Ruth Downie

Thanks to Karen Parker for permission to use this wonderful photo. The other side of the mug reads Saving Stony Stratford Library.

Karen also took the author photo that appears on the American hardbacks of the Ruso books.

… and here’s the link to the map of events. The scale of the proposed closures in some places (you can see it here) beggars belief.

I worked in a library for twelve years, and I was proud to work in a service that was both valuable and valued - by the users, if not by some of the decision-makers. Much of the research for the Ruso books was, and is, done through libraries. I’d never have had the confidence, the background knowledge or the cash to get started any other way.

Meanwhile, Stony Stratford library could be about to receive a small but not unwelcome windfall. Having borrowed every single item to protest at the possible closure (see ‘Wot no books?’ below), the excellent and resourceful residents now face the challenge of remembering to take all 16,000 things back on time -or pay the fines.