – I’d be lost, as I have felt for the last few months.”

Emily Ghassempour who attended the demonstration said: “50% of children in the ward where the library is situated live in poverty. “It’s one of the last warm, free spaces available in the town. It’s an utter disgrace.”

The building also houses a large multi-purpose gallery space, The Lady Sassoon Room, which has staged over many, many years, a wide range of art and other exhibitions as well as talks of all kinds.

Representatives of a number of arts groups also turned out to condemn the ‘utterly short-sighted’ decision and called on KCC to immediately climb down and re-think the situation.

It’s expected the campaigning to repair and re-open the Grace Hill site will now be greatly increased with further actions and activities being planned.