'A great library contains the diary of the human race': Rachel Cooke in the Observer on public libraries

Sunday's Observer ran a piece by Rachel Cooke on Britain's public libraries, quoting David Lammy's interview in the Bookseller. Lammy speaks to the Royal Society of Literature tonight. John Dolan of the MLA also gets a mention, as does the Conservative libraries spokesman Mark Field; David Cameron has heard the unmistakable trundle of a bandwagon and has called a Conservative Party seminar on 15 June on public libraries, though their website seems not to know about it. Ms Cooke points out that the Conservative councils are among the most enthusiastic library closers. She also quotes Tim Coates. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport, showing a great understanding of open government, would not speak to her.
There's subsequently been a great deal of comment on the Observer blog.