'Short-sighted' library cuts are crazy, says Pearl Earring writer

Best-selling novelist Tracy Chevalier has become the latest author to speak out in defence of libraries and support the Evening Standard's Save Our Libraries campaign.

The Girl With The Pearl Earring author, who is campaigning to save her local library in Highgate, accused the Government and town hall bosses of being "short-sighted" and urged them to reconsider plans to close libraries in the capital.

Backing the Standard's Save Our Libraries campaign, the 48-year-old mother said: "The Standard gives the London public a voice." She added the paper was a platform to bring home the message to Londoners.

Chevalier is one of several authors - including Philip Pullman, Martina Cole, Benjamin Zephaniah and Will Self - to back the campaign. She said: "David Cameron keeps talking about the Big Society, it seems crazy to shut down Highgate Library, the place that is the centre of the community. Highgate Library is right next to Brookfield School. Lots of the kids go there to do their homework and to take out books. It's a very well used library and it would be a real shame if it closed.

"People think that libraries aren't used much, that people use the internet more and that libraries are outdated. But it's short-sighted to look at libraries in that way. Some of the most successful libraries are those that have been revamped."

Chevalier said a library in Washington DC, where she grew up, inspired her to become a writer.
Camden council is consulting on saving £2 million on its library service. Campaigners fear that up to five libraries in the borough could close. The council says there is no definite closure plan.