Libraries News Round-up: 3 March 2016

THE BOOKSELLER
Franklin: low literacy levels ‘a national disgrace’
library cuts condemned
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/franklin-low-literacy-levels-national-disgrace-323349

THE BOOKSELLER : 3rd March
‘End of the beginning for e-books’ says Tamblyn
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/michael-tamblyn-323801

Herald Scotland : 3rd March
Pupils from Scottish islands of Mull and Iona launch video to save their school librarian
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14319069.Pupils_from_Scottish_island_made_this_heartfelt_video_to_save_their_school_librarian/

Bucks Free Press : 3rd March
Turning libraries into charities could save them, says expert
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/14318965.Turning_libraries_into_charities_could_save_them__says_expert/

Swindon Advertiser : 3rd March 
Library review raises concerns in Wroughton 
http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/14318999.Library_review_raises_concerns_in_Wroughton/

What Do They Know : 3rd March
FoI Response – Swindon Borough Council | Walcot Library’s lending figures and paid staff input
Walcot Library is currently still part of the Town’s statutory service.  It relies heavily on volunteers who are led by a former Tory councillor.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/walcot_librarys_lending_figures?nocache=incoming-776867#incoming-776867

Barnet & Whetstone Press : 3rd March
Young readers protest proposed Barnet library cuts on World Book Day
http://www.barnet-today.co.uk/article.cfm?id=109018&headline=Young%20readers%20protest%20proposed%20Barnet%20%20library%20cuts%20on%20World%20Book%20Day&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2016

Herald Scotland : 3rd March
South Ayrshire Council to shut & curb opening of hours of over a dozen libraries as cuts bite
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/14318978.Council_to_shut_and_curb_opening_of_hours_of_over_a_dozen_libraries_as_cuts_bite/

Hinckley Times : 3rd March
Leicestershire | Barwell Library faces final chapter as closure confirmed
There was some hope for Barwell’s library after a volunteer group proposed to take over the site. They were forced to reluctantly pull the plug after failing to find ways of making the branch financially viable.  But county bosses have agreed to take into consideration fresh plans from community groups who wish to run the library if submitted before June of next year.  Gosh, that’s big of them …
http://www.hinckleytimes.net/news/local-news/barwell-library-faces-final-chapter-10976060

Lancashire County Council : 2nd March
Reduced opening hours at some libraries in West Lancashire
The reduced opening hours are due to staff shortages.
http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/news/details.aspx?Id=PR16/0094

THE BOOKSELLER : 1st March
‘Libraries are vital to freedom of speech’
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/jolley-libraries-and-information-conference-323422

Public Libraries News : 1st March
Editorial | Taken out of context:  House of Commons Library and the DCMS
http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/2016/03/taken-out-of-context-house-of-commons-library-and-the-dcms.html