Hi Steve - obviously my letters did not save the library! I'll keep 
trying.
I am so relieved that I have experienced the joy of librarianship in the 
United States. Libraries and librarians have been under fire for some 
time in Britain - yet they have (had?) some fabulous libraries that do 
so much for local communities. I have worked in both London and 
Birmingham City libraries, so I know how important they are. In those 
days,  the Labour councils were always on our side - what is happening 
to the England I knew? I have just returned from London - perhaps I 
should go back again to join the occupation. "Occupation"is back in 
vogue - deja-vu from the 70s.
Kensal Rise Library is special to us because of the Mark Twain 
connection - but it is very special to the community it serves for many 
other reasons.
Thanks for keeping us informed, Steve.
Heather.


On Mon, Oct 17, 2011 at 6:12 PM, Steve Courtney wrote:

> An occupation of sorts has been set up outside the Kensal Rise Library 
> in n=
> orthwest London -- opened by Mark Twain in 1900 and padlocked by the 
> local =
> council Oct. 13 in a ghastly attempt to modernize (i.e. close) 
> neighborhood=
>  libraries in line with the Cameron government's austerity measures=2C 
> thou=
> gh it's a Labour council that's doing it. (Paul Krugman deftly calls 
> the Br=
> itish under these measures "fashion victims.") Read about it here: 
> http://w=
>
> 
> ww.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/campaigners_vow_to_continue_vigil_to_save_kensal=
> _rise_library_1_1091628
>
> Steve Courtney
> 7 Union St.
> Terryville=2C CT 06786
> 860-589-6412
>  		 	   		  =