Changes
Blackburn and Darwen £500k (25% budget cut) over three years: Blackburn Central now cut on Sunday; Darwen closed on Tuesdays; Earlier closing hours for all; newspaper and magazine cuts to be reviewed after public protests; no libraries to close 
SwindonFour libraries open longer – West Swindon plus 8.5h, North Swindon plus 10h, Highworth plus 8h, Liden plus 14h; 2 library managers made redundant
York7 library staff made redundant; more volunteers and self-service

News
Big Society Capital Funds – Walk You Home (uses Warwickshire as an
example)
Bookworm teenagers are most likely to get top jobs – Express
Dreadful MP of the Week: Glenda Jackson – Spectator 
Forget music lessons and sport, reading in your teens is the key to a good career – Mail

 “No other activity, from sport to socialising with friends, going  to museums and concerts, or doing practical activities such as cooking or sewing, affected their careers, unless they were also reading.”

Fresh wind from the Humber – Independent (Hull’s successful library service examined)
George Osborne lights red tape bonfire – Telegraph
Libraries too middle class and we’re right to be shutting them down [says John Redwood MP] – Mail

Library of the Living Dead – McPherson College (Zombie Guide to the Library)
Maryland firm to take over 3 California libraries as debate grows over privatization – Washington Post (USA)
Memories of dusk time strolls – Voices for the Library

” But what stayed with me was that these two little girls might grow up with the memories of dusk-time strolls, after dinner, to a cosy library full of wonderful books, and a cuddle with their Dad.”

Reading as a teenager gets you a better job – Telegraph
Rebuild leads to library’s closure – Private Eye (via Alan Gibbons)
Say what you got to say and say it loud – Walk You Home
Should libraries be protected from cuts? – Radio 5 Live

News by Library Authority
Blackburn and Darwen – Cuts to Blackburn and Darwen libraries announced – Lancashire Telegraph
Bradford – Bradford libraries could get e-book technology – Telegraph & Argus
Brent – Brent to axe six libraries and build one costing £3m despite locals’ fury – London Evening Standard
Brent – Council accused of hypocrisy over libraries – Save Kensal Rise Library
Cheshire East – Cheshire East libraries are busiest ones in whole of UK – Crewe Chronicle


Ealing – Hanwell: Protest as council debates library closures – Ealing Gazette (500 petition, “The council is prioritising a car park over children’s futures”
Ealing – Library consultation “a sham” say Lib Dems – Ealing Gazette 
Isle of Wight – Decision to allocate arts money “bizarre” – IWCP

“Fewer valuable public servants, no lavatories, no village libraries, no rural bus services and no proper arts centres merely leaves spiritually impoverished communities and risks destroying the social fabric of our country”

Isle of Wight – Bembridge Library Users Group disappointed with council negotiations – Ventnor Blog

 “We are disappointed that despite a massive effort put by our members to advance negotiations with the IOW council we regret to report that we are no further forward and that IWC remains resolutely determined to close the library at the end of June.”

Suffolk – Aldeburgh: Ambitious blueprint revealed to save future of library – EADT – cost would be c.45k p.a. hope if for not-for-profit organisation to run and boost library, with council still responsible for booklending. 
Suffolk – Labour shadow Ed Balls attacks Suffolk library cuts – BBC

“Most people who depend upon libraries would say ‘I don’t want it to be a lottery depending on whether people are willing to volunteer to keep them open.” (Ed Balls)

Swindon – Four libraries to stay open longer – Swindon Advertiser
Surrey – Ideas needs for spending housing windfall – Get Surrey “Options already highlighted include funding charitable groups affected by cuts in government funding, cash for public libraries that are under threat of closure and business rate relief for local shops.”
Surrey – Council leader wins vote of confidence – This is Surrey Today

“He added that he was not concerned about the backlash he might face as a result of cuts to public services such as buses and libraries.”

Warwickshire – Voices For The Library on the £100k offer for volunteers to run libraries – BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire
Warwickshire – Warwickshire council offers community library funds – BBC
York _ City of York Council cuts are revealed Press