Lancashire to Medway

To make the list is factual as possible, please email ianlibrarian@live.co.uk if you have any further information or a correction.

Dates included are the date that the information was added to Public Libraries News.  In more recent posts, the number shows the month (e.g. 3 = March, 4 = April) the article that contains the relevant information was published.

•  Lancashire
  • 2024: £165k LIF grant for Burnley Library moving sheet music collection into disused children’s library  (3) Briercliffe Library may reopen in museum.  (7)
  • 2020: £800k on new mobile libraries with names like “Chitty Chitty Book Book” and “The Hardbacks of Notre Van”. (2)
  • 2019 £10.7m bid for joint Preston museum/art gallery/library. (1) Pike Hill Library reopens.  (2) Cleveleys Library to reopen 12 March (3) £2m replacement of IT (3) Lytham Library reopens in Assembly Rooms.  (8) Libraries reviewed: visit fewer times but for longer. (9) Over 500 new public computers to be installed, plus other other upgrades. (10)
  • 2018: Oswaldtwistle Library will reopen. (1) Freckleton Library reopens (1) Whalley Library to reopen. (1) Barrowford Library reopens. (1) Trawden Library to be turned into post office/shop/library.(1) Thornton Library reopens.(2) Carnforth Library hours may extend.(3) Opening hour changes proposed in £44k cut.(3) Earby Library will reopen 2 years after it closed but in community centre, not original building.  (3) Standardisation of opening hours, staff transfers. (5) Lytham library to be reopened in Assembly Rooms. (6) Crawshawbooth Library reopens as volunteer / community association. (7) Earby Library reopens in new location. (7) Bamber Bridge to reopen as council-run. (8) Poulton Library closed for unknown period due to ceiling problems (10) Pike’s Hill Library to reopen. (11) Cleveleys Library to reopen. (11) £1.45m cut 2017/18.(11)
  • 2017: Penwortham Library passed to town council / volunteers. (1) Pike Hill (closed) to have volunteer library as part of community use. (3). Silverdale Library passed to parish council/volunteers. (3) Fulwood Library to go on market for £475k+, Barrowford Library sold. (3) Libraries Minister “minded” to intervene over cuts to library service. (4) Sale of Fulwood Library to private company cancelled at last moment.(5) Ansdell Library to remain open.(5). Clayton-le-Moors volunteer library opens after closure of council library in Civic Hall. (5) 14 libraries to reopen (9 run by council, 5 by community groups/volunteers. (7) reopening libraries costs £850k.(9) Bamber Bridge Library to be passed to scouts (10) Silverdale Library reopens. (11) Fulwood Library reopens. (12) Bolton-Le-Sands Library reopens. (12) Up Holland Library now volunteer-run by arts group.(12)
  • 2016: Staffing shortages mean temporary reduced hours at at least five libraries (Leyland, Upholland, Skelmersdale, Ormskirk and Parbold) (3). Due to withdrawal of financial support from Pendle Borough Council, Wheatley Lane Library to close. (3) 40 libraries  confirmed as being under threat. (5) Complete list of proposed cuts to libraries and other services (5) Confirmed 29 threatened libraries to be closed. 50 library staff to face compulsory redundancy. (8) Confirmed 21 libraries to close on this Friday. (9) Lostock Hall Library to close on 30th November.(11) Coppull and Eccleston will become volunteer and not close. (11)
  • 2015: £4.1m cut to library budget. (11) 40 libraries under threat. (11) Charges increase – adults 15p per day book late up to £6 maximum, children’s crafts will be charged £1 per child (max £2 per family) (12)
  • 2014: Burscough Library may move into station building.  (12) Consultation.  Cost-neutral changes in opening hours proposed e.g. less evening opening, more daylight opening (6) Eccleston Library moved into new premises in shopping centre. (6)
  • 2013: Fulwood, Savick, Sharoe Green, Ingol, Ribbleton, and Preston’s 
Harris will open for total of 12 hours longer, along with nine others.  At no extra cost (27/2/13) 11 hours per week in total more opening hours at Pike Hill (3) Coal Clough (3) Colne (1) and Brierfield (4) Libraries at “virtually no extra cost” (4). £30k to make Darwen Library watertight. (4).
  • 2012: Get it Loud in Libraries series of music gigs in libraries end due to lack of funding (25/11/12).  24 branches to be open from 9am rather than 9.30am (9/9/12). Next phase of upgrading will include Accrington, Harris (Preston), Bacup, St Annes and Earby (15/12). (10/7/12) £1m upgrading for Earby and Rosegrove libraries (9/5/12) Increases in charges, volunteers used to extend hours in some branches (19/4/12) £6.5m regeneration programme now halfway completed, inc. £500k refurbishment for Accrington Library(6/1/12) Brierfield Library £500k upgrade inc. more meeting rooms and Arts project.  Budget cut from £22m p.a. 2009/10 to £17.1m 2012/13 (20/4/12).
  • 2011: 2 mobile libaries closed (now counted as closed on tally: 15/1/12), 16% staffing cut but £5m refurbishment for libraries.  Earby Library may be moved into New Road youth and community centre, with youth centre future itself uncertain. Longridge Library reopened 19/9/11 after £200k upgrade
• Leeds
  • 2024: £200k cut in opening hours. (8)
  • 2023: Old Crossgates Library to be sold after funding for refurbishment collapses. (11)
  • 2022: Leeds Central Library receives £500k funding boost (3)
  • 2021: Change of opening hours so no Sunday opening but more opening in week.  (11)
  • 2020: All libraries under threat. (6)
  • 2019: Kirkgate Community Hub and Library opens. (9) Goes fines-free, waives existing fines, removes ID requirement for joining.  10)
  • 2017: 100 tablets being loaned as a pilot. (3) Guiseley Library to close: to move to co-location in leisure centre.(3) Visits down one third since 2005. (4) Bramley Library closed while being co-located with other council services (5).
  • 2016: Pudsey Library to be co-located with One Stop Shop, registrars, housing etc. (2) Burley Library closed February 2016 (source: email from council) (6)
  • 2015: £500k cut. 57 staff at risk of redundancy: 37 eligible for posts on same or higher grade, 20 of which will be offered positions at lower pay than currently. 9 FTE fewer posts overall than before. (4)
  • 2014: Opening hours cuts confirmed: 33 out of 36 to have reduced hours (total cut of 187 hours, or 12 per cent) representing a £300k cut, (10)
  • 2013: Rawdon Library taken over by volunteers (11).
  • 2012: 1 closed (Cow Close), 3 others (Shadwell, Rawdon and Drighlington) to volunteers. Drighlington Library to be taken over by volunteers from 12th November (31/10/12).  Shadwell, Rawdon and Drighlington confirmed as transferring to volunteers.  Cow Close Library will close (12/4/12).  Otley Library now merged with One Stop Shop (3/4/12). Rawdon Library run by volunteers on Thursday, with aim of being completely run soon in order to avoid closure (17/2/12).  £70k spent on Hunslet Library to improve building (leaky roof, failing windows, “dreary” interior) partially so that the currently unused half of the building can be leased to another organisation (13.1.12).
  • 2011: 13 closed. 17 to be withdrawn – 13 closed in 2011 (Allerton Bywater, Armley Heights, Belle Isle, Broad Lane, Holbeck, Ireland Wood, Kirkstall, Lofthouse, Osmondthorpe, Richmond Hill, Swarcliffe, Swillington and Swinnow).  4 to close in 2012 –  Rawdon and Cow Close libraries will stay open until March 2012 to allow volunteers time to organise takeover, Drilington and Shadwell also threatened in 2012, £625k cut. Branches to be replaced by expanded mobile service. 25 other libraries to have extended hours.  All permanent staff to be retained. Campaign groups:Friends of Rawdon Library
• Leicester
  • 2021: 2 book-buses replaced by 1 electric one. (7)
  • 2019: Highfields Library £190k refurbishment.(10)
  • 2018: Rushey Mead Library may close: move to leisure centre co-location considered. (6) Rushey Mead Library saved from closure. (10)
  • 2017 Music and drama resources combined with Nottingham.(1)
  • 2016: Belgrave Library saved from closure due to public protest and discovery it would not save money to do so.(11) Sneinton Police Station to be converted into library/community centre. (11) Syston Library in staffless pilot. (11)
  • 2015: Proposed cuts: £600k with 20 posts lost and “regrading” for all staff, with pay reductions of e.g £5k for senior library assistants.  (8)
  • 2014 – Buildings review means some libraries may become under threat.(4)
  • 2013 – Library minibus for elderly stopped (£62k p.a.) to be replaced by volunteers delivering books paid travel expenses (£2k p.a.) (23/1/13).
  • 2012 – 2 to close (Aylestone and St Matthew’s). Aylestone Library to be closed (books moved to nearby leisure centre), St Matthew’s to be closed (books moved to nearby community centre). Fosse library library will remain open.  All to have self-service machines with one paid library worker at each site.  £494k cut over 3 years (originally had aimed at £533k cut with no paid staff).  4% cut in council-wide bookfund. (30/4/12).  Transport for disabled to library scrapped, opening hours to be cut (3/2/12). 2011: £250k cut 2012 inc. reduced hours, transport, bookfund, three cheaper buildings.

• Leicestershire
  • 2024: Ibstock volunteer-run library closed. (5)
  • 2018: Wigston volunteer library may close after community group who ran it for two years pulls out. (5) 14 libraries confirmed to have staffless technology installed.  (5) Support for volunteer libraries to end 2021/22. 31 libraries currently volunteer, with a further 4 in process. Current £5.3m Community and Wellbeing Service budget expected to reduce to £4.3m 2021/22. £43k of £150k fund for volunteer libraries created in 2014 has been spent. A further £100k put aside 2018 for any volunteer libraries struggling financially.  (7)
  • 2017: Quorn volunteer library opens, in Academy with parish council backing, 13 hours per week. (2) £230k cut – Staff may be replaced by open technology for some hours in 15 libraries. Part of larger £1.3m cut by 2020/21.,(9)
  • 2016: £7.3m budget (-33% since 2009/10) (3) 30% cut on top of deep cuts in previous years. Consultation. (4) Burbage Library becomes volunteer. (6) 23 libraries now volunteer (Barrow, Markfield, Glenhills, Anstey, Rothley, Bottesford, Stoney Stanton, Sileby, Leicester Forest East, Newbold Verdon, Hathern, Kegworth, Ratby, Fleckney, Countesthorpe, South Wigston, Groby, Enderby, Burbage, Kibworth, East Goscote, Castle Donington, and Great Glen), 4 libraries to become volunteer (Measham, Thurmaston, Sapcote, and Cosby), Barwell closed. (7) Desford likely to close as volunteer deal falls through due to repair cost.(9) Considering different operating models. (12)
  • 2015: Cuts to library opening hours from July 6th, voluntary redundancies. (6) Barrow-Upon-Soar to become first volunteer library, before the end of July. Other libraries confirmed to become volunteer: Castle Donington (date to be scheduled), Hathern and Kegworth (January 2016), Anstey (October 2015), Rothley (October 2015) and Sileby (December 2015). 12 libraries still do not have strong expressions of interest to be passed to unpaid so may close. (6) Glenhills now volunteer run (by 50 volunteers) (9) Barwell Library will close as volunteer plan falls through.  (10) Sileby Library now run by volunteers (12)
  • 2014: £800k cut from £5.8m budget 2012/13 (1) Council documents on the transfer of libraries to volunteers are: main council paper and appendices here, here and here (2). 36 out of 52 libraries to become volunteer or close (4). Harborough Library/Museum refurbished. (4) Ending of music service (£23k p.a. cut) inc. interlending and reservation of music items (5). Burbage Library may be run by a local brewery as an alternative to it closing. (6)
  • 2013: £2m cut in library budget – options include volunteers, colocations and loss of at least 44 library staff.  (8).
  • 2012: Market Harborough Library to be refurbished and expanded (25/10/12). £500k cut.  Series of options including changing to Trust/volunteers listed in consultation, hours cuts.  Closure of libraries not an option. (19/9/12) £1.3m works in Loughborough Library so adult learning / disability help can also be based in building (1/10/12).  Forest East Library now open in new location (20/8/12). Opening hour cuts at Market Harborough, Lutterworth, Broughton Astley, Fleckney, Kibworth and Great Glen.  Staffing cuts achieved through natural wastage (31/3/12).
  • 2011: Online questionnaire consulting on cuts to libraries 11 April to 20 June.Council to close libraries at least busy times rather than closing some entirely.  38 libraries may reduce from 20 hours per week to 13 hours per week. Summary of proposals. £443k cut inc. 384 hours per week cut in opening hours. 40% budget (£4m) cut over four years; opening hours cut (Wigston down from four days to two, Melton library has evening and Saturday openings cut, Wigston record office hours cut by one day per week; only seven full time professional posts left in entire system (according to anonymous comment on 12th April PLN post). £1 reservation charge for children and pensioners.  Volunteers to be recruited to staff libraries
• Lewisham
  • 2024: Grove Park Library reopened, managed by S&B Childcare. (2) Lewisham Library to be remodelled (consultation).  (3)
  • 2021: £350k-£500k cut expected.  (1)
  • 2018: £450k cut proposed with cuts to staffing in Lewisham Library, Deptford Lounge and Downham Library (10)
  • 2017: Forest Hill volunteer library opens shop for income.(3) Manor House Library transfers to being controlled by V22 community group. (5)
  • 2015: £1m cut (from £4.2m) – Reduction to 4 libraries (Deptford Lounge, Lewisham and Downham Health, Catford) with 3 others ( Forest Hill, Torridon, and Manor House) becoming volunteer  (9)
  • 2012: Deptford Lounge opened 4.1.12. Staff 2007/8 105.3 2011/12 152 (27 prof, 125 other) Volunteers 2007/8 3 2011/12 336 (Cipfa). 2011: 5 counted as withdrawn 2011/12: (out of 12) withdrawn from council control: Grove Park, Sydenham and Crofton Park Libraries will be divested to Eco Computer Systems. Age Exchange will take over Blackheath. New Cross Library has closed 28.5.11.  £995k cut from £4.6m – 21.6%;  (legal challenge – possibly unrelated to this, council summoned to DCMS to explain their actions.); New Cross People’s Library open until 21st September.
• Lincolnshire
  • 2022: Woodhall Spa Library increases opening hours to 25 hours per week (up four) (10)
  • 2018: “Learning Communities” charity closed: GLL to temporarily assist its 3 volunteer libraries (Birchwood, Boultham and Ermine) (4) New volunteer library opens in Allington. (6) Donington volunteer library to have extra room. (6)
  • 2017: New library building for Skellingthorpe, co-located with café and heritage centre.(3) £160k volunteer library at Burgh Le Marsh. (11)
  • 2016: Spilsby library re-opens as volunteer-run in grocery store. (1) Deepings Library reopens as volunteer-run with one paid member of staff. (2) GLL takes over 15 “core” libraries. (4)  Holby volunteer library to be moved into a Co-op shop/post office/pharmacy, with 4000 books. (8) Book loans reduced from four weeks to three weeks. Eight week fines amnesty.(9) £400k cut 2017/18 (12) Magdalen volunteer library opens, replacing mobile stop. (12)
  • 2015: Skegness Library to have 5 hours per week longer opening hours. (4) Six bidders for libraries include  (1) Compass Point Business Services (private company with experience in councils), (2) GLL Greenwich Leisure Limited (non-profit already running public libraries elsewhere), (3) LITC Leisure in the Community (non–profit running some council services), (4) Lincs Inspire (non-profit running Lesiure and Libraries already for NE Lincs, (5) Vision (non-profit running Lesiure and Libraries in Redbridge, Vivacity (non-profit running Lesiure and Libraries in Peterborough). (5) Caister Library loses paid library staff: now run entirely by Heritage Centre staff and volunteers. (6)  Wainfleet Library closed from 6 June. Mobile stop replaces it. Hope for volunteers to establish new library in town. (7) Volunteer run library will open at Heckington, with initial funding from county council, supported by town council. Resources taken from closed Coningsby Library.  (9) Wragby Library likely to close due to lack of funding.  (9) Washingborough Library; Coningsby/Tattershall, Skellingthorpe; Wragby.closed. (10). Holbeach to be volunteer run shortly. (10) Crowland Library reopens as volunteer-run.  (11) Learning Communities non-profit trust runs two “Community Hub and Libraries” (Birchwood and Ermine, opened in August) and will open one more new one (Boultham) soon. (12) GLL to take over surviving 15 council-run libraries. Further £500k cut suggested. (12)
  • 2014: Legal action being taken against council over library cuts (2) Alford Library volunteers step down from July due to withdrawal council support. (6) Second consultation starts due to first consultation being deemed unlawful via judicial review. (9) Libraries will be put out to tender, following acceptance GLL bid meets criteria.(12)
  • 2013: Alford Library increases opening hours with volunteers, after council threatened to cut them. (4) 300 books provided for bookswap collection in Bratoft village hall (5). 32 out of 45 libraries will close or be be passed to volunteers. Mobile libraries also to be cut (at least 1 out of 5 depending on how many libraries taken over by volunteers). £2m cut from £6m budget. Consultation from July 3 to September 30. 298 jobs (148 FTE) under threat, 128 jobs (87 FTE) to be created therefore net reduction of 170 posts (55 FTE). 177 less computers. (6) Full report of consultation (11) GLL and Biblioteca express an interest in taking over library service (11) 1.78m (A cut of £250k less than originally proposed from £6.086m budget) – Horncastle and Woodhall Spa would be retained by council; Wragby Library may be run by volunteers; Coningsby/Tattershall library to be replaced by a mobile. Council extends deadline for volunteers to express an interest in running libraries until end of January 2014. cut of c. 102 posts (35.5 full-time equivalent), (11), Approved: 30 libraries to be closed or passed to volunteers. 10 new libraries may be run by volunteers on top. £2m cut. (12). Redundancy costs combined with training volunteers and assistance will cost £3.62m meaning cuts will only start saving money 2017/18. (12).
  • 2012: 2 under threat (Spilsby and Saxilby): Sutton Bridge Community Library having its funding cut with its most local mobile stops also ceasing (Dec 2012).  Spilsby Library may close, being transferred to Co-Op food store or Methodist Church [Being this looks to be such a major reduction in service, this library is now counted as “under threat” in Public Libraries News figures] (8/8/12). Long Sutton Library petition against moving into smaller building (1/10.12). Ingoldmells launches volunteer run branch (with 300 books) to replace withdrawn mobile library stop (18/9/12). Skegness Library confirmed as staying in current location, Winthorpe may get new dual-use library in partnership with local school (15/7/12). Library buildings  may be shared with pharmacies or supermarkets.  Campaign group: Friends of Lincolnshire Libraries. (1/7/12): Saxilby Library to be closed with stock to be moved into a community centre in Autumn (counted as under threat: 23/3/12). More volunteers required (17/1/12). Collection boxes for donations to be put in all libraries (4/1/12)
  • 2011:  £2m cut (from £6.2m now to £4.1m in 2016: not linked to inflation): school library service stopped, mobile stops cut.  Changes (but not cut) to hours at Cherry Willingham Library..
• Liverpool
  • 2024: Spellow Lane Library set fire by rioters. (4)
  • 2023: Spellow Library becomes co-location with business service, training, meeting rooms, council services and art gallery. (3)
  • 2017: £1.8m cut proposed for 2018/19. 4 libraries under threat. Volunteers to be increased. (2) £1.6m cuts to library service withdrawn: not cuts to be made. (3) Norris Green Library (already co-located with One Stop Shop) could be co-located with Jobcentre as well.  (8)
  • 2015: Pop-up library in Belle Vale Shopping Centre. Little Libraries to be set up throughout city. (4) 5 libraries to be taken out from council control: Breck Road and Dovecot libraries to be managed by Alt Valley Community Trust (AVCT); Fazakerley Library is to be managed by Fazakerley Federation; Kensington Library will be taken on by Kensington Fields Community Association and others; Walton Library to be run by Mersey Care. 2 others (Sefton Park and West Derby) fate to be decided.
  • 2014: £500k cut per year for next three years: budget will be halved (2) but 25% cut in budget (of £2.5m from current budget of £10m). Consultation until 16 May. (4). Facebook campaign group. (4) 11 out of 19 under threat of closure/passing to volunteers/groups. (8). No libraries to close. Breck Road, Dovecot, Fazakerley, Kensington, Lee Valley, Old Swan, Sefton Park, Spellow, Walton, Wavertree and West Derby will remain open (had been threatened). £680k cut remains. Cuts of £1.7m found elsewhere e.g. possible take overs of seven libraries by housing associations and NHS. £600k found from ending a contract and council tax from new homes. Some opening hours reduced. Some One Stop Shops to come into libraries. (11)
  • 2013: Ten libraries (out of 19) under threat (5/2/13).  £2m per year to be paid for new Central Library under PFI. Central Library and two others to be open seven days a week. Closures (possibly inc. volunteers) will save £1m per year. 3 Libraries (Edge Hill, Woolton, Great Homer Street) officially closed (checked 5/2/13).
  • 2012: 3 libraries (Edge Hill, Woolton, Great Homer Street) and 1 mobile library to close.3 more libraries (Garston, Speke Parklands and Walton will be merged with One Stop Shops) and may be run by Liverpool Direct. 76 jobs to go.  Opening hours reduced to roughly 60% of previous levels (inc. 12 libraries to be only open four days per week).  Closed libraries will have stock moved into other council services.  £100k cut in bookfund (book budget was £1.3m in 2005, now it will be £650k.
  • 2011: £460k cut 2011/12, £1.9m 2012/13 but new Central Liverpool Library willcost £42m with PFI meaning c. £5m p.a. charge. some of the cut may be closures / cuts in opening hours) (consultation document); Council has £121.7m cash reserves according to Conservatives (£16m according to council); 29% (£2m) cut in libraries budget
• Luton
  • 2021: Cuts expected, consultation. (12)
  • 2020: Now run by Active Luton leisure trust, not Luton Culture.(4)
  • 2013; Original proposal was for up to four libraries (three out of eight buildings plus the mobile library) to close and three more to move into smaller buildings.  Consultation until April 2013.  Full details: Cuts will mean either (a) Leagrave or Marsh Farm Library to close and Wigmore Library to move into a smaller space. Three other libraries to be housed within community centres (from list of five – Bushmead, Bury Park, Farley Hill, Futures House, Lewsey). Stopsley and Sundon Park will close with one of them moving into a community centre.  Up to four new book pick-up points (to collect reserved books only).  End of mobile library service or (b) Luton Central to close one day a week plus one other closing one day a week but mobile library to close (2). Wigmore, Sundon Park and the mobile library will close. Marsh Farm Library (currently a joint school/public use building at Lea Manor School, will be staffed by Luton Culture staff 2pm-6pm Monday to Friday, and Saturdays. To offset the closure of Wigmore, the opening hours at Stopsley library will be increase (7) £1.58m cut from council means 3 libraries will close (Wigmore, Sundon Park and mobile) by Spring 2014. to account for £300k. 10,000 signature petition for Wigmore library. 2012: More than one closure and one library to volunteers (counted as a total of three on tally) or to be closed. Cuts in opening hours. Consultation from January for 90 days.  (4/12/12).
• Manchester
  • 2023: 1000 book children’s library opens in Hulme. (2) Northenden Library to move to church hall. (12)
  • 2022: Fines-free from April. (2)
  • 2021: Chorlton and Longsight to be refurbished. New libraries at Gorton and Abraham Moss, improvements at Central.  (10)
  • 2020: Crumpsall Library to move into new co-location. (1)
  • 2018: £16.1m budget 2010, £11m 2017/18 (11)
  • 2017: visits 2,917,370 in 2016/7, from 2,784,449 in 2015/6 (8) Withington Library to be refurbished. (12)
  • 2016: Arcadia Library and Leisure Centre opens : replaces Levenshulme Cromwell Grove Library. (2) Chorlton Library to be refurbished (2) £250k Wolfson grant to improve children’s libraries (7)
  • 2015: Deep drop in numbers of users at seven volunteer-run libraries. (1) £250k given by Wolfson Foundation to improve children’s libraries in Wythenshawe Forum Library, Withington Library, Longsight Library, Gorton Library, Newton Heath Library and North City Library in Harpurhey. Library in Hulme High Street opens in leisure centre in partnership with GLL. £45k from DCLG to boost Business and IP Centre at Central Library. (3)
  • 2014: Refurbished Central Library to reopen on 22 March: will not be open on Sundays (1) Fallowfield Library renamed “The Place” and transferred to  Friends of Fallowfield Library and City South housing association. (8)
  • 2013: 6 libraries to start closing from 29 June (Burnage, Fallowfield, Levenshulme, Miles Platting, New Moston and Northenden) under threat (previusly 5).  Volunteers and other groups to be encouraged to take over, with 7 hours paid staff time each.  £87k previously earmarked for extending hours at surviving branches now to be used to encourage non-council ones.  Levenshulme to move into building with leisure centre in 2015, Huhne to move into leisure centre Jan 2014, Crumpsall to leisure centre in 2013. (5). £473k from Wolfson Foundation to support Great Hall Reading Room and the Media Lounge in Central Library (21/2/13), 28% cut (3) Levenshulme Library to be taken over by school, to be used partly by public and partly by students (6) Burnage Library to reopen as volunteer-run Burnage Library Activity and Information Hub, with council staff present for 15 hours per week (10). Northenden to reopen as volunteer Community Library in Housing Group office. (11). 1.4m less visitors since 2008/9. (12).
  • 2012: None currently under threat. High Blackley “Avenue” Library opened May 2012  (15/8/12).  Central Library will have considerably less stock when it reopens (17/3/12). Joint library/leisure centres suggested for Chorlton and Levenshulme.  Consultation until 24th June (23/5/12),  £1.6m grant from lottery for improved archives at Central Library (16/1/12). Budget passes that provides for no money for libraries expected to be closed, despite consultation until April 17th (9/3/13). 2011: 2 libraries closed (Clayton and Rack House entirely, East City reverts to being only for Manchester College Students) as part of £3m cut.  4 mobiles closed. Opening hours cut in all libraries apart from City Library (and City Library at Number One First Street) from 5th September,  Barlow Library to be closed in July 2012, Huhne Library to relocate, end of children’s mobile library, end of sheltered housing service, increase in charges, more volunteers to support events. “Take the Budget Challenge” consultation.  Hulme Library to move into Moss Side Leisure Centre. Barlow Moor Library may depend on volunteers to run it in 2012. (end of homework clubs) (council has reserve of £109m) Council has £95.2m cash reserves
• Medway.
  • 2024: Chatham Library closed due to heating problems (1)
  • 2023: Lordswood Library becomes “community hub” (2)
  • 2017: £95k cut from £3m budget. Thomas Aveling Community Library (shared with school) may close or pass to volunteers, (5) Confirmed Thomas Aveling Library will close. (7)
  • 2012: Libraries and council customer contact staff to become joint teams in five town centre libraries (24/4/12).