Libraries News Round-up: 7th February 2014

THE GUARDIAN : 7th February
A local cheer for National Libraries Day
The branch library around the corner is a shining example of why the resource is so vital across the country
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/feb/07/local-national-libraries-day-branch-vital

THE BOOKSELLER : 7th February
Liverpool library funding slashed in half
“Factored into how much must be cut is the required repayments for the Central Library refurbishment of around £1m a year for the next 30 years under the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme that paid for it.”
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/liverpool-library-funding-slashed-half.html

BBC News : 6th February
Liverpool City Council cuts: Plan to axe 300 jobs
This could result in the closure of up to half the city’s 19 libraries.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-26073283

The Star : 7th February
Plea for rethink for Sheffield library rejected
In a heated meeting – in which one councillor described proposals from her own cabinet as ‘terrible’ – the call for a fresh needs assessment from 14 campaign groups was rejected.  Protest groups from across the city came together for the first time after highlighting a number of ‘flaws’ in the Library Review.  Campaign groups and other protesters have pleaded for a rethink over the needs assessment criteria, used in determining which libraries would face the axe.  It used data based on which library a user is registered at, rather than their home address, and under 18s were not included in the assessment despite making up 31 per cent of library users.
http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/council/education/plea-for-rethink-for-sheffield-library-rejected-1-6423489

Sheffield Telegraph : 7th February
Campaigners mark Libraries Day – and hope they survive
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/what-s-on/campaigners-mark-libraries-day-and-hope-they-survive-1-6423310

Tinder Foundation : 5th February
Developing Digital Skills in Public Libraries
Tinder Foundation apologies;  says they will re-establish the link soon.
We’re pleased to announce that Tinder Foundation has recently won a contract with the Society of Chief Librarians and the Arts Council to develop training to increase the digital confidence and competence of the public library workforce.
http://www.tinderfoundation.org/our-thinking/news/developing-digital-skills-public-libraries

Kenilworth Weekly News : 7th February
Compromise is reached – Warwickshire County Council budget: Libraries to stay open
http://www.kenilworthweeklynews.co.uk/news/local-news/warwickshire-county-council-budget-libraries-to-stay-open-and-no-further-cuts-to-children-s-centres-after-compromise-is-reached-1-5863086

Herald Scotland : 7th February
Book town council attacked for cutting library opening times
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/book-town-council-attacked-for-cutting-library-opening-times.23375847