the demise of the Public Library in Britain

According to this article in the New York Times, since April 2011, 423 public libraries have either closed down or been slated for closure — almost 10 percent of all libraries in Britain.

In the area of the council of Brent in North London, six of of the 12 libraries will be closed, and the more than $1.5 million that will (allegedly) be saved will then be used to improve the remaining libraries, create a "Virtual Library" and open a “super library.” That new building will cost more than $4.6 million, an expense that should give pause to anyone who says that tough decisions have to be made in this Age of Austerity — pause that might turn into speechlessness once you realize that Brent Council paid out $460,000 to consultants in March 2011, the same month officials recommended closing down all the libraries.

"Our library budget got cut, so the boss said no more staff uniforms."