Somerset revised proposals revealed, 2 hour long Westminster libraries debate

A 2 hour long debate in Westminster Hall featured many MPs speaking on behalf of libraries.  Ed Vaizey guaranteed the 1964 Act (but did not mention its interpretation is being severely challenged) and stressed that a “strategic vision” was necessary, not least in merging some of the functions of at least a few of the 151 separate library authorities.  He also stressed that volunteers should be there to support librarians and not to replace them, although this seemed to go against the tone of the Conservative MPs taking part in the debate and also what appears to be happening in many authorities (such as Glos or Wiltshire).

In other news, the London Evening Standard reports that the Government has dropped the proposal to guarantee free public access to the internet via libraries, despite previous support by Ed Vaizey. Similarly, the proposal to ensure all babies get library cards has also been dropped. 

Cambridgeshire – Arbury group to do a “read-in” – Cambridge First

Derbyshire – shorter opening hours – BBC

Dorset – Whose library is it anyway? – Friends of Old Town Library

Flintshire – petition handed in to save Halkyn – BBC

Gloucestershire – teachers and health professionals back libraries – FoGL

Gloucestershire – Cotswold Conservative MP asks for government intervention – FoGL

Gloucestershire – Katie Ffforde supports campaign – FoGL

Isle of Wight – 500 helped clear Lord Louis Library “I think an uprising is in order” – Ventnor Blog

Isle of Wight – Don’t phone a friend, phone a councillor – Ventnor Blog

North Yorkshire – 100 people at meeting to save Ayton Library – Scarborough Evening News

Northamptonshire – Schoolchildren back fight to keep St James Library – Northampton Chronicle

Northamptonshire – two weeks to save libraries – Northants Evening Telegraph

Nottinghamshire – opening hours will be halved, bookfund halved – BBC

Somerset – Council backtracks on closures – BookSeller

Somerset – Revised Library proposals – Somerset Council

Somerset – Ilminster urges library kept open – Chard and Ilminster News

Somerset – Anger at Highbridge still being on the closure list – This is the West Country

Somerset – Glastonbury’s soul could be saved – Glastonbury People

Somerset – list of libraries saved from closure – Chard and Ilminster News

Swindon – An example of a volunteer-run library – Swindow Advertiser

Trafford – Mobile library to be staffed by volunteers – Messenger

Wigan – Labout MP condemns library cuts – BBC

Library cuts are not opportunities for “big society”, they’re just cuts – Progressives

Mar Dixon Mashup Challenge – Voices For The Library

Ministers shelve free internet access proposal – London Evening Standard

Please can we have our library books back? – BBC

Save Our Libraries – How to save them – CILIP

UK library supporters to protest over 400 closures – Guardian