Ian Anstice

Comment

UPDATE – Ellen Hodorek from the Save Troy Library campaign has replied to my worries with this response on the Burning Books Facebook Page .  The following quote is just part of it but it shows the seriousness of the issue…

“While this is a horrible satirical approach, it’s sort of like apathy is this big, bad bully on the playground in our city that someone needs to take on. This Book Burning Party thing is doing that. We can probably agree we don’t like the approach. But whoever this is… they clearly care. And they’re trying to remind voters here that they care, too. That a library is a cultural gem to be protected from political debate. As I keep saying, if a community with a Neimann Marcus Top can’t pony up the funds to save it’s library, the world will surely take note. And our children right here in this community? Well, they will cry.”

News

• Alan Gibbons at the Libraries Change Lives awards – Voices for the Library.  “Libraries have never been in such danger, yet never talked about so much. There is a disparity between what librarians do and what they are often perceived as doing. Librarians are not shelf-stackers, said Gibbons,  they should tell the world what  they do. If we allow libraries to close, they will be impossible to rebuild. We must go out and tell the people who are not yet convinced of the value of libraries about why they are so important, he concluded.”

• How north east libraries are changing lives: two imaginative ideas win national recognition – Guardian.  NEALIS has improved “improved access to libraries of blind and partially sighted patrons across twelve authorities” and “The History Club, run by Newcastle City Libraries, engages adults with learning difficulties with local heritage materials through talks, trips and creative projects.”
• Libraries face their day in court – Guardian (Boyd Tonkin).   Bried mention of Barnet and Brent campaigns at bottom of page.
• Museums, libraries and the arts have much to gain from each other – Guardian.  Estelle Morris explains the positives of moving the responsibilities of the MLA to the Arts Council.  She does not mention that the budget transferred over is £3m, rather than the £13m the MLA had.
• Umbrellas, Windows and Voices – Walk You Home.  Voices for the Library member Lauren Smith’s experience at the CILIP Umbrella Conference.  “…we’d really like to get some more contributions from people, whether they’re working in libraries or just using them, to spread the message about the great work that public libraries do. It’s always been one of our key aims, but with all the campaigning against things that needs doing it’s hard to keep up the advocacy message for things. Please write to us at stories@voicesforthelibrary.org.uk with anything you’d like to share.” 

Changes

Local News

• Brent – Judicial review – Preston Library Campaign.  Link to legal documents including, interestingly, Brent Council’s defence.
• Dorset – Charmouth library could face closure – Bridport News.  ““It was disappointing to campaigners that the discussion was so unbalanced. “There were literally, hundreds of pages of words and lengthy speeches in support of Proposal B to close 10 libraries and very little on the merits of Proposal D which retains all libraries without any reduction in hours.”.  Decision on July 21st.
• East Lothian – Libraries to extend hours of opening – Scotsman.  “Libraries in Dunbar, Gullane, North Berwick and Musselburgh will be open for longer from August 1 but should not affect the libraries service budget.”
• Enfield – Redundancy warning given to Enfield library workers – Enfield Independent.  Nick De Bois MP says “I’m very surprised to hear about these letters given that at the same time the council are holding a consultation on libraries.It smacks of a sham consultation and most importantly is very worrying for the staff that are at risk.” 
• Falkirk – Demonstration over cuts in library hours – Bo’ness Journal.   “September 1 is the target start date for a weekly nine-hour reduction, that will ‘devastate’ the district’s public libraries, according to [UNISON] branch secretary Gray Allan.”
• Gloucestershire – Shire Hall records budget underspend of £7 million – This is Glos.  
• Isle of Wight – Council will contest legal challenge on libraries – IWCP.   Campaigners “will seek permission from the High Court for both the judicial review and an injunction, to halt library closures while the case is heard. Legal aid has been granted for the case, but negotiations are continuing about the amount. It is anticipated the community would make some contribution towards costs.”
• Isle of Wight – Library user group accuses council of misuse of funds – Ventnor Blog.  
• Merton – Launch Party – Friends of West Barnes Library – Library will be staffed by volunteers on a Monday. Nice pictures and speech.  Membership of Friends “It costs £3 a year (or £2 for concessions: under 16, over 60 or not in full-time employment). You’ll receive a membership card a few days later entitling you to three free DVD or talking book loans and three free reservations.”.
• Portsmouth – Southsea Library and Customer Service Centre – Portsmouth.  “At a time when many libraries are under the threat of closure, Portsmouth is one of the few councils in the UK to be opening a new library. Just like our other libraries, we want it to be a welcoming community space. As always, it’s all about the books, but it’s also about meeting friends over a coffee, catching up with your e-mails, reading the newspaper or just having a little “me time” whilst the kids go wild with their imaginations.”
• Somerset – Use it or lose it warning – Mercury series.   Councillor argues usage is most effective campaigning tactic, also in favour of volunteers.

Comment

News

• As demand for libraries grow, services shrink – Sacramento Bee (USA).  Chart shows, indeed, how demand is increasing but services shrinking in California.
• Booktrust awards suspended – Alan Gibbons.  “Booktrust have announced via their website that two high-profile awards, The Booktrust Early Years Award and The Booktrust Teenage Prize, will be suspended this year due to a lack of funds.”
• Digital Ink Drop – “Out of the tsunami of closures and crises facing UK libraries, a new company, Digital Ink Drop, is providing a lifeline designed to generate fervour for reading and writing amongst children and young people….The financial crisis in UK libraries has led to the creation of two new subscription based Stories from the Web sites, for families and schools, managed by Digital Ink Drop (www.digitalinkdrop.org), a not for profit company.”

• Kent wins Libraries Change Lives award – BookSeller.  “More than 1,000 adults with learning disabilities have taken part in library activities in Kent since April 2010, including being employed as paid librarians and choosing collections of books and DVDs, plus taking up volunteering and work experience opportunities.”  [Kent is losing 83 full time equivalent library staff in 2011/2, to be replaced be machines and volunteers]  Story also as Kent celebrates library accolade – Guardian. “The project works, Taylor says, because of a “unique partnership” between statutory organisations, charities, volunteers and carers, but especially because of the direct input of the adults that the services are aimed at. Whatever the future holds for libraries, she says the commitment to Making a Difference won’t waver. “This is now core to what we do.”
• Library rescue bid goes to High Court – London Evening Standard.  Brief decription of Brent campaign.
• Measuring the value of public libraries – Voices for the Library.   Useful links on putting a price on measuring the economic and social value of libraries.
• Media loves libraries: let’s make the most of it – Thoughts of a Wannabe Librarian.  Ian Clark from “Voices for the Library” details how interested the press/TV are in libraries and how one can place a story, including on primetime national television news.
• Poll shows three-quarters of Toronto residents oppose closing library branches as a way of cutting costs and equally oppose library privatisation – CNW (Canada).   64% “strongly disagree” that their local library should be closed.  71% against library privatision cf. 55% for other council services. “The poll also shows that Torontonians feel branch closures are a political issue. More than half say if they knew their local councilor supported closing library branches, it would affect their vote in the next municipal election “a great deal” (55%)”. 1.25m Torontonians have a library card (2.7m pop)…. Union leader says “Just walk right in, Mr. Mayor and bring along your million-dollar consultants if you like. Talk to the people you meet there and ask them where the gravy is”

Changes

• Bromley –  “St Pauls Cray and Mottingham libraries would be reduced from 43 hours per week to just 14 while Chislehurst and West Wickham would be slashed from 44 hours to 20.”  Campaign group:  Bromley Cuts Concern.  Considering moving libraries to a Trust.
• Hackney – Campaign Group – Save Hackney Library Service. 
• Nottinghamshire – Mistakenly included Wilford Library (closed Sep 2010) as under Nottinghamshire. It was actually closed by Nottingham Council.  This figure was pre April 2011 and so does not affect the headling figure of closures.
• Swindon – Confirmed that West Swindon Library and North Swindon Library will each be open 10 hours more per week,  Highworth plus 8 hours per week.  Increase made possible “by centralising the enquiry service and changing staff timetables”.  Volunteers may be used to increase opening hours in smaller branches.

Local News

 

• Bromley – Library merger nears fruition – Bromley Times.   One hundred in public gallery as decision confirmed.  “Paul Rooney, from Bromley Cuts Concern lobby group, said: “The merger will mean unaccountable Bexley staff and councillors having a say in how our local services are run … It will also mean drastic and unsustainable cuts to essential frontline staff with the consequent loss in service, expertise and local knowledge.”  See also Bexley – Important decisions for Bexley’s library service – “”This is our opportunity to streamline our services so they are as efficient and effective as possible, offering a first class service to library users. The new improved service will provide a modern way forward for both boroughs.”
• Bolton – Library campaigners want decision delay – Bolton News.  Council due to announce closures on 28th July.  Ian McHugh of Save Bolton’s Libraries says ““We feel any decision made by the council would be premature, irrespective of its merits, if made without the Department of Culture having an opportunity to consider the proposals, and before hearing the decisions of the courts in the Brent and Gloucestershire cases.” 
• Dorset – Two options for the future of libraries – Bridport News.  Decision on July 21st and  Lyme Regis: library is saved – View Online.  Councillor says Lyme Library is safe [NB. this already announced], now deciding between closing ten and none, down from the original twenty.  “Colonel Brierley said that it was the fifth time that he had been involved in trying to save libraries from closure in Dorset and it was time such uncertainty stopped…We need a clear period going forward and to stop mucking  about with the libraries.”.  Also Ad Lib vow to take legal action over Dorset library cuts – Dorset Echo.  ““As avoiding court action would be so easy, we hope we won’t see Dorset County Council wasting taxpayers’ money on such an unnecessary fight.”

• Isle of Wight – Campaigners challenge Isle of Wight council over spending – Alan Gibbons.  East Cowes Town Council has £500,000 it has to spend on new building – council will use this money to incorporate library into town council HQ (plus providing public toilets).  Isle of Wight Council has persuaded East Cowes to take over library provision, in apparent contravention of the Local Government Act 2000.

• Leeds – Swillington Library “Tell me this is not systematic, deliberate neglect” – Voices for the Library.  “there’s a shiny new Tesco Express four times the size across the road. I’d force new Tesco branches to pay for new libraries in areas with inadequate provision to get planning permission. A CSR requirement. They paid money to the local playgroup in the old church next door when they opened two years ago, but not the greater community resource facing the store.”
  

  “Surrey County Council will be known as the County which does not consult, could not get its sums right and was not even willing to stop – even when it knew it was wrong.”  (Motion to Council, 19th July 2011).

• Surrey – Proposed motion to halt changes to Surrey Library Service – Information Twist.  Open letter sent to council points out “wrong and inconsistent figures, incorrect rankings of some libraries, incorrect proximity measurements (ie distance between libraries), illogical comparisons, lack of consideration of specific issues relevant to particular libraries, and calculation errors”.  Due to errors, campaigners request postponement of decision to close eleven libraries. 
• Swindon – Libraries open for longer – Swindon Advertiser.   Council bucks national trend by changing staffing hours and “centralising” enquiry service.  
• Warwickshire – Cuts in library opening hours will lead to drop in visitors, say officials – Leamington Courier.   Independent councillor says “Everybody is prepared to accept you have to cut costs and you can’t guarantee opening hours now are strictly necessary, but to go for 15 hours is such a drastic reduction the people who are using it won’t be able to go.”… “Ayub Khan, head of libraries strategy, admitted cutting hours would reduce demand and said plans to work between councils needed to be agreed to balance savings with outcomes for customers.”
• Wokingham – More signatures and signing sessions – Save our Libraries.   People “queuing up” to sign petition against privatisation.  Site also points out council does not seem to understand definition of “privatisation” arguing that they are not privatising service while at the same time looking to tender out service to a private company.
• Wokingham – Saving the libraries – Cllr Prue Bray. “So the Conservatives are torn between trying to pretend it isn’t happening, and trying to dismiss the opposition.  Clearly, by the strength of their reaction, nervousness has set in  The more signatures we get, the more likely they are to back down.  So if you haven’t signed to save the libraries, do it now!”

Comments

News 

• Cameron to launch public service reform plans – Public Finance. White Paper Open Public Services will encourage parish/town/borough councils, community groups, private companies to take over libraries and other services.  “…the government has been warned that it must ‘hold its nerve’ as unions have already criticised the plans, which will allow companies, charities and community groups to bid to run everything from local health services to schools, libraries and parks“, “UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis added that the plans would lead to ‘poorer quality, high cost services at the mercy of the open market and risky competition’. He added: ‘The collapse today of home care [operators], Southern Cross, should act as a grim warning about what can happen when the private sector takes over public services.’”
• Challenge to library closures allowed – Gulf Times.  The efforts of Gloucestershire library campaigners are reported in the Middle East.  “Desmond Clarke, former director of Faber and Faber publishers, said the ruling was “fantastic news” which would “embarrass” Libraries Minister, Ed Vaizey, who has become a hate figure for campaigners.”
• Three in five of the poorest 11-year olds lack basic literacy – Independent.  “Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Education Endowment Fund (EEF), which is being officially launched tomorrow and carried out the study, said: “The research is a stark reminder of the inequalities facing poor pupils in this country.”.  The current situation with libraries is not mentioned in the article.

Jeremy Hunt asked about libraries by Mar Dixon of the #savelibraries campaign.  The audio is unclear but appears to say “I know, we see your tweets. Don’t worry.  You know, there’s a process but it’s a locally driven decision.   Local authorities have their budgets, they have their budgetary responsibility and we [“they?”] are very serious about their budgetary responsibilities for libraries.”

• Ways with words: Penelope Lively kindles publishing row with “e-books for bloodless nerds” view – Telegraph. “The author lamented the fact that books no longer occupy a central place in children’s lives, as they did when she was young.”. Naomi Alderman likes ebooks, pointing out they can be of any length, independent of bookbinding needs. Google Books policy manager says “I like the feel of books, I like to decorate my shelves with books. So I don’t think that eBooks are a death knell for regular books. I think we’ll just have a variety of new products.”. Comments (online and so some inherent bias) are overwhelmingly in favout of e-books.

Local News

Brent – High Court dates set to July 19th-20th: all welcome to attend – Save Kensal Rise Library.  Case may last two and a half days. 

• Brent – Cllr Ann John faces fresh embarrassment as councillor who voted for cuts boasts about children’s activities at threatened library – Save Kensal Rise Library.  Cutting councillor praises storytelling/crafts sessions at Neasden Library he voted to close. 
• Cornwall – Council to consider shared services venture – Guardian.  Cornwall is looking for business partners to run many services, including libraries, but stresses it will retain ownership.  “Any suggestion that this is selling off council services is totally untrue.” 
• Doncaster – Meeting shows commitment of Bawtry library volunteers – Bawtry.org.   “The meeting with library officials discussed just what the group would need to do to continue the running of Bawtry library but as a charity. The dedicated volunteers will be taking every necessary step to try and continue the essential amenity that Bawtry Library is.”

• Dorset – Libraries campaign group “considers legal action” – BBC. “Mike Chaney from Adlib, who is a volunteer at the at-risk Puddletown library, said: “The 1964 Libraries and Museum Act says that councils must provide a ‘comprehensive’ library service, so it all hinges on what ‘comprehensive’ means.”Can you close libraries and keep a ‘comprehensive’ service?” 
• Durham – Savage cuts ahead but Durham County Council hoards £80.6m – Wear Valley Mercury.  “Cllr Eddie Murphy, who is leading a campaign to save Glenholme Leisure Centre in Crook, agreed, adding: “It is important to maintain reserves but I do not think the council should be closing leisure centres and libraries.”
• Milton Keynes – Library review group has its first meeting – MK News.  “The group is made up of writers, readers and researchers, students and learners and users of libraries representing communities across Milton Keynes.  They will be participating in a series of three workshops in June and July which will form an important part of the review of library services in the borough which is currently taking place.”
• Waltham Forest – Leytonstone: 1000 sign petition to save library – Guardian series.  “Harrow Green Library in Leytonstone is a vital community resource for people in an area blighted by crime, over-crowded housing, poverty and poor health, according to campaigners…. At this stage, with all the known needs in the two adjacent wards of Cathall and Cann Hall, and the promise of more difficult times to come, it is absolutely criminal to remove any positive social and educational force. ”
• Warwickshire – WCC Special Libraries Overview Scrutiny Committee Part 1: Sign of the Times – What’s in Kenilworth.  Meeting held 9.30am Monday means low public turnout. Electronic recording denied to reporter.  Also Part 2: 34 parallel projects – Councillors say no option but to close libraries, some volunteer-groups given extra four weeks after latest deadling of August 19th,  staff cuts confirmed, inaccuracy in maps and statistics. Councillors not sure if Glos legal case will affect Warwickshire.

News

• Boost for library campaign as court orders judicial review – Telegraph.  Surveys current situation regarding legal action against cuts, especially in Gloucestershire and noting celebrity support.
• Campaign for the Book newsletter – Action has moved on from public protest to legal action.  Many councils have shied away from closures but still need watching as cutting services or “divesting” libraries.
• Reforms will end state control of public services – Telegraph.”The “state’s monopoly” over the public sector will come to an end under plans to give private companies, voluntary groups and charities the right to run schools, hospitals and council services, David Cameron will announce next week”.  All council services in all councils, including libraries, will be open to private companies bidding for them “The reforms will enshrine in law the “presumption” that public services should be open to outside providers, allowing private companies to run schools and offer municipal services such as maintaining parks and running adult and day care services.”
• Should we shrink wrap our school libraries? – plpnetwork.  Article on the future of school libraries with substantial reference to the future of public libraries.
• Ellen Forsyth (Consultant at State Library of New South Wales) – This Week in Libraries.  “Together with Ellen Forsyth we discuss large scale library collaboration, gaming, tools and much more… Learning without getting overwhelmed.”
• #uklibchat LIS Student campaigning – Google Docs.  Summary of #uklibchat meeting on twitter between Library school students.  Some interesting points. 

Changes

Middlesbrough – Some libraries may close.
 
Local News 

• Brent – Cllr James Powney accused of misleading statements to residents – Save Kensal Rise Library.  Cllr said youth services would be protected from the cuts but is closing 6 out of 12 libraries, 50% of whose membership is under 19.  “And he has yet to comment on scandalous revelations in the Evening Standard that Kensal Green – where threatened Kensal Rise Library is situated – has one of the highest child illiteracy rates in the capital.”
• Cornwall – Council aims hire – Cornwall Community News.  Cornwall Council wishes to bid for contracts in other organisations in Cornwall and elsewhere via a private sector and other partners.  Libraries, Personnel and other services appear likely to become at least partially privatised.  “Many local authorities are already doing work for their neighbours but without a private sector partner which will cream off the profits. Cornwall’s so-called ‘unique approach’ appears to be based on helping big consultancy firms.”
• Croydon – Future of Croydon libraries – Croydon Council. See also Library services market sounding exercise – Croydon Council – [This page is very difficult to find on Council website].  “Businesses and organisations that may be interested in participating in a possible future procurement exercise are invited to complete and return a questionnaire which would then form the basis of informal discussions with both Councils. That process will include seeking the market’s views on the further development of library services to the benefit of the public, and any alternative delivery models.”.  “Market sounding” is from 4th July to 19th July.
• Gloucestershire – Residents “ready, willing and able” to run library – This is Glos.  “public-spirited Prestbury residents poised to step into the breach to keep their library open will have to wait for the results of a judicial review to find out whether their services will be needed.”.  Article appears to argue that the judicial review into libraries is unpopular amongst library users.
• Hertfordshire – Save New Barnfield Library – Liberal Democrats Campaigns.   Central Resources Library to be closed, reference collection going to Campus West Library “if there’s room”,  Lending stock going to non-public access warehouses.  Petition to save library. 
• Middlesbrough – Mayor’s warning over service cuts – Gazette.  “Libraries and leisure centres could be closed as Middlesbrough Council battles to find millions of pounds of savings. And 400 to 500 jobs are expected to be lost, according to the borough’s mayor.”
• Suffolk – Reaction to council plans to save Suffolk’s libraries – EDP.  “We do not want to see private bidders come here to make profit. A service like a library is incredibly important and it is a public service which should not be governed by a profit motive.” Also County unveils library “models” – Bury Free Press.  “The proposed models include an in-house county council business unit, an external but wholly authority owned company or enterprise and an independent company or enterprise managed by the council through contractual arrangements. Whichever model is selected would manage the libraries budget and support services such as the countywide book network, employing staff and training.” 

• Surrey – Communities need council libraries: join the lobby – Save our Services in Surrey. “The lobby of the council promises to be the biggest protest at County Hall in many years, with each library present aiming to get at least ten protesters there (one even suggested they may book a coach!). Anyone who is interested in saving Surrey’s libraries should join us outside County Hall from 1pm on Tuesday 26th July.”
• Warwickshire – Libraries in Warwickshire – Warwick West Labour Team News. Ex Warks Libraries HR employee and now Labour councillor expresses sympathy for library staff and worries over long-term future of “divested” libraries. Queries whether cost of redundancy/pensions would actually mean any savings for the council.
• Warwickshire – Library’s future is in our hands, say villagers – Courier. Kineton parish councillor asks for volunteers to run threatened library. “We have asked the county council if we can share the costs of maintaining the library so that they pay for technical services and we pay for the hire of the space.”
• Warwickshire – WCC Library Report 02: 11 Recommendations: Welcome to Google – What’s in Kenilworth.   Continuing dissection of report notices the followin (a) the recommendations (to close libraries) are at the front as well as the back (“I am trying to think of a reasonable example where you are told to make a decision, before you hear the evidence”), (b) 14 libraries to have reduced opening hours, supplemented if possible by the use of volunteers, (c) volunteers given until August 19th to prepare business cases, with final decision to be made in October, (d) mobiles to be cut too, (e) yet more cuts next year, (f) bookfund maintained with no cuts, (g) up to 120 staff (50 FTE) to be cut .
• Warwickshire – WCC Library Report 03: The next 11,000 words: Somewhere to hang my hat – What’s in Kenilworth.   (h) Author argues all points be contested e.g. report argues that cuts will only affect 10% of visits but “would you take away a disabled access ramp in a village, just because only two people use it?”, (i) calls twitter users a “hard to reach” audience (!), (j) 10,000 signatures on petitions asking for libraries to stay open, (k) very importantly, only six groups have provided business cases for running libraries cf the 16 previously claimed by the council.

Comment

 
News

• Anti-multiculturalism gone mad or a rational policy shift? – Voices for the Library.  John Dolan reviews the Newham mayor’s decision to remove foreign-language newspapers from libraries to encourage learning of English.  Multiculturalism in Newham may be here, going or gone. Even so delivering to local black and minority ethnic communities a replica of their written and spoken culture need no longer be a public library priority; here the library draws people to a mainstream economic purpose in a library that’s a policy vehicle and political resource.
• Historic library may close as subsidy slashed – Independent.  “The Paul Hamlyn public library at the British Museum, which has a unique collection of museum guidebooks dating from 1762, along with collections on archaeology, history and art, could close as the institution seeks to cut costs”
• Library campaigners win right to judicial review over closures – BookSeller.  “Libraries campaigner Desmond Clarke said the decisions to allow the judicial reviews were “remarkable”. He said: “It is wonderful achievement for the campaigners who have fought bureaucracy, they have got the judges to grant a judicial review and now we hope there will be reviews in the cases of Isle of Wight and Somerset too.”.  Gloucestershire council leader says “We have said from the outset that it is right to focus our resources on the most vulnerable, and that means difficult decisions about making savings in other areas.”
• Report of the Inquiry into overcoming the barriers to literacy – Information Twist.   Looks at library-related areas of the report – of which there are many, all strongly in favour of public and school libraries.  “The active encouragement of reading for pleasure should be a core part of every child’s curriculum entitlement because extensive reading and exposure to a wide range of texts make a huge contribution to students’ educational achievement. This is why libraries are so important to the development of a reading culture – both those in schools and those in the community.”.  Full report here.
• UNISON vows to defend libraries and library workers – Voices for the Library.  “…we will be looking to step up the UNISON Love Your Libraries campaign, particularly in terms of support for branches in resisting cuts and closures and an increased media presence highlighting workforce issues and the impact on community access to services. UNISON is committed to continuing to work with a wide range of groups, including Voices for the Library, as part of this.”

Changes

Local News

• Barnet – Campaigners organise walk to Friern Barnet library week – Times series.  “Campaigners are inviting children to walk to a library after school, in a desperate bid to show Barnet Council it is at the heart of the community. The council is considering plans to move Friern Barnet Library into the artsdepot, nearly two miles away”
• Bolton – Campaigners “disappointed” at charity fundraiser with library closure debate – Bolton News.  Leader of council calls debate forced by 7500-name petition “premature” and is heckled from public gallery. “Speaking after the meeting, [campaigner] Mr McHugh said it was disappointing that no real debate had taken place.He said: “It’s important to raise the issues at a time when no final decisions have been made. I’m very disappointed that the councillors didn’t use the opportunity to show that they understand the depth of public feeling on the issue.”
• Brent – Date set for High Court action against library closures – Willesden & Brent Times. “The case will be heard at the High Court over two-and-a-half-days starting on July 19. If the campaigners win, it will be a landmark case and could set a precedent on library closures across the country. The council decided to shut Preston, Barham Park, Tokyngton, Neasden, Cricklewood and Kensal Rise libraries earlier this year to save £1million.”. [Bindmans LLP press release (seen separately by Public Libraries news says “Either party, if they lose, can seek permission to appeal on a point of law, or because of the importance of the case. Applications for permission go to the judge who heard the case first and then, if they are refused, to the Court of Appeal.”]

• Brent – Philip Pullman joins fight to save Brent libraries threatened with closure – Alan Gibbons.  “Authors Zadie Smith and Alan Bennett have already given fund-raising events for the campaign. Now Philip Pullman, one of the UK’s most celebrated and controversial writers, will be speaking to an even bigger audience in Kensal Rise on 20 July.”  Event is part of fundraising needed for landmark legal case.
• Cornwall – Council service sharing plan “may create 375 jobs” – BBC.   “The aim would be to jointly pay for some services with health organisations and the private sector. Council leader Alec Robertson said any suggestion they were selling off services was untrue.Those being considered include free school meals and libraries.”
• Dorset – Crunch time looms for the future of Dorset’s libraries – Dorset Echo.   “A final decision on the future of the service will be made at a meeting of Dorset County Council on July 21, with members asked to consider withdrawing funding from nine of its network of 34 libraries.”
• Gloucestershire – Judicial review for Gloucestershire library service – BBC.   Council cannot close libraries until review has taken place, probably by the end of September.  
• Isle of Wight – Legal aid funding granted to campaign to save Wight’s libraries – Friends of Isle of Wight Libraries (press release).  Case will be funded on grounds that cuts breach the “comprehensive and efficient” requirement of the 1964 Act and also that an equalities impact assessment was not done (see quote below also).  Leigh Day solicitors say “We have advised our client that she has a good case and expect the Court to grant permission for a full judicial review.”.  Also in New attempt to half Island library closures – IWCP.

“We have also discovered that the IWC is trying to get Equality Impact Assessments done for the five areas who’s libraries are under threat. As part of this there will be forms available in the five libraries for the users to fill in- we need as many people as possible who actually use the libraries at Bembridge, Brighstone, East Cowes, Niton and Shanklin to go in, ask for the forms and fill them in- they are expecting a low response- please show them that Islanders really care about ALL of our 11 libraries and give them a huge response.” Isle of Wight – Friends press release.

• Leicestershire – Libraries and museums to cut opening hours to save money – This is Leicestershire.  “By closing libraries, museums and the record office at their least busy times, we can cut costs and keep them open at the most popular times,” said Coun Sprason.”.  See also Plan to slash library hours across Hinckley and Bosworth – Hinckley Times.  
• Somerset – Library campaigners “optimistic” – Somerset County Gazette.   “Watchet library user Rebecca Hird is taking legal action against Somerset County Council’s move to close 11 libraries in October, unless volunteers step forward to run them.”. However, Porlock group will volunteer to work in otherwise closing library and is likely to charge for use.
• Suffolk – Dear Latitude Performers – Rosehill Readers.  Campaigners ask for support from performers at Latitude Festival.  
• Suffolk – Have your say on the future of Suffolk Libraries feedback – Suffolk County Council.  3089 of the 3893 responses to Suffolk Library consultation says “things should stay as they are” (nearly 80%)
• Suffolk – Libraries to stay open under new council plans – BBC.  Three options for library service all involve increased privatisation. “We’re done some preliminary financial modelling and, based on the expressions of interest that have come forward, we believe we can make significant savings and also increase the income for the library service.”. Also All libraries set to stay open – EADT. 
• Suffolk – Plans for new organisation and control – BBC.  “It is proposed to hand the running of individual libraries to town or parish councils, community or staff groups.”
• Warwickshire – Interview with UNISON and Councillor about library cuts – BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire.
•  Wokingham – Libraries are safe, says council boss – Get Wokingham.  “We are looking to find a experienced organisation, commercial or other to continue provide all statutory services.”.