Libraries News Round-up: 24th March 2014

DCMS : 24th March
Library comparison reports published
We have commissioned a comprehensive set of benchmarking reports, for a second year running, which are published today.  Some LAs not listed
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/library-comparison-reports-published 

THE BOOKSELLER : 24th March
Four Newcastle libraries to reopen
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/four-newcastle-libraries-reopen.html

THE BOOKSELLER : 24th March
Majority of North Yorks libraries could go to volunteers
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/majority-north-yorks-libraries-could-go-volunteers.html

Chester Chronicle : 24th March
Staff face job losses as council announces library closures
“Front line staff are once again being targeted in libraries but we are sworn to secrecy.”
http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/cheshire-west-staff-face-job-6872076

THE GUARDIAN : 24th March
Mark Haddon launches online petition against prisoners’ book ban
Writers including Philip Pullman have criticised a Ministry of Justice ban on sending books to prisoners, calling it ‘despicable’
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/mar/24/mark-haddon-online-petition-prison-ban-books

THE GUARDIAN : 24th March
Ministers defend ban on sending books to prisoners in England and Wales
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/mar/24/ban-books-prisoners-england-wales-authors

THE BOOKSELLER : 24th March
Campaigners offered space in Kensal Rise library building
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/campaigners-offered-space-kensal-rise-library-building.html

Kilburn Times : 24th March
New community library for Kensal Rise after campaigners shake hands with property developer http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/new_community_library_for_kensal_rise_after_campaigners_shake_hands_with_property_developer_1_3476670

Harrogate Advertiser : 24th March
North Yorkshire | Drastic cuts – council to face its ‘biggest challenge’
The authority is now considering converting a further 23 of its 35 libraries – with the remainder to become hubs for community services.
http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/drastic-cuts-council-to-face-its-biggest-challenge-1-6511838

Croydon Citizen : 24th March
What next for Croydon libraries?
Sean Creighton assesses the future of the borough’s libraries and whether residents should engage with the private contractor Carillion
http://thecroydoncitizen.com/politics-society/next-croydon-libraries/

Leon’s Library Blog : 22nd March
Sieghart…or jumping through hoops!
So it will be interesting to see if Sieghart does indeed produce an independent narrative or if, as I suspect, this is just another fudged report exploited by the DCMS to justify and extend the use of volunteer run libraries.
http://leonslibraryblog.com/2014/03/22/sieghart-or-jumping-through-hoops/

Falmouth Packet : 24th March
Cornwall | Penryn residents upset as library opening hours cut
http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/fpfalmouth/11091193.Penryn_residents_upset_as_library_opening_hours_cut/