The Brent decision hinged on the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act, which says local authorities must provide a "comprehensive and efficient library service", and may determine how far other local authorities can go with their planned closures.

BBC: Library cuts: The battle of the bookshelves

It's a balancing act that presidential libraries have addressed to sometimes jarring effect.

WSJ: Bricks and Immortality | George W. Bush Presidential Center | By Julie V. Iovine

She pointed out that the Children's Internet Protection Act already requires libraries to block net content that is harmful to children.

BBC: Many schools have already banned social network sites

Prison library management at regional level exists only in very few places, leaving the majority of prison staff running institutional libraries with no option but to act on their own.

UNESCO: M��nster Prison Library

Wilson's books, which include Double Act, were borrowed from libraries more than 16 million times since 2000.

BBC: Jacqueline Wilson most loaned author of the decade

For one thing, libraries are not mentioned anywhere in the pertinent Patriot Act provision.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Preserve the Patriot Act

She noted that libraries and community centers across the state would stay open late, to act as cooling center.

CNN: SHARE THIS