Library patrons satisfied, despite cuts

Danes are pleased with the nation’s libraries despite budget cuts amount to 369 million kroner, or 14 percent, over the past six years, according to a study by Kulturstyrelsen, the state culture agency. Patrons report being happy with library facilities, service and material. Some 94 percent of visitors felt they received the help they needed and 91 percent believed library personnel were visible and alert to their needs. – Politiken

Worst housing slump in 30 years

The current housing market slump is the worst of its kind since the 1980s, and the low inflation rate is making it difficult for home owners to reduce their debt. Between 2007 and 2012 housing prices fell 28 percent, comparable to the slumps that took place between 1979 and 1982 and between 1986 and 1993. During those declines, housing prices fell by 30 percent. But unlike previous slumps, today’s low inflation rate means that losses incurred by home owners are far greater than was the case in previous housing crises. – Børsen

Police to combat street-mugging boom

There were 921 reports of street robberies in Copenhagen in 2012, a 40 percent increase from just two years earlier, and that figure is set to rise again this year, as 128 muggings took place in January, compared with 72 in January 2012. Young men between the ages of 14 and 29 were most likely to be mugged, and the police have dedicated extra resources towards taking on the problem. The City Council and the police announced they will launch a campaign to make people more aware of the risk of being mugged. – MetroXpress