Libraries were my band's lifeline, writes Nicky Wire of the Manic Street Preachers. We must fight for them

It's hard not to feel utterly despondent at the current plight of public libraries. Along with the NHS and the BBC, our libraries are some of the few truly remarkable British institutions left. So often absolutely ordinary in appearance, a good library should offer escape routes down the most extraordinary avenues, pathways into different worlds from the one you've left outside. Ridding our villages, towns and cities of libraries, which are essential in shaping a nation's consciousness, seems like a direct attack on the soul of the country.

Leftwing broadcaster and campaigner

Joan Rodker, who has died aged 95, was seen as a "go to" person among the London antifascist left. If a cause needed organising, her warm, welcoming personality somehow made it feel like a privilege to do donkey work alongside her. Hardly a peace conference went by that did not bear her organisational stamp.

Children's authors have expressed anger over 'insult' to their work on BBC programme

Remarks about children's books made by Martin Amis on the BBC's new book programme Faulks on Fiction, broadcast this week, have caused anger and offence among children's writers.

Sky's hopes of covering Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding in 3D dashed despite filming mock ceremony. Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal wedding will not become the latest 3D TV phenomenon after Buckingham Palace ruled it out.