What do your health and local services mean to you? Tell us your story on #backyourchampions xitter.cf/unisontweets/status/85…

Our new film celebrates the unsung heroes of local government. They are public service champions too. #LocalServiceChampions

PROTESTERS have organised a carnival in Chelmsford this summer, to protest against the planned closure of up to 44 libraries in Essex. The ’Carnival for Libraries’ takes place on Saturday 8 June. yellowad.co.uk/article.cfm?i…

“What worries me is next year, or the year after, or the year after that, when further funding cuts force libraries to cut hours again. And again. Until one day, when the last library closes its doors for... theisleofthanetnews.com/2019…

Children have "hugged" their village library in protest against its earmarked closure. Pupils from St Michael's Junior School in Galleywood, near Chelmsford, formed a ring and sang songs around Galleywood Library. "The... bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-es…

Opposition triggers first special meeting in at least 16 years against library closures guardian-series.co.uk/news/1…

With libraries under threat, have your say on future plans for libraries in Essex. The consultation ends today. libraries.essex.gov.uk/libra…

bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-4717… Well done to UNISON Neath Port Talbot branch and all the community campaigners who worked tirelessly to help save their local libraries once again.❤️😘❤️✊👏👏👏 bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-4717…

Hundreds of people march in Chelmsford against proposals to close a third of libraries in Essex and which could also see a further third run by volunteer groups. itv.com/news/anglia/2019-02-…

Lee: "I was attacked a couple of months ago and when I did finally go to the hospital they asked me: "Why did I go to the library first?" I said, "I went to the library first because they're the people I feel safe around" ❤️ Speaks volumes. bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england…

Library staff in Coventry could be made to carry panic buttons and personal alarms if plans to make them work alone as part of another £1.2 million of cuts to the service are approved. coventrytelegraph.net/news/c…

Colchester Trades Council says it has demanded an explanation from Essex County Council after hearing staff have been banned from talking to councillors ahead of campaign meeting. gazette-news.co.uk/news/1736…

The vandals destroying libraries should have the book thrown at them | Catherine Bennett theguardian.com/commentisfre…

Ealing Council is proposing major changes to neighbourhood services including libraries and children’s centres. These proposals will be discussed at the Cabinet meeting at Ealing Town Hall on Tuesday 15th January 7.00 pm. Please sign and share the... change.org/p/save-ealing-lib…

With proposals in Essex to close up to 43 libraries, join the demo on Saturday 9 February. Meet at 12 noon, High Street, Chelmsford, outside the Saracens Head Hotel for a circular march of the city centre,... facebook.com/loveyourlibrari…

"Thank goodness for libraries. I love my local “discovery centre”. It is full of kind, warm staff; books, of course; and people who, I think, are searching for human company and contact." Not just books... theguardian.com/commentisfre…

The libraries Baglan, Cwmafan, Glynneath and Skewen in Neath Port Talbot are under threat, with the council’s draft budget proposals involving cuts to the library service of £235,000 over the next three years.... facebook.com/loveyourlibrari…

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I crunched 10 years of numbers from the MHCLG to establish the full impact of austerity on Britain’s public libraries:<br><br>— Overall library budgets have been slashed by... thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/…

Staff and library numbers have fallen every year since 2010. Spending on libraries last year fell by £30 million... theguardian.com/books/2018/d…