Uncategorized

405 libraries (325 buildings and 80 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

News

• Council conduct – Good Library Blog.  “I also observe that Cambridgeshire County Council appear to have been conducting reviews of their public libraries continuously since 1066. Every year they indulge in reviews which mean closing a few more libraries. This is the council that boasted about turning old red phone boxes into libraries, to try and get a line in the local paper.”
• Legal battle over libraries hots up – BookSeller and Libraries: the legal battle – BookSeller.  Summarises legal challenges and situation to date.  Points raised in Brent review are likely to be of broader interest – debate over importance of physical buildings, if budget cuts can be taken into consideration, importance (and required extent) of consultation, whether it is only the secretary of state who can decide if service is comprehensive and efficient, importance of Wirral Report.
• No longer just for bookworms – Journal Gazette (USA).   “Instead of being rendered obsolete, libraries that have kept up with the times are seen as valuable resources, according to local library officials”, “Libraries are a mall for the mind,” Krull said. “We are not in the book business. We are in the learning business.”
• Outsourcing the local library can lead to a loud backlash – Stateline.   Lists of problems that may afflict a decision to allow private companies to run libraries, including mainly the negative public reaction.
• Student Annika Tabovaradan makes tearful plea – Star (Canada) (video).  “Annika Tabovaradan addresses Toronto City Council members at 2 a.m. and makes a tearful plea to keep area libraries open. She already has to wait 30 minutes for computer time.”   
• Doug Ford comments spark “Atwood for Mayor” movement – Toronto News. “The cheeky campaign, which seems to have no central force, is about protecting city libraries and poking fun at the city councillor who said he would not recognize a literary icon.”

• Town Hall: Troy Library online – CMN TV (USA).  Televised debate on the proposed closure of Troy Library, home to the Isaac Asimove letter and the “Book Burning Party” fake campaign.  Public vote on Tuesday 2nd August.
• Whitehall’s scrimping pays off with £3.75bn saving – Management Today.   “But critics (the Labour party, mainly) have pointed out that in its quest to cut costs as quickly as possible, the Government might not have fully thought through some of its savings. Shutting local libraries, for example, might have a costlier impact further down the line.”
• World Book night giveaway goes global – Guardian. “The US signs up as World Book Night’s first international partner, with one million free books due to be handed out on each side of the Atlantic in April 2012” 

Changes

Aberdeenshire – New Westhill Library. 
Leeds – Friends group:  Friends of Rawdon Library (email: junelongley@hotmail.com.)
Portsmouth – New library at Southsea to replace Elm Grove 
Wakefield – Campaign group:  Supporters of Outwood Library (SOUL)

Local News

• Aberdeenshire – Westhill Library – Aberdeenshire Council.  New library opens.
• Bolton – Protesters condemn closure plan as cultural vandalism – Bolton News. Campaigner says “Our Labour councillors should be standing up to the Government more than they are doing. We will continue to oppose all library closures and reductions in service at a time when a rational approach to libraries would be to increase expenditure to meet the needs of the rising number of unemployed and to facilitate many of the proposed government initiatives to increase literacy and IT usage.” Conservative councillor tweets ““They have already made their minds up, be straight with the public.”
• Criticism over library “deal has been done” tweets – This is Lancashire.   Council insists deal has no been done yet.  Legal challenge possible.
• Time to sell off the silver? – Bolton News.  Letter asks if council has considered selling off County Hall and then leasing it back in order to be able to afford the libraries.
• Five Bolton libraries to close in council cuts – Manchester Evening News.  16,000 signatures on petitions.  Final decision to be made in September.
• Latest to confirm closures – BookSeller.  “Alternative options involving cutting all library hours by up to 38% were rejected. A poll by the news site’s readers voted 78% to 22% against the council’s decision.”

• Bradford – Charity status could help save Addingham Library – Ilkley Gazette.  Charity to take over library with volunteers running it.  Council will give as much time as they needed.  Cash would not be handled.
• Cambridgeshire – Library trust plan called closed book – Cambridge News.   Fears rate changes will mean Trust tax-avoidance scheme no longer an option so more libraries will be closed.
• Cornwall – Asset Transfer – Cornwall Council.   “The Council recognises and supports the contribution that the voluntary and community sector brings to the vitality and well being of communities across Cornwall.  Where a community group has a business plan for delivering activities and services from a council owned asset, the Council will consider a request to transfer that asset. “
• Croydon – Libraries stay open as market testing starts – Croydon Conservatives.   “Once this market testing phase is complete the council’s cabinet will decide whether or not to put out an official tender inviting competitive bids from other local authorities, trusts, social enterprises or private companies. If successful the move could achieve the goal of keeping all of the borough’s branch libraries open.”
• UK Uncut comes to Croydon to protest against tax dodgers – Inside Croydon.  “The organisers are asking anyone thinking about attending the protest to “bring a small book, in case we decide to remind a tax-dodger how many libraries his unpaid taxes could keep open”
• Croydon calling, mayday, mayday – UK Uncut. “They have already destroyed our Arts Centre. Now, they want to close down our youth centres, privatise our libraries, devastate the UK Borders Agency and slash teaching jobs at Croydon College”

• Cumbria – Council boss pledges he will listen to kids over Cumbrian library closure – News & Star. “The pupils and teachers from Distington’s community school marched in Whitehaven last month to demonstrate against the threat.  They chanted and marched with Save Our Library placards to Copeland council’s offices, where they presented a 1,000-name petition to mayor John Jackson. They also sang a protest song that they had written.”
• Dorset – Colehill library faces closure after Dorset County Council vote – Wimborne People.  “Now after a long campaign it looks like Colehill Library will be lost unless the local community takes on the running of the facility. Councillors suggested those libraries losing funding would still receive support from the council if they remained open, but without the financial support they need their closure looks increasingly likely.”
• Isle of Wight – Update from the friends of the Isle of Wight library Service – Ventnor Blog.   Judge thought campaigners had valid point about equality impact assessment. “We were also saddened by the fact that before we had even got back to the Island, Cllr Abrahams was gloating, making statements that he was “delighted with the outcome” showing no thoughts for those loyal and dedicated library staff who, in some cases had given many years of service to the profession, whom he had forced to take totally unnecessary redundancy. Cllr Abrahams along with his other Tory friends in County Hall should hang their heads in shame.”
• Library legal challenge blocked –  BBC.  5 out of 11 libraries to lose council control. 
• Survey is one for the books – IWCP.   “If you have not already done so, I implore you to examine this questionnaire. Not because your feedback is in the least important to the council but because you should see exactly what sort of mindset lies behind those who have charge of our libraries.”

• Kent – For our eyes only: the library report KCC doesn’t want anyone to see – Kent Online blogs.  “A rare revolt by Conservative backbenchers recently put paid to plans to close or end KCC fundingfor between 40 and 50 libraries. Members of the Conservative group were reported to be aghast at the idea. One confided that it would have proved catastrophic for the ruling administration and that the presentation in which the plans were outlined was like watching a car crash in slow motion.”. Kent Council, however, refuses to allow publication of report that caused the revolt.
• Leeds – “Use it or lose it” warning over Rawdon Library –  Friends of Rawdon Library urge use of library as it may close in 2012 otherwise.  Council asking volunteers to help – “They are asking volunteers to lend their support to the library for a number of hours on a regular basis. Tasks include designing a newsletter and organising children’s activities, including story times. Experienced computer users will be needed to support new users, and people keen on local history and family history are being asked to share their knowledge and enthusiasm.”
• Norfolk – Watchdog calls for more than a hundred Norwich buildings to be protected from demolition – Norwich Evening News.   “Schools, shops, pubs, houses, churches, libraries, factories, bridges and even County Hall, the headquarters of Norfolk County Council, are among the sites in Norwich which have been put forward for safeguarding.”
• Portsmouth – Library opened at former Southsea Woolworths praised – BBC.   Kate Mosse opens branch which includes cafe. “Author Alan Bennett said: “I rejoice that it is an opening and not a closing down. Hurray for the readers – whatever they’re reading. Hurray for the librarians who watch over them.”.
• New Southsea Public Library – Good Library Blog.   Tim Coates applauds the new Southsea Library and improvements at Portsmouth Central Library.

• Suffolk – Have your say on the future of libraries feedback – Suffolk Council.  Feedback published for first time. 
• Kedington campaigners waith for library talks with Suffolk County Council -Haverhill Echo.  ““We put forward a 20 page document for discussion suggesting idea on how we could run it and how they could reduce their costs. I think it is so important that they are kept open,” 

• Wakefield – Fight begins to make library soul survivor – Yorkshire Evening Post.  Supporters of Outwood Library.  “Group spokesman Karl Grubb told the YEP: “Our library is a focus for our community – the full spectrum use the library not only for books but for access to the internet, we have mums and toddlers’ groups and a well-attended readers’ group. We recognise the building is not in its prime but it fulfils a vast range of purposes for the local community. Hopefully we can keep it open until the financial situation improves and the local authority can upgrade facilities.”
• Waltham Forest – “Day of action” against library cuts – Guardian series.  “Campaigners are planning a ‘day of action’ to protest against council plans to close two libraries. It comes as Unison prepares to hold an informal strike ballot among library staff over the proposals, which it claims will lead to the loss of 18 jobs.”
• Wiltshire – Libraries saved by more than 300 volunteers – BBC.  All libraries to remain open but now with volunteers as 40 full-time-equivalent paid (figure from previous articles – see tally) staff cut over the last year.  “John Thomson, from the council, said: “I think we’ll end up with better small libraries as I believe some volunteers hope to keep them open longer.”
• Library service review frequently asked questions – Wiltshire Council.   “What if there are not enough volunteers for a particular library? If enough volunteers do not come forward to open any one of the ten smallest libraries for more than three hours a week then we will talk to the community concerned about other options for service delivery, such as a mobile library service. However, we have already a high level of interest from volunteers and we will continue to work with GROW Voluntary Service, area boards and town and parish councils so as many people as possible have the opportunity to volunteer.”

• Wokingham – Libraries takover moves a step closer – Get Wokingham.   Shortlisted companies to talk to council in August the decision made by committee.  No apparent consultation with the public. “Having spoken to more people than I can count on the doorsteps, leading up to the Remenham, Wargrave and Ruscombe by-election (which, given the appalling turnout, the council cannot possibly hope to interpret as an endorsement of their privatisation plans), I can say for sure that the majority of people are adamantly opposed to this move.”

• Stoke on Trent – Residents want to set up town council to resurrect Fenton Library –  This is Staffordshire.  “Campaigners hoping to reopen Fenton Library believe setting up a local authority in the town will help secure funding to resurrect the venue.” 100 residents met to discuss revival. … “”My four-year-old, Saxon, cried when they closed the library and before I came to the meeting he said to me ‘ask the men to open it again’.”
• Surrey – Protesters hope for 11th-hour reprieve for libraries – Surrey Herald.  “more than 100 protesters descended on County Hall in Kingston on Tuesday to show their support for the 11 Surrey libraries at risk of closure.”.  One library, Virginia Water, has decided to run library with volunteers rather than fight the cuts.
• Torfaen – Pontypool library reopens after £300,000 revamp – Free Press.  Made possibly by Welsh Assembly grant.
• Wakefield – Libraries’ future is still uncertain – Express series.  “Paul Franklin, headteacher at Upton Primary School, said he was disgusted at the decision. He said: “I am shocked and appalled. The library has always been an inextricable link between the school – it is a huge resource to us. Reading forms the basis of all learning and it will be detrimental to children’s education if that facility is taken away. It will catastrophic for the school as well as the local community.”

News

• Hate to say it, but I agree with George Osborne – London Evening Standard.  Chancellor is using “the markets” as an excuse for ideologically driven cuts.  “none of these economy-boosting calls can be heeded for fear of missing Osborne’s austerity targets. And as for those calling for fewer closures of libraries and Sure Start centres – well, they know where the door is.”
• Library marketing and promotion – #uklibchat. The results of a brainstorming session amongst interested parties on Twitter.  Excellent ideas for the professional and for the campaigner too.

“The factor deciding who councillors will listen to is not the quality of the advice, but the offer of money. For this reason the Arts Council has been very successful in persuading local councils to support initiatives—ranging from the Cultural Olympiad to increasing the number of people actively engaged in the arts.” John Pateman, BookSeller.

• Money talks – BookSeller. John Pateman notes that, unlike the Arts Council (see above quote) the DCMS advice on libraries was ignored by councils due to it (a) employing rather than specialist librarians and (b) councils feel it lacks teeth.  CILIP advice ignored as seen as self-interested. MLA ignored because it “looked and sounded like something produced by a committee, with no clear remit or focus”.
• New York City Libraries: Providing education and titillation – Concerned Women for America.  Another amazingly over-the-top article from the USA, including the lines “In New York City Public Libraries, policies are evidently put in place for the perverts.”.
• Philip Pullman pulls no punches in his defence of UK libraries – Melville House Publishing (USA).  “UK libraries have something working in their favor: a passionate group of writers vociferously defending the public’s right to libraries. Perhaps one of the fiercest advocates is His Dark Materials trilogy author”
• Save Troy Library: The sisters interview TPL Director Cathy Russ – Books for Walls (USA).  Nice interview with the library manager and interesting ideas about how to campaign, although not all transferrable to the UK. 

Changes

• Blackpool – No libraries closing (previously listed as 2) Mereside Library has reduced hours, new library at Moorpark.
• Hackney – Pledge to increase library opening hours. 
• Manchester – 4 libraries and at least 2 mobiles under threat (previously down as 5 libraries) – 3 to close (Clayton and Rack House entirely, East City to be only for Manchester College Students) as part of £3m cut.  At least 2 mobiles to close. Opening hours to reduce.  Hulme Library to move into Moss Side Leisure Centre. Barlow Moor Library may depend on volunteers to run it in 2012.
• York – Free wi-fi and self-service in all libraries by end of 2011.

Local News

• Bolton – Fury at libraries decision secrecy – This is Lancashire.  “Normally, reports to be considered in the public part of the meeting are published seven days before it is held. But council bosses have decided not to make them available until the day of the meeting, claiming they want to tell library staff first.”
• East Sussex – Call for a library tobe set up in ASDA – Eastbourne Herald.   “Sam Sweiry says there are nearly 10,000 people living in Sovereign Harbour and it desperately needs a ‘cultural centre’ where residents and tourists can access information and IT facilities.” 

• Hackney – Union wins council rethink over hackney libraries cuts – Hackney Citizen.  Decision “followed a protest on the steps of the Town Hall at which staff waved placards condemning staff cuts and what they called the “slow death” of the libraries service.”.  Pledge to increase opening hours.
• Anti-cuts campaigners force town hall rethink on Hackney libraries job losses – Hackney Gazette.   “The council has been consulting on money-saving plans, including reducing the number of library jobs by a quarter, from 104 to 76, and changes to opening times. But more than two and a half thousand people signed petitions or wrote letters in protest and Unison, the public sector trade union, took their complaints to the town hall.”
• Isle of Wight – High Court libraries hearing: judicial review rejected – Ventnor Blog.  Rejected due to (a) delays caused by Legal Services Commission, (b) the Council was facing “difficult circumstances”, (c) Council had gone into process with an “open mind”, and (d) Equalities legislation was given due regard. “The defendant (IWC) has applied for costs of the acknowledgement of service and cost of attendance today. One of the library campaigners, Dave Quigley, said after the decision, “We are holding the Legal Services Commission responsible for this due to their delays.”.
• Isle of Wight denied library closures review – BookSeller.  LSC does not accept the blame. 
• End of the road for library cuts campaigners – Isle of Wight Radio.  Council says “”This decision means that we can focus all our efforts on helping support those community groups who are working so hard to establish community libraries. We have recently extended the time available to these groups to finalise their proposals as a sign of our commitment to maintaining an excellent library provision on the Island.”. 
• Library cuts challenge blocked – Independent.  Campaigner says “even if the libraries were transferred to community groups, their future remained uncertain and they were in danger of failing through lack of funding or suitable volunteers to make them a success.”. 
• Campaigners lose fight against libraries’ closures – IWCP. 
• Isle of Wight legal challenge blocked – BBC.

• Lambeth – Doctor’s at the library? – South London Press.  “Suggestions from Lambeth’s libraries commission include putting old books in police station waiting rooms, raising late return fines and running doctors’ surgeries from public libraries.”.  Suggestions also include room hire increases, higher DVD charges, coffee shops.
• Leeds – Library fines put £1m in city council coffers – Yorkshire Evening Post.  “Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act also state that in 2010-11 the council charged more than £345,000 in library fines.”
• Manchester – Mobile libraries to be shut down as part of £3m cuts in Manchester – Manchester Evening News.  “Councillors also want to replace two community libraries with ‘book exchanges’ run entirely by local volunteers.”
• Oxfordshire – Library cut plans “are based on biased data” – Henley Standard.   “More than 310 residents attended a public meeting on Monday to discuss the proposed changes to the facility in High Street. Under plans announced by Oxfordshire County Council, two-thirds of staff funding could be withdrawn so volunteers would be needed to maintain the current opening hours.”  Statistics used by council were taken while in temporary building during £700,000 improvement of permanent library. 
• Sandwell – Furious librarians send Sandwell Council a red letter over industrial action – Halesowen News.   Sandwell wants to replace library staff with volunteers.  “UNISON has announced from August 1 the normally mild-mannered librarians will be working to rule and refusing to carry out anything but the most basic of their duties. The ballot, which 87 per cent of members took part in, resulted in a massive 97.5 per cent voted for action after learning of Sandwell Council’s cost cutting plan.”.  Comment apparently from chief librarian suggests that strike is, rather, about a regrading dispute.
• Solihull and Warwickshire – Success for library partnership – Birmingham Mail.  “The partnership has saved an estimated £100,000 for the two councils, with a new route and timetable, concentrating resources on areas where demand is highest, removing underused stops and avoiding duplication of mobile stops.” 
• Somerset – Library earns injunction reprieve – Mercury. “Although Burnham and Highbridge Town Council stepped forward earlier this year with a deal to save the [Highbridge]  library at a cost of £4,000, fresh concerns were raised over whether there were enough volunteers to run it.”

• Surrey – Library users set for protest – Get Surrey.   “John Bond, of the Byfleet Library Action Group, said: “We agree with volunteers going into Byfleet Library but we also need professional staff. “A representative from every village is going out in force and there will be a coach going up from Byfleet and New Haw.”
• “Biggest demo” over Surrey library cuts – BBC.   “The demonstration by library campaigners and the public sector union Unison is due to take place outside a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.”  Each branch is aiming to send at least ten people, the WI are also involved.  Council wants to force local communities to run 11 libraries or see them close.
• Leader’s views on libraries – Surrey Council.  Dr Povey likes volunteers replacing paid staff.  

• Worcestershire – Shared buildings are better value – Tewkesbury AdMag.  “All the county’s councils are having their say on a 10-year plan aimed at saving money by having services such as libraries or benefits offices in the same places as other public sector bodies.”
• York – Free wi-fi boost for York Libraries – Press.  Self-service and Free wi-fi for all 14 libraries by end of 2011.

News 

• Bestselling children’s author opens school bus library – Streatham Guardian. “Mr Morpurgo has since penned a story inspired by the library bus, which will be made into a short animation for the London 2012 Olympics. The bus has also been shortlisted for a design award by the School Libraries Association. The winner will be announced in October.” 
• Margaret Atwood fights library closures, crashes petition server – Toronto News.   “Literary icon Margaret Atwood has joined the fight against a consultant’s proposed cuts to Toronto’s library system, marshalling her 225,200 Twitter followers and crashing a server hosting a petition. At 4:15 p.m. Thursday, Atwood retweeted this from @sonalogy: “Toronto’s libraries are under threat of privatization. Tell city council to keep them public now.”.  The author has retweeted message several times.

• Summer Reading Challenge news – Alan Gibbons.  “In a huge combined effort to encourage every child to enjoy reading, the public library network today launched The Summer Reading Challenge with an event at the House of Commons. Speakers included Nick Gibb, Minister for Schools, and author Michael Rosen. Ruth Mackenzie, Director of the Cultural Olympiad announced that the Challenge will be part of the London 2012 Festival.  Guests gathered to show their support for libraries’ contribution to literacy included some of the nation’s best loved authors along with MPs, councillors, publishing industry figures, librarians and library campaigners.”
• Wright Stuff Extra with Gabby Logan – Channel Five. 26:00 to 32:00  “Today we speak to Phillipa Jackson, who is campaigning to keep Chalk Farm library (Camden) open, as well as Isabella, a 12-year-old user who visits the library regularly. Kirsty then takes to the streets to see what the general public think about libraries, and whether the possible closure would affect them.”… “It’s our community, it’s an essential service..”.  Lauren Smith talks to Gabby Logan.  Gabby says “Lots of us are outraged that libraries are closing” and advocates increasing use. 

Changes

Norfolk – New reduced opening hours announced for each library.  
Sandwell – Volunteers will be used to replace paid staff, working in core hours.  Consultation begins.  “The document does not spell out how many volunteers would be taken on or how many jobs would be shed.”.

 
Local News

• Barnet – Schoolgirl to tell Barnet Council to save Friern Barnet Library – Times series.   “How does taking away our library increase reading, literacy and learning opportunities for children in Friern Barnet? Why do the children of Friern Barnet not matter?”
• Brent – Libraries latest: day 3 in Court 2 – I spy in Queen’s Park.  “The Brent Six are Innocent” was best slogan.  “Seven secret criteria” had been used to assess business plans for alternatives.  Magistrate appeared “not to be in sympathy” with equalities impact legislation argument.  “The Judge indicated that it was very unlikely that he would be able to give his full judgment until October”.  See also  Brent judicial review, day three – BookSeller.  Judgment may be given in August.  Defence says alternative plans for libraries “unrealistic”.  Also Brent library campaigners hopeful over closures ruling – BBC “We’ve done all we can. We’re hopeful.”.  Please also see Concerns over Brent campaigners volunteer libraries – Voices for the Library.  The Brent legal challenge appears, at least partly, to be advocating the taking over of libraries by volunteers which seems to go against statements by Philip Pullman and Alan Bennett.  ” The outcome of this judicial review could have serious implications for other campaigners who are not campaigning for volunteer run libraries, including those whose judicial reviews (such as Gloucestershire and Somerset) are due to be heard.”

“Though the verdict won’t come for a few weeks, we have achieved something worth celebrating. We took the council to court, with some of the best lawyers in the country and achieved national attention for our worthy cause”

• Bromley – Bromlet and Bexley to share library services – News Shopper.   “The council also said compulsory redundancies might not be necessary as staff had taken voluntary redundancy.”
• Coventry – Mobile library replaced with new building – BBC.   “”Here in Coventry we have pledged not to reduce opening hours in our libraries and here the local community will be able to enjoy a brand new facility which replaces the mobile service local residents have had to use for years.”
• Doncaster – Cllr Kevin Rodgers warns mayor about judicial review – Save Doncaster Libraries.   ““We don’t want to see the council being taken to court, because financially like all councils around the country, we don’t have great vast amounts of resources and we can’t really afford to be fighting a court case when we could just sensibly review the decision.”.  See also Put plan to close libraries on hold – Star. 
• Dorset – Library decision: Dorset supporters vow to continue fighting – Dorset Echo.  Branches may be taken on by volunteers. Legal action also a possibility.  See also Outrage as nine of Dorset’s libraries shut by a single vote – Daily Echo.  ““We are led to the conclusion that the underlying reason for this relentless drive to get shot of libraries is because the managers in Dorset believe that only big is beautiful.
• “They just don’t like small libraries yet, as you have seen this morning, the people that use them do.”…  Councillor said ““I’m not going to vote for closing the libraries, I’m going to vote for keeping the libraries open, all be it in a different way.” Interesting (and numerous) comments.
• Isle of Wight – Library injunction dropped by judicial review continues – Ventnor Blog.   Injunction dropped as council has given undertaking not to make “irrevocable” actions until review takes place – “the assurance was given to a High Court Judge, so it would, as I understand it be contempt of court should the assurance be broken”.  Staff have been made redundant but the thought is that they, or others, can be taken back on. 
• Lambeth – Library strike called off for now – Guardian series.   “Unison said strike action has been suspended because of “concessions from management” which should avoid compulsory redundancies within the service. It said, however, that strike action would be reinstated if a final agreement could not be reached.”
• Lewisham – Council services to be farmed out? – South London Press.  “council has already handed over control of four libraries to charities and not-for-profit groups. Social care, more libraries, business advice services, property management, leisure and parks could be next.”
• Norfolk – New library opening hours announced after consultation – Evening News 24. New reduced opening hours announced.
• North Yorkshire – Villagers form “two pronged attack” to save library – Advertiser.  “More than 100 residents of Great Ayton attended a public meeting on Wednesday night in the Parochial Hall, called by the Save Great Ayton Library Group (SGALG).” Split amongst residents between those wishing to oppose withdrawal of council funding and those wishing to run the library as volunteers.  Both camps agreed to encourage completion of survey.
• North Yorkshire – Call for extended libraries deadline rejected – Yorkshire Post.  Deadline to extend closures to help volunteers run them fails but ““The county council has set up a team of experts to help our communities to keep their libraries going,” he said. We are being extremely proactive. We are not setting communities up to fail but helping them get to where they want to be.”
• Sandwell – Libraries cost-cutting plan goes out to consultation – Halesowen News.  Massive cuts to libraries is now under consultation.  “The Library Innovation and Evaluation Plan states that voluntary staff would be used to deliver core services for the first time”
• Somerset – Injunction granted to postpone Somerset library cuts – This is the West Country.   “Watchet campaigner John Irven said: “I am amazed and want to thank all the people of Somerset who have stepped forward to meet this initial demand. We have received pledges from more than 100 individuals together with many Somerset Library Friends Groups as well as support from our near neighbours in Dorset.”.  See also Library campaigners joining forces to fight council chiefs.  “Somerset’s legal challengers were told they would have to raise the amount of legal bond they put up, payable if they lose the case, from £5,000 to £11,000, and that their injunction did not apply to the mobile library service, with which the county council can now continue its plans.”
• Surrey – Threatened Surrey libraries’ opening hours face changes – BBC.  “The county council has begun talks with communities in 11 areas where it wants to devolve day-to-day management of libraries it says are less well used.”  Suggestions from groups include parcel-collection services.