Archive for September, 2011

Book Desertification

Sep 4th

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

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Comment 

The Telegraph has printed an article in which it points out the danger of whole areas of the country being without a bookshop, or a library, in the near future.  The decline in the independent bookshop, the end of Borders and the worries over Waterstones mean that the public library may be the only place in which to browse a physical book.  Online, the future is equally as bleak, with Amazon seeming to dominate the market which could lead to an effective monopoly on printed book provision in the UK.  The picture is little better with e-books, where a lawsuit reports suspiciously similar (and high) prices between Amazon and Apple. Yet another reason to save the public library near you.

Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.

419 libraries (337 buildings and 82 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

News

“Speaking of libraries, a little reported section of the recent DCMS study, This Cultural and Sporting Life: The Taking Part 2010/11 Adult and Child Report – buried among “Attitudes to the Olympic Games”, “Digital engagement” and “The Big Society” – shows that people (three-quarters of children and two-fifths of adults) do use libraries, that their use has not declined in the past two years, and there is less of a difference in use of libraries between rich and poor areas than in any other cultural sector. The Government is just going to have to think of some other excuse for closing them all down, then.” Between the covers – Independent.  

  • How Twitter and Facebook helped Bing Thom design a public library – Fastcodesign.  Canadian library designed in record time due to use of social media for public consultation.  ““Surrey used to be the joke of Vancouver. Well, it’s not going to be a joke. People are starting to see that it’s the future.””
  • Internet and supermarkets kill off 2,000 bookshops – Telegraph.   “Campaigners warned yesterday that the loss of bookshops, coupled with threats to close thousands of libraries as part of council cuts, will lead to “book deserts” across large areas of the country.”.  CILIP says cutting libraries can lead to anti-social behaviour.  Waterstones stops its 3 for 2 offer, independent bookshops likely to (mostly) close.
  • Karin Slaughter and Lotte Sluyser – This Week in Libraries. “World famous best seller writer Karin Slaughter and Lotte Sluyser, a driving force for libraries in the Netherlands. Lotte is the Director of the Public Library of Haarlem.”
  • Library media box and other vending machines – Swiss Army Librarian.  Shows several different types with pros and cons.  “Anything we can do to make library services available outside the library’s building and operating hours – in a variety of ways to meet a variety of patron needs – is a good thing.”
  • Porn in US Libraries – RT (USA).  Russian TV channel emphasises supposed porn aspect of US libraries caused by constitutional freedom of free speech. Includes several viewpoints but emphasising shock at such liberty.

“Kids who read become students who do well in school. Students who do well in school go to college. College students graduate to good jobs and pay higher taxes. Libraries don’t service only Democrats or Republicans. They don’t judge by class, race or religion. They service everyone in their community, no matter their circumstances. Rich or poor; no one is denied. Libraries are not simply part of our guarantee to the pursuit of happiness. They are a civil right, the foundation upon which time and time again the American dream has been built. If we lose our libraries, we risk losing our communities, our families and ourselves.” Save the Libraries (USA) Letter of advocacy by Karin Slaughter.

  • Why we love libraries (and we bet you do too) – Shine. Reasons – quietness, free items, librarian advice, meet people, universal, connect to past, ownership of library card, rainy afternoons, answer questions, “the magic”.
  • World of Julia Donaldson, Children’s Laureate – Telegraph. “A lot of local councillors seem scared of not being voted in at the next election if the libraries close – it is brilliant that protests are having such an effect. As Children’s Laureate I am planning a big libraries tour next year to do sessions dramatising picture books with local schoolchildren. I want to illustrate the things that can and do happen in libraries; I don’t want to just swan in like the Queen.”

Changes

Local News

  • Bath and North East Somerset – Library survey starts – BBC. ““We’re not in the same situation as many other councils who are looking at drastic cuts and closing libraries. We’re looking to make sure that the library service we’ve got is what people actually need and what they want.””

“This is an empty alternative that will in no way meet the range of needs that local people have.  Although this is part of the Council’s preferred cost saving ‘Option One’, they have not said how much the new service will cost to set up, what the ongoing rental, staffing and transport costs will be, or indeed how the service will be staffed. Will it be by volunteers, or by existing community centre staff? This is a shambles of a proposal. Local people need a proper library service, not a small pile of books in the corner of a community centre.” Bolton – A library is more than a pile of books in the corner of a community centre – Alan Gibbons.  Quote from Bolton campaigner Ian McHugh  regarding council suggestions for “taster” collections to replace closed libraries.

National library leadership please

Sep 2nd

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

1 comment

Comment

The lack of advocacy or leadership for libraries by librarians, on a regional or national level (with the exception of, in the case of advocacy,  Voices for the Library, in which I must declare an interest being I am a member of its team) is one of the most striking facets of the current crisis. The following is reprinted here, with permission, from the highly experienced John Dolan.  It first appeared on the LIS-PUB-LIBS librarian discussion site and is part of a longer thread on national reference resources.
While we are rightly preoccupied with the threats of library closures we are missing the bigger threat posed by current policy; localism without coordination denies people the huge opportunity that comes from national collaboration. National leadership does not deny local choice. Rather it offers the choice of resources that no localism could possibly afford to deliver. This is basic economics, not ideology. Compare health, schools, universities, forests, police etc etc
It is a shortcoming currently that almost all external advocacy for public libraries has come from the literature/fiction community, notwithstanding the WI! Library leaders and DCMS must earn support among colleagues in education, lifelong learning, citizenship and community action, the voluntary sector and the wider arts and cultural communities to raise awareness of the library as a place of learning and discovery that does not come only from borrowing fiction.


John Dolan made these comments purely as an individual.  It is not meant to represent the views of any organisation that he is currently involved with on either an official or unofficial basis

419 libraries (337 buildings and 82 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

News

 
  • Councils told: end diversity quiz – Press Association.   “Communities Secretary Eric Pickles will issue new guidelines for local authorities removing the requirement for them to undertake “intrusive lifestyle and diversity” surveys.” … “That includes revelations last month that libraries in Islington, north London, were asking people registering to borrow books if they had cancer, HIV, or diabetes and whether they were transgender.” [This shows that the Government can move amazingly quickly when it wants to, the almost complete lack of reaction to the cuts in libraries by them is thus even more worrying – Ed.)
    • Councils told to drop personal questionnaires – BBC.   “The Department for Communities and Local Government said that its one-page statutory guidance replaces “the 56 pages of John Prescott’s so-called ‘Best Value’ guidance”.
  • Death of books has been greatly exaggerated – Guardian. Printed book sales have gone up in the last decade and it’s still early to tell what effect e-books will have.  Online sales have boosted booksales but  “Let’s not be naive. Any retail channel that ends up being dominated by one player will end up squeezing its producers; just ask a farmer. But Amazon is, right now, giving people what they want: competitive pricing, rapid delivery, massive choice, good customer service. And it’s selling books. A lot of books.”
  • Will community ownership be at home in the new world of localism? – Joseph Rowntree Foundation.   Similar Scottish legislation to the Localism Bill has seen only nine purchases in six years.”In England and Wales, too, the scale of community asset ownership is small and is likely to remain so in the near future, especially as many organisations seek to consolidate what they have before risking new investments. But the Localism Bill’s best service could be to send out an important and powerful signal about our future – a future where our stake in society is no longer limited to what we can own as individuals, what we buy from corporations or what we expect the state to do on our behalf.”

Changes

Local news

  • Brent  – DCMS still in libraries dialogue with Brent Council – Wembley Matters.   Standard pro-forma letter reply to website, largely seen before.  Unique words are “DCMS officials have met with officers from Brent Council and are in the process of considering all the relevant evidence and all the issues. The Department will continue to maintain dialogue with the local authority. Once all the relevant issues have been considered, the Secretary of State will decide whether or not to intervene, or whether further actions on the part of Brent Council are required.”
  • Central Bedfordshire – No plans for library closures – Biggleswade Today.  Fears by campaigners that volunteers will be used instead.  Council says “We are currently working to develop proposals to improve the quality and range of services that the library can provide, and the public will have the opportunity to comment on these options later in the autumn.””
  • Devon – Protest campaign launched against Colyton library cuts – Midweek Herald.   Library reduced to 10 hours per week.  Campaigner “disappointed” by cuts and worried the one member of staff would be overwhelmed by customers in reduced opening hours.  Suggests that council should use the 40 volunteers already signed up and “willing to do any type of work” – council considering use of volunteers in 2012.
  • Manchester – Important changes to Manchester Library Services. What’s happening? – Manchester City Council. Complete list of cuts, with supporting papers.
  • Newham – Save our language papers – GoPetition.  “We believe LBN’s argument is not supported by mainstream thought or research that recognises the beneficial and complex role mother-tongue/second-language skills play in learning English as a foreign language. Neither does it address the broader value of preserving and respecting other cultures within a diverse and evolving borough.”
  • Norfolk – Lynn’s Heritage Open Day allows a new look at historic town library – Lynn News.  Potted history of library since its opening by Andrew Carnegie himself in 1905.
  • Northamptonshire – Public phase of library consultation begins – About My Area.  “”This review sets out a plan where instead of closing libraries or reducing opening hours, we diversify the way libraries are funded.  We intend to review how we are doing in Summer 2013 as a mid-point but if progress is not on track we will have to consider closures once again.”
    • My Library, My Community survey – Northamptonshire Council.   “We cannot afford to continue to fund the service completely ourselves. That is where you come in.” … “We intend to increase people who contribute time to the service from 400 to 1600 over the next four years” … “People have said they don’t mind paying for the service. How much would you be willing to give?”  [This would be illegal under the 1964 Act – Ed.]
  • Northern Ireland  – Disappointment as Belfast Central Library refused £20m – BBC.   Exterior already upgraded but expected interior improvement cancelled due to budget cuts. 
  • Swindon – Library celebrates 40th birthday – Swindon Advertiser.  ““We are hoping to get a self-service machine installed and longer opening hours which is good news. Unlike other councils which are closing libraries we are bucking the trend.””

Closed, divested … or what?

Sep 1st

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

1 comment

Comment

The “Closures since 1st April 2011” page of Public Libraries News includes all those libraries which have left council control since then.  This was due to the need, in my view, for there to be a simple headline figure.  However, it can be seen as misleading – some of these branches are not closed.  One has been given to volunteers, four to social enterprises and one is now paid for by a parish council.  
So, perhaps this needs rephrasing.  Most of the terms that can be used, though, are politically biased. “Divested” is the term often used by councils, presumably because it sounds pleasant and people are not sure what it means.  “Dumped” or “Abandoned” is the term sometimes used by campaigners.  I would be happy to hear from readers as to what terms I should use.  Clever ones, especially if neutral and accurate, will get extra points. At the moment, the title will probably change to “Closures or Divestments since 1st April 2011” but I am sure better terms can be thought up.  Let’s hear them via commenting below or emailing publiclibraries@live.co.uk.  Thank you.
418 libraries (336 buildings and 82 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

News

“It is worth noting that neither the Guardian or the BBC made any reference to public libraries offering free internet access, nor did they mention the impact library closures could have on those that are digitally excluded.  You may argue that the point isn’t directly relevant to those particular articles.  Maybe not.  However, it is worth remembering that although there have been plenty of positive shifts in the coverage of libraries in the past year, commentators still do not see libraries as a solution to modern-day problems.  For library advocacy to have any real success, this has to change.  Because if people of influence cannot see the role libraries can and should play in addressing contemporary concerns, there is little hope for the future of the library service and the profession.” 5.7 million households do not have an internet connection – Thoughts of a wannabe librarian.  23% of households do not have an internet connection, 50% of those without the internet say they do not need it, “40% say that the equipment is too expensive or they do not believe they have the skills required”

  • Novel Bus-Stop libraries in Israel promote green transportation – Green Prophet (Israel).   “at the beginning of the first experimental week, the books disappeared. By the end of that week, not only were the books returned, but new ones were added.”
  • “No, we shouldn’t just Google it: John Walsh laments the death of the reference book” –  Independent. “It’s easy to feel a nostalgic throb for the old reference library on your desk. As the dictionary market steadily declines, and sales of thesauruses plummet by a shocking 24 per cent, the very word “thesaurus” has never sounded more like a dinosaur.”  Online resources are often shallow and limited in comparison to paper resources.
  • Storm battered flock to the public library – Library Journal.  “A common theme in recent years when disaster strikes has been the emergence of public libraries as the de facto recovery center for many cities and towns. Hurricane Irene was no exception and there are some concrete numbers as well as many anecdotes to demonstrate this.”
  • Who cares about libraries? – Macleans (Canada).   “Canadians apparently. Far from being under siege (except in Toronto), they’re thriving—and experimenting.”…”One reason is the comparative health of public finances in Canada, where government deficits are generally less crushing than in other rich countries. As well, aversion among Canadian politicians to taxation to fund services is far less fervid than in the U.S.”

Changes

  • Devon – Combe Martin open for 10 hours a week instead of 19 and Lynton open for 6. Braunton opening hours have also been cut from 37 hours a week to 21. Ilfracombe Library have lost 7 hours and will be open for 33 hours a week.  
  • Oxfordshire – Campaign Group: Friends of Kennington Library, Save Botley Library 

Local News

  • Bolton – Councillors vote against volunteers in libraries – Bolton News.  “Cllr Walsh’s motion was defeated by Labour councillors. Liberal Democrat councillors abstained from voting.”
    • Save Bolton’s Libraries – Save Our Libraries [from email]. Event on Thursday 8th September at Bolton 7pm, Central Library Lecture Theatre. “Questions or contributions from the floor will be very welcome. We hope to stimulate a lively discussion on how we can save our threatened libraries, as well as provide an update on the campaign so far. If you care about the future of libraries in our town, please come along.”
  • Brent – Friday 23rd September: Fundraising film night in Kilburn, Cruel Separation – Save Kensal Rise Library.   “Tickets can be bought at Brent SOS Libraries events OR ordered by post for collection on the night from Samantha Warrington, 254 Carlton Avenue East, HA9 8PZ . Cheques should be made payable to Bindmans LLP.”
  • Devon – New reduced opening hours for Ifracombe Library – This is North Devon.   “In addition to the consultation responses, population size; how the local communities use their libraries; how close they are to other nearby libraries; and the cost of providing the service have all been taken into account by the council. Social factors such as deprivation have also influenced the new opening hours.”
  • Isle of Wight – Proposed community libraries to get improved access to online tools – Ventnor Blog.   Datalines to five volunteer-run libraries will be upgraded at council expense.
  • Lancashire – Longridge Library to re-open following £200,000 refurbishment – Click Lancashire.  “Audrey Taylor, manager at Longridge Library, said: “People will hardly recognise the library! As well as new windows and a new roof, there’s a completely fresh layout with new flooring and modern comfortable furniture.”
  • Oxfordshire – Call for openness on library staff needs – Witney Gazette. The “County Council does not know how many volunteers will be needed to staff its libraries if a planned reorganisation goes ahead, campaigners have warned.”…campaigner says ““The council just gave us a proposal without any consultation whatsoever. It is crazy, because we have some fantastic ideas, and it was very disappointing.”
    • Question everything: flawed consultations and why volunteers don’t work – Question Everything. Exhaustive analysis of data used in consultation, yardsticks used and assumptions. Council had apparently used suggestions gleaned from the Save Doncaster Libraries website which reprinted MLA guidance to the council there. Volunteer training costs also analysed: “They are actually going to lose money on this in the first year and won’t see any actual savings until year four, and even those will be minimal. The other costs will reoccur because things like first aid and fire marshal training have to be renewed. I used the sources for the costs that match the certificates for the staff that are on the wall in the library. On the level of volunteers we have a community shop in Ascott and they require 4 part-time staff and 36 volunteers so the numbers of volunteers needed is probably conservative.”

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