Alan Wylie
@alanwy.bsky.social
Library Worker, Trade Unionist & Activist.
Corbyn, Rosen join fight against Islington library budget cuts share.google/Wx6irzudlDt7... @alanwy.bsky.social @jeremycorbyn.bsky.social @michaelrosenyes.bsky.social @unison.org.uk
Corbyn, Rosen join fight against Islington library budget cuts
Islington library cuts have sparked a protest backed by Jeremy Corbyn and Michael Rosen, as campaigners oppose potential funding reductions.
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The London Borough of Islington are planning to cut as much as a quarter from their budget for public libraries Join us this Thursday to protest this decision @unisonmedia.bsky.social @unison.org.uk @librariesconnected.org.uk @tuc.org.uk
Protest against cuts to Islington Libraries 24/9 6:30pm outside Islington Town Hall
Say NO to cuts to Islington Libraries Alan Wylie, Islington librarian and UNISON shop steward, on why we need to fight cuts to our libraries: islingtonunison.wordpress.com/2026/09/16/s...
Say NO to cuts to Islington Libraries
Alan Wylie, Islington librarian and UNISON shop steward, on why we need to fight cuts to our libraries: Islington Libraries have a long and illustrious history from James Duff Brown to our very own…
islingtonunison.wordpress.com
Islington Council are proposing to make huge cuts to the libraries budget come along and show your support ✊
Really sad to hear that Prof Bob Usherwood has recently died, an absolute giant of the library world - if only they had listened to him 😔
Does anybody know if any UK library services are storing Naloxone (Narcan) and training library staff to administer it? Any info appreciated.
If anyone has had Activist Group in their libraries carrying out reviews then please get in touch, I need some info.
Gaza’s archives have been destroyed. The Omari mosque’s library & cultural centre, whose thousands of ancient documents had survived the Crusades, have reportedly been lost. The Al Qarara museum was bombed from the air and then bulldozed. A people’s entire past has been deliberately eradicated. 📚📜
Ukrainian cathedrals, Gaza’s archives, Iranian squares – modern war is systematically erasing human history | Simon Jenkins
It is not enough now for war to kill, it must eradicate a people’s cherished and precious heritage too, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins
theguardian.com
The vast majority of library users need/want; Trained & knowledgeable staff. A wide & deep collection of books. Buildings that are accessible and welcoming and are easily recognisable as Public Libraries. Libraries that are open when they need/want them. Simples 🤷
Library Workers have been treated abominably over the last 20+ years. Under appreciated, under funded, under staffed, under paid and undermined. Told to do more with less. Told that anyone can do their jobs. It’s a national disgrace. #iamalibraryworker
Things Public Libraries already do; Community Outreach/Partnerships Info/advice pop-ups Colocate with other services Signpost people to info/advice/support Hand/loan out recycling bags, blood pressure monitors etc etc etc I don’t agree with all of it BUT it isn’t a new thing.
Oh dear that fascist bookshop in Suffolk has had to close down 😊
For decades we’ve seen Public Libraries used as a dumping ground for other cut services. Library users suffer. Library workers suffer. And the users of the other cut services suffer. Don’t be fooled that it’s innovative or transformative. It’s a race to the bottom.
And if you live in Tooting don’t have a mental health crisis on a Wednesday, when the library is closed. And most of the local bank branches have closed down entirely. Really not sure this is what our libraries should be for.
Alan Wylie@alanwy.bsky.social · 2mo agoLet’s just be clear; libraries having books about mental health & library staff signposting people to appropriate support/advice etc is NOT the same as housing specialist community mental health services in libraries. Fund both services properly.
Let’s just be clear; libraries having books about mental health & library staff signposting people to appropriate support/advice etc is NOT the same as housing specialist community mental health services in libraries. Fund both services properly.
Can’t believe I have to repeat this again; Public Libraries without paid/trained Library Workers and/or a statutory basis/remit AREN’T Public Libraries. They are volunteer-led community centres/bookswaps/Internet Cafes. This isn’t me being unkind it’s the truth. #savelibraries
My mums 1954 Secondary School Certificate, she went to Woodside Senior Secondary School in Glasgow and was a very clever student.
“AI in libraries” should be “what can you tell us about corporate profit-driven control of search and retrieval” instead of “when are librarians going to get on board.”
Being worse off is not a pay rise. Local government pay has fallen by an average of 26% in real terms since 2010. This year’s offer falls far short of what you need and deserve. 📲 Check what it means for you 👉 unisonpaycalculator.co.uk
This is an excellent article on what we as libraries do. We are now more than ever often social workers as well as the multitude of other things we do. Staff shortages are now the norm and have been for years, unfortunately.
Alan Wylie@alanwy.bsky.social · 6mo agoLong overdue: Why we need a new chapter on library funding magazine.unison.org.uk/2026/04/22/l... A piece on me and library cuts in the latest Unison magazine
Public Libraries are an easy target for @reformparty_uk and other far-right agitators due to the fact that they are a public service that aims to be welcoming, inclusive & representative to/of ALL members of the community. They must be defended. #savelibraries
If you’re a Public Library Worker in a Reform council then join a union now and be prepared to oppose book bans etc. it’s going to be a very bumpy ride 😬
Long overdue: Why we need a new chapter on library funding magazine.unison.org.uk/2026/04/22/l... A piece on me and library cuts in the latest Unison magazine
Long overdue: Why we need a new chapter on library funding - Magazine
Austerity has halved the number of librarians since 2010. Patrick Ward speaks to one, about a better vision for these vital community hubs
magazine.unison.org.uk
A devastating indictment of 16yrs of cuts, closures, redundancies, poor management/leadership/policies and the disastrous Localism agenda. Library Workers pushed to the edge and a statutory service stripped to the bone, a fucking disgrace 🤬 www.unison.org.uk/content/uplo...
unison.org.uk
“The decline in library staffing across England is one of the most damaging findings of UNISON’s research - between 2010 & 2024, staffing levels fell by 47% at the 132 authorities in England - a loss of 8,406 full-time equivalent posts.” Devastating 😔
I spoke at this meeting alongside Connor, a bloody disgrace that he’s been suspended. As a trade unionist and fellow library worker he has my full support and solidarity ✊ #reinstateconnor #tradeunionrights
