Goodbye Roy Clare, A Third Way
Apr 13th
Roy Clare, ex-Rear Admiral and currently head of the MLA (Museums, Libraries and Archives Council), recently best known for (a) defending library closures, (b) deriding library campaigners as “white and middle class” and (c) issuing an apology to a nine-year old girl he had made disparaging comments about in a widely shared email, has announced he is moving to New Zealand, leaving his post in May.
One of the major suppliers of books to libraries in the UK has announced profits have been hit by a 25% reduction in business from public libraries. Twenty. Five. Percent. That’s before the cuts this year have even taken effect. Weirdly, at the same time, anti-public libraries spokesmen like Toby Young point to a decline in library use. The Private Eye, in it’s excellent “Library News” column, points out that there just might be a causal connection between reducing funding to libraries and reducing use. Clearly the people of Portishead think that properly funded libraries are worth going to – their new library opened yesterday with a queue outside. Nor does there need to be a new library involved as Hillingdon’s record use has demonstrated.
The money also needs to spent properly and sometimes councils are their own worst enemy in this, as the £289k in public relations to go on the £189m Library of Birmingham show. There is a third way between closing libraries and letting them out to volunteers. Fund and manage them properly then the people will come. Even more than the 320 million who did last year.
News
Bertrams blames sales drop on libraries decline – BookSeller. Library sales down 25%.
Library News – Private Eye (content not available online). The 3% drop in number of people using libraries since 2006 was used by Toby Young to claim libraries are becoming less popular but the real reason is lack of investment and closing them. Brent’s idea of a “virtual” library service to replace six closed libraries also noted with wry disapproval.
Campaigners say publishers are “not interested” in library fight – BookSeller “We’ll see 500 [go] this year, and we’ll see another 1,000 next year once councils see they can get away with it.” (Tim Coats). The comments section is very interesting with one publisher saying the library sector has already been discounted by publishers (enlighteningly going on to say that “Publishers would show interest again if that was co- ordinated library policy”) and others expressing shock and horror at him, saying libraries are more than worth fighting for.
Ends – Good Library Blog. Roy Clare, head of the MLA, to leave in May.
London Book Fair: Libraries must digitise to stay relevant – BookSeller. Recommends that libraries, especially research libraries, digitise unique content as a way of boosting physical footfall to that material not yet digitised.
Ministers in office but not in power – City AM “Earlier this year, Library Systems and Services [LSSI], a US company, offered to run libraries for 35 per cent less than councils are spending. Book borrowing would remain free, while add-on services, such as coffee shops, IT and book stores would be used to generate revenues. Others have suggested purchasing second hand books. Yet many councils aren’t interested.”
News from CILIP April 2011 – CILIP. Items include – Vote Local Vote Libraries, Open Letter to Michael Gove, training courses and blogs.
No furniture so charming – London Word Festival. “A night devoted to the architecture of knowledge and the future of book-borrowing” at Bethnal Green Library, 21st April. Tom Roper wonders why there appears to be no public librarians on the panel.
“Sure, you may not think libraries are that important when you have the whole of the world-wide web at your finger tips. But once paywalls are common place and ISPs are able to discriminate content, you may just realise what you’ve lost. And don’t be fooled into thinking this is a far-fetched fantasy. We are only a short step away from this eventuality. Information has been commodified, once there is money to be made it won’t remain free and open for long.” (Ian Clark, “Shut-Out”, ORGzine)
Zadie Smith loses battle to save London library – Guardian. “The author Zadie Smith‘s campaign to save a north-west London library opened by Mark Twain in 1900 has ended in failure after Brent council voted in favour of closing half the libraries in the borough.”
News by local authority
Birmingham – Chutzpah is getting a little pricey – Alan Gibbons. Council is apparently paying a PR firm £292k over three years to provide public relations support for the £189m Library of Birmingham project.
Brent – Campaigners to present petition tonight for debate on Preston Library – Harrow Times. 6500 signature petition to force council debate. ““I think the consultation period was a sham as it presented it as a transformation project rather than highlighting the potential closures that would actually come out of it”.
Buckinghamshire – Libraries will close unless volunteers come forward – Bucks Herald “We know that some communities still have concerns about the new model and we will have to work hard to address them. We are not just dumping services on communities, we will give them support and help them to take over the running of libraries”
Buckinghamshire – Council responds to fears over Micklefield and Bourne End libraries – Bucks Free Press. A careful reading of this article (and comments) show that Buckinghamshire Council are not guaranteeing council control after the end of this financial year.
Dorset – Lyme Regis: Lyme treated “unfairly” in library cuts – View Online. Lyme Regis would only retain library if the town council pays for and manages it Dorchester retains full library without any additional payment.
Gloucestershire – Lib Dem [Equalities] minister [Lynne Featherstone] says Brockworth library has bright future – This is Gloucestershire. Recently refurbished library no longer being run by the council is a good thing as “it can become a thing which is not statutory, not just already there, but it’s there because people want it and people are prepared to run it”.
““This meeting urges Her Majesty’s government to maintain support for local libraries, as an essential education and information resource”. The resolution is one of six shortlisted by WI members nationwide to be taken forward as a national campaign and presented to central government. It has reached the final two of the shortlist, and will go up against a resolution on mega-farming at the national AGM in June” Council Leader Mark Hawthorne was to speak against the motion but instead sent a written statement. Gloucestershire – FoGL speak for libraries resolution at Gloucestershire WI – FoGL
Gloucestershire – When is a library not a library? – FoGL. When it’s a mobile. Gloucestershire Council claim no libraries need close, neglecting to mention its doomed five mobile libraries.
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| Not a Library – According to Gloucestershire Council |
Lewisham – Lewisham’s library bidders meet the public – News Shopper – Breakdown of the four organisations who want to take over one or all of the closing libraries – (a) Lewisham Community Sports, (b) Eco Computer Systems, (b) Omega (New Testament Church of God) and (d) Family Services charity.
Lewisham – Sports group hopes to run doomed libraries – Mercury ““There would be fewer books than there are now, but there would still be a library service.”
North Somerset – Portishead: North Somerset town bucks national trend as library opens its doors – This is Somerset. “People were queuing outside the library at Horatio House, Portishead, when it opened its doors to the public for the first time at 11am.”
Surrey – Large turn-out from Stoneleigh library supporters – This is Local London. 120 at meeting to oppose closure.
Warwickshire – WCC Libraries business case application form: a Dragon’s Den pitch? – What’s In Kenilworth. “So, what happens if take the dry throated walk up the stairs and make your pitch? You know you are holding the fate of your Community Library with you as you begin. The threat of closure looms over your village and this is the Once in a Lifetime Opportunity that Warwickshire County Council have promised….”. Requirements include three-year financial projection.
Warwickshire – WCC Libraries FAQs for a Business Case: A franchise opportunity? – What’s In Kenilworth. “… imagine Tesco having to give away all food and drink and only being allowed to charge for CDs, DVDs and the odd cup of coffee. Simplistic, I know but that’s what we have here and County know it.”
16 Volunteers for each redundant library worker
Apr 12th
A Buckinghamshire newspaper reports that 60 part-time library staff may be made redundant in their plans to cut 18 libraries (14 this year, 2 in 2012, plus 2 mobile libraries). In the same article it suggests that 1000 people are interested in volunteering in the county’s libraries. That’s sixteen volunteers per newly jobless library worker. It’s a cruel statistic that takes no account of the good motives of the volunteer. But it is how it feels to many working in libraries. The first question asked across the counter these days is “are you closing?”. A further statement sometimes heard is “I’ll volunteer to work here if you do”. This does not encourage the library worker, it shocks and demoralizes them. It may do so at first due to feeling hurt that their skills and often lifelong commitment to the job can be so brushed over. However, the point here, the big ultimate ironic point here, is that committed library users across the country are inadvertently making it easier for councils to close libraries. After all, councils (today Warwickshire, yesterday Cumbria) can say they’re not closing them. They’re “divesting” them to community groups. The Big Society is stealing library jobs and, in so many places, stealing libraries.
News
5 Live and the Cuts – BBC Radio 5 Live “Whatever your opinion of the timing and necessity of the cuts, you’ll find that a lot of things you take for granted, whether or not you use them, might not exist any more.
For me, it’s a small, unassuming building in Brent in north west London.When I was growing up, I practically lived in Preston Library”
Buying a Kindle is like burning books – Telegraph
Council reserve cash reignites debate about politically motivated cuts – eGov
Save Libraries Day and CILIP’s media presence – View from the Hill (see comments too)
Support from broadcaster Jenni Trent Hughes – Voices for the Library
Changes
Buckinghamshire – 60 part-time jobs at risk, compulsory redundances “a very last resort”
Warwickshire – 2 (out of 5) mobile libraries to be cut.
News by Authority
Bradford – “Eat-in” to be staged at Ilkley library to encourage Bradford to rethink cuts – Telegraph & Argus. Local author Martyn Bedford will lead protest where people eat their lunch and borrow as many books as possible.
Brent – Battle begins, as Brent councillors declare: we are unelectable – Save Kensal Rise Library. Council is spending £100m on new town hall.
Brent – Half of Brent’s libraries to close as residents protest – Willesden & Brent Times
Brent – Brent axes six libraries to save £1m – London Evening Standard “even though a public consultation found that 82 per cent of residents opposed the move”
“The most high-profile casualty was Kensal Rise library, whose supporters include authors Philip Pullman and Zadie Smith. Pullman said: “It’s a sad day for Brent that the council has not been persuaded despite all the arguments put forward.” Anti-poverty campaigner Sam Roddick, who founded Coco de Mer, said: “Cutting the libraries is cutting the poor from the little they have. It will damn our country into the kind of poverty you see in third world countries.”
Buckinghamshire – Shake-up of libraries in Bucks planned – Maidenhead Advertiser “Community status could see the facilities affected, ‘sharing premises with other local businesses and organisations, increasing community volunteering and fundraising, and self-managed’.
Buckinghamshire – Sixty jobs at risk in Buckinghamshire library cuts plan – Bucks Free Press, 1000 people have expressed an interest in volunteering
Ealing – Northfields Library latest – Ealing Today
Leicestershire – Libraries public consultation on opening hours – Leicestershire Council
Lewisham – Proposals for Lewisham libraries Crofton Park, Grove Park, New Cross and Sydenham on view to public – News Shopper (These libraries and Blackheath to be dropped from council control and offered to community groups).
Warwickshire – [Jeremy Wright] MP: Warwickshire County Council must help library volunteers more – Coventry Telegraph
Warwickshire – Facing the Challenge, Business case forms/faqs, consultation questionnaire – Warwickshire County Council
Worcestershire – Town council considers plan to buy library – Worcester News “Residents and town councillors are considering making an offer to buy their library in a bid to stop it getting moved to another location”
Over 500 again – Cumbria threaten 23 libraries, Bucks 18, Hull 3
Apr 11th
Changes
Buckinghamshire (plus 2) – £700k cut: 16 out of 23 under threat of closure if volunteers do not run them; Castlefield, Chalfont St Peter, Farnham Common, Flackwell Heath, Gerrards Cross, Great Missenden, Haddenham, Iver Heath, Ivinghoe, Long Crendon, Stokenchurch, Wendover, Wing, Winslow. Plus 2 under threat in 2012 – Micklefield and Bourne End which are to be “reviewed” when £1.5m lottery money runs out in April 2012
Cumbria (plus 20 buildings and 3 mobiles) – 20 branches under threat (30 libraries to remain staffed, all others to be volunteer-run with visiting library staff) – Denton Holme, Harraby and Morton in Carlisle, Moorclose in Workington, Hensingham, Kells Mirehouse in Whitehaven, Shap, Distington, Frizington, Gosforth, Seascale, Seaton, St Bees and Thornhill. All three mobiles to close; £6m budget “to be maintained”; “the plan would be for” rural libraries to be volunteer-run; £80k (sic) cut from £6m budget; consultation from April 6 to June
Hackney – Consultation 18 April – 27 June 2011; all libraries to be kept open; new Dalston CR James Library to be opened in 2011; opening hours to change in all libraries; events to be solely at new library, Hackney Central and Stoke Newington; more volunteers (1 library already entirely staffed by volunteers)
Hull (Plus 2 buildings and 1 mobile) – 2 libraries (Preston Road and KC Stadium) under threat as is 1 mobile library – compare with pro-library statement by Leader of Council
Nottinghamshire – Newspaper provision reduced
News
Books without batteries: the negative impacts of technology – Publishers Weekly
Councils sitting on cash savings worth billions despite service cuts – Telegraph “Despite the ‘savings’ many councils are planning to cut services such as libraries”
From Page to Stage: Should more libraries become theatres? – Guardian “The experience takes less than an hour, but it lingers in the memory. The next occasion you take up a book, in the tube on the way home say, or later that evening in bed, it is difficult not to do so with a greater degree of wakefulness, to enjoy the weight of the book in your hand, the feel of it, the strength of it, and to pay much closer attention to your reading voice.” (The Quiet Volume)
Libraries cater for the middle classes, not the deprived, says John Redwood – Guardian
“The vast majority of people use libraries … Public libraries serve nearly everyone apart from incredibly rich people like John Redwood and the culture minister. Everyone else needs a library.” (Alan Gibbons)
News by Authority
Buckinghamshire – Micklefield and Bourne End libraries could be drawn into spending cuts plan – Bucks Free Press
Buckinghamshire – Chief calls on communities to save libraries – Buckinghamshire Advertiser – 14 libraries to be run by volunteers or closed; “”Compulsory redundancies are a very last resort.”
Buckinghamshire – Cash strapped council agrees library cuts – Bucks Free Press
Buckinghamshire – 14 of Buckinghamshire libraries to be run by volunteers – Mix96 “This development comes at a time when budget pressures mean that all council services are being challenged to find new ways of delivering services. The County Council believe that increasing community involvement and tailoring services to the needs of the community is the best way forward to ensure a sustainable future for all 26 libraries in Buckinghamshire.”
Cumbria – Views sought on Cumbria library shake-up – BBC
Cumbria – 20 Cumbrian libraries facing the axe in shake-up – News & Star
Cumbria – Don’t consign libraries to the history books – News & Star
“Cumbria County Council’s plan for a libraries shake-up could see 20 small branches shutting in a scheme promised as an update, rather than a cost cut. Cynics might invite a pulling of the other leg. Shifting borrowers to village shops, pubs and community centres and expecting them to wait a week for one of only 400 popular titles doesn’t immediately strike as progress. In fact, it smacks of running local library services into terminal illness. Can the end be very far away?”
Hackney – Have your say on the future of Hackney’s Libraries and Archives – Dalston People
Hull – Libraries and Hull City Council centres set to shut under cuts – This is Hull and East Riding
Nottinghamshire – Newspaper cuts at libraries – Worksop Guardian
Warwickshire – Warwickshire CC Proposal versus two alternatives – WhatsinKenilworth
Zombies attack
Apr 9th
Blackburn and Darwen – £500k (25% budget cut) over three years: Blackburn Central now cut on Sunday; Darwen closed on Tuesdays; Earlier closing hours for all; newspaper and magazine cuts to be reviewed after public protests; no libraries to close
Swindon – Four libraries open longer – West Swindon plus 8.5h, North Swindon plus 10h, Highworth plus 8h, Liden plus 14h; 2 library managers made redundant
York – 7 library staff made redundant; more volunteers and self-service
News
Big Society Capital Funds – Walk You Home (uses Warwickshire as an
example)
Bookworm teenagers are most likely to get top jobs – Express
Dreadful MP of the Week: Glenda Jackson – Spectator
Forget music lessons and sport, reading in your teens is the key to a good career – Mail
“No other activity, from sport to socialising with friends, going to museums and concerts, or doing practical activities such as cooking or sewing, affected their careers, unless they were also reading.”
Fresh wind from the Humber – Independent (Hull’s successful library service examined)
George Osborne lights red tape bonfire – Telegraph
Libraries too middle class and we’re right to be shutting them down [says John Redwood MP] – Mail
Library of the Living Dead – McPherson College (Zombie Guide to the Library)
Maryland firm to take over 3 California libraries as debate grows over privatization – Washington Post (USA)
Memories of dusk time strolls – Voices for the Library
” But what stayed with me was that these two little girls might grow up with the memories of dusk-time strolls, after dinner, to a cosy library full of wonderful books, and a cuddle with their Dad.”
Reading as a teenager gets you a better job – Telegraph
Rebuild leads to library’s closure – Private Eye (via Alan Gibbons)
Say what you got to say and say it loud – Walk You Home
Should libraries be protected from cuts? – Radio 5 Live
News by Library Authority
Blackburn and Darwen – Cuts to Blackburn and Darwen libraries announced – Lancashire Telegraph
Bradford – Bradford libraries could get e-book technology – Telegraph & Argus
Brent – Brent to axe six libraries and build one costing £3m despite locals’ fury – London Evening Standard
Brent – Council accused of hypocrisy over libraries – Save Kensal Rise Library
Cheshire East – Cheshire East libraries are busiest ones in whole of UK – Crewe Chronicle
Ealing – Hanwell: Protest as council debates library closures – Ealing Gazette (500 petition, “The council is prioritising a car park over children’s futures”
Ealing – Library consultation “a sham” say Lib Dems – Ealing Gazette
Isle of Wight – Decision to allocate arts money “bizarre” – IWCP
“Fewer valuable public servants, no lavatories, no village libraries, no rural bus services and no proper arts centres merely leaves spiritually impoverished communities and risks destroying the social fabric of our country”
Isle of Wight – Bembridge Library Users Group disappointed with council negotiations – Ventnor Blog
“We are disappointed that despite a massive effort put by our members to advance negotiations with the IOW council we regret to report that we are no further forward and that IWC remains resolutely determined to close the library at the end of June.”
Suffolk – Aldeburgh: Ambitious blueprint revealed to save future of library – EADT – cost would be c.45k p.a. hope if for not-for-profit organisation to run and boost library, with council still responsible for booklending.
Suffolk – Labour shadow Ed Balls attacks Suffolk library cuts – BBC
“Most people who depend upon libraries would say ‘I don’t want it to be a lottery depending on whether people are willing to volunteer to keep them open.” (Ed Balls)
Swindon – Four libraries to stay open longer – Swindon Advertiser
Surrey – Ideas needs for spending housing windfall – Get Surrey “Options already highlighted include funding charitable groups affected by cuts in government funding, cash for public libraries that are under threat of closure and business rate relief for local shops.”
Surrey – Council leader wins vote of confidence – This is Surrey Today
“He added that he was not concerned about the backlash he might face as a result of cuts to public services such as buses and libraries.”
Warwickshire – Voices For The Library on the £100k offer for volunteers to run libraries – BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire
Warwickshire – Warwickshire council offers community library funds – BBC
York _ City of York Council cuts are revealed – Press
London
Apr 7th
– Brent Council has said that library consultation respondents were likely (shock!) to be those who actually used libraries and thus were biased. Well, the 82% who said that closing half of its libraries and spending £3m on a big library in the Civic Centre were unreasonable anyway. Presumably those with no interest in libraries and so had no problem with closing them were far less biased.
– In Lambeth, the new chief of libraries has resigned after only one day in the job. Family reasons were cited. It may also be possible that his decision was influenced by noticing that Lambeth has one of the worst records of library use in the country and want to further cut their budget by £750k. That every qualified librarian there is having their job deleted probably did not argue a longer stay either.
– Finally, in Ealing, the council would much rather spend money on a £5m car park than on keeping the library open that had £610k spent on it four years ago and is right nextdoor to a new £2m children’s centre. Another library highlighted for closure had a £1m upgrade just a year ago.
Changes to list
Bolton – Consultation ends 20th May:
Brent – 82% of consultation responders said council plans to close 6 of 12 were not reasonable; £3m new Civic Centre library instead; Decision to be made on April 11th
Ealing – Cut to budget may be 30% over four years
Lambeth – £750k 2011/14 cut; Commission to be set up to consider volunteers/closures/shared service with other authorities
Leicestershire – Consultation into cuts to be launched; Melton library has evening and Saturday openings cut
News
Bunnies , WORDfest and human libraries – Voices for the Library
Cressida Cowell Interview – National Literacy Trust “I’m very sad to hear about the lack of funding because like many I went to the library the whole time. It’s such a valuable resource to the country and to just wave goodbye to it… We are not a manufacturing country, we rely on our creativity as a country so much that I think we ought to be valuing the things like libraries that support that creativity.”
Obstacle to the Big Society – Spectator (Shock news – Glenda Jackson is not keen on volunteers taking over entire public libraries)
What the public doesn’t want to see in public libraries and the public library service – Good Library Blog
Zadie Smith – What the blogs said – Journalism.org (USA) Libraries were the second most talked about subject on “Top Stories of the Week March 28 to April 1st”. “the number two story reflected the often international flavor of the blogosphere as commenters responded to a BBC Radio program in which British author Zadie Smith staunchly defended libraries. The famous author recounted her childhood in a flat surrounded by books even though her family was poor, thanks to the library. Smith’s local library was slated for closure for budgetary reasons and she spoke up to explain why this was a travesty.”
News by Authority
Bolton – Campaigners set for Town Hall demo to save libraries – Bolton News
Brent – New report snubs Brent library campaigners – Harrow Observer
Buckinghamshire – County Council set to decide future of libraries – Buckinghamshire Advertiser (on April 11)
Buckinghamshire – Libraries under threat look to West Wycombe success – BBC ““We are being contacted by two, three or four groups a week now, looking at running community libraries.”
Camden – Group to defend Queen’s Cresent Library as Camden libraries fight goes on – Camden Gazette
Ealing – Residents rally against Northfields Library clossure plans – Ealing Gazette – Library has £2m children’s centre built by it, £5.5m car park being built is essential to local economy.
Lambeth – New Lambeth Libraries head quits after one day – Vauxhall Society News
Lambeth – Council proposals – Lambeth Council
Leicestershire – Museum, library face opening hour cuts – Melton Times
Surrey – Council leader [Andrew Povey] dismisses coup threat – Get Surrey “His decisions were said to show a “lack of political savvy”, the roll of scrutiny committees were questioned after Cabinet ignored democratic recommendations to abandon library closure plans and the frequent use of “no comment” as a response in the press were all attacked.” In reply – “With libraries, what we are proposing is very interesting. Bramley Library has masses of volunteers and the people are picking up that challenge.”
Westminster – London borough says merging library services with two others will bring down standards – Guardian “Labour councillors in Conservative-led Westminster say the merging of their libraries will lead to residents losing out because spending by their council on services is more than 40% higher than in Hammersmith & Fulham” “The councillors argue that while it make sense to merge senior library management and to combine the authorities’ book-processing teams and back room finance, personnel and legal services, a single service with local branding won’t work.”
Government “Big Society Library” discussions revealed
Apr 6th
Most recent closures = 4.4.11 Shropshire 3 mobiles , 2.4.11 Foggy Furze Library;
2.4.11 Central Bedfordshire’s sole mobile
Changes
Central Bedfordshire – council’s sole mobile library stopped 2/4/11
Gloucestershire – in addition to those unde threat, council will cut bookfund from £1m (2009/10) to £500k (2011/12) and £400k (2012/13); all mobile libraries to be stopped.
Hounslow – Consultation on cuts soon
Nottinghamshire – Misterton Library reduced to less than nine hours per week
Somerset – minus 1 under threat – BBC suggests Highbridge was one of “10” under threat, PLN previous figure was 11.
York – Lib Dems promise to keep all libraries open if they win local elections on May 5th
News
Could an online booksharing scheme spell the end of the traditional library? – Guardian
Counting the non-jobs – Local Government Chronicle (local government minister had said there were 741000 “non-jobs”. Apparently, “non-jobs” include nursery nurses, cleaners, school assistants …)
Cribsheet 4/6/11: Look around you Michael Gove – Guardian “Why not suggest extending the Summer Reading Challenge which is coordinated by The Reading Agency and is run in 95% of UK public libraries?”
Libraries and the Big Society: round table discussions revealed – Voices for the Library (minutes of Ed Vaizey/DCMS/MLA/TRA/Libraries/Big Society/etc meeting in January only revealed by Freedom of Information request).
Library campaigners at the March For The Alternative – Voices for the Library
Now the real economic pain starts: yes, it’s “worse-off” Wednesday – Independent “Last Saturday in a quiet corner of Middle England, Central Bedfordshire’s mobile library stamped its last book. The decision to withdraw the service was not taken lightly by the local authority, but for the residents of outlying villages it means that the regular arrival of new reading matter to their communities will cease. Libraries have emerged as a soft target when it comes to finding ways of balancing council budgets – despite a rearguard action from leading literary figures. Estimates suggest that more than 10 per cent of Britain’s 4,517 fixed and mobile libraries have either closed, left local authority control or are preparing to close”
On the cutting edge – LGA “Eight out of 10 councils (83%) said they were planning to make savings from library services. Some 26% reported that they had plans to transfer library services to local community or mutual ownership, and 22% said they planned to move libraries to other buildings were they would run alongside other services.”
Vote local, vote libraries – CILIP
We may have a Tory PM but lefties and luvvies still run Britain – Mail “The naughty thought enters my head that Mr Pullman’s books must do quite good business at libraries, but I am sure it would be quite wrong to suggest that he is supporting libraries purely for personal financial gain.”
News by local authority
Dorset – Beaminster: Help needed to keep library open – Bridport News “it cannot go forward in any form whatsoever without the financial support of Dorset County Council for its book circulation and the expertise of a librarian to support the volunteers.”
Dorset – Lyme Regis: library cuts all “smoke and mirrors” claim – Bridport News
Gloucestershire – Inaccuracies and miseleading claims in new GCC cabinet report on library cuts – FoGL “I have no doubt that deprivation indices were examined. I know because I examined some when I worked for GCC. However they were definitely not applied to the methodology and had no impact on the proposals made.”
Hounslow – Council unable to provide dates for consultation – Hounslow Chronicle
Leeds – Parish councils’ fears over Leeds library consultation – Guardian (3000 responses, head of libraries’ offensive email and her apology for it
Nottinghamshire – Misterton: Library hours reduced – Epworth Bells
Somerset – Highbridge library “saved” from closure by volunteers – BBC
Suffolk – Protesters march to save Suffolk libraries – BBC “the only way to persuade councillors is to do this sort of thing“
York – Lib Dem launch re-election fight – Press
Apr 5th
The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed that the number of libraries under threat has stabilised and even gone slightly down recently. Although it’s gone down even more today as I have taken out those that have closed before the start of the 2011 financial year, it may also have something to do with the 5th May local elections. The widespread fear is that councils are waiting for that date to pass before announcing more cuts. Voices for the Library are trying to make sure that this does not happen and that those councillors who have advocated closing libraries are called to account. Let Voices for the Library know who is advocating library cuts in your area.
480 libraries (413 buildings and 67 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1st April 2011 out of c. 4517 in the UK
– most recent closures = 4.4 Shropshire 3 mobiles , 2.4.4 Foggy Furze Library
Changes
Shropshire – weekly mobile library stops are now fortnightly (previous article suggest 3 mobiles will go so have extrapolated that these are what have been cut)
Somerset – Highbridge Library to be volunteer-run
News
BookSeller’s Association and Publisher’s Association in library plea to councils – BookSeller “”UK PLC needs a literate society. Books feed the mind, and libraries play a key part in making books available to all sectors of society. We urge councils to provide to their communities a comprehensive and efficient library service”.
Future of libraries in the Ebook Age – National Public Radio (USA)
Local Elections – Voices for the Library
LSSI on privatising libraries – Radio Merseyside (24.11 to 28 Stuart Fitzgerald, boss of LSSI – “offer a more cost-efficient service”, making a profit “raises some sensitivity in the library sector”, cut back-office by giving all its work to suppliers, use economies of scale, not necessarily cut staff (just move staff from back to front office), good enough for 16 clients (70 branches) in USA.
Making music to save our libraries – RabidGravy
Michael Gove replies, or rather he doesn’t – Lynnlibglamtwin’s Weblog
Save our libraries! – Tribune
Three ways to challenge the cuts – False Economy
Visit to a library – John Redwood MP “Maybe at a time of tighter spending controls we need to think again about how many libraries we need in each community, where they are best placed, and how the educational libraries can be used by those who do not go to those institutions.”
News by authority
Croydon – Save Sanderstead Library – Campaign group
Oxfordshire – Words of support in fight to retain libraries – Oxford Mail
Shropshire – Shropshire mobile library services reduced – BBC (900 responses to consultation)
Somerset – Highbridge Library saved – Mercury
Somerset – Saved! Future of closure-threatened Highbridge Library is secured – Burnham on Sea.com
Liking your library is not a party political statement
Apr 4th
Changes
Bath and North East Somerset – Conservatives “pledge to protect libraries” in May 5th Manifesto.
Brent – Central Library will move to new Civic Centre building in 2013; the 6 libraries not being closed will be open seven days, with longer hours during exam periods, more ebooks and more audio.
Lewisham – New Cross Library closing on 28th May, to be taken over (with 3 others) by “social entrepreneur”
News
Child of the Library, revised song – Just a Summary
Defending libraries against cuts? It’s too little, too late – Spiked (see this response)
Historic buildings could be at risk as councils sell them or abandon them to cope with budget cuts – Mail
Historic buildings sold off by public sector to meet cuts shortfall – Guardian
I didn’t steal books from library, says mother of Zadie Smith – Mail “She said she held on to books only when her library was closed, and returned them to Willesden Green Library when it began collecting books from libraries that had shut down.”
Labour can’t criticise ConDem library closures then close libraries themselves – Alan Gibbons
Library Futures Programme – Good Library Blog “Should we take it seriously? No.”
Popular, empowering and free – that’s why the Tories hate libraries – Right to Work (from 1st Feb)
Private benefactors won’t be enough to balance the books – Observer “Councils trying to sell off public libraries to reduce their deficits may not be allowed to do so, because in many cases the property must revert to the landowner who donated it. That’s the kind of thing that happens when you replace public with private”
Statement by Michael Rosen and Alan Gibbons [on reading in schools]– Alan Gibbons
Toby Young on Zadie Smith’s “propaganda” – BBC Radio 4
Up all Night – Walk You Home
Up all Night – BBC Radio 5
News by authority
Bath and North East Somerset – Tory pledge to protect libraries and weekly waste collections – This is Bath “The issue of library closures has proved to be one of most emotive in the debate over public sector cuts”
Brent – Brent Council recommends closing six libraries – BookSeller “”Local libraries, to which children, teenagers, elderly people and those with mobility issues can walk, and whose sole purpose is to lend books and offer information are not a priority [for the council].”
Cambridgeshire – Friends unite to protect [Linton] village library’s future – Haverhill Echo “But there were concerns an effective group could make handing over management more attractive to the county council.”
Dorset – Council protest: More than 1000 take to the streets – Dorset Echo “Mike Chaney of the Ad Lib campaign group also gave a speech to call on the proposed new £5million library to be scrapped as other libraries need to be saved from closure.”
Dorset – Council protest: Full support given to Dorchester march – Dorset Echo
Island of Wight – Island libraries on reduced timetable – Isle of Wight Radio
Leeds – Leeds council cuts come under scrutiny: libraries under spotlight – Guardian
Lewisham – [Conservative Group Leader] Britton asks Government to protect Lewisham’s libraries – East Lewisham Conservatives
Lewisham – News from Save New Cross Library – Alan Gibbons
Suffolk – Hundreds join library protest march – EADT
Suffolk – 500 at Suffolk libraries demonstration – Country Standard
Sutton – Sutton residents and staff invited to have their say on the future of libraries – Local Guardian
4 in 5 town halls plan cutbacks to libraries
Apr 2nd
Changes
Barnet – Council papers on cuts,
Blackburn with Darwen – Darwen library to close every Tuesday and Thursday, newspapers/magazines no longer stocked
Warwickshire – Warwick Library may move to Shire Hall and have its hours reduced to 35 hours per week.
News
4 in 5 town halls plan cutbacks on libraries – Daily Mail (83% plan cuts to libraries, 16% said libraries would be the first to be cut, a quarter will transfer them to “community or mutual ownership”)
Big Society Blues: the stuttering of David Cameron’s vision – Eurasia Review “British libraries are set to fall into the hands of American companies. LSSI, the key participant in what will become an important feature of Cameron’s Big Society program, has a goal of taking control of libraries across eight districts. What exactly this means for services is a big mystery.
Budget Survey 2011 – LGA
Campaign for the Book April Newsletter – Alan Gibbons
DCMS Taking Part survey shows another decline in library use – Good Libray Blog
Frank Field response to constituent – Alan Gibbons
Future Libraries Programme Final Report – MLA
Lefties not Etonians are closing libraries – Telegraph
Loud Library Voices: Campaigning, the web, journalists and the offline world – (slideshow)
Michael Gove should become “champion for libraries” says Patrick Ness – Guardian “Children, especially poorer children, rely on libraries as not just places to read, but to see possibilities for the world ahead,” he said. “Libraries are vital gateways to future education and future careers, as places to learn to wish and dream and strive and achieve. I hope that the minister for education recognises this and will become a vocal champion for libraries and library services.”
Natalie Haynes: I hope this generation doesn’t notice it deserves our sympathy – Independent “Then there’s the Local Government Association survey released this week, showing how cuts disproportionately affect young people: closed youth clubs and libraries and parks and Sure Start groups, for example.”
Ness and CILIP in school libraries plea – BookSeller
Nine leading poets call for Arts Council rethink on Poetry Book Society cut – BookSeller
Public libraries and services for young people at the sharp end of cuts – CILIP “we’re in danger of failing the next generation.” “Public library services and services for young people are set to see the greatest budget cuts of all frontline services, according to the Local Government Association (LGA)..”
Read and Shout – Voices for the Library (about the Read and Shout gig)
Replying to Zadie Smith on the Today programme – Telegraph (cuts to public services are, apparently, 3%)
We must teach children to love books again – Telegraph (by Education Secretary Michael Gove – there is not a single mention of libraries in the article)
Young people bear brunt as councils reveal cuts to services – Guardian “Dramatic reductions for libraries and children’s services will take effect at start of new financial year”, cuts in grants this year alone of up to17%. LSSI has “set up in Liverpool”.
Zadie Smith writes in defence of libraries – Mirror
News by Authority
Barnet – Strategic library review report – Barnet council
Blackburn with Darwen – Darwen library to close two mornings a week – Lancashire Telegraph
Buckinghamshire – Over a third of people in Bucks don’t want community libraries – Mix 96
Cambridgeshire – Have a say on plans to save cash at libraries – Evening Telegraph
Dorset – Give your views on library cuts – Salisbury Journal
Gloucestershire – Hawthorne Hypocrisy – FoGL (Councillor Hawthorne will be speaking against the WI motion that “This meeting urges Her Majesty’s government to maintain support for local libraries, as an essential education and information resource”)
Gloucestershire – Lifeline for Hester’s Way library and youth centre? – This is Gloucestershire
Lewisham – Ed Vaizey’s letter to Lewisham campaigners – Alan Gibbons
Lewisham – legal letter, what to do – Alan Gibbons
Oxfordshire – Councillord complete fact-finding library mission – Oxford Mail (visited Hillingdon)
Oxfordshire – authors support Oxfordshire libraries – Alan Gibbons
North Yorkshire – Bentham Library march to Settle – Bentham Library
Redcar and Cleveland – Minister refuses Redcar Library’s Grade II listing – Gazette
Richmond – We put new Heathfield library “access point” to the test – Richmond Twickenham Times
Richmond – Library Story – Youtube (short video, no words, about cuts in Richmond)
Shropshire – Shrewsbury libraries to be “under one roof” – BBC (reference library and central library to be merged)
Suffolk – Ipswich [300] march over Suffollk library closures plan – BBC
Suffolk – Public foots bill for top hotels – EADT (for library-closing chief exec already under fire for £220k salary, counselling sessions, PR shoots …)
Surrey – “It will be the death of the [Warlingham] community” – This is Surrey Today “”Supporting the Big Society should include supporting and campaigning for the survival of our local library.””
Surrey – Cobham library set for complete overhaul – Elmbridge Today (Surrey has applied to knock down existing library to make way for houses, build new library)
Warwickshire – Council is accused of trying to close Whitnash Library – Courier “staff now leaving had to sign confidentiality agreements and said the service wanted to close Whitnash library”
Warwickshire – Bridget cuts leave Warwick Library with an uncertain future – Courier
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