240 libraries plus 17 mobiles currently under threat or recently closed
Changes in the count today include 3 libraries and a mobile (at Argyll and Bute) and a renumbering of the North Somerset total (previously just 1) as 1 library closed and 2 libraries still seem to be endangered there.
Major news today is that large-scale closures (such as in Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire) may be declared illegal.


Argyll and Bute – 3 libraries and a mobile library to close
North Somerset – Closures still on cards – Weston Mercury
Gloucestershire – Bid to have cuts declared illegal – This is Gloucestershire Ed Vaizey may intervene – Guardian. This would have a major impact on other proposed cuts if so – Glos, Bucks, Cornwall, Doncaster, Oxfordshire, Lewisham, Leeds, Isle of Wight and Birmingham are all in the same league when it comes to cuts.
Peterborough – 4 libraries to reduce in hours – Peterborough Council
Oxfordshire – Bampton not impressed by cuts – Witney Gazette.  Ditto in Wantage
Nottinghamshire – groups asked to help libraries – Eastwood and Kimberley Advertiser
Birmingham – new library for urban village –  BBC
Hampshire – new improved Basingstoke Library – ahem – “Discovery Centre” – Basingstoke Gazette
MLA – I still see no Wirrals – alangibbons.net
Buckinghamshire – Little Chalfont Library is a successful volunteer library – Buckinghamshire Advertiser
Buckinghamshire – 100 join group to save Great Missenden – Bucks Free Press
Tim Coates – It’s the Overhead, Stupid – Good Library Guide.
Brent – consultation on library cuts launched – Brent Council

Favourite article of the day – Frank Skinner becomes pro-library after visit “When I criticised local libraries I didn’t know exactly what I was attacking. At the same time, Angry of Hampstead, when he’s outraged at the idea of library closures, probably doesn’t know exactly what he’s defending. This was just one library but I think it’s indicative of how libraries are evolving. I’m going to have to ditch my literary elitism and just enjoy the book-swiping” – Frankskinnerlive.com and wikiman blog

US – San Jose library website keeps it simple – Library Journal
No books in school library, lots of coffee though – Houston Press
Future of the book – American Libraries Magazine
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Libraries – Library Journal