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Yinnon Ezra has left his role as a specialist libraries advisor to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Ezra took on the role a year ago in a part time capacity, and has spent the year working with local authorities and encouraging them to communicate and share experiences of libraries cutbacks.
In a final blog, Ezra wrote that he had held discussions with 46 different local authorities, and had found that none spoke with other authorities when making its own decisions regarding libraries. He said: "Out of this I have been able to create a small ‘dating agency’ where colleagues have been able to talk confidentially with others. What has delighted me is that there is now real evidence that these discussions have changed some plans."
Ezra's advisory role replaced the Advisory Council for Libraries, which is a statutory requirement.
Laura Swaffield, chair of The Library Campaign, said: "Bang goes DCMS's only source of independent, expert advice. Meanwhile, The Library Campaign has spent months vainly trying to find out when DCMS is going to consult on its illegal decision to abolish the - statutory - Advisory Council on Libraries. Could the DCMS perhaps be replaced by volunteers?"
The Bookseller also understands that Justin Tomlinson MP will be standing down from his role as chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Library Group. Tomlinson's office has yet to respond to requests for comment.