Daily roundup 7 April: School libraries, Sunderland appointment and safety warning

School libraries across the country are facing closures and cuts as head teachers favour technology. The Daily Mail reports that school librarians were being sacked and some schools were discarding their book collections, according to findings by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).


New interim bosses have been placed in Sunderland City Council's children's services following in "inadequate" inspection rating. The Sunderland Echo reports that Ann Goldsmith has been appointed as interim director of children's services, while the council works to improve outcomes and set up a trust under the order of government to manage cases.


The parents of a 16-month-old girl, who died after her neck was caught in a window blind cord, have urged parents to ensure their homes are childproof. The Manchester Evening News reports Matthew and Cathy Taylor have urged families to install safety devices to all curtain cords to prevent similar tragedies.


Axing funding for a service that enables children to receive hospital care at home will have huge impacts on families, according to paediatric staff at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The Chester Chronicle reports the warning by staff comes after West Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group announced is is stopping the £445,000 funding for the Countess’ children’s hospital at home service.


There is a “worrying generation gap” in the public’s interest in the referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union, according to a poll commissioned by the Electoral Reform Society. The survey of 1,518 people aged 18 and over found two in 10 18- to 24-year-olds said they are “very interested” in the referendum, compared with 47 per cent of those aged 65 and over.