Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham libraries plan: In defence of silence

The Guardian (Free subscription) | 3 hours ago

Charlotte Leslie: This attack on libraries is a return to time when only the elite could afford quiet

'Unruly Slavic eyebrows'

New Statesman (Free subscription) | 8 hours ago

Mocha chocca libraries Many were terrified by the picture of new "21st century libraries" painted by the Secretary of State for Culture, Andy Burnham, this week: libraries modelled on Waterstones and Virgin Megastores, filled with mobile-phone-talkers, McDonalds-eaters, Wii-players and Youtube-watchers, with books featuring low down on the list of priorities. More terrifying still, however, is the...

One voice from Hackney

The Good Library Blog (Free subscription) | yesterday

There is one piece in The Telegraph from journalist in Hackney supporting Andy Burnham's move for louder libraries. It is followed by the same damning comments as have appeared in all the newspapers. Opinion, at least, as it is expressed in the written press, is emphatically against Mr Burnham and they find no innocence in what he has said. It is interesting, though, that the one voice comes from...

Free swimming for over-60s…

Crewe blog (Free subscription) | yesterday

Now this is a positive move, providing free swimming to anyone over 60. Back in June, Andy Burnham ( Culture Secretary ) announced a £140 million investment which will – eventually - give councils the opportunity to offer free swimming to the over 60s and under 16s, with the ultimate goal of local authorities opening their public pools for free. This should make the UK a more active nation by the time...

Victoria Coren: If I wanted a cup of coffee, I'd go to a cafe, not a library

The Guardian (Free subscription) | yesterday

Victoria Coren: I admire Andy Burnham for understanding that libraries should be at the heart of the community

'Burnham is to Library as Iceland is to Bank'

The Good Library Blog (Free subscription) | 11/10/2008

Even in these troubled times the major national newspapers and broadcasters have gone out of their way to condemn the thinking behind Andy Burnham's speech at the library conference this week. If he troubles to read them, they might give him pause for thought. Last week The Times and this week The Independent, both in serious editorial pieces, were crystal clear in their damnation. Today it is the...

VOICE OF THE DAILY Mirror: Long Overdue

Red Orbit (Free subscription) | 11/10/2008

LIBRARIES can take a leaf out of Culture Secretary Andy Burnham's book and open a new chapter in their history. In the credit crunch they are the one form of borrowing everyone can support. (c) 2008 Daily Mirror. Provided by ProQuest LLC.

How to destroy a library

Tom Morris (Free subscription) | 11/10/2008

Ophelia pointed to a story in The Independent about the proposals of Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Culture, laying out his views on how the library service needs to proceed. These include plans that aim to make libraries into 'social hubs', places where you can do just about anything other than read a book in peace and quiet. Mr. Burnham prefers that the libraries across our land transform...

Andrew Brown: Andy Burnham's plan to abandon the rule of silence in libraries is cruel and futile

The Guardian (Free subscription) | 10/10/2008

Andrew Brown: The culture secretary is proposing that libraries should abandon the rule of silence. What a cruel and futile plan

Quite Please, Andy Bunham

Anorak News (Free subscription) | 10/10/2008

SAYS Mr Andy Burnham, Culture Secretary: “Libraries should be a place for families, joy and chatter.” Quiet please…

Libraries

Geoff Coupe's Blog (Free subscription) | 10/10/2008

A while back, I mentioned a collection of photos of the world's most beautiful libraries . It seems to me that Jay Walker's personal library can be added to that list. Quite stunning. And on an associated note, I see that Andy Burnham, the UK's Secretary of State for Culture, is on record as saying that libraries are out of touch . Frankly he comes across as a barbarian. I'd make some comment along...

Library Consultation Must Not Be a Front for Further Cuts

Les Bonner (Free subscription) | 09/10/2008

Responding to Andy Burnham’s announcement today of a modernisation review of England’s public library service, Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, Don Foster said: “I welcome a review of how libraries can be improved but I’m concerned that this is just a thinly veiled attempt to make further cuts to our fast-disappearing library [...]

New Labour, Modish Garbage

RosieBell (Free subscription) | 09/10/2008

People would be able to chat, drink coffee and watch videos in English libraries under a new government proposal, The Independent has learnt. Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Culture, will today launch a consultation on changing the face...

• The coffee shop could be opened in libraries - Coffee break here...

Just one more thing

Other Stories (Free subscription) | 09/10/2008

OK, just one quick rant, then I'm having a couple of days off. There's a story in the Independent this morning about how Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has said that libraries in England should...

Libraries should encourage 'chatter' and have coffee shops says Andy Burnham

The Telegraph (Free subscription) | 09/10/2008

Libraries could install coffee shops book shops and film centres under new government proposals to make them more userfriendly.