Archive for April, 2011

517 libraries (443 buildings and 74 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4517 in the UK (See “Tally” link on right for full breakdown).

Comment

Nick Clegg has said that it is not the Lib Dems closing libraries.  For this, Alan Gibbons calls him the world’s biggest hypocrite.  Library campaigner Shirley Burnham‘s response is well worth reprinting in full

“The Liberal Democrat Party included nothing about public libraries in its 2010 manifesto, in spite of being cognisant of the threat to the service and in touch with the best minds in the country on the issue well before its publication. Contact with library experts was strictly confidential whilst Lib Dem shadow ministers attempted to draft a policy for public libraries. No-one has to date broken that confidentiality. Now, reading Nick Clegg’s protestations about Libraries, I am angry…. So, I confirm that, when it mattered and when they had opportunity, the Lib Dems performance was abysmal. Subsequently they chose to ally themselves with the Tories who seem hell bent on overseeing the destruction of this great institution, wholly against the public will.

Making political speeches about Libraries now, Mr Clegg, does not convince this former member of your Party. Please take the Culture Minister and Secretary of State by the lapels and insist that they undertake their statutory duties. Failing that, you have no credibility on this issue whatsoever.” 
 
News
(S) shows article added on Sunday

Beast’s business model and what it means for your library – Privatisation Beast (USA) Review of doctoral thesis on the LSSI business model (S)
Clegg tells Lib Dems: Take fight to Tories – Sky News “Speaking in his Sheffield consituency, Mr Clegg attacked cuts made by both Tory and Labour councils to libraries and Sure Start children’s centres across the country. He said: “If you value these services, my message to you is very clear: Lib-Dems are with you.”
Ebooks pass another milestone – Guardian.  Ebook sales in the USA have now overtaken paperback sales in terms of value (not in terms of absolute number) after a 203% increase compared to the same time last year.
Ed Miliband slams Nick Clegg over Lib Dems’ string of broken promises – Mirror.
It is the fate of libraries to die – Financial Times.  [There is a certain irony that this article is found behind a paywall].  Article argues that libraries are luxuries that can no longer be afforded.
Lib Dems go on offensive ahead of council elections – Independent.
Manifestos – Stage one accomplished – Posterous.  Summary of how libraries have been put on the political agenda in Scotland.
Tigers, poets and superheroes – Voices for the Library. Highlights library initiatives including Kirklees housebound borrowers special event, Chris Manby author visit, Swansea Easter events including a superhero party, Edinburgh “Tiger Tales” with event held at Edinburgh Zoo.

Changes by Authority

Enfield – 3 out of 16 under threat (Ordnance Road Library,Enfield Highway Library,Bullsmoor Library) under threat. £578k cut 2011, £300k 2012 and 2013. If massive opposition, libraries could stay open but staffed with volunteers.  Decision to be made in “Summer”.
Portsmouth – £650k cut – proposal is for Central Library closed every Friday, whole service cutting 22 full-time equivalent posts. 
Swindon – £45k external consultancy report on the future management of its libraries includes June decision on privatisation. (S)

News by Authority

Croydon – Bradmore Green Library is the favourite of users, according to consultation – This is Croydon Today (S).  Smaller libraries attact more “favourite” ticks than Central library.
Croydon – Survey finds threatened libraries more popular than Croydon’s central library – This is Croydon Today (S).
Cumbria – Libraries at risk in council shake-up – Whitehaven News.  Council says closing 20 libraries and putting 400 (sic) books into pubs shows they’re thinking differently. Family Centre deputy chief executive disagrees.

“Officers at Cumbria County Council want to close 20 public libraries and move them into village shops, post offices and pubs – which are closing even faster than libraries because they’re not seen as cool either. It’s not to save money, they say. Library closures and reduction in book stocks are for… er, I’m not sure they explained that fully but it’s for reasons of coolness, is my guess. Council officers who are not at all keen on libraries are clearly cooler than those of us who are. They must by iOfficers.” Cumbria – Where is the romance, the community in a Kindle, an Ipad? – News and Star. 

Doncaster – MP Rosie Winterton lends her support to Save Doncaster Libraries – Save Doncaster Libraries.  Labour Chief Whip/MP Doncaster Central.
Doncaster – Naming and shaming library cutters – Save Doncaster Libraries.  Two conservatives who voted for library closures, despite being told not to by their party whip are shown. (S)
Enfield – Libraries under threat again as budget cuts bite – North London newspapers. ““This is very worrying, especially in an age where we are trying to promote education and when there are so many changes coming in. People need their libraries, and not just for books – they are learning resource centres and have internet access for those who don’t have it at home. We would be in favour of having volunteers staffing the library if it means they can stay open.”
Hertfordshire – Bushey Library to close for three month refurbishment – Watford Observer. More computers, wifi, events space, larger children’s area. (S)
Portsmouth – Readers in protest against council plans to slash library staff – News. ‘I have a learning disability and the library has been a great place for me to come. It has so much more information than anywhere else and it’s very wrong to cut back library services.’
Surrey – Library closing? Borrow a phone book – This is Surrey Today. Telephone box still in use has shelf added with donated books – “Writing on the shelf says “You’re welcome to take me, but make sure to replace me” (S)
Swindon – Council meeting 14th April – Save Old Town Library Campaign.  Swindon’s libraries may be privatised. (S)

517 libraries (443 buildings and 74 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4517 in the UK.  See link on right for full tally.

News

Book spend cut “easiest” way to save library revenue – BookSeller. “”It’s not going to hit the headlines, and it’s not immediately obvious. It’s about two years down the line before it makes an impact. But it results in a slow death for library services as fewer people use the service.” says chief of Warwickshire Libraries (Ayub Khan). Warwickshire has 16 libraries under threat.
Man with a vision for the future of the public library – Yorkshire Post. Ronan O’Beirne, “Rather than looking at the number of books lent out – a service whose days may be numbered – he argues that we should consider libraries as the social glue of community and culture, each one a hub of informal learning for the wider community.”
MLA Chief heads for New Zealand – BookSeller. “Roy Clare’s move comes as the MLA’s transfer of key responsibilities to Arts Council England is confirmed for 1st October. Corporate services director Paul Lander will take charge of the body in the last months as it moves towards closure.”
National Library Week 2011: The importance of libraries in genealogical research – Archive 
Public libraries open door for e-books – Guardian. A quarter of public libraries offer ebooks. Phil Bradley from CILIP surveys the issues and the public library response.

“the same city council that can’t spare Ms. Smith’s libraries plans to spend a total of £100 million on a new nine-story civic center—which will include a new super-library. The council insists the project will save taxpayers £4 million per year, by allowing it to vacate current council buildings. No information yet on how much the council could save by simply moving to cheaper office space, instead of constructing what it aims to be “the greenest building in the U.K.” Forgoing the new center’s wedding garden, winter garden, terrace, and charging points for electric cars might also leave a little more cash for libraries.” Zadie Smith’s libraries – Wall Street Journal.

Changes by authority

Bromley, Bexley – Suggested merger of two councils’ library services may save Bromley £880k – £340k from staff losses, £90k from merging Penge and Anerley libraries.
Buckinghamshire – Burnham Library under threat in 2012
Derbyshire – 1 mobile library to close (longer wait between visits”, £1.76m cut, 30 out of 45 libraries will see cuts of between one and five hours, 11 will not change, 4 will increase opening hours
North Ayrshire – some under threat (previously marked as safe in 2011) with civil servants/councillors deciding the fate of each one.  £50k consultants report ignored.
Walsall – 6 (out of 16) under threat; consultation ended; results from consultation will lead to a decision in the Summer.

News by authority

Brent – Two defining coaltion reforms clash – Spectator. “The various big society groups in Brent lament their powerlessness and are considering calling on the Culture Secretary to intervene under the 1964 Libraries Act. But, as a wasteful Labour council is busy taking responsibility for unpopular cuts, the coalition may not intervene. Also, the government has welcomed previous council rationalisations as localism in action; it is unlikely to turn on Brent to score cheap points, no matter how tempting in the run up to elections next month. However, the big society will struggle to bloom if the government privileges councils above it.”
Bromley – Residents rally to save Bromley’s libraries – Bromley Times 24.  1200 name petition to save Burnt Ash library.  Trades union has handed in 3000 name petition.
Buckinghamshire – Burnham library supporters fight for its future – Maidenhead Advertiser. Big Lottery funding means Burnham Library not included in previous council countywide library closures.  Fear for 2012.
Cumbria – 18 rural libraries in Cumbria face the axe – Westmorland Gazette. “Bosses said libraries which opened fewer than 20 hours a week, including Sedbergh, Shap and Askam-in-Furness, might close to fund hi-tech enhancements, such as free Skype points, at major centres”.  Rural areas get book ordering service (some in pubs) instead.

“Closing these libraries would be a huge mistake.They are the universities of the common man and once closed will never be reopened.” (Taffy Thomas, national storyteller laureate)

Derbyshire – Plans to cut opening hours of libraries look set for approval despite concerns of union – This is Derbyshire. “The union Unison says it fears the moves may lead to job losses and could be the first step towards library closures.”
Dorset – Support community libraries: Ad Lib campaigner urges users to help facilities at risk – Dorset Echo. Public urged to support small cuts in larger libraries to prevent closures of smaller ones that could result in some areas being 14 miles away from a library.
Ealing – Ealing Council leader faces critics over libraries – Ealing Gazette. “I feel as if I am being forced into making these decisions. I would not choose to close libraries, I spent a lot of time there studying for my A-levels and later taking my children there.”
Gloucestershire – County Council to face Whitehall meeting on library cuts – Wilts & Glos Standard. “We are pleased that DCMS policy officials have agreed to meet with us, and can only hope that they and the Minister listen to our concerns, unlike our elected representatives within the GCC administration.” (FoGL)
Gloucestershire – Blockley: Library cuts protest – Tewkesbury AdMag. “Children in the village who regularly use the library are to hand over letters expressing their sadness and disappointment that Gloucestershire County Council is axing the service to save money.”
Lewisham – Will Lewisham bidders focus on library service? – Voices for the Library. “…it is worrying that none of these proposals are coming from organisations that have an emphasis or background in providing library services. Have they involved experts in their discussions?”
North Ayrshire – Future of facilities to be decided one at a time – Ardrossan Herald. “the future of North Ayrshire’s libraries and community centres is to be decided on an individual basis by individual working groups of councillors and civil servants.”
Surrey – Byfleet: Library figures taken to task – Surrey Herald .  Use of library underestimated by council due to six weeks closure not being taken into account (!). “The library is very much a hub for a lot of things. It’s not something that Byfleet wants to lose.”
Walsall – Two thousand have their say on future plans for 16 libraries – Walsall Online. Information from 2152 responses will be used to work out plans for the borough’s libraries, of which 6 were feared to be under threat.
Warwickshire – Warwickshire library cuts in spotlight at roadshow – Coventry Telegraph. “Sixteen Warwickshire libraries have been identified as no longer sustainable in their current form, alongside other cost-cutting measures including reduced opening hours, reductions in the workforce and mobile library fleet, and cutting the number of public computers.”

509 libraries (436 buildings and 73 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4517 in the UK.  See link on right for full tally.

Roy Clare, ex-Rear Admiral and currently head of the MLA (Museums, Libraries and Archives Council), recently best known  for (a) defending library closures, (b) deriding library campaigners as “white and middle class” and (c) issuing an apology to a nine-year old girl he had made disparaging comments about in a widely shared email, has announced he is moving to New Zealand, leaving his post in May.

One of the major suppliers of books to libraries in the UK has announced profits have been hit by a 25% reduction in business from public libraries.  Twenty. Five. Percent.  That’s before the cuts this year have even taken effect.  Weirdly, at the same time, anti-public libraries spokesmen like Toby Young point to a decline in library use.  The Private Eye, in it’s excellent “Library News” column, points out that there just might be a causal connection between reducing funding to libraries and reducing use.  Clearly the people of Portishead think that properly funded libraries are worth going to – their new library opened yesterday with a queue outside.  Nor does there need to be a new library involved as Hillingdon’s record use has demonstrated.
The money also needs to spent properly and sometimes councils are their own worst enemy in this, as the £289k in public relations to go on the £189m Library of Birmingham show.  There is a third way between closing libraries and letting them out to volunteers.  Fund and manage them properly then the people will come. Even more than the 320 million who did last year.

News
Bertrams blames sales drop on libraries decline – BookSeller.  Library sales down 25%.
Library News – Private Eye (content not available online). The 3% drop in number of people using libraries since 2006 was used by Toby Young to claim libraries are becoming less popular but the real reason is lack of investment and closing them. Brent’s idea of a “virtual” library service to replace six closed libraries also noted with wry disapproval.
Campaigners say publishers are “not interested” in library fight – BookSeller “We’ll see 500 [go] this year, and we’ll see another 1,000 next year once councils see they can get away with it.” (Tim Coats).  The comments section is very interesting with one publisher saying the library sector has already been discounted by publishers (enlighteningly going on to say that “Publishers would show interest again if that was co- ordinated library policy”) and others expressing shock and horror at him, saying libraries are more than worth fighting for.
Ends – Good Library Blog. Roy Clare, head of the MLA, to leave in May.
London Book Fair: Libraries must digitise to stay relevant – BookSeller.  Recommends that libraries,  especially research libraries, digitise unique content as a way of boosting physical footfall to that material not yet digitised.
Ministers in office but not in power – City AM “Earlier this year, Library Systems and Services [LSSI], a US company, offered to run libraries for 35 per cent less than councils are spending. Book borrowing would remain free, while add-on services, such as coffee shops, IT and book stores would be used to generate revenues. Others have suggested purchasing second hand books. Yet many councils aren’t interested.”
News from CILIP April 2011 – CILIP.  Items include – Vote Local Vote Libraries, Open Letter to Michael Gove, training courses and blogs.
No furniture so charming – London Word Festival. “A night devoted to the architecture of knowledge and the future of book-borrowing” at Bethnal Green Library, 21st April. Tom Roper wonders why there appears to be no public librarians on the panel.

“Sure, you may not think libraries are that important when you have the whole of the world-wide web at your finger tips. But once paywalls are common place and ISPs are able to discriminate content, you may just realise what you’ve lost. And don’t be fooled into thinking this is a far-fetched fantasy. We are only a short step away from this eventuality. Information has been commodified, once there is money to be made it won’t remain free and open for long.” (Ian Clark, “Shut-Out”, ORGzine)

Zadie Smith loses battle to save London library – Guardian. “The author Zadie Smith‘s campaign to save a north-west London library opened by Mark Twain in 1900 has ended in failure after Brent council voted in favour of closing half the libraries in the borough.”

News by local authority
Birmingham – Chutzpah is getting a little pricey – Alan Gibbons.  Council is apparently paying a PR firm £292k over three years to provide public relations support for the £189m Library of Birmingham project.
Brent – Campaigners to present petition tonight for debate on Preston Library – Harrow Times. 6500 signature petition to force council debate. ““I think the consultation period was a sham as it presented it as a transformation project rather than highlighting the potential closures that would actually come out of it”. 
Buckinghamshire – Libraries will close unless volunteers come forward – Bucks Herald “We know that some communities still have concerns about the new model and we will have to work hard to address them. We are not just dumping services on communities, we will give them support and help them to take over the running of libraries”
Buckinghamshire – Council responds to fears over Micklefield and Bourne End libraries – Bucks Free Press. A careful reading of this article (and comments) show that Buckinghamshire Council are not guaranteeing council control after the end of this financial year. 
Dorset – Lyme Regis: Lyme treated “unfairly” in library cuts – View Online.  Lyme Regis would only retain library if the town council pays for and manages it  Dorchester retains full library without any additional payment.
Gloucestershire – Lib Dem [Equalities] minister [Lynne Featherstone] says Brockworth library has bright future – This is Gloucestershire.  Recently refurbished library no longer being run by the council is a good thing as “it can become a thing which is not statutory, not just already there, but it’s there because people want it and people are prepared to run it”.

““This meeting urges Her Majesty’s government to maintain support for local libraries, as an essential education and information resource”. The resolution is one of six shortlisted by WI members nationwide to be taken forward as a national campaign and presented to central government. It has reached the final two of the shortlist, and will go up against a resolution on mega-farming at the national AGM in June” Council Leader Mark Hawthorne was to speak against the motion but instead sent a written statement. Gloucestershire – FoGL speak for libraries resolution at Gloucestershire WI – FoGL

Gloucestershire – When is a library not a library? – FoGL.  When it’s a mobile.  Gloucestershire Council claim no libraries need close, neglecting to mention its doomed five mobile libraries.

Not a Library – According to Gloucestershire Council

Lewisham – Lewisham’s library bidders meet the public – News Shopper – Breakdown of the four organisations who want to take over one or all of the closing libraries – (a) Lewisham Community Sports, (b) Eco Computer Systems, (b) Omega (New Testament Church of God) and (d) Family Services charity.
Lewisham – Sports group hopes to run doomed libraries – Mercury ““There would be fewer books than there are now, but there would still be a library service.”
North Somerset – Portishead: North Somerset town bucks national trend as library opens its doors – This is Somerset. “People were queuing outside the library at Horatio House, Portishead, when it opened its doors to the public for the first time at 11am.”
Surrey – Large turn-out from Stoneleigh library supporters – This is Local London. 120 at meeting to oppose closure.
Warwickshire – WCC Libraries business case application form: a Dragon’s Den pitch? – What’s In Kenilworth.  “So, what happens if take the dry throated walk up the stairs and make your pitch? You know you are holding the fate of your Community Library with you as you begin. The threat of closure looms over your village and this is the Once in a Lifetime Opportunity that Warwickshire County Council have promised….”.  Requirements include three-year financial projection.
Warwickshire – WCC Libraries FAQs for a Business Case: A franchise opportunity? – What’s In Kenilworth. “… imagine Tesco having to give away all food and drink and only being allowed to charge for CDs, DVDs and the odd cup of coffee. Simplistic, I know but that’s what we have here and County know it.”

507 libraries (436 buildings and 71 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4517 in the UK (see the complete tally on the link on the right)

Changes
Buckinghamshire (plus 2) – £700k cut: 16 out of 23 under threat of closure if volunteers do not run them; Castlefield, Chalfont St Peter, Farnham Common, Flackwell Heath, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden, Haddenham, Iver Heath, Ivinghoe, Long Crendon, Stokenchurch, Wendover, Wing, Winslow. Plus 2 under threat in 2012 – Micklefield and Bourne End which are to be “reviewed” when £1.5m lottery money runs out in April 2012 
Cumbria (plus 20 buildings and 3 mobiles) – 20 branches under threat (30 libraries to remain staffed, all others to be volunteer-run with visiting library staff) – Denton Holme, Harraby and Morton in Carlisle, Moorclose in Workington, Hensingham, Kells Mirehouse in Whitehaven, Shap, Distington, Frizington, Gosforth, Seascale, Seaton, St Bees and Thornhill. All three mobiles to close; £6m budget “to be maintained”; “the plan would be for” rural libraries to be volunteer-run;  £80k (sic) cut from £6m budget; consultation from April 6 to June
Hackney – Consultation 18 April – 27 June 2011; all libraries to be kept open; new Dalston CR James Library to be opened in 2011; opening hours to change in all libraries; events to be solely at new library, Hackney Central and Stoke Newington; more volunteers (1 library already entirely staffed by volunteers)
Hull (Plus 2 buildings and 1 mobile) – 2 libraries (Preston Road and KC Stadium)  under threat as is 1 mobile library –  
Nottinghamshire – Newspaper provision reduced

News
Books without batteries: the negative impacts of technology – Publishers Weekly
Councils sitting on cash savings worth billions despite service cuts – Telegraph “Despite the ‘savings’ many councils are planning to cut services such as libraries”
From Page to Stage: Should more libraries become theatres? – Guardian “The experience takes less than an hour, but it lingers in the memory. The next occasion you take up a book, in the tube on the way home say, or later that evening in bed, it is difficult not to do so with a greater degree of wakefulness, to enjoy the weight of the book in your hand, the feel of it, the strength of it, and to pay much closer attention to your reading voice.” (The Quiet Volume)
Libraries cater for the middle classes, not the deprived, says John Redwood – Guardian 

“The vast majority of people use libraries … Public libraries serve nearly everyone apart from incredibly rich people like John Redwood and the culture minister. Everyone else needs a library.” (Alan Gibbons)

News by Authority
Buckinghamshire – Micklefield and Bourne End libraries could be drawn into spending cuts plan – Bucks Free Press
Buckinghamshire – Chief calls on communities to save libraries – Buckinghamshire Advertiser – 14 libraries to be run by volunteers or closed; “”Compulsory redundancies are a very last resort.”
Buckinghamshire – Cash strapped council agrees library cuts – Bucks Free Press
Buckinghamshire – 14 of Buckinghamshire libraries to be run by volunteers – Mix96 “This development comes at a time when budget pressures mean that all council services are being challenged to find new ways of delivering services. The County Council believe that increasing community involvement and tailoring services to the needs of the community is the best way forward to ensure a sustainable future for all 26 libraries in Buckinghamshire.”
Cumbria – Views sought on Cumbria library shake-up – BBC
Cumbria – 20 Cumbrian libraries facing the axe in shake-up – News & Star
Cumbria – Don’t consign libraries to the history books – News & Star

“Cumbria County Council’s plan for a libraries shake-up could see 20 small branches shutting in a scheme promised as an update, rather than a cost cut. Cynics might invite a pulling of the other leg. Shifting borrowers to village shops, pubs and community centres and expecting them to wait a week for one of only 400 popular titles doesn’t immediately strike as progress. In fact, it smacks of running local library services into terminal illness. Can the end be very far away?”

Hackney – Have your say on the future of Hackney’s Libraries and Archives – Dalston People
Hull – Libraries and Hull City Council centres set to shut under cuts – This is Hull and East Riding
Nottinghamshire – Newspaper cuts at libraries – Worksop Guardian
Warwickshire – Warwickshire CC Proposal versus two alternatives – WhatsinKenilworth

It’s not been a day of library glory for three London councils.
– Brent Council has said that library consultation respondents were likely (shock!) to be those who actually used libraries and thus were biased.  Well, the 82% who said that closing half of its libraries and spending £3m on a big library in the Civic Centre were unreasonable anyway.  Presumably those with no interest in libraries and so had no problem with closing them were far less biased. 
– In Lambeth, the new chief of libraries has resigned after only one day in the job. Family reasons were cited. It may also be possible that his decision was influenced by noticing that Lambeth has one of the worst records of library use in the country and want to further cut their budget by £750k.  That every qualified librarian there is having their job deleted probably did not argue a longer stay either.
– Finally, in Ealing,  the council would much rather spend money on a £5m car park than on keeping the library open that had £610k spent on it four years ago and is right nextdoor to a new £2m children’s centre.  Another library highlighted for closure had a £1m upgrade just a year ago. 

Changes to list
Bolton – Consultation ends 20th May:
Brent – 82% of consultation responders said council plans to close 6 of 12 were not reasonable; £3m new Civic Centre library instead; Decision to be made on April 11th
Ealing – Cut to budget may be 30% over four years
Lambeth – £750k 2011/14 cut; Commission to be set up to consider volunteers/closures/shared service with other authorities
Leicestershire – Consultation into cuts to be launched; Melton library has evening and Saturday openings cut

News
Bunnies , WORDfest and human libraries – Voices for the Library
Cressida Cowell Interview – National Literacy Trust “I’m very sad to hear about the lack of funding because like many I went to the library the whole time. It’s such a valuable resource to the country and to just wave goodbye to it… We are not a manufacturing country, we rely on our creativity as a country so much that I think we ought to be valuing the things like libraries that support that creativity.”
Obstacle to the Big Society – Spectator (Shock news – Glenda Jackson is not keen on volunteers taking over entire public libraries)
What the public doesn’t want to see in public libraries and the public library service – Good Library Blog
Zadie Smith – What the blogs said – Journalism.org (USA) Libraries were the second most talked about subject on “Top Stories of the Week March 28 to April 1st”. “the number two story reflected the often international flavor of the blogosphere as commenters responded to a BBC Radio program in which British author Zadie Smith staunchly defended libraries. The famous author recounted her childhood in a flat surrounded by books even though her family was poor, thanks to the library. Smith’s local library was slated for closure for budgetary reasons and she spoke up to explain why this was a travesty.”

News by Authority
Bolton – Campaigners set for Town Hall demo to save libraries – Bolton News
Brent – New report snubs Brent library campaigners – Harrow Observer
Buckinghamshire – County Council set to decide future of libraries – Buckinghamshire Advertiser (on April 11)
Buckinghamshire – Libraries under threat look to West Wycombe success – BBC ““We are being contacted by two, three or four groups a week now, looking at running community libraries.”
Camden – Group to defend Queen’s Cresent Library as Camden libraries fight goes on – Camden Gazette
Ealing – Residents rally against Northfields Library clossure plans – Ealing Gazette – Library has £2m children’s centre built by it, £5.5m car park being built is essential to local economy.
Lambeth – New Lambeth Libraries head quits after one day – Vauxhall Society News
Lambeth – Council proposals – Lambeth Council
Leicestershire – Museum, library face opening hour cuts – Melton Times
Surrey – Council leader [Andrew Povey] dismisses coup threat – Get Surrey “His decisions were said to show a “lack of political savvy”, the roll of scrutiny committees were questioned after Cabinet ignored democratic recommendations to abandon library closure plans and the frequent use of “no comment” as a response in the press were all attacked.” In reply – “With libraries, what we are proposing is very interesting. Bramley Library has masses of volunteers and the people are picking up that challenge.”
Westminster – London borough says merging library services with two others will bring down standards – Guardian “Labour councillors in Conservative-led Westminster say the merging of their libraries will lead to residents losing out because spending by their council on services is more than 40% higher than in Hammersmith & Fulham” “The councillors argue that while it make sense to merge senior library management and to combine the authorities’ book-processing teams and back room finance, personnel and legal services, a single service with local branding won’t work.”