One UK library closing every week

"One library is closing in the UK every week, according to new figures. The number of professional staff working in libraries fell by 6.2 per cent. LISU, The Library and Information Statistics Unit, research also showed spending on books fell by GBP800,000 and now represents just 8.7 per cent of total library expenditure. 'This survey demonstrates the severity of the crisis facing library services across the country,' said Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster. 'Libraries play a vital role in our communities yet this government has allowed the slow death of hundreds of services across the country'"