The government will not be stepping in to help save the Family Library from closure.
The charity is set to close on July 31, citing rising costs and declining income including all of its services, the Children’s Library, Mobile Bus, Home Delivery Service and Bibliotherapy.
With Education Minister Daphne Caine absent from Tynwald, it fell to Paul Craine MLC to explain the department’s position, where he made it clear DESC does not have the money to step in.
This has apparently also been made clear to the charity during a recent meeting with the department.
Mr Craine said: “The department does not have the capacity to provide further financial support for the Family Library within the current budget constraints.
“Equally, the department does not have the physical resources to oversee the management of the Family Library within the current constraints.”
Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson also set out what support has been given to the library over several years, despite which it still looks set to close.
Hear the full exchange below:
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