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.

CILIP : 1st February
President, Phil Bradley on the Government’s response to the CMS Committee’s report into library closures
http://communities.cilip.org.uk/blogs/presidentphil/archive/2013/02/01/on-the-government-library-closures-inquiry.aspx
and Link to the Government’s response:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/consultation_responses/CP_Gov_Response_Library_Closures.pdf

THE BOOKSELLER : 1st February
Return of National Libraries Day 
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/return-national-libraries-day.html

THE INDEPENDENT : 31st January
The medicinal power of literature: Books on prescription to be introduced 
“The big concern, as well as the closures, is that services have been hollowed out. Opening hours are shorter, and they have got rid of professional librarians for volunteers. There’s a lot of anger out there.”
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/the-medicinal-power-of-literature-books-on-prescription-to-be-introduced-8475933.html

Don’t Privatise Libraries : 1st February
Gimmicks Galore at the Great Public Libraries Gala! 
http://dontprivatiselibraries.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/gimmicks-galore-at-great-public.html?spref=tw

Public Libraries News : 31st January
Special report: “Libraries of the 21st Century” versus “offering a new dress to a plague victim”
By linking in libraries to health and to benefits, senior librarians are throwing ropes out from the raft on to larger, more sturdy, vessels
http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2013/01/special-report-libraries-of-the-21st-century-versus-offering-a-new-dress-to-a-plague-victim.html

Voices for the Library : 1st February
Society of Chief Librarians announce universal library offers
http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/?p=2821

DAILY TELEGRAPH : 31st January
GPs to prescribe library books to combat anxiety, depression and relationship problems
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9839458/GPs-to-prescribe-library-books-to-combat-anxiety-depression-and-relationship-problems.html

Reading Agency : 31st January
Miranda McKearney’s Speech Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme
http://readingagency.org.uk/news/blog/announcing-the-reading-well-books-on-prescription-scheme.html

Milton Keynes Citizen : 31st January
Future of leisure centres and libraries in residents’ hands
http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/local/future-of-leisure-centres-and-libraries-in-residents-hands-1-4742180

Swindon Council
Agenda Item – Cabinet Meeting 6th February
Page 29
Reduce opening hours in all libraries. Provide10 hours in smaller libraries, 30 hours in medium libraries, 45 hours in larger libraries and 55 hours in Central library. Reduction in staff costs. No savings in buildings or IT costs.
http://ww5.swindon.gov.uk/moderngov/mgConvert2Pdf.aspx?ID=10719&T=9

Your Cardiff : 1st February
Cardiff Council slashes £22m from its budget – with cuts to libraries, leisure centres, and the arts
http://yourcardiff.walesonline.co.uk/2013/02/01/cardiff-council-to-slash-22m-from-its-budget-with-cuts-to-libraries-leisure-centres-and-the-arts/

BBC News : 1st February
Cardiff council cuts: Pool, libraries, Flat Holm Island hit
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-21289953

Tenby Observer : 1st February
Pembrokeshire | Library rumours unconfirmed
http://www.tenby-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=3553&headline=Library%20rumours%20unconfirmed

Broken Barnet Blogspot : 1st February
Friern Barnet Library: a People’s Library, and a People’s Victory 
http://wwwbrokenbarnet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/friern-barnet-library-peoples-library.html

Coventry Telegraph : 1st February
Coventry Central Library to close for three weeks for makeover

includes detailed description of redesign and improvements

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2013/02/01/latest-coventry-central-library-to-close-for-three-weeks-for-makeover-92746-32726430/

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Libraries News Round-up: 29th December 2013

Northern Echo : 29th December Reduced opening hours at libraries in borough of Stockton in new year http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/teesvalley/hartlepool/10903254.Reduced_opening_hours_at_libraries_in_borough_of_Stockton_in_near_year_/ Public Libraries News : 27th December Changes in branch numbers 2007/8 to…

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