REDBRIDGE: Campaigners set to oppose archive service cuts at meeting (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

REDBRIDGE: Campaigners set to oppose archive service cuts at meeting

6:30pm Tuesday 2nd March 2010 in Redbridge News By Sam Adams

CAMPAIGNERS opposed to planned cuts to the borough's library archives service will call on councillors to reject the plan at Thursday night's budget meeting.

Proposals to reduce the service - which maintains Redbridge's historical records and other documents - to an 'appointments-only' facility with the loss of its full-time qualified librarian, have been widely opposed since they were revealed earlier this year.

Cabinet approved an amended version of the plan last month that would see the librarian's duties taken over by a collections officer and three assistants, but opponents say the revised scheme is still unacceptable.

Roger Backhouse, of Thorold Road, Ilford, will join other campaigners to make a deputation to the council at Thursday night's meeting - calling on members to drop the cuts plan.

He said: "We would like the council as a whole to reconsider the revised proposals.

"We would like to see it dropped, but we are willing to look at other proposals that would retain expertise in the service.

"This is a matter that should be beyond party politics, and I would hope councillors from all parties will recognise that.

"The archive service is important for the whole community.

"You only have to look at what happened when they dug up Gants Hill roundabout without knowing there were factory tunnels under there to see the importance of having well maintained local records."