The Courier: 6 June
Val McDermid says she “would not be a writer” without public libraries
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/f
Lancashire Post: 6 June
Library sell-off back from the brink
http://www.lep.co.uk/whats-on/
York Press: 7 June
New mobile library to launch
Replaces Haxby library which was closed at short notice due to structural issues
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/new
BBC News: 7 June
Lauren Child: New Children’s Laureate worried about equality in books`
‘She also voiced concerns about library closures.
Child said: “There are many children who don’t have access to books and they don’t have
access to books in their schools because a lot of schools don’t have libraries.
“If we value literacy as much as we say we do and as much as we should, then children need that opportunity. So I worry about the haves and have-nots and giving children the opportunity to try things out.”‘
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ente
Huffington Post: 7 June
This Is What The UK Has Lost Since Austerity Measures Were Introduced
inc,
- The Department for Communities and Local Government which funds libraries amongst other things, has been the hardest hit by austerity.
- Many local authorities are at “breaking point” and some may even have to declare insolvency.
- Spending on public services will be 22% lower this year then in 2010.
- According to one piece of research, by 2020, authorities will have faced real-terms cuts of up to £30 billion in the preceding decade.
- Councils have a statutory duty to provide ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library services.
- Data collected by the Guardian in 2012 shows 2011 was the first year volunteers outnumbered their paid counterparts for the first time.
- Combined visitors to library websites and premises rose from 2007-10 then dropped.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.
