Private Eye
Issue No: 1383
Library News (p.28) - OBE for Staffordshire's Janine Cox


THE OBE for Staffordshire's Janine Cox in the new year honours comes at an awkward time, as the county prepares to offload 24 of its smaller public libraries on to volunteers.

Ms Cox was given the award for services to libraries nationally.  She has served as president of the Society of Chief Librarians and was a member of the advisory panel for William Sieghart's report on the future of libraries.  It concluded in December that libraries were essential to the well-being of the nation and noted that there are questions over the long term viability of volunteer-only libraries.

In Staffordshire, meanwhile, library users are awaiting the final decision, due by February, after a consultation over plans to give individuals and community groups the "opportunity" to take over 24 less busy libraries (unsurprisingly ones in small rural communities) leaving just 19 properly staffed and managed by the council.

Ends

Frances Hendrix

Martin House Farm, Hilltop Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley, Lancs, PR6 7QR

Tel:  01257 274 833.   Mobile: 0777 55 888 03