News Round-up from the Network

In Warwickshire, a committee considered proposals from communities on October 10th. We’re looking forward to supporting organisations from across the County as they prepare to launch their community-run services over the coming months. https://libraryconsult.wordpress.com/

In Buckinghamshire, we are looking forward to working with up to 14 community partnerships. Farnham Common Community Library (FCCL) is to become the first in Buckinghamshire to be run by members of the community.

In Leeds we are will initially working with communities in Shadwell and Rawdon to support them to take forward their proposals and discussing with the Council how we can best support communities in other area’s.

In Wakefield we are talking with the council and will be working to support communities to take forward proposals depending on the outcome of their ongoing consultation.

We are also in talks with several other authorities about extending the network. I am looking forward to bringing this network together for the first time at our national convention which features a workshop on community managed libraries and digital asset development – amongst many other things…

In other news….

The New Local Government Network (NLGN) have published a new report arguing for radical transformation of library services. Transforming Universal Services: Transport, libraries and environmental services beyond 2015. 

Last month, Arts Council England (ACE) published it’s first library strategy document setting out its vision and long term goals for the development of museums and libraries. See: Culture, Knowledge and Understanding: Great Museums and Libraries for Everyone -

This is the first such publication following the transfer of the library function from the MLA to the Arts Council. The Arts Council will also be supporting Phase 2 of the Future Libraries Programme:

In the US, Amazon are poised to launch an online library service:

In Bradford, Addingham Community Library have signed the first service level agreement to deliver a community managed library in the area.It was one of five libraries ear-marked for closure unless communities came up with a rescue package. Libraries in Wrose, Heaton, Wilsden, Addingham and Denholme are all likely to close as Bradford Council seeks to save £70,000 -

A cabinet decision in Surrey has agreed to progress plans for library provision in 10 areas, to be delivered via the Community Partnerships Model -
 

As always, please get in touch with your news and updates of interest to the network.