Ian Anstice

Gloucestershire – 11 libraries reduced in size, another 11 “offered to community groups” – BBC News. More details here and here
Leeds – Lib Dem leader argues for community groups to run at-risk libraries – Guardian.
Hertfordshire – protest at 30% cut in opening hours – Borehamwood News.  A schoolgirl protests at another library in Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire Mercury
Buckingshamshire – Great Missenden (inspiration for “Matilda”) may close – Bucks Free Press
Norfolk – Tuckswood Library celebrates 50 years open – Evening News 24
Lewisham – decision to close libraries deferred by mayor “I did not seek election as your mayor in order to close down libraries” – newsshopper.co.uk

Using mobile phones instead of library cards – American Libraries magazine
Santa Clarita withdraws from LA libraries system to protect its $400k, gets sued – The Signal.  More here.
Libraries reinvent themselved – shhh is a four-letter word – LA Times
A “Green Library” opens – LAist.  Another one even has rattlesnakes – azcentral.com
Useful (largely US) librarian websites – ALA
Libraries are a great investment – undergroundnewsroom. com

London 130 public libraries (one-third) face closure – thisislondon.co.uk
Brent – 6 libraries (half of total) may close – Harrow Times
Sutton Coldfield – move cancelled due to cuts – biminghamnewsroom.com
Sefton – Churchtown, Ainsdale and Birkdale libraries may go – Formby Times

75 years of talking books – Guardian
On why cuts to arts funding will have an impact – Guardian

USA – Christians for Libraries – CBN News
USA – “It takes a village to build a library” – community helps open library – host.madison.com
USA – Library discards Dewey – marshallnews.com

Hounslow 12 staff lost, skills suite lost– Hounslow Advertiser
Buckinghamshire proposals – 14 out of 26 libraries to become volunteer-run – Mix 96
Surrey – Dorking to have larger new library – BBC
Librarian attacks judge with meat cleaver in work tribunal – Mirror
USA – Survey about privatisation of libraries – Library Research Service
USA – library display ideas – Library Journal

Central Bedfordshire – all mobile libraries to go, other cuts imminent – BBC News
Richmond – Heathfield library to close despite promises to the contrary – Richmond and Twickenham Times
Warrington – Great Sankey, Grappenhall and all mobile libraries to close – Warrington Guardian
Worcester – New library under construction changes skyline – Worcester News
Wales – Usage up, investment up – News Wales
First PLR cut in 20 years – BookSeller
ITALY – libraries to strike to protest at cuts – Easy Voyage
Redefining the Library – International Business Times

MLA chief Roy Clare questions the supremacy of the physical library over virtual resources, much to anger of Tim Coates – The Good Library Guide / LIS-PUB-LIBS
Somerset – Highbridge Library closure attacked by Town Council – thisisthewestcountry.co.uk
Shropshire – new Oswestry library sees 30% increase in issues – Border Counties Advertiser
Dorset library cuts planned of £300k. Bournemouth £160k – Bournemouth Echo
Brighton & Hove use Foursquare – PR Week
Defence of public libraries in new blog – cost is c.£20 p.a. per person (inc.children)