Library closures a ‘disgrace’
Carillion collapses & library service swiftly taken back in-house in Croydon,
Libraries promote mental well-being,
Oxford Central Library revamp fails to accommodate wheelchair users,
Council websites fall short on e-lending,
And a library reopens in Lancashire…
The Bookseller: 15 January
Library closures are a ‘disgrace’, says Daunt
Local Gov: 15 January
Government pledges to protect public services following collapse of Carillion
‘General secretary of trade union Unison, Dave Prentis, said: ‘The Government needs to move quickly to bring these contracts back in-house – to safeguard our services and to protect the many staff in schools, hospitals, local authorities and libraries.’
‘Carillion has managed Croydon LBC’s libraries since 2012 and the council today decided to bring the service back in-house.
The council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, Timothy Godfrey, said: ‘The council has been considering its options over the past few months after it became clear that Carillion was running into difficulties.
‘We are determined to protect and boost our libraries for residents now and for generations to come.’ ‘
BBC News: 15 January
Carillion: The company entrenched in public life
Croydon Guardian: 15 January
Council guarantees jobs of library staff after Carillion collapse
Croydon Advertiser: 15 January
Croydon libraries to be run by the council again to ‘protect jobs’ after Carillion collapse
Croydon Citizen: 15 January
Croydon Council to take libraries back in house following the liquidation of Carillion
Wording of official council press release
Local Government Chronicle: 15 January
Carillion collapse sparks surge to bring services back in-house
The Telegraph: 15 January
Live: Carillion collapse leaves 30,000 businesses losing out on up to £1bn
(Behind paywall)
Quotes from press release used. See Croydon Citizen post, above.
Metro: 15 January
Cuts to libraries will hurt us all – why we can’t lose these havens for mental well-being
Oxford Mail: 15 January
Disabled people still can’t access library despite 18 month revamp
Banbury Guardian: 15 January
Northamptonshire | Fight continues to save Brackley library
UKA Local Digital: 15 January
Council websites fall short on library e-lending
Only a minority of Scottish and Welsh local authorities are providing a good or very good service on their websites to help people use e-resources from their local libraries, according to a new report from public sector IT association Socitm.
Lancashire Telegraph: 15 January
Oswaldtwistle library reopens after long battle
Accrington Observer: 15 January
Lancashire | Campaigners celebrate Oswaldtwistle library reopening
UK Library News 