Ebooks in public libraries – response to the Publishers Association statement
This is a statement from Voices for the Library in response to the speech given by Stephen Page at the Public Libraries Authorities conference yesterday. We are very concerned about the recent...
View ArticleStatement on the proposed closure of Leeds libraries
Last month, Leeds council released a report proposing the closure of 20 of their 53 libraries. The report stated: “Over the past few years the people of Leeds have changed how they use the service and...
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Laura Hamilton – The opportunity to gain knowledge
Laura Hamilton, “Dancing on Ice” star and presenter of “Wake Up World” on Nick Junior, has kindly sent us this message of support for libraries. “Save our libraries! Going to the library to loan a book...
View ArticleMLA assessments on local authorities in the north of England
Via a Freedom of Information request originally made by the Save Doncaster Libraries campaign, the MLA supplied the following information assessing the provision and plans for library services in the...
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Support from broadcaster Jenni Trent Hughes
We are very pleased to have received this statement of support from writer, broadcaster and relationship counsellor, Jenni Trent Hughes. “There is nothing in the world more important than a love of...
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National Libraries Day – why did some authorities refuse to celebrate?
Residents in Kent resorted to doing their own thing to support National Libraries Day, Earlier this month library authorities and library users celebrated the very first National Libraries Day. Events...
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Surrey judgement should serve as a stark warning about community libraries
Children campaigning for libraries in Gloucestershire last year (image c/o FOGLibraries on Flickr) Voices for the Library are delighted to hear that Surrey campaigners successfully challenged the...
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Time to vote for libraries
Vote for libraries on May 3rd (image c/o Alan Cleaver on Flickr). Thursday May 3rd sees local elections once more taking place across the UK. Once more, this is a chance to hold to account those...
View ArticleCongratulations to ‘Library Songwriters: Skipton Rewind Club’– CILIP’s...
We at Voices for the Library would like to offer our congratulations to the team behind North Yorkshire’s “Library Songwriters: Skipton Rewind Club” on being awarded the 21st CILIP Libraries Change...
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Statement on the ebook lending review
Ebooks in public libraries will not hurt the publishing industry. (Image c/o goXunuReviews on Flickr. Voices for the Library cautiously welcomes the news that Ed Vaizey has announced a review of ebooks...
View ArticleVoices for the Library tells government e-Lending is a “fantastic opportunity...
In our submission to the government review of ebook lending in public libraries, Voices for the Library emphasised that the lending of ebooks has significant benefits for those excluded from existing...
View ArticleThe Arts Council report on community libraries
The release of the official view on community libraries has underlined our grave concerns about the future for public libraries in the UK, and the government’s intentions towards them. Whilst some of...
View ArticleSociety of Chief Librarians announce universal library offers
Yesterday the Society of Chief Librarians (S.C.L) announced the launch of four universal offers for public libraries , which will be “rolled out nationally across all public libraries in England and...
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Statement on the Sieghart e-lending review
(Image c/o P^2 – Paul on Flickr.) Voices for the Library broadly welcomes the “Independent Review of E-Lending in Public Libraries in England” written by William Sieghart, Chair of the Review panel. We...
View ArticleProposed library cuts in Lincolnshire will hit the most disadvantaged
Voices for the Library are deeply concerned about the recently proposed cuts to the Library Service in Lincolnshire. The proposals include cutting the budget from £6m to £4m, closing 32 out of 47...
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Literacy standards are falling, so why are we closing libraries?
Children who use the library are twice as likely to be above average readers. (Image c/o rossbelmont on Flickr.) Today’s report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)...
View ArticleWhy Terry Deary has got it wrong on public libraries and e-readers
This morning the Telegraph published a story quoting a claim by Terry Deary that it would be a “hell of a lot cheaper” to give “the poor” Kindles rather than fund public libraries. This isn’t the...
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Grayling Ban on Books in Prison
Banning prisoners from being sent books unfairly restricts their access to information. (Image c/o banlon1964 on Flickr.) Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has announced changes to the punishment and...
View ArticleLabour Party Consultation on Public Library Policy
Helen Goodman MP, Shadow Minister for Culture, the Creative Industries and Communications, is calling for comments to help inform Labour’s future policy towards public libraries. Helen sets out a...
View ArticleStatement on Manchester City Council
Voices for the Library are appalled by reports that Manchester City Council have banned homeless people from using the city’s main public library. This move by the Council is contrary to everything a...
View ArticleAn Announcement and Final Blog Post from Voices for the Library
In the current climate, the fight for our public services is ongoing. This is no less true for public libraries, a service that continues to see severe cuts, hollowing out, mass closures and...
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