Library News Round-up: 5th February 2013

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

Liverpool Echo : 5th February
Leading Article | Don’t kill off our culture
We’re facing up to the news that the city council is planning to axe around 10 Liverpool libraries.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/views/our-view/2013/02/05/don-t-kill-off-our-culture-100252-32747398/

THE BOOKSELLER : 5th February
Liverpool Council threatens to close 10 libraries
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/liverpool-council-threatens-close-10-libraries.html

Liverpool Daily Post : 5th February
Liverpool libraries and care for vulnerable to be targeted in council cuts
Liverpool has 19 libraries at present, but the council thinks it can save around £938,000 (from April 2014) by closing around 10.  It is examining plans to keep a seven-day service at Central Library and at two community libraries (one in the north and another in the south).  It will also have a cluster of smaller libraries, of around six, open shorter hours.
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2013/02/05/liverpool-libraries-and-care-for-vulnerable-to-be-targeted-in-council-cuts-99623-32747987/

NEW STATESMAN : 5th February
Whose library is it anyway?
After being closed by the Conservative council and then run by Occupy London, Friern Barnet Library is now in the hands of residents. But does this development represent a Pyrrhic victory over the cuts?
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/02/whose-library-it-anyway

THE GUARDIAN : 5th February
Alison Flood – Library campaigners save Friern Barnet branch for community
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/feb/05/library-campaigners-save-friern-barnet-branch

Barnet & Whetstone Press : 5th February
Squatters to leave Friern Barnet Library as council and residents near deal
http://www.barnet-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=3737&headline=Squatters%20to%20leave%20Friern%20Barnet%20Library%20as%20council%20and%20residents%20near%20deal

Times Series : 4th February
Community takeover of Friern Barnet Library expected tomorrow
Squatters currently occupying the Friern Barnet Road premises are preparing to “ceremonially” hand over the keys to the community group at midday.
http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/10204885.Community_takeover_of_library_expected_tomorrow/

Gazette Series : 5th February
New mobile library for Gloucestershire 
http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/10206344.New_mobile_library_for_Gloucestershire/

Dorset Echo : 5th February
Burton Bradstock’s library turns new leaf as friends take over
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10206284.Burton_Bradstock___s_library_turns_new_leaf_as_friends_take_over/

South Wales Argus : 5th February
Axe-threatened Maindee, Newport library has city’s second most visitors
http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/10207437.Axe_threatened_Newport_library_has_city___s_second_most_visitors/

Aberdeen News : 5th February
Letter | Why a library?
http://www.aberdeennews.com/opinion/aan-letter-why-a-library-20130204,0,6343268.story