Editorial

It’s getting to the stage where you can almost tell how a MP is going to react to library cuts depending on which political party they belong to. If a Labour MP, they’re going to regret the cuts and blame it on central government austerity but, actually, not do much to stop it. If a Tory MP, the response will be that the cuts are a necessary part of national belt-tightening, now in its seventh year, and that different ways of running libraries (such as the ironically nineteenth century solutions of volunteers or having them run by parish councils) will result in as effective service at a lesser cost. Such is the response by two Warrington MPs in this post. A Locality report into volunteer libraries seems to support the Government view (unsurprisingly as they funded it), going into the practicalities needed for volunteers to replace paid staff.  However a close reading of the report itself makes it clear that, actually, it’s not very easy to do and that all but the most well-funded, numerous and determined community groups are going to find it a real challenge. That is also the lesson from several articles in this post all wanting extra volunteers to come forward for ex-council libraries who are finding they don’t have the numbers, or money, they need.

Other news includes a big mass letter by authors asking for intervention in public libraries from the new minister (who has been relatively invisible so far) and a great pro literacy speech by Michael Morpurgo. There’s also a very interesting article from the Republic of Ireland about the prospective dangers of remote controlled (Open+ and its clones) libraries: there has been very little such debate about it in England, presumably because councils see it as an easy way of squaring the circle of reduced budgets and increased hours, often glossing over the down sides.

Changes

National news

  • Can we justify stand-alone libraries any more? – BD Online. “John McAslan’s Camberwell library is a beautifully considered building but with a price tag of £2m perhaps it should have been part of a mixed-use scheme”
  • Community Libraries: Key considerations for community organisations seeking to take over library services and assets – Locality. “This guide forms part of a series of resources produced for the My Community programme, which is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government. This guide explores the subject of community managed and/or owned libraries, and contains advice that is relevant to both established and new community organisations, as well as Town and Parish Councils who are interested in exploring how they may play a role in supporting and developing local community library services and buildings.”
  • Greater Manchester Libraries – Libraries Taskforce / Neil MacInnes. “In March 2014, the ten AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities) library authorities signed a memorandum of understanding to support and formalise their relationship and to continue to develop a range of new and existing activities. Each local authority or trust maintains responsibility for the delivery of the library service but, by sharing resources, the partnership has delivered service improvement that would have been difficult and expensive for individual services to achieve alone—collaboration has meant a bigger impact and better outcomes for our residents”
  • Knowledge sharing conference: Libraries Pay, plus Award winners – Libraries Workforce / CILIP PMLG. “It is no longer a common occurrence to get 50 public librarians in one room. When you do, something remarkable happens, the conversation explodes into a whirlwind of commonalities meets contrasts! We are all in the same game, but everyone plays it differently. Every authority has its own remarkable stories, every individual has their own triumphs and trials, but learning from each other we all progress more quickly. The PMLG Teachmeet mixed inspirational speakers and special guests with the space to really open up and talk about what we are doing in our libraries today”.  Includes summaries of the award winners of the public librarian of the year, public library champion of the year and mobile library champion of the year.
  • Library Fun palaces 2016 – Libraries Taskforce. “Planning has started for this years event, which will take place over the weekend 1-2 October. All Fun Palaces should be listed on the map – there are some amazing clusters of activity! Stella Duffy (who blogged for us last year) said they are expecting 40% of Fun Palaces to be in library buildings this year.”
  • Pullman, Blackman and Rosen urge Bradley to act on libraries – BookSeller. “More than 300 writers have signed a letter to the new secretary of state for culture, Karen Bradley, asking her to “set a new course” for libraries. The letter, signed by authors such as Philip Pullman, Malorie Blackman and Michael Rosen, says: “Public libraries, museums and galleries are vital social and cultural resources at the heart of our communities. They give access to reading, literacy, information technology, history, art, information and enjoyment. But they are in crisis. “We call upon you, as secretary of state for culture, media and sport to recognise this crisis and set a new course after years of decline.” The letter was written by children’s author and library campaigner Alan Gibbons, who told The Guardian libraries “offer education, inspiration and access to knowledge”. He added: “Sadly, they are under attack from government cuts as never before. It is time to stand up for libraries.”” see also Philip Pullman among authors urging culture secretary to ‘set new course’ for libraries – The Guardian. “”The right book, the right author, the right parent, the right teacher, the right librarian at the right time, might have saved some of them at least, made the difference, shone a light into a dark life, turned that life around.” “
  • Read Michael Morpurgo’s beautiful paean to reading, books and the power of education – TES. “I, like you, can sing the old song, blow the trumpet, bang the drum, for the love of books, the importance of literacy for our children, proclaim it loud. I can bemoan the closing of libraries; the homes where parents don’t read to their children; the schools where stories and poems can still so often be used simply as fodder for teaching literacy to the test.” … “Here are a few notions that cost very little or nothing. 1. Do not ever close libraries, in or out of school: make them better. Librarians, teachers, parents, need the tools to do the job …” see also School tests ‘kill joy of reading’, says War Horse author – BBC.
  • Taking digital inclusion in libraries to the next level – Libraries Taskforce / Tinder Foundation. “… we strongly believe that libraries have the potential to help us close the digital skills gap, and even reduce social inequalities. Last week 100 library professionals and stakeholders met in Sheffield to discuss the challenges and barriers libraries face, and to share best practice models of partnership, community engagement, and practical delivery. The discussion ranged from library governance models to working with SMEs, loan schemes for digital devices, to working with jobseekers, volunteer management to mobile technology and outreach.”

International news

  • Australia – The Impact of Libraries as Creative Spaces – Case 4 – Redlands, Matt – PL Connect. “Matt was a reference librarian at Redlands Library Service. He has extended his skill set to include teaching local teenagers a range of digital literacies like robotics and coding. Redlands libraries run a range of computing, coding and robotics classes for students both through the school term and as special school holiday programs. Here he discusses the value of these programs for the community”
  • Australia – Libraries Aren’t A Source Of Silence, But An Escape From It – Huffington Post. Argues that the community and integration sides of the library are vitally important.
  • Denmark – Library Loans Are a Double-Edged Sword – Digital Book World. “Denmark experienced rapid growth in digital lending from libraries between 2011 and 2015. At first this was a welcome source of new revenue for publishers. But by the middle of 2015, the digital lending market had grown even larger than the commercial market for digital book sales. Similar to the New York Public Library app, SimplyE, the national Danish library launched its own digital lending app, eReolen, which considerably simplified ebook borrowing, allowing users to borrow and read in just one click, increasing the amount of digital books borrowed. Mofibo, the leading subscription service provider in Denmark, told book business news outlet Bogmarkedet that 16 percent of the provider’s customers said the reason they terminated their subscriptions was that they were able to get the same books for free at the library. At this point, an increased opposition from publishers and local resellers of ebooks started moving from the director’s office to the media.” … “There is no easy solution as to what the role of public libraries should be. However, one thing is clear: we need to be able to have a well-functioning private market in order to pay for the books produced by authors and publishers.”
  • Eire – Dún Laoghaire library staff protest Sunday opening (without them) – Irish Times. “Impact trade union has said its members will gather outside the library on Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, at 2pm to object to a decision by management to open the dlr Lexicon on Sundays without any library staff present. “
  • Eire – Opinion: Staffless libraries are a terrible idea for Ireland – Journal. “Unfortunately, decision makers tend to measure the contribution of staffed public libraries in numbers: gate counters, internet sessions, attendance at events, items borrowed, etc. The true value that a staffed public library brings to a community is immeasurable. Each one is a wonderful space, with a life and soul of its own. ” … “A pilot scheme to trial staffless libraries was undertaken by Offaly and Sligo County councils from 2014 to 2016. On the basis of the final report of the pilot by the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), up to 12 (and possibly more) counties are planning to introduce staffless library hours in the immediate future.” ..”the UK’s experience of staffless libraries is not referenced at all in the report. Why not? ” … “The introduction with little or no public consultation of staffless library hours in Ireland will most certainly have the same result as that of the UK. It is the first step towards the dismantling of the public library system as it is known and cherished.”
  • USA – Librarians and Social Activism – Public Libraries Online. “Daily in our choices of collection development, readers’ advisory, display creation and programming, we expose the public to ideas and issues.  Many make conscious choices to include a wide range of perspectives.  We focus on issues of diversity and multiculturalism.”
  • USA – New York Public Library installs high-tech, wall-climbing book-train – Boing Boing. [Reminds me of the old flying briefcases of British Library Boston Spa – Ed.]
  • USA – A scene of homeless misery greets patrons trying to use Santa Ana’s award-winning library – Los Angeles Times. “Inside the building, signs warned people to avoid restrooms where some homeless use sinks and even toilet water to bathe themselves and wash their clothes. Some of Santa Ana’s down and out used the study carrels to look for jobs — others shot up drugs, with syringes found discarded in planters and even a box of toilet seat covers. Security guards carry syringe disposal kits on their tool belts.”

Local news by authority

  • Bolton – Plans submitted to create new modern library in Little Lever – Bolton News. ” new modern library and community centre in Little Lever. An application has been submitted by Bolton Council for the library to be built on the site of a former Tesco Metro store in Market Street. It is suggested that along with the library facility, there could be a range of other community facilities involved in the new development — potentially including a healthcare centre. The council has acquired the building which has been closed for some time, with a new superstore opening to replace it in Crossley Street in the village in 2014.”
  • Bradford – Thousands of children benefit from Bradford libraries literacy schemes – Telegraph and Argus. ” thousands of young readers take part in the past year, with almost 10,000 books given out to young children. The district’s libraries run Rhyme Time challenges, which bring together parents and under fives to learn five specific rhymes together over a set period of time. This year saw the library services working with more than 2,000 children and about 1,100 adults as part of the challenge. Funded by the council’s early childhood services, the scheme saw a big leap in families taking part compared to last year, when 1,500 children and 1,000 adults took part.” … “Meanwhile the Bookstart programme, organised through Bradford Libraries, gifted 9,658 “treasure” gifts to children in the district’s nurseries during the 2015-16 school year.”
  • Bristol – Helping library users to go online in Bristol libraries – Libraries Taskforce. “Bristol libraries have partnered with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to provide volunteers to support digital skills in libraries. HMRC bring 6-9 volunteers to give 1:1 support to attendees for a 2 hour session over a cup of tea.”
  • Bury – 4,000 people have say on libraries shake up as councillors consider next move – Bury Times. “More than 4,000 people have had their say on the possible closure of libraries in Bury. In June, the Bury Times reported town-hall bosses were considering making major changes to the borough’s library services to save cash. The council’s ruling Labour group spent £13,000 appointing an external consultant to lead a lengthy consultation process. The first phase of that began on June 13 and ended on September 5. Data out this week shows 3,536 people filled in surveys and 500 others were interviewed over the telephone.”
  • Cambridgeshire – Closing Milton Road Library doesn’t add up, says campaigner – Cambridge News. “Milton Road Library is under threat of demolition so that a block of flats can be built in its place. But city resident Martin Aitken says the library has “an illustrious past” and is famous worldwide for its connection with renowned Cambridge mathematician Prof Sir Andrew Wiles.”
  • Cheshire West and Chester – Remember when: A tale of two Northwich libraries – Northwich Guardian. “Every local resident will be familiar with the imposing, if a little faded Brunner public library on Witton Street, but not everyone might know that this was not the first library to occupy this position…”
  • Fife – Saved: new future for Glenwood Library – Fife Today. “Now an ambitious business plan drawn up by two leading tenant organisations – Glenrothes Area Residents Federation (GARF) and West Glenrothes Tenant’s Association – which would not only retain the existing library facility, but also utilise the building turning it into a ‘community hub’, has this week been accepted by the Trust”
  • Halton – Fun palaces at Halton’s libraries offer chance to try new hobby – Runcorn and Widnes World. “People will be able to try lots of different things which could inspire a new hobby or interest. The idea is part of a free, nationwide celebration of community to bring people together with arts and science.”
  • Lambeth – Waterloo Library: council leader opens temporary venue – London SE1. “In July Waterloo Library left its Lower Marsh home for temporary premises at the Oasis Centre in Kennington Road. As well as the change of location, the new library has less space and a limited library staff presence, although overall opening hours have been extended. This week Lambeth Council leader Lib Peck visited the library to perform the official opening in the presence of pupils from Oasis Academy Johanna and Oasis Academy South Bank. Talking about Lambeth’s controversial reshaping of its library service amid sharp cuts to funding, the council leader said: “What we wanted to do was to try and creatively redevelop some of those libraries so that we could make sure that they were still there, providing that bedrock of local neighbourhoods that we know and cherish…”
  • Lancashire – Friends of Adlington Library – Facebook. “Great news for Friends of Adlington Library. Our funding was boosted today by the magnificent sum of £3000. The donation was made by MMA Construction Plant of Adlington. This donation makes our hopes for an Independent Community Library much more possible.  LCC will be closing our Library in the near future and we have to have funding in place to set up a library in the existing building.”
  • Lancashire – Legal vow over East Lancashire libraries review – Lancashire Telegraph. “Campaigners have vowed to seek a judicial review or lobby Culture Secretary Karen Bradley over controversial plans to close more than 20 libraries in East Lancashire. An 11th-hour bid to halt Lancashire County Council’s property review, also affecting children’s and day care centres, was successful last night.” … “Cllr Richard Redicliffe, a Fylde borough councillor, said the wider cuts plan “could lead to a judicial review” on the grounds closure decisions were “pre-determined” before the property consultation, or lead to a challenge being lodged with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. “
  • Lancashire – Lifeline for Lancashire libraries? – That;s Lancashire. “That’s Lancashire can reveal that a £50 million change in Lancashire County Council’s finances lies at the heart of a bid to save dozens of libraries and children’s centres across the county.”
  • Lancashire – Plan to close libraries to be debated again after protests – Lancashire Evening Post. “The authority’s scrutiny committee has voted to “call in” the cost-cutting plan which is a key part of the Labour council’s strategy to cope with swingeing Government economies.” see also Scrutiny committee to review decision to close libraries and children’s centres – Southport Visiter and Fresh hope for Lancashire’s libraries and children’s centres – 2BR and Cabinet to reconsider the future of libraries & children’s centres – Lancashire Headline News and Lancashire County Council told to re-consider Fulwood library closure – Blog Preston. “A meeting of the county council’s scrutiny committee said the property strategy, which earmarks which buildings are to be closed and sold off, should be debated again. The county council’s cabinet is to meet on Monday (26 September) at 10am to consider whether to ‘affirm, amend or rescind the decision’.”
  • Leicester – City council still needs to cut £23.5 million from spending – Leicester Mercury. “”The savings will have to come from our other services – street cleaning , libraries, parks, highways maintenance, children’s centres and youth services. “There will be no disguising the impact.”
  • Leicestershire – Sponsored walk to raise funds for Hathern Library – Loughborough Echo. “Volunteers in Hathern have organised a sponsored walk to raise funds to help keep their library alive. Fifteen volunteers will take part in the walk as they are hoping to raise £1,000 to help with running the library. Hathern Library has been run by volunteers since late 2014, following a cost saving initiative in late 2014 by Leicestershire County Council to transfer the operation of the county’s libraries into community hands.” … ““We need about £10,000 a year to keep it open so any donations are always welcome, and if you’re not busy at the weekend please come down and support us.”
  • Lincolnshire – Help get new Wainfleet library running in listed building – Skegness Standard. “Residents have been without a library for more than a year, when Lincolnshire County Council closed the grade one listed building for renovation. A public meeting in the Magdalen building is taking place tomorrow (Thursday) at 7pm to rally volunteers to get it up and running. “
  • Norfolk – Embrace your love of reading at Norfolk’s first ever Festival of Storytelling – EDP. “A two-week festival organised by the Norfolk Library Service is set to begin tomorrow, with the aim of encouraging people to embrace their love of reading through various storytelling sessions. Several famous faces will be getting involved, including the likes of Taffy Thomas, Giles Abbott, Dave Tonge, Mandy Hartley and Daniel Morden, who are all signed up to host events, most of which will be free to attend.”
  • North Somerset – Last chance to have your say on future of libraries and children’s centres – Weston Mercury. “North Somerset Council is reviewing its services, and may merge some of them under one roof as a way of cutting costs. The review covers services in Worle, Congresbury and Yatton, and finishes on September 30.”
  • North Yorkshire – Call for volunteers to help run Ryedale libraries – Gazette Herald. “Both Pickering and Norton libraries are hosting special volunteer sessions this week in a bid to encourage people to get involved with managing the facilities. Under proposals put forward by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), from April, Pickering’s library will become a hybrid library run by paid staff and volunteers, while Norton will become a community library, which will receive regular professional support from core libraries.”
  • Oxfordshire – Retired librarian appeals for more volunteers to help expand home library service – Bicester Advertiser. “Edna Malcher, who lives in Banbury, gets books delivered to her front door as part of a home library service. But the 88-year-old is urging for more people to give up their time and allow the county council to expand its current service. She said: “The person who comes to visit is very nice and friendly”
  • Plymouth – Plymouth union leader vows to fight council’s library closures – Herald. Unison leader argues library workers need to know what is happening to them.
  • Plymouth – Two Plymouth libraries could close in £48,000 budget cut plans – Herald. “At least two libraries could be earmarked for closure under council plans to save £48,000 from the service by the end of the year. Plymouth City Council leader Ian Bowyer says he and his cabinet colleagues will “look carefully” at the city’s 17 libraries, suggesting any which are under-used could be at risk.”
  • Sheffield – Community centres? – Star / Letters. “It is time we stopped celebrating the policy of volunteer-led libraries as it has seen library visits drop considerably, library staff lose their jobs and library users across the city (including many in deprived areas), lose access to a professionally run library service. I do wish that councilors of all parties would wake up and realise that we need change quick, before we lose 16 libraries for good. “
  • Sheffield – Without trained professional staff, a library is not a library – Yorkshire Post / Letters. “Please can we stop referring to volunteer libraries in Sheffield as “libraries” (The Yorkshire Post, September 21). If these facilities were indeed libraries, the council would be classing them as such under the 1964 Act of Parliament covering libraries”
  • Shropshire – Church Stretton Library campaigners claim strong support – Advertiser. “The Church Stretton Library Support Group Ltd says it is delighted that the results from a community survey about the swimming pool, leisure centre and library produced an 84 per cent response in support of keeping the library where it is with just seven per cent in favour moving it to the school. Of the 2,700 households eligible to participate in the survey, only 47 did not want to keep the library where it is and 80 per cent of those who responded to the survey voted to increase the precept to keep the library where it is”
  • Shropshire – Final chapter as Shropshire village library shuts – Shropshire Star. “Meanwhile, Shawbury’s library will close today and be replaced with a mobile service.” … “Across 11 of the county’s libraries the council will cut a total of 57 opening hours.” … “Three of the six under-threat libraries in the county – Donnington, Dawley and Stirchley – will now be run by town or parish councils. A fourth library in Hadley will be run by Hadley Learning Community, supported by Hadley & Leegomery Parish Council. Telford & Wrekin Council will also continue to run and operate Newport and Madeley Library with some changes to opening hours.”
  • Staffordshire – Threat to slash opening hours at libraries in Talke and Loggerheads – Stoke Sentinel. “Residents have been warned opening hours face being cut at two libraries – unless volunteers come forward to run them. Staffordshire County Council has previously failed to find community groups willing to take over the running of its libraries in Talke and Loggerheads. The process was put in place as part of council plans to save £1.3 million from the library service. Now council leaders are once again trying to sort out the long-term future of the two libraries. But groups in Talke have already warned they have no intention of taking over their village library.”
  • Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries Bookfest – Suffolk Libraries. “Launched in 2015, this is an annual event celebrating books and reading throughout Suffolk. We will be hosting novelists and poets, biographers and historians, children’s illustrators and storytellers in libraries in Beccles to the north of the county, along the coast at Southwold, Aldeburgh and Felixstowe, and down to Newmarket and Sudbury in the south.”
  • Sunderland – Library’s move to museum could be key to boosting work of both services, say city chiefs – Sunderland Echo. “Cabinet member John Kelly, portfolio holder for safer city and culture on Sunderland City Council, believes bringing together teams through the potential closure of the central library in Fawcett Street and the shift to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens could be key in expanding what is on offer.”
  • Swindon -Have your say on how we run the town, says MP – Swindon Advertiser. Conservative MP. “Over recent months, Swindon Borough Council has been asking local residents for their views on the future of the library service. A series of drop-in events have taken place across the town throughout the consultation period, which is due to finish at the end of the month. Our libraries are places to borrow and read books, gain access to the internet, work quietly or meet friends. In short, they are at the heart of our communities. Swindon’s library service is an extremely good one, and I will do all that I can to help ensure that even with changes, a quality service can continue. ” … ” library staff have worked on a proposal that involves setting up a trust, which I think is an excellent idea”
  • Waltham Forest – How often do you use your library? – Guardian series. “The council wants to hear your views ahead of its plan to relocate and refurbish several libraries. You can take part in a survey answering questions about Chingford Library Plus, Hale End Library, Higham Hill Library, Wood Street Library, Walthamstow Library, Lea Bridge Library, in Lea Bridge Road and Leytonstone Library. The survey hopes to find out how you use the library, how often and what services are most important to you. It also hopes to see what direction you hope to see your library heading with exercise classes and community groups listed as potential new facilities.”
  • Warrington – Britain’s oldest public lending library faces closure due to Tory cuts – Mirror. “Warrington Central Library in Cheshire first opened its doors in 1848 and moved to its current home nine years later.” … “Warrington North Labour MP Helen Jones said: “Lockers cannot replace a library. People will not have the opportunity to get advice from librarians or to browse and come upon books they might otherwise not have read. This proposal will simply hit the life chances of our children and reduce opportunities for older people”.
  • Warrington – Communities ignored, people left isolated, more than books – your letters on library closure plans – Warrington Guardian. Several letters including worries over reduced services to the disadvantaged, isolation, death of the high street, cold financial analysis ignores benefits of libraries, “Amazon” lockers expensive and little used.
  • Warrington – In pictures: Campaigners protest to save Warrington’s libraries – Warrington Guardian. “Campaigners of all ages gathered outside Warrington Library on Museum Street today, Friday, to protest against LiveWire’s plans to shut nine libraries across the town. A camera crew from ITV was on the scene speaking to members of the Save Warrington’s Libraries group and LiveWire managing director Emma Hutchinson. Among the protestors were councillors and authors who object to the proposals, including Curtis Jobling, the creator of Bob the Builder who lives in Old Hall.”
  • Warrington – Lymm residents launch petition over plans to close library – Warrington Guardian. “Parish Cllr Graham Gowland (LD) launched a campaign to save the Davies Way library after more than 150 people attended LiveWire’s meeting at Lymm Hotel to hear about the proposed closures. He said: “It was clear from the meeting that feelings were very strong. People hold their library in very high esteem and don’t want to lose it.”
  • Warrington – MP David Mowat ‘cautiously welcomes’ LiveWire’s library plans – Warrington Guardian.  Conservative MP. ” LiveWire’s plans to close libraries in the town in favour of grouping them with other services. But he raised concerns about the proposal to close libraries in places like Stockton Heath and Lymm where there is nowhere else to browse and borrow books.” … “He said Lymm in particular would be hit by the closure of its library and five miles is a ‘considerable distance’ to travel to browse the shelves. But Mr Mowat praised LiveWire’s handling of the consultation and added that the plan to move the central library to Golden Square is ‘eminently sensible’.” … “LiveWire extended its consultation period for an extra 17 days, until October 21, to allow more people to get involved. “
  • Warrington – Runners campaign to save libraries at half marathon – Warrington Guardian. “RUNNERS protesting against cuts to Warrington’s libraries wore campaign t-shirts and carried banners to raise awareness of the issue as they raced in the English Half Marathon on Sunday. Campaigners from the Save Warrington’s Libraries group invited residents of all ages to pick up a free blue t-shirt pledging their support. People also carried a large banner to promote the protest and asked spectators to sign a petition calling on LiveWire to scrap plans to replace some libraries with lending lockers.”
  • Warrington – Warrington library consultation to be extended – Cheshire Today. “The extension of the consultation will allow LiveWire to attend follow up meetings in areas that have requested them and will also give residents longer to have their say following the final public consultation session at Walton Hall on Tuesday 4 October. Over the last two weeks, LiveWire has held a number of public consultation sessions across the town with more than 900 residents attending the eleven sessions held so far and LiveWire has received a significant amount of feedback about the proposals.”
  • West Berkshire – Town council hears fears that library report is being watered down – Newbury Today. “”Town Council has heard claims that a crucial report into the future of West Berkshire’s library service is being “tweaked” ahead of publication.
  • West Berkshire – Under threat West Berkshire libraries plan to be discussed next month – Get Reading. “A report has been put together on behalf of the authority by Red Quadrant Ltd and will soon be made available to the council. This will be considered by the council as part of the review. The review will then be discussed by the authority’s executive committee at a meeting on Thursday, October 20.”