Celebrating library refurbishment

The other day I gave a talk at a local library (in Barnard Castle, County Durham) to help mark its refurbishment and I was delighted to do so.
As you may know, I am part of the Crime Writers’ Association, which stages events in libraries to do our bit to highlight their importance in an age of austerity cuts.
Talking to writers, one of the reasons they champion libraries is the impact that they have on young readers, allowing parents to give their youngsters access to books which maybe they cannot afford, in turn strengthening the reading habit.
However, they also give the same access to many older readers, giving them chance to enjoy their favourite authors and discover some new ones.
That is why to see a refurbished library in an age of closures was so welcome.
John Dean