Somerset revised proposals revealed, 2 hour long Westminster libraries debate
390 libraries plus 48 mobiles currently under threat or recently closed (List below “News”)
Somerset – minus 7 – Somerset have cut the number of threatened libraries from an initial 20 to 11 (2 reprieves have already been counted previously), with the funding found from reducing services in the other branches.
Somerset – minus 7 – Somerset have cut the number of threatened libraries from an initial 20 to 11 (2 reprieves have already been counted previously), with the funding found from reducing services in the other branches.
News
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
Dorset – Whose library is it anyway? – Friends of Old Town Library
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
Mar Dixon Mashup Challenge – Voices For The Library
Ministers shelve free internet access proposal – London Evening Standard
UK library supporters to protest over 400 closures – Guardian
– Parliament Live TV (first two hours)
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