The Fight for Libraries in the United Kingdom

According to Public Libraries News (What's Happening to Your Library?), 426 libraries (335 buildings and 91 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries are under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).

Website notes that this map has not been updated since the summer due to lack of time.

Library supporters to unite for 13th March rally. (The Bookseller, 1/12/2012)

Excerpt:   Heather Wakefield, Unison head of local government, said: "Cutting libraries is not an easy solution for councils to save cash – it is a literacy time bomb for deprived communities."

Community groups are being held to ransom by government plans to force them to take over the running of services, or lose them. These groups don't have the time, skills and resources to take over the jobs of experienced library staff."

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