Closures, reductions in opening hours, residents losing expensive and long-running high court battles to keep their local branches open: thinking too hard about libraries in the UK is depressing. So, fellow library lovers, let's try and cheer ourselves up a little instead.
First, the plan to make libraries part of the "big society" could be on shaky ground following yesterday's high court ruling that Surrey county council's plans to replace paid staff at 10 libraries with volunteers was unlawful. It boils down to an issue over equality, and Surrey is saying its proposals "could still go ahead". But it's nonetheless the first legal acknowledgment that trained library staff are, actually, rather special.
As Dan Jarvis, Labour's shadow culture minister, put it: "Whilst I accept that libraries can and should bring in volunteers to reduce costs, this should be about sensible engagement with the local community rather than a shuffling-off of responsibility. Volunteers are important and welcome additions, but I have yet to meet a group who would not rather be supporting a service adequately funded by the state."
Second, let's make ourselves happy by looking at some of the wonderful, inspiring libraries from around the world. Take a glance at the new Stuttgart library. Scroll down a bit on the link and just look at the many, many floors of books! That wide, open space in the middle of it all. The natural light. I think I could probably spend a year there, picking, choosing and reading, reading, reading. The same goes for Bogota's new library, which sounds amazing and is one of several to be built around the Colombian capital in the past decade. And it doesn't stop there – have a browse and a bit of an armchair travel, and send me your own favourite international libraries. If we get enough suggestions, we'll see about putting together a gallery.
Let's channel any positive feelings we've managed to engender towards campaigners in Friern Barnet, who have been fighting to save their library for some time and are awaiting a cabinet vote this evening to find out what the future of their much-loved branch will be. Fingers crossed for them. And let us know how your own battles are going: library campaigners, I salute you.
