Friends of Stony Stratford Library | Image: Milton Keynes Citizen
This page will be updated as we get more reports of actions.
Doncaster:
- Bawtry: Doncaster Rd, Bawtry,Doncaster,South Yorkshire,DN10 6NE
- Rossington: McConnel Cr, Doncaster DN11 0PL
- Moorends: Marshland Rd, Moorends, Doncaster, West Yorkshire DN8 4S
Doncaster Save Our Libraries site.
Brentford Library at 12 noon on 5 February. The broadcaster Anna Ford and actress Susan Penhaligon, who are both Brentford residents, have agreed to take part
Cambridge: Arbury Court Library in Cambridge, Read-In event on February 5 (from 2-3pm).
Croydon:
- Norbury Library is hosting a “read-in” organised by your residents’ associations to support the love of our library. Part of a national campaign to support libraries, we are encouraging people to come and read. Actor Ralph Ineson (Harry Potter, The Office and Waterloo road) is giving a reading at 12 noon. Event: 11am-1pm. Ralph Ineson Reading: 12 noon Norbury Library Beatrice Avenue
- Sanderstead: Save Sanderstead March and Read-in Starting at The Gruffy (the small green by Sanderstead Pond) at 1pm to the Read-in at Sanderstead library – or join us at the library. For more details go to: www.savesandersteadlibrary.co.uk
Isle of Wight
- Sandown Library “Read-in” on Saturday 5th February. 4 local authors will be supporting the event; M J Trow, Wendy K Harris, Diana Kimpton and Gay Baldwin.
- Ventnor library From 9.30 am. Peaceful protest outside library 12.30-13.30.
Gloucestershire:
Events planned so far:
- Churchdown Library
Library fun day (10:00 – 4:00).
With story-time, fancy dress and a ‘craft corner’, plus novelist and playwright Alice Jolly will be holding a creative writing workshop for older teens and adults (time TBC). - Charlton Kings Library (with some activities to take place in the Stanton Room next door)
‘Love your library’ (10:00 – 4:00)
Activities will include badge-making, a library treasure hunt, a library quiz for older children and adults, the creation of a memory scroll, and a free prize draw. At 12:30 a celebration ‘cut the cake not the library’ cake will be shared in the Stanton Room, and from 2:00 published novelist Jane Bailey will be holding a creative writing class for those who dream of putting pen to paper. - Cheltenham Library
Poetry day (10:30 start)
All are welcome to come along and have a go at writing their own poems, or take part in a read-athon of their own work or favourite pieces of poetry/prose. Encouragement will be on hand from local poets, who will also be performing their own work. - Cinderford Library
‘Kids for Forest Libraries’ (1:00 – 3:00)
Cinderford will receive a visit from children’s author John Dougherty as part of the ‘flying authors’ tour (estimated landing time – 1:15). At 2:00 there will be the opportunity for kids to ‘Hear a Story and Learn to Draw’ with acclaimed children’s author and illustrator Shoo Rayner. - Hesters Way Library
Library fun day (10:30 start)
At 10:30, Hannah Shaw, the author and illustrator of popular children’s books ‘Evil Weasel’ and ‘Erroll’ will be holding a story and poster workshop for kids of all ages, plus we will be receiving a visit from children’s author John Dougherty as part of the ‘flying authors’ tour (estimated landing time – 11:50). - Lydney Library
‘Love Lydney Library’ (10:30 – 2:00)
Story-time sessions will start at 10:30 and 12:00, and there will be the chance to create a Chinese New Year-themed mask and add your brushstrokes to a ‘Love Lydney Library’ mural. - Mitcheldean Library
‘Kids for Forest Libraries’ (11:00 – 1:00)
At 11:00 there will be the opportunity for kids to ‘Hear a Story and Learn to Draw’ with acclaimed children’s author and illustrator Shoo Rayner, plus we will receive a visit from children’s author John Dougherty as part of the ‘flying authors’ tour (estimated landing time – 12:45). - Moreton-in-Marsh Library
Read-in (12:00 – 2:00)
All ages welcome, and with a free family storytelling performance by Chloë of the Midnight Storytellers. - Stroud Library
Read-in (from 1:00)
All ages welcome. We will be joined by authors Jamila Gavin and Alice Jolly, and at 2:00 Hannah Shaw, the author and illustrator of popular children’s books ‘Evil Weasel’ and ‘Erroll’ will be holding a story workshop for kids of all ages
The ‘Flying Authors’ - John Dougherty, ‘I Love Libraries’ tour
As part of this day of celebration, author of the popular ‘Zeus’ and ‘Jack Slater Monster Investigator’ children’s books series, John Dougherty, will be attempting a mini-marathon ‘I Love Libraries’ tour. He’ll be visiting as many Gloucestershire libraries as he can in a single day, and bringing with him his bag of books and his trusty guitar. There’ll be laughs, readings, music, maybe even poetry, and a few words about why libraries are so important – all in under 20 minutes per visit! Come and support him, and your local library!John’s itinerary (times are approximate):- Minchinhampton Library – 9:30
- Tuffley Library – 10:15
- Matson Library – 10:45
- Brockworth Library – 11:15
- Hesters Way Library – 11:50
- Micheldean Library – 12:45
- Cinderford Library – 1:15
- Lydney Library – 1:55
- Hucclecote Library – 3:15
Check http://foclibrary.wordpress.com/ for information.
London
- Barnet: Between 10:30 and 12:30 there will be a stall outside The Broadwalk Shopping Centre, Edgware promoting the Save Barnet Libraries Campaign, Unsion’s Love Your Libraries Campaign and The Campaign for the Book.
- Battersea: Roman mysteries author Caroline Lawrence will be doing a Read-In at York Gardens Library in Battersea on Feb 5 along with other local authors. Do please come along from 1.00 -3.00pm! Other authors attending this Read-In so far are : Sophie Bennett and Nadifa Mohamed!
- Brixton: Friends of the Tate Library, Brixton, London will joining in with the day and will be collecting signatures and testimonials in support of Lambeth Libraries on the 5th Feb.
- Haringey Read in: Nine authors are going to be reading in nine Haringey libraries on Feb 5th
- Kensal Rise Library in Brent will be holding a Read In on Sat 5th February. We will be having readings for children, a children’s entertainer, Quizzes Balloons etc Hoping to raise awareness of the benefits of our library and of the many libraries threatened with closure nationally.
- Lewisham :
11.30-1pm at the following libraries:- Sydenham
- Crofton Park
- New Cross
- Blackheath
- Grove Park
Sly and Reggie are performing to help and spice up the Lewisham read-ins. They’ve even composed a song especially for use by libraries campaigners! And a plus is, they reckon they can attend all five participating libraries. Attendance at New Cross is already confirmed.
Merseyside: Libraries campaigners to join Merseyside March Against the Cuts
Saturday, 5th FebruaryAssemble Exchange Flags (Back of Liverpool Town Hall) 11am
Speakers include Tony Benn
Milton Keynes:
- Stony Stratford Library will be joining in and organising a read-in on 5th February from 11am until Midday. Best selling author (and Milton Keynes resident) Carole Matthews is coming to open the event, also local writer Mark Neil writing and reading out a poem. The Read in will be aiming at children there will be several story sessions plus cakes/biscuits and juice for refreshment.
- Woburn Sands 10.30 to 12.30, read-in at Woburn Sands Library, which is threatened with closure by Milton Keynes Council along with Stony Stratford Library. We’ve already had over 1000 signatures against the proposal to close the library, and we’re also planning to drop letters, leaflets and petitions around village on Saturday 29 January, encouraging as many people as possible to write to the Council, and to respond to the Budget Consultation for Milton Keynes which includes the proposed library closures and closes on 4 February.
Our Facebook page is here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Woburn-Sands-Library/186381664719172
Northamptonshire:
- Roade Library Read-In from 10.30 to 1.30 on Saturday 05 February.
- St James Library : Save St. James Library” Campaign Read-In. From 12.00 with comic author Alan Moore. More info: http://www.sjra.info and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-St-James-Library/183001821722335
North Yorkshire:
- Bentham Library in North Yorkshire on Saturday 5th February 2011. Local people are planning to have people read passages from their favourite books or poems through the morning. They are contacting the school and are hoping to have children dressed as their favourite storybook characters and also do some reading.They are inviting national writers to contribute if possible.They are contacting local and national media about this proposed closure.If Bentham closes, the nearest Library would be 12 miles away and there is no public transport to get there.
- Easingwold Library: The Friends of Easingwold Library Group is organising a Read In on 5th February to celebrate Easingwold Library and the vital role libraries play.
Authors GP Taylor, Tim Hopgood and Mike Pannet will be taking part along side local poets, actors and people from the community.
The Read In will take place in Easingwold library and around the town between 10.00am and 1.00pm.
Nottinghamshire:
- Beeston Foster Avenue, 11am-1pm
Read-in and a read out. Bring your library card for mass borrowing (books can be returned to any City/County library) or join on the day. Those who are willing, bring something to read out loud – for adults or children. On the day find Ross Bradsaw or Greg Marshall (local anti-cuts group) or Gail Flack (UNISON). Note: this event is backed by UNISON and is in support of staff, not to put pressure on them. More info on Notts SOS site - Huthwaite Library, Nottinghamshire organised via the local Huthwaite Community Action Group.
- Sneinton Library
- Stapleford Library: 11am-1pm.
Oxfordshire:
- North Leigh library, Oxfordshire from 10am to noon
- Blackbird Leys Library, Oxford, 11am with Philip Pullman.
- Botley, Oxford. 11.30 am with Philip Pullman.
- Central Library, Oxford. 12 noon with Philip Pullman.
- Woodcote library, Oxfordshire am with author Mary Hooper
Somerset:
- Shepton Mallet Love Our Library Day
- Glastonbury Love Our Library Day
Followed by a meeting to which all Somerset Campaigners are invited to a meeting to review the progress of the campaign, a screening of Independent film-makers Garfiled Kennedy, Ken Kutsch and Kevin Redpaths film and a social.
Scotland:
- Scottish protest at library cuts. Statement to be handed in at the Scottish parliament during a protest organised by Scottish Authors & Illustrators to take place at 11a.m. On Saturday 5th February 2011
Oxfordshire – Bampton 10.00am – 12.30pm
(And I thought Philip Pullman was doing only Central?)
I ordered The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde in a Bristol Library and was sickened to find that the version owned by Somerset library was retold (uncessarily) by Fiona Waters. Ugh.
See library campaigners at the Stroud Against the Cuts march on Sat 29th Jan at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYSHcWq-4Y0
Ah. Scotland is handing in a statement. Very exciting.
[...] – Protestors protect libraries in Egypt – Mr. Pullman’s Compass – Leave the libraries alone. You don’t understand their value – ‘Public not being consulted properly over threatened Conwy libraries’ – Time for a quiet rebellion over library closures – Buckinghamshire library emptied in cuts protest – Joanna Trollope backs Gloucestershire library campaign – Protest film being made over cuts to library services – Isle of Wight library protesters plan ‘mass borrow’ – Wigan Labour MP condemns library cuts – Mass borrow to help save Isle of Wight library – Library closure threats spark campaigns across England – Campaign grows against cuts that would shut 375 libraries – Stand up and take action against library closures – Top writers join National Library Action Day – Library closures ‘will be threat to isolated rural communities’ – Somerset backtracks on library closures – Leading authors including Kate Mosse warn about library closures – Library closures ‘will be against the law’ – Supporters in Egypt Continue to Protect Library – Protests across the UK expected for Save Our Libraries Day – Library read-ins planned across the country [...]