Brent Libraries Update

Dear Supporters

You will know from the Christmas Update that our legal team have applied for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. This - and the injunction application - will be considered by the Supreme Court early in the New Year.

However, despite protests from campaigners and passers-by from the local community, library staff and contractors removed books and equipment from Preston Library today . You can see a film of the removal and reports in the local press at -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3IFHaEmy6A&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

http://www.harrowobserver.co.uk/west-london-news/local-harrow-news/2011/12/29/protesters-held-back-by-police-as-preston-library-is-cleared-116451-30029056/

http://bl164w.blu164.mail.live.com/default.aspx#!/mail/InboxLight.aspx?n=726113167!n=506765296&fid=1&fav=1&mid=504feab1-324c-11e1-af01-00215ad73a6c&fv=1

This was very disappointing as we had hoped that Brent Council would not take such action while the legal action was still continuing. However, this move is not irretrievable and both the legal campaign and the pressure on Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports, to hold an enquiry into the Brent library closure plan will continue.

We will keep you informed of any new developments - but stay in touch through our website http://brentlibraries.wordpress.com and the Facebook pages [see below]

Unsurprisingly, Brent has won Private Eye's 2011 Rotten Borough award for its "Library Transformation Plan" ! See...

http://www.private-eye.co.uk/sections.php?section_link=rotten_boroughs&

Good wishes for a better library service in 2012

Chris Coates

On behalf of the Friends of Preston Library


(Acknowledgements to Martin francis)