A digest of today’s news items, reproduced here, with kind permission from Shirley Burnham who collated it.  For up to date libraries news follow @ShirleyBurnham on Twitter.

BBC News : 16th February
March through Newcastle over £100m cuts to services
with Libraries references
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-21484399

Chronicle Live : 16th February
Newcastle City Council reveals where axe falls
In total, five libraries face the chance of being saved, with new funders coming in at Cruddas Park and Fenham. Jesmond and High Heaton may be saved, but only if community groups agree final talks to run the. They and Blakelaw Library would still face closure with the possibility of being reopened.  At five other libraries, Dinnington, Moorside, Denton Burn, Newbiggin Hall, and Fawdon, there is no more funding and the sites will close down unless community groups step in.
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2013/02/16/newcastle-city-council-reveals-where-axe-falls-72703-32822028/

TommyDonbavand.com : 14th February
Children’s Author Calls For Librarians To Be Fed To The Poor
However, like Terry, now that I’ve achieved my goals, I don’t want anyone else to have that opportunity.”
http://www.tommydonbavand.com/2013/02/14/feed-librarians-to-the-poor/

Good Library Blog : 16th February
Russia to purchase the English public library service for one hundred million roubles
http://www.goodlibraryguide.com/blog/archives/2013/02/russia_to_purch.html

The Star : 16th February
Help for Sheffield library bids 
Groups interested in taking over Sheffield’s libraries could be offered help to cover running costs, the councillor in charge has pledged.
Coun Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for communities, revealed that ‘numerous’ community, voluntary and faith groups, as well as businesses have come forward.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/community/help-for-sheffield-library-bids-1-5418405

Huddersfield Examiner : 16th February
MP Barry Sheerman calls for libraries to be updated to “move with the times”
“We should look at them as a setting in the community. It is the Government’s job to lead on this important issue.”
http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2013/02/16/mp-barry-sheerman-calls-for-libraries-to-be-updated-to-move-with-the-times-86081-32819156/

Bury Free Press : 16th February
Suffolk | Stowmarket Library’s push for ‘friends’
“We are hoping volunteers will form a committee to help us with fund-raising.  We don’t know how much we need to make yet, but thought it was important to begin the process and get the ball rolling.”
http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/latest-news/library-s-push-for-friends-1-4788501

Midlothian Advertiser : 16th February
Local library petition started 
A petition to save Newton Grange Library was signed by more than 100 people in just two days as locals continue to worry over the future of community facilities.
http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/local-headlines/local-library-petition-started-1-2787111