libraries | The Bookseller

Burnham sets up Wirral inquiry

Publication Date: Mon, 06/04/2009 - 09:00

Culture secretary Andy Burnham has finally decided to intervene in the public dispute about proposed library closures in the Wirral. Burnham has called a "local inquiry" to test whether the council's plans are consistent with its statutory duty to provide all residents with a comprehensive public library service. It is the first...

Andy Burnham | Home | libraries | Philip Jones | Wirral
Wirral closures face legal challenge

Publication Date: Tue, 31/03/2009 - 06:31

Legal moves to overturn Wirral Council’s controversial scheme to close libraries have moved a step closer with the formal application to have a judicial review of the plans, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Wirral solicitor and independent councillor David Kirwan has been spearheading the legal challenge to the plans and said he has...

libraries | Philip Jones | Wirral
Arthur, Sheldon to leave Peters

Publication Date: Mon, 30/03/2009 - 14:47

Moira Arthur, m.d. of independent library supplier Peters Bookselling Services, is to leave the company later this year. She has worked at Peters for 25 years, including 10 years as md, but has planned to retire early and return to family in Scotland to pursue other interests. Sales and marketing director Peter Sheldon will also be retiring in...

Caroline Horn | libraries | Moira Arthur | Peters Bookselling Services
Ombudsman to quiz Wirral Council

Publication Date: Tue, 24/03/2009 - 08:38

Wirral council’s ruling cabinet members will be questioned by the Local Government Ombudsman this week over the closure of 11 libraries.

The Liverpool Daily Post reports that all 10 cabinet members were called for interview along with the leader and deputy of the council's Conservative group.

The closures—...

Graeme Neill | libraries
MLA and DCMS 'increasingly anti-book'

Publication Date: Mon, 23/03/2009 - 08:25

The MLA and DCMS have been accused by library campaigner Tim Coates of being “increasingly anti-book” in a feature carried in Sunday’s Observer.

The piece written by Rachel Cooke argued that as expenditure on books has fallen this has resulted in fewer books being borrowed making it easier for councils to...

Coates | Katie Coyne | libraries | Observer | Rachel Cooke
Swindon libraries in firing line

Publication Date: Fri, 20/03/2009 - 08:08

More than half of Swindon's libraries could be replaced with mobile services, according to a leaked document from Swindon Council. The paper, Value for Money Savings 2009-10, suggests a number of options to reduce the library budget by as much as £280,000.

According to the Swindon Advertiser, the paper, which...

Katie Allen | libraries | Shirley Burnham | swindon
Askews enters e-books arena

Publication Date: Thu, 19/03/2009 - 14:49

Lancashire-based library supplier Askews is preparing to supply e-books to libraries. The service will compete with US company Overdrive, which presented its e-book offer to UK libraries this week, attracting attendees from as far afield as Berkshire, Surrey and Kent.

Askews sales manager Andy Holland said: "We are developing an e-...

Askews | Benedicte Page | digitisation | ebooks | Home | libraries | Overdrive
More libraries look to ebooks

Publication Date: Wed, 18/03/2009 - 08:30

Hampshire and Hertfordshire are the latest library services looking into offering e-books to users, as US e-book service supplier Overdrive continues to target the UK. A presentation by Overdrive, to be held at Winchester Discovery Centre in Hampshire later today (18th March), is set to bring 100 attendees from library authorities across the...

Benedicte Page | digital | Home | libraries | recession
Creative Content signs deal with Overdrive

Publication Date: Thu, 12/03/2009 - 10:10

Creative Content has signed a deal with OverDrive to sell its titles in libraries and schools.

OverDrive, a digital media distributor, which sends content out to over 9,000 libraries and online retailers will distribute Creative Content's business etiquette and self-improvement titles worldwide.

Ali Muirden, founder of...

Creative Content | digital | libraries | Overdrive | Schools | Victoria Gallagher
MP demands end to Wirral closures

Publication Date: Tue, 10/03/2009 - 06:13

A Wirral MP has demanded the council calls an immediate halt to its library closure programme, reports the Wirral Globe.

Stephen Hesford has written to council chief executuve Steve Maddox saying the controversial shut down of 11 libraries, swimming pools and village halls should be put on ice until a series of complaints and inquiries...

libraries | Philip Jones | Stephen Hesford | Wirral