Public Libraries News

Not only, Ian. Certainly the SoS has a role, but the Wapping case saw the SoS decline to intervene. The profession has the key role by doing its homework on this stuff.

You can find the debate pack for the Westminster Hall debate amongst MPs on public libraries at: commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-brief… This gives a factual overview of their statutory status and the sorry trail of cuts in services. @CILIPinfo @Jonathan4MD

Absolutely hilarious incompetence from Kent Council (Reform) leader. But is it a curtain opener for coming actual censorship? Such actions could only be fought by (this disappointing and distracted) government if so.

Reform UK councillor’s boast about removing ‘trans-ideological’ books from children’s library sections falls flat (they were never there) | The Guardian share.google/ZQVeLnLWpdw2Zg…

BBC confirms Kent’s Reform Party is removing books from children’s section bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Reform leader in Kent bans public library book kentonline.co.uk/sittingbourne/…

'Save Our Saturdays' city wide petition. Please sign and share. @baber007 @BrumLibraryZine @publiclibnews @martinibrooks @Cllr_suleman @rogerbhx @birmingham_live change.org/Save-Our-Satur…

“The council is cutting nearly a third of statutory library hours as part of what it calls a “transformation” of local services.” birminghamworld.uk/news/birmingha…

“Nine years ago, the Londoner decided to volunteer for a month at a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos. Today, she spends most of her time as the librarian of Mavrovouni camp.” theguardian.com/books/2025/jun…

“The first woman and African American to serve as the US librarian of Congress before Donald Trump fired her in May has not heard from the president’s administration beyond the 31-word email it sent her with word of her dismissal” theguardian.com/us-news/2025/j…

“Red wall” Labour MPs are urging Rachel Reeves to fund grassroots “social infrastructure” such as parks, community centres and libraries … to ensure voters in left-behind areas can benefit from growth” theguardian.com/politics/2025/…

A libraries minister actually visiting a library

Fabulous to visit Rugby Library with @JohnSlinger MP today to celebrate Libraries’ Week and hear about the range of work they do for and with the local community - thank you to them and everyone working in our brilliant libraries @warkslibraries

“There is an ambitious effort under way in Indonesia to build a network of microlibraries across the country.” theguardian.com/environment/ga…

Utterly shocked to see Ed “Lazy” Vaizey actually tabled a motion. He didn’t do that much when he was a libraries minister. Am I shocked about him not reporting his free travel/other stuff from Big Tobacco? Not so much. theguardian.com/business/2025/…

Public Library staff ⏰ World Book Day 2026 planning is underway, and we want to hear from you! ✨ Join our focus group and share your thoughts with us 💭 us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

If this is true its serious for us all! Can anyone verify that Reform UK on @StaffordshireCouncil have ordered library employees to remove any "controversial" materials and cancel "controversial" events? @libsconnected @publiclibnews via @reformexposed

Lots of MPs spoke about public libraries this week. Do you want to know what they said? publiclibrariesnews.com

Supporters of the at-risk libraries in Caerphilly County Borough had held out for last-minute reprieve after backbench councillors called for any closures to be deferred,but those hopes were dashed on May 14 when cabinet members pushed ahead with proposals nation.cymru/news/decision-…

The winner of Library of the Year (sponsored by @dkbooks, in association with @readingagency) is @MancLibraries for their Blue Peter Book Club Live ✒️ Our judges praised the engagement level for the campaign, with more than 4,600 children attending #Nibbies #BritishBookAwards