Epping Forest SOLE - Save Our Libraries Essex

Are you concerned that US style censorship will come to our libraries?

The reservation charge was formally scrapped at yesterday's Full Meeting of Essex County Council. A big thanks to all of you for signing our petition, sharing our posts, and supporting our campaign. People power wins again!

https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/26146869.essex-county-council-declares-pothole-emergency-meeting/

The Essex Book Festival 2026 kicks off tomorrow with a World Cup themed event at Colchester United FC, featuring sports writers Jonathan Wilson and Simon Kuper. For more details of over a month of events go to https://essexbookfestival.org.uk/

SOLE called for a fines amnesty as part of a ten point plan for libraries after covid. Alas the previous administration did not take the idea up.

Please see comments for the full ten point plan, which we believe remains relevant.

SOLE believes that whatever happens with Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), Essex Library Service must be kept together as one single service.

We see nothing to be gained from breaking this much loved public service up. We believe people in Essex should retain the ability to borrow a book from Harlow Library, and then return it to Harwich Library. One single service can also only be beneficial when it comes to economy of scale.

Furthermore, it was a great strength of the successful campaign that saved every single library in 2018-19, that library users in one part of Essex didn't just seek to save their own local library. They campaigned for each and every library in the county. The 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act already permits two or more councils to establish a "joint board" to run a library service.

We certainly have concerns as to how LGR has been organised, that a meaningful consultation with the people of Essex has not taken place, and as to the cost. Libraries must not then be seen as a "soft touch" for further cuts. But we do see opportunity, as Thurrock and Southend can be brought back into Essex Library Service.

Following the announcement that the reservation charge will be scrapped, we are calling off next Thursday's demonstration and petition presentation, which was due to take place before the first Full Meeting of the newly elected Essex County Council.

We will of course keep the petition on standby if such a charge is ever introduced again. A big thanks to the new leadership, but of course the biggest thanks goes to all of YOU for backing the campaign. People power works once more!

Libraries will now come under the Residents and Community Services portfolio, headed up by cabinet member Councillor Chris Hossack. His email is [email protected]

For the full list of appointments, which will be confirmed at the first Full Meeting of the new council on the 28th of this month, go to https://www.essex.gov.uk/news/2026/new-essex-county-council-cabinet-announced

More news coverage for the scrapping of the reservation charge, this time on Essex Live.

"However, the biggest thanks must go to the residents of Essex who backed the campaign. To all the people who signed our nearly 4,000-strong petition, and who lobbied the new Reform councillors. As acknowledged by the new council Leader, this really made a difference. It again shows, like the campaign that saved our libraries back in 2018-19, that when we come together, ordinary people are not powerless. Together we are strong, and people power has worked again."

The new administration is also launching a legal challenge against Local Government Reorganisation. SOLE wrote to local government leaders for all the main parties last Autumn, expressing our concerns about a lack of democracy in how the changes are being made, and our belief that whatever happens, Essex Library Service should be kept together as one single service. Essex libraries are better together. Full details in comments.

https://tinyurl.com/y9vvs8hh