Congratulations to Gloucester and Somerset public libraries

As many of you may know, Somerset and Gloucester have ruled library cuts unlawful. This means that both councils will need to look at the closures somewhat differently. It was interesting how Cilip, The Guardian and BBC reported this.
Anyhow, congratulations one and all. Especial mention to for one campaignor who said this after the case:-

Gloucestershire residents should never have had to go through this stressful, upsetting and expensive process and serious questions now also need to be answered by the secretary of state Ed Vaizey. It is Mr Vaizey’s duty to intervene when authorities are not meeting their obligations to provide a library service available to all who wish to use it. Why were Gloucestershire County Council allowed to continue down this destructive path? In opposition Mr Vaizey was a vocal critic of library closures yet our many pleas for help have been ignored whilst library users were left to fight this alone – it is clear that he left his convictions at the door on entering office.

Go get 'em........

The Guardian article on decline library usage figures

Library usage falls as branches close so reports the guardian.

In the article, Alan Gibbon says:-

"The great scandal is that opening hours are being slashed to ribbons,"

How depressing!!!!

This article in The Guardian entitled Libraries will rely on volunteers to survive, says report incredibly sad. This comes from the Learning from the Future Libraries Programme Phase one. Oh well. Another advancement under the great con/dem government.

The beginning of the end for books?

There's a good article In the Guardian entitled Want to know print's future? It will cost you… looking at the impact of Ebooks on paper books? Robert McGrum,the author of the article says:-

The history of technology teaches that the printing press did not make the manuscript redundant, nor did the typewriter eliminate the fountain pen. Despite dire predictions, television did not kill radio. Technological change is discontinuous.

Manic Streets preachers speak out against Library closures

Nicky Wire of the Manic Street Preachers has an article in todays Guardian entitled 'If you tolerate this ...': Nicky Wire on library closures. In the article he says:-

As an utterly self-made band, in our formative stages we vociferously consumed high and low culture – magazines, literature and TV. Without money, libraries became something of a lifeline, offering a clear window on to a wider world. In the summer of 2009, the band were honoured to be asked to open the new Cardiff Central Library.

Good on them.

What the papers say about save our libraries campaign

Well, after the save our libraries campaign there seems to have been pretty well covered in the observer, with two articles on the event. One called Writers' anger over plans for libraries and another looking at Phhil Bradley's posters against closures Your library needs YOU!. The Telegraph had a few articles to (but not on sunday). These were Philip Pullman leads day of protests at planned closure of libraries, Top writers join National Library Action Day and Authors lead protests against library closures.
The Independent had an article called The day the bookworms turned.
The Daily Mail said nothing. The Sun had nothing (what a surprise?) The Mirror had an article entitled Authors to stage library read-ins.
So pretty good coverage really.

700th entry and off to support Marcus Garvey to support

This is my 700th entry and today is Save Our Libraries day. The following link is a live blog on the Guardian site. I'm going to Marcus Garvey later, as its the first library I worked at and there supporting them for the day. Listened to radio five have been following it to.
Therefore, a big shout to all the team from voices for the library who have helped make this a great idea.

Advocacy in full effect

In my previous post I commented on The Observer article. Well seems the comment section has been pretty busy. In this section people like Phil Bradley , SimonXIX and IJClark responding some of the critics and queries about libraries and closures. Adocacy in full effect.