<p>John Hicks has resigned from the board of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) to focus on his library consultancy business. </p><p>Hicks told<em> The Bookseller:</em> &quot;I am now so committed to work projects that I don&#39;t have time to give sufficient attention to the MLA, which I think is at a challenging point because of [the cuts in] public expenditure and the need for it to make an impact quickly following its reorganisation.&quot;</p><p> Library campaigner Desmond Clarke said: &quot;John is greatly admired within both the profession and local government and his resignation removes a highly respected, strong and independent voice from the MLA board.&quot; </p>