Changes

National

  • Community shops sector continues to grow – Co-operative News. ” “Our founder, Sir Horace Plunkett, believed that to succeed, a co‑operative must remain engaged and connected with its local community. We are seeing community shops doing just that, particularly by adding additional services to shops that go beyond a core retail offering – services such as book swaps and libraries, cafés, meeting rooms for clubs and societies, recycling centres, parcel collection and delivery points, bakeries, and community gardens.”
  • More children are enjoying reading – MSN. “More than half of youngsters in the UK (53.3%) now say they enjoy reading “very much” or “quite a lot” – the highest level recorded by the National Literacy Trust (NLT) in eight years. The charity’s annual reading survey for 2013, which questioned 30,000 eight to 16-year-olds, also reveals a drop in the proportion who say they do not enjoy reading.”

International

  • America’s 10 most unique libraries – Huffington Post (USA).  Quotes (including from celebrities) and pictures from  The Public Library: A Photographic Essay by Robert Dawson [Princeton Architectural Press, $35.00]:
  • Financial pressures will end World Book Night USA – Star Tribune (USA). 500,000 books per year have been given away but “”For three years, the publishing industry and book community have very generously footed the bill and contributed enormous time and effort, and we are so very grateful for all the support” the press release stated. “We did receive some funds via individual donations, and we worked very hard to get grants. We did get some, but there are a lot of other worthy causes out there and only so much money available. We can’t carry on without significant, sustainable outside funding.”“
  • Ten Great Event Ideas for Your Public Library – New Jersey State Library (USA). “Looking to create a public library event that captures the imagination of your library? There are plenty of opportunities beyond the usual book clubs, author readings, and film screenings. Here are 10 great ideas taken from public libraries around the country, which will bring more of your community into your public library. Click the links for more details on each event …”

UK local news by authority

  • East Renfrewshire – East Renfrewshire Council leisure service transfer plans sparks job fears – Daily Record. “The local authority has admitted there is currently no length of time employee terms and conditions would be honoured by the proposed external trust … The proposal would see sports and leisure facilities – plus their staff – transfer to the charitable trust by summer 2015 … Included in the transfer proposal are sports centres, libraries, community halls and Eastwood Park Theatre.”
  • Enfield – Palmers Green Library set to close for year-long makeover – Enfield Independent. “Palmers Green Library is soon to close for more than a year as major refurbishment work gets underway .. Renovation work includes new furnishings, more books, computers, free WiFi and DVDs and CDs for borrowing. New dedicated areas will be created for children and teenagers, as well as homework sections and a community room that can be hired out”
  • Leicestershire – 36 community libraries – Leicestershire County Council.  One page for each threatened library showing total visits, active users and loans.  Says each branch will either be closed or passed to volunteers.  “Experience elsewhere has demonstrated that community management of the library could to increased availability of the service as well as wider community use of the building”.