This quote is taken from Alan Gibbons’ “Campaign for the Book” Newsletter which details the many fights aganst library closures.   Second favourite quote is from Anthony Suarez – “The Library gives people the tools they need to move off the bread line and onto a bank line”.

451 libraries (383 buildings and 68 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4517 in the UK – see tally by local authority link on right for the full picture.

Changes to tally of authorities

Richmond –  No libraries to close, Whitton library enhanced (as Heathfield closed earlier this year).  Ham and Kew libraries may be co-located with other council services. Self-service in all libraries. Bookfund protected. More online services.

News

Campaign for the Book May Newsletter – Alan Gibbons.  England is now internationally known for its library closures. “We can make the UK stand out for a reason other than library closures. Facing some of the most philistine cuts, we may yet prove to have one of the strongest reading cultures. We will not go gentle into that good night.”
Coalition branded anti-book by publishing industry magazine The BookSeller with library and arts funding cuts – Mirror.  ““Councils of all colours told me the only reason they are reducing library services is because of Government cuts. They are a disaster for those not on the internet at home who want to get back into work. And many mums tell me libraries are vital.” says Shadow Arts Minister Gloria De Piero.
Domesday lessons for the e-generation – Independent.  Problems with the Domesday Project disks shows up problems of digitising data and doing away with the printed version.
Keep libraries open – Find the Future/Fund the Future (USA).  Campaign to save New York public libraries.  “”The Library gives people the tools they need to move off the bread line and onto a bank line.” Anthony Suarez.

Lost life of Eva Braun – Library Tribe.  “In a library it is easy to walk in for a book on the Great Western Railway and walk out with a biography and a gluten free cook book as well, via the checkout desk (now fully computerised) of course. I dont know if this man had been looking for this book, but his body language, holding this book at arms length revealed something extra. It is a racy title.”

“Q. Do you agree with cutting library services in Oxfordshire?
A. What the County (council) is now proposing is significantly changed. They are looking for ways to keep libraries open and looking for ways to maintain them. Of course I have discussed it with Keith Mitchell, but it is his decision.They (Oxfordshire County Council) must make their decisions and an MP makes his decisions.” PM Cameron talks about his first year in charge – Oxford Mail (and completely fails to answer the question).

Rally against debt – Only 350 turned up (1000 times less than the rally against cuts)  including infiltrators like this one with a “Libraries Suck” placard – shortly, of course, to be interrogated by the police.
The fightback: the challenge to Ed Vaizey – Libraries for Life for Londoners.  “We meet on Wednesday 18th May 2011, at noon, adjacent to the DCMS building, to lobby that particular ministry and its ministers. It is time they came out of the bunker.”.  More info on Facebook. 
Top school ditches library for ebooks – Times (Behind paywall). Wellington college is throwing out 16,000 books to make way for iPads, meeting pods and feng shui pools.  The brainchild of Anthony Seldon, he describes the project as  “a hugely important philosophical statement about what we think education should be, not just at Wellington but everywhere”.  Additional comments from Peter Snow, broadcaster and former pupil;  the School Library Association;  and Annie Mauger, Chief Executive of CILIP.

News by authority

Bolton – “Planning the future” consultation – Bolton Council. There is also an online questionnaire. Residents have until midnight on Friday, May 20 to register their views via an online survey at bolton.gov.uk/libraries
Bolton – 4000 name petition in fight to save library – Bolton News.   Bromley Cross users are worries it will close.  ““Getting 4,000 signatures is enough to trigger a debate in the council chamber so the residents have done very well. I think there probably needs to be a wider debate on the libraries issues because there have been a lot of residents expressing concerns via petitions across the borough.”says councillor.
Buckinghamshire – Bourne End library boosts lending figures – Bucks Free Press.  Library may close if it does not improve its usage.
Camden – Long-awaited results to libraries consultation published – London 24.  6183 replied to consultation – one-third said they would volunteer to save libraries, 72% OK with volunteers saving libraries. No “no cuts” option given. 
Leeds – Drighlington Library’s last gasp reprieve – Morley Observer and Advertiser.  Will stay open while talks continue on it being run by volunteers.
Richmond – Retaining all libraries, investing in technology – Library for life for Londoners.
Somerset – Campaigners “insulted” by council’s library cash offer – This is the West Country.  Watchet Library Friends says £5k offer “a drop in the ocean” compared to £20k annual running costs.

Save Suffolk Libraries – copyright free logos

Warwickshire – Charities lose out as Warwickshire libraries pulped for cash – Courier.  Discarded books sold to recycler, 20% of which are recycled, the rest pulped.