c.153 closures – Harrogate announces 3
Nov 22nd
3 more libraries in danger today – 153 libraries in danger of closing or being given to community groups since 20th October.
New Cuts
Hartlepool – 3 out of 7 libraries could go – Hartlepool Mail
In Our Defence
Buckinghamshire – “get act together” to save library – Bucks Free Press
Gloucester – protests make front page – flickr. “Gobsmacked” library users – This is Gloucestershire
Leeds – challenges to plans to close 20 libraries – Yorkshire Evening Post
Authors defend libraries – Guardian
It’s the books, stupid, says MLA survey – Bookseller. MLA report suggests that it could also be the coffee. Tim Coates shows schadenfreude at the news, librarians express disgust.
Why can’t librarians campaign for libraries – Undaimonia
Other
Does reading a book make us happier? – BBC
US – an interactive library wall – Billings Gazette
Books as a means of healing – American Libraries
Nov 21st
Around 150 libraries to close or be given away since 20th October.
Cuts
North Yorkshire – 24 libraries to close or be given away, mobile libraries culled – The Press. More in Scarborough Evening News and in the Gazette and Northern Echo
Hampshire – mobile library review, services to be reduced – Kestrel FM.
Oxfordshire – self-service in, 11 f-t jobs out – Oxford Times
Barking and Dagenham – 5 libraries to go – Barking and Dagenham Post
North Somerset – 1 library closed, 2 reprieved – Weston Mercury.
Brent – council had spent £600k on two of the libraries they will close – London Evening Standard
Somerset – consultation – Burnham-on-Sea
Lewisham – reprieve, latest news – Alan Gibbons
Nottingham – introduces PC charges – Nottingham council
In Our Defence
Gloucestershire – hundreds in protest march against library closures – BBC
Martina Cole defends libraries – London Evening Standard
Where are the bodies? – on Tim Coates’ Three Bs – bricks, books and being open – Phil Bradley’s weblog
Joan Bakewell in defence of libraries “In our culture the library stands as tall and as significant as a parish church or the finest cathedral“- BBC. Podcast of her “point of view” on Radio 4 here.
Librarians militant, librarianship triumphant – Virtual Dave
Fun
“My god, you’re a library martyr” – why you shouldn’t go to library school – Stephen’s Lighthouse
Nov 18th
The 1964 Act means nothing. “I don’t see many Wirrals at present” says head of MLA – alangibbons.net
Kirklees – Fines amnesty on up to £500k of late books – Huddersfield Daily Examiner
Tim Coates “Good Library Manual” come out this week, “straightforward solutions” to current problems – Bookseller. Commnet underneath asks “has he ever run one?”
Brent – chance to comment on closure of half of libraries – Harrow Observer
Dumfies – Labour fails to stop proposed closure of 7 libraries – Dumfries & Galloway Standard
Wakefield – chance to take over one or several libraries – Yorkshire Post
Buckinghamshire – libraries “connot continue as we are” – other libraries to follow examples of 2 volunteer-run Bucks libraries – Buckinghamshire Libraries
Volunteers should run libraries to save them from closing or to help out, says former Lib Dem leader of Newcastle – Journal Live.
Cheltenham – proposed new library may not be built – BBC
My Dream Library – children’s competition – Peter’s Bookselling Services
Ebooks and libraries – which business model? – Ken Chad Consulting
USA – the five most innovative libraries – Library Journal
Libraries give you the world, the internet is a vending machine – Democrat Herald
AUSTRALIA – Shh! Revolution in progress – ABC North Queensland
Nov 17th
121 Libraries to close – UK closures announced or proposed since 20th October included on Public Libraries News, plus two mobile library services. Number includes those where the authority has offered the branch to unidentified community groups/volunteers.
Barnsley – up to 8 libraries to close – BBC
Croydon – horror at plan to cut local studies library – Croydon Guardian
Cornwall – cuts already announced (up to 26) get murky – Lanson Boy. 1000 name petition handed in.
Tower Hamlets – library staff have to reapply for their jobs – East London Advertiser
Library closing? Government suggests a co-op – “Local libraries and swimming pools should be controlled by local people, and run in their interest, not just by the service managers.” says Francis Maude. Guardian
Tottenham – £1 million makeover – reveals hidden brook – Haringey Independent
Library issues are actually going up – wannabelibrarian
USA – conservative policy analyst says libraries are worth the tax dollars – City Limits
Dallas – library is privatised, to boos, aim to save $500k – Dallas News
LA – move to restore funding ” “libraries are probably our best crime prevention dollars” – Neon Tommy
Anythink libraries – “I don’t think Anythink is for everyone but I do think rethinking is for everyone” – Library Journal
AK47s and other violence in libraries – American Libraries
Nov 16th
Wiltshire – “frontloading” of cuts shock means things even worse than they appeared – 26 posts already to go, 9 out of 13 managers made redundant – Aldbourne Net
Leeds – 300 name signature handed in as council plans closing 20 out of 52 branches – Yorkshire Evening Post
Newport – 7 out of 12 libraries to close in review – South Wales Argus
Gloucestershire volunteer libraries proposal – Echo report – Campaigner points out protest group isn’t the same as a volunteer group and “it just won’t work”
Dumfries & Galloway will debate library closures – BBC
The three things that matter most for public libraries are the three Bs – Books, Buildings and Being open – Good Library Blog.
Darien Library – The Great Good Place – Vimeo – 50 minute video, slow to start, seriously impressive public library.
Libraries aren’t dead yet – ZDNet
Jay-Z talks at New York Public Library, librarian gets slated – Guardian
IMPAC Dublin Literary Award list announced, chosen by librarians – Montreal Gazette
Like it or not, the books is dead – Globe and Mail
Not a public library but could not resist – Naked freshman trashes university library
Nov 15th
Lewisham – local radio interviews protesters against library cuts – Sydenham Radio
Libraryweb – the most comprehensive place for library culture on the web? – libraryweb.info
Ascot – extra hours funded by Durning Trust – Maidenhead Advertiser
Buckinghamshire – it’s plans for cuts explained and your chance to comment – Buckinghamshire County Council.
Birmingham – architect of new Central Library speaks – Birmingham Post
Libraries need to be saved, but changed, says The Reading Agency – LGC
Independent library gives same services for half the price – London Evening Standard. Even Alan Gibbons likes it.
ResPublica urges privatisation of libraries – Guardian. The report itself is here
USA – the Library as Amusement Park – City Journal
Australia – State Library of Victoria too loud – Brisbane Times
Nov 15th
Ascot – extra hours funded by Durning Trust – Maidenhead Advertiser
Buckinghamshire – it’s plans for cuts explained and your chance to comment – Buckinghamshire County Council.
Birmingham – architect of new Central Library speaks – Birmingham Post
Libraries need to be saved, but changed, says The Reading Agency – LGC
Independent library gives same services for half the price – London Evening Standard. Even Alan Gibbons likes it.
ResPublica urges privatisation of libraries – Guardian. The report itself is here
USA – the Library as Amusement Park – City Journal
Australia – State Library of Victoria too loud – Brisbane Times
Nov 14th
ThinkTank wants libraries sold off in the same way as council housing was, report launched by minister – UKPA
Nov 14th
ThinkTank wants libraries sold off in the same way as council housing was, report to be launched by minister tomorrow – UKPA
Buckinghamshire – 14 libraries may be volunteer run or closed – Bucks Free Press
Brent – protest at cuts, 75 responses so far – Park Life
Gloucestershire – campaign starts to fight cuts – Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries
Swindon – volunteer-run library has been tried – ““A library without staff is just a room full of second hand books.” – Swindon Advertiser
What should I read next? AskChris – Essex Libraries
Comprehensive list of libraries under threat in UK – uklibrarywatch
Campaign for the Book newsletter – alangibbons.net
Are library campaigners doing it right? – Voices for the Library
US – public libraries a vital resource – Galesburg.com
Library cat retires – party planned – NECN
Nov 13th
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
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