All campaign supporters welcome to join the SOLE OPEN ONLINE ORGANISING MEETING next Wed from 7.30pm. We will be discussing the ban on promoting Pride and other groups within Essex libraries, along with other campaign matters. Please remember SOLE is a strictly non-party political campaign⬇️

Save our Libraries Essex are campaigning against this ban on displaying books in libraries for Pride and Black History month … Libraries are for everyone Read more 👉 www.thebookseller.com/news/reform-...

LIBRARY CAMPAIGNERS CONDEMN BAN ON LIBRARIES PROMOTING PRIDE We condemn an order by the newly elected leadership of @Essex_CC to its library service not to promote #Pride, an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, culture, and history. www.yourharlow.com/2026/06/02/r...

The people of Essex called for a halt to reservation charges and won their campaign. #saveourlibraries See below

Join us on the 28th to scrap the libraries reservation charge! We now have a poster complete with a QR code that links to our petition. Please sign. The libraries charge petition will also be found here you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sc... #saveourlibraries #Essex #keepourlibrariesfree

Yes the people's "viral" response to its petition showed "the anger felt" because the people of Essex don’t want their library services to be diminished, undermined or threatened. #saveourlibraries #libraries #freebooks #literacy #equalopportunities www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

We ask Essex Council to halt the reservation charges - book borrowing is meant to be free. #BBC www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Library users are very concerned about this threat to our public library services www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/2602413...

I asked how this impacts mobile library users and they just updated the FAQ to say we get charged too. Mobile library service is going to get cut next if this isn’t reversed. I also believe it will result in a huge transfer of popular resources from poorer communities to wealthier ones.

Save our Libraries in Essex. Please sign to halt a charge to the public which will diminish public library use: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/sc...

1,804 answered our survey on what difference the £1.15 reservation charge per book will make to their library use. 67.3% will use their library less 21.9% will stop using their library 10.8% will make no difference 58% not aware of the planned charge #Essex #saveourlibraries #libraries

Will Essex County Council's decision to impose a £1.15 charge for each adult book reservation change how you use Essex Library Service? Please complete the short survey below. #Essex #libraries @BBCEssex docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

My local public library (Loughton) has just announced that their Facebook page (branded Loughton Library) is now only going to talk about things happening at Harlow Library. What is the point of that? @sole-essex.bsky.social

Join our Zoom ONLINE ORGANISING MEETING TODAY 2 MARCH, 7.30PM. Details on how to join in comments, ALL SUPPORTERS WELCOME. See reply Local Government Reorganisation will be one of the items we discuss. DETALS ON Facebook. #essexlibrariesbettertogether

Our press release in response to the Essex County Council budget. LIBRARY CAMPAIGNERS RESPOND TO "SOMETHING OF A U-TURN" BUDGET Library campaign group SOLE has issued a statement in response to some changes in the Essex County Council (ECC) budget:

Join our EMERGENCY PROTEST, this THURSDAY, 12th, February, from 9.15am, COUNTY HALL ATRIUM entrance. Market Road, immediately prior to the Essex County Council budget meeting. ALL WELCOME. #SaveOurLibraries #Essex See comments for more details and Facebook event.

STOP ESSEX LIBRARY CUTS! It’s meant to be the National Year of Reading-hasn’t Essex CC noticed? The first decade of austerity saw Essex Library Services cut its book stock by nearly half a million, so this £100,000 cut to the book fund hits an already depleted service. #libraries #saveourlibraries

We asked local govt party leaders: With the coming reorganisation of local government in Essex, what are your plans for libraries under the new unitary. Would you consider SOLE's proposal to keep the Library Service as one single service? www.facebook.com/share/p/1Dsm...

SOLE meeting for Essex Libraries supporters, users and campaigners on 17th Sept 7.30pm See link or DM for zoom join details! facebook.com/events/s/sole-…

SOLE has organised a meeting for those who care about the survival of Essex Libraries. Details here and below. facebook.com/events/s/sol... #saveourlibraries #libraries #essex

Deep concerns … #Saveourlibraries www.essexlive.news/news/essex-n...

THE CHILDREN SAVED THEIR LIBRARY! Yet again we see that protest works, that people power works. And here the kids led the way. While alas there will be a reduced service, Warrington Borough Council has U-turned on its decision to close Westbrook Library. More here www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Good news for Derby, as the City Council realises that "outsourcing was not the best approach". We (successfully) fought hard to prevent libraries in Essex being outsourced to voluntary groups, as charity shop libraries aren’t sustainable & lead to closure by stealth. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Six years ago today and thousands took part in our countywide Day of Action. Over 500 marched through Britain's smallest town; hundreds gathered in a Children's March for #Libraries. Hundreds more marched through Castle Point. But still they are threatened: www.facebook.com/share/p/1BMP...

Last night was World Book Night. What were you reading? Many people rely on libraries for books. SOLE remains vigilant against further threats to our libraries. We are now campaigning against the creeping privatisation of Essex Library Service. More here www.facebook.com/share/p/1Fqj...

Essex Live article on our statement uk.news.yahoo.com/council-reor...

SOLE ISSUES STATEMENT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION. Our latest press release can be read on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/share/p/1ADw...

Stop the creeping privatisation of Essex Libraries. Please see our Facebook post on what we are doing and what you can do, too.

Alas though it is no joke that our library service in Essex faces an increasing threat from creeping privatisation. To find out more, and what you can do about it, visit www.facebook.com/share/p/16Fn...

Today is World Book Day. Libraries are a free source of wonderful reading adventures yet many are closing. Essex has fought back. After public protest their libraries were saved, and are now evolving into vibrant community hubs for the 21st century. @jennyrhodes42.bsky.social reports.