Nick Clegg backs campaign to save Sheffield libraries

On the final day of the public consultation, Nick Clegg, MP for Sheffield Hallam, has called on Sheffield City Council to change their plans to close more than half of local libraries.

The proposal to close 16 of 28 local libraries has sparked community campaigns across Sheffield. Liberal Democrats handed in a 16,000 petition and community groups have handed in other petitions with thousands more names.

The council has said it needs to slash £1.6m from its library services budget by 2016.

Nick Clegg MP, said:

"There is £31m in owed council tax outstanding. If they got on top of this libraries could stay open without the need for cuts elsewhere. It’s about time they got their act together for the sake of our local libraries."