LIBRARY campaigners are asking if there has been a U-turn on promotions of Pride, Black History Month, and other themes and events, after they joined the Essex Pride march on Saturday.

SOLE campaigners collected hundreds of signatures at the Chelmsford march that passed County Hall, for a petition that now has nearly 17,500 signatures.

The campaign group SOLE has today written to Councillor Hossack seeking clarification.

“We note with interest Essex County Council’s most recent statement that libraries ‘will continue to promote events and activities in-branch..” said a SOLE spokesperson. “This is certainly very different to what the cabinet member responsible for libraries Councillor Hossack has said previously, that Pride, Black History Month, and any displays not specific to libraries would be banned. Is this a U-turn?

“However, social media is central to how Essex Library Service promotes itself. It is vital that it does so in a way that reaches out to everybody. Its social media channels should be tapping into what’s going on, from the World Cup, to Pride,. This is about the continuing sustainability of Essex Library Service, and it must be free from political interference, and prejudice.

“We will continue to campaign. We now have nearly 17,500 signatures for our Libraries for All petition, which shows the strength of feeling on this. Essex County Council must fully complete its U-turn.”

The petition can be signed here https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/libraries-for-all It will be presented at the next Full Meeting of Essex County Council on the 14th July.