Editorial

The pilots into different models of e-lending in English libraries have moved a step closer but the results are not expected until 2015.  This seems a very leisured approach in what is a very fast moving marketplace. On the one hand, it’s great that the money has been found to work out the best way forward.  On the other, a lot can happen in the two or more likely three years until something is actually implemented.  The last substantial physical bookseller in the UK, Waterstones, may no longer be round, for one thing.  This could lead to a monopoly (or duopoly) of online e-retailers with unprecedented power and only the public library service presenting a real alternative. So, what may seem a respectable and safe time scale to some may actually be a gamble. The results from the pilots had better be the correct ones because there may be no time for seconds before public libraries or real e-lending choice disappear for good.

Moving away from the urgent/essential into arguably more optional realms, we also have the rebranding of CILIP taking its next step with the announcement of the preferred new name for that organisation.  The reception I have seen to that name so far (on lis-pub-libs, Twitter, emails and blogs) has ranged from the grimly determined (“we cannot go against change”) to the frankly incredulous.  A summary of the facts, arguments and key statements so far is below.

Cilip rebrand

The proposed new name for CILIP is “Information & Library Professionals UK” and the strapline is “The Chartered Institute for the knowledge professions” [sic].  It will be voted on at the AGM on 21st September and needs a two-thirds majority to succeed.  Below is a summary of thoughts on it seen so far.

Pros

  1. A new name that “takes us into the future” and leaves the baggage of the old name behind.
  2. Has the name library in it [as revealed to PLN by the CILIP chief exec Annie Mauger at the Umbrella conference. Thanks Annie – Ed.], unlike previous suggestions of an alternative to CILIP.
  3. Name has been delivered after long research and consultation.
  4. The name isn’t CILIP. The old name has been seen as hard to prononce. At least with ILPUK, one doesn’t have to tell people to pronounce the c as an “s”.
  5. The name moves “Information” to first place rather than “Library” (it was the Chartered Institute of Library and Information professionals before) reflecting the changing importance of the two within the organisation (CILIP now has less than one quarter of its members from public libraries, with more from academic but more from other sectors)
  6. At least CILIP are trying.  Change is a good thing and we should embrace it.

Cons

  1. The suggested change is relatively minor considering the amount of time and money spent on it.
  2. The media and public did not understand what CILIP meant and are unlikely to understand the very similar ILPUK.
  3. Cost of all aspects of rebranding is £35k: money which some argue should have been spent elsewhere (e.g. on other forms of advocacy)
  4. New acronym (presumably “ILPUK” of “Ilp UK”)  may not be seen as a big improvement.
  5. Although CILIP have said it will not use the acronym, it is hard to see how the name will avoid being shortened in this way in practice. This may cause problems considering that “ILPUK” is an acronym already in use.
  6. Downgrades the relative importance of “library”, although not by much.
  7. Includes “UK” which seems both unnecessary and liable to become dated, especially if the Scottish achieve independence.
  8. Partial capitalisation of strapline appears unprofessional.
  9. Regular name changes weaken the brand
  • Cilip rebrand – Tina’s Library Related Stuff. “the very minimum that I want from my professional body is to be recognisable as a professional body and to not make me a laughing stock.” … “I was quite annoyed about how the rebrand had been handled and was extremely unimpressed by the choices offered but I voted to continue with the rebrand as I do think CILIP needs to move with the times and I thought that they would be taking on board all the feedback that had been given.  I am now regretting that decision. “.  Statistical analysis of rebrand results also strongly questioned as flawed.
  • New name for CILIP? – BookSeller. Annie Mauger, CILIP chief exec says research showed that “advocacy should be at the heart of everything we do, that we should be about skills and professional development and that our profession wants recognition for those skills. It also told us that the profession is changing.”.  Less than one quarter of CILIP members now work in public libraries. New brand necessary for the future. Rebranding consultation gave lessons that “We took some important messages away—the name should include ‘library’, it should include ‘information’ and have gravitas.”

““We believe our members want a name that clearly and confidently says who we are and where we are heading. This name recognises our library heartland and puts information front and centre of our identity. The strapline that says our community – the information, library and knowledge professions – support and develop access to knowledge … These changes have two goals – to be relevant to the breadth of the information, library and knowledge professions and to make their identity clearer to the world.” ” Annie Mauger on CILIP website

“They are not going to win any prizes for coming up with ILPUK. It sounds as if it was devised by committee! All this has been a major distraction and  I hope they will get back to improving the effectiveness of their advocacy.” Desmond Clarke via email

“@publiclibnews Been in Libraries 4 over 10 yrs,not once has anyone ever asked what CILIP stood for, the same fate awaits ILPUK I’m sure” via Twitter

“.. with the crisis we now have, it is heart-breaking to find CILIP announce that its priority is to take time off to fool about changing its logo. And beyond belief to find the suggested new name is almost exactly like the old one – except that it sounds a lot sillier” Laura Swaffield. Library Campaign on lis-pub-libs
  • Mountains have laboured … – Tom Roper’s Weblog. ” I certainly won’t be voting for it. The case for change still hasn’t been made and the proposed name is no better than the old. In any case, the AGM may not be decisive. I think that members were balloted on the name CILIP; there’s a strong case that a name change should similarly be subject to a postal ballot of all members. To secure a ballot, twenty members attending the AGM, or using proxies, need to support the call. “
  • New name for library and information professional body proposed – CILIP. “The new name and strapline has been developed following focus groups and surveys with members and potential members as part of a broader change process instigated by CILIP Council, the governing body.”

Changes

News

  • BiblioTapTap – KissKissBankBank. Successful crowdfunding campaign to support a mobile library in Haiti. “We’re Libraries Without Borders, a leading NGO promoting cultural and social development through access to books in France and around the world. We operate in over 20 countries, with a special focus in Haiti. “
  • “Can I help you find anything?” Well, now that you mention it… – Metafilter.  Ever wanted a patron to ask you out or, desperately not to? Here’s a discussion on the do’s and don’ts.
  • Copyright, libraries, and the changing world of access – Good Library Blog / Tim Coates. “The real reason why people are allowed free access to books (and other written work) lies in a clause in Copyright Law which permits libraries to offer that service free” … “the library service exists because publishers and authors allow it to In America there is no opt out for the rights holder – it is enshrined in US law that a book must be made available in this way. Their copyright laws are different to those in the UK”
  • Design to Learn By: Dynamic Early Learning Spaces in Public Libraries – School Library Journal (USA). “A design revolution is reinventing the children’s room in public libraries and changing the way young children learn. The movement involves colorful spaces with mirrors, soft edges, and things to climb on. There are items to play with such as “sentence makers” and audio-based toys. A farmer’s market, cash register, automobile, or airport may be involved. Most importantly, the areas are embedded with tools and features that get kids ready to read. This new breed of literacy-packed play spaces in libraries is inspired by children’s museums and the developmental theories that drive them.”
  • Fresh workforce controversy for Amazon – BookSeller. “Channel 4 News found that employees at the East Midlands warehouse were given zero-hour contracts and only had a 30-minute lunch break every 10-hour shift, 20 minutes of which were spent walking to the canteen and back. According to the broadcaster, who spoke to 12 former employees at the warehouse, workers also had their movements monitored by GPS trackers and were searched airport style before going into the canteen to see if they’d stolen anything. The warehouse was also said to have operated on a “three strikes and you’re out” basis, with employees given “strikes” for behaviour such as talking to colleagues, spending too long in the bathroom or taking sick leave.”.  Agency was told not to let employees know they could claim holiday pay.
  • Hotels Add Libraries as Amenity to Keep Guests Inside – New York Times
  • Irate UK librarians call for no confidence vote on Minister Vaizey – Teleread. “A group within the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)—the UK’s professional association for librarians, and not normally a hotbed of sedition—has grown so incensed with the implementation of library policy that they’re calling for a vote of no confidence in Ed Vaizey, the UK Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries with responsibility for libraries, at the CILIP annual general meeting on September 21st, 2013.”
  • Librarian, 57, who stood up to a family of yobs was arrested and forced to wear ‘degrading’ hood by police – Mail.  Self-explanatory.

“Sat 23 November Speak Up For Libraries conference (Library Campaign, CILIP, Unison, Voices for the Library) at CILIP HQ”

Local news

  • Cambridgeshire – City library set to be rebuilt with flats – Cambridge News. Milton Road library currently in poor condition.  If developer pays for flats then this could be replaced and an extra community centre added but “Ward colleague Cllr Mike Pitt said it would be a shame to lose the building because it was where mathematician Sir Andrew Wiles, who proved Fermat’s Last Theorem, came across the problem as a schoolboy.” Consultation later this year.
  • Camden – New chapters for community libraries – Camden New Journal. Belsize Community Library will extend its opening hours including opening on Saturdays. Now known as The Winch, it is losing money so is concentrating on cafe and other facilties inc. room hires.  Friends of Highgate Library have been given room by council to use as a community space.
  • Croydon – Privatisation of Croydon libraries rubber-stamped – This is Croydon. “The council says it is also saving money on the overall budget, although the financial details of the contract are not revealed. Councillor Tim Pollard, the council’s cabinet member for children, families and learning, said: “Signing this contract means Croydon’s libraries are now safe for the foreseeable future.”
  • Greenwich – Council defends decision to stock extremist books in Woolwich library – Telegraph. “Greenwich Council has defended their right to stock the texts, written in Urdu, which contain controversial statements on women, Jews and terrorism in a library 200 metres from the spot where Lee Rigby was killed in May.”

“We are not aware of any lists of books banned by the Home Secretary,” a spokesperson said. “Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf has been publicly available on the shelves of Britain’s public libraries for decades and remains available for any citizen in the UK to purchase.”

“This consultation has been a shallow, hollow exercise,” said Skegness library user Paul Marshall. “The decisions have already been made so I’ve got no idea what you invited us here for.”

  • Lincolnshire – Save Lincolnshire Libraries campaign gathers over 1k signatures – Lincolnite. “The petition is part of the Save Lincolnshire Libraries campaign, which acts as the “voice of local communities all around Lincolnshire” affected by the proposed cuts. More than 1,100 people signed the online petition at the time of writing. Leah Warriner-Wood, a campaigner for Save Lincolnshire Libraries, said: “Everyone is thrilled at the first big benchmark, and the petition is really flying now. “Campaigners were out at North Hykeham library gathering signatures on the paper version, where not one single person was in agreement with the council’s proposals.”
  • Lincolnshire – Library closures: meeting was to find ways to shift the cost – Spalding Today. “The actual purpose of the meeting was to present the county’s excuses for withdrawing funding and find ways to shift the costs of libraries to someone else, in the business or voluntary sector, thus enabling them to claim they had kept them open. Since we won’t know the outcome until December, this will have allowed the council, with all their resources, possibly nine months to arrange the takeovers and ensure that communities have only four months to find an alternative”
  • Merton – Campaigners triumph as Merton Council safeguard Wimbledon Library from future redevelopment – SW Londoner. “The library will be withdrawn from the ‘Sites and Policies DPD’ which lists sites the council want to see developed over the next 10 years. The plan could have meant commercial development in the form of retail, flats or offices.”

“If you have not already heard – our campaigning worked and the council listened to us! As our petition requested— they have removed mention of the library in their planning policies document!!!! This is a big result, good for all. It is still OUR SPACE! However, we are being wary of any future council actions, since they didn’t consult us previously.” Campaigner (part of email received).  See also Save Wimbledon Library website.

  • Merton – Council u-turn over controversial Wimbledon Library development plan – This is Local London. “”I will not stand by and allow Merton’s residents to be hoodwinked about the future of our wonderful libraries. “Unlike other councils around the country, Merton Council has not only kept all of our libraries open during these difficult financial times, we have gone further and increased overall opening times.”
  • North Lanarkshire – Town centre library bought to book – Cumbernauld News.  Newspapers were reduced temporarily, with many computers also not available – this is causing problems with those who need both in order to look for work.  Libraries are now surveying newspaper use.  Problems blamed on transition from council run service to that of a Trust.
  • Sefton – Council is set to pay consultants up to £500 per day despite making redundancies – Crosby Herald. Council “has approved plans to pay consultants up to £500 per day.  The move comes as Sefton battles £50m worth of cuts including shutting seven libraries, two of them in Crosby.”.  Consultants are apparently there to replace some being made voluntarily redundant.  Spending seen as waste by Unison and by others.
  • Southend – New £27m library to serve alcohol at events – Echo. Joint library space wants to be able to serve alcohol until 1am for events up to 36 times per year.
  • Southend – Poetically speaking – Southend on Sea Borough Council. “Do you enjoy poetry? Do you marvel at the magic of the resonant word? Do you gasp at the precision of a perceptive line? Why not join ‘Poetically Speaking’? A new book group held at Southend Central Library, which seeks to shatter the taboo of being passionate about poetry!”
  • Suffolk – Libraries, one year on – Suffolk Libraries. “We are operating on a budget which is around £2million less than the service cost before, by creating a more efficient structure. The main aim in our first year has been to build the foundations for the future and thanks to the fantastic efforts of our staff and the people of Suffolk it’s been a great year full of activity and enthusiasm.”
  • Suffolk – Stowmarket: Town library and Regal Theatre to work together for mutual benefit – Ipswich Star. “Stowmarket Cultural Group is trying to get the library, the Museum of East Anglian Life, the John Peel Centre and the Regal to help and support each other. We have to work together in a small town and make ourselves relevant.” The Regal Theatre manager David Marsh said: “We see a thriving library as an important part of the town and we regularly donate tickets to them for prizes.”
  • Suffolk – Libraries divestment ‘a success’ says former protester – BBC. “Suffolk County Council hoped to save £2.6m a year by handing over the day-to-day running of the libraries, its mobile libraries and the services for schools and prisons. Mr Hargrave was amongst those who spoke out about the plans but is now employed as IT manager for the IPS. “It’s sometimes been a rocky road but I think a year on we can be proud of what we’ve achieved,” he said.” … “The IPS signed a 10 year contract to run the services. Rosehill Readers, a group who campaigned against the divestment, says it is still “opposed to this course of action”.
  • Suffolk – SCC: Round in circles – Rosehill Readers. Suggests councillor budgets are paying some (£25k) of the cut (£130k) in council direct funding to libraries.
  • Surrey – All Surrey libraries to lose music CDs by next year – This is Local London. “audiovisual items in libraries have always had the purpose of raising money – they are not part of a library’s core provision. “Music CDs have declined in use largely due to the easy availability of music downloads and no longer make money, so we have with regret decided to withdraw them in 2014 from the 12 libraries which still have them.””
  • Swindon – Call for ‘friends’ to support Liden library – Swindon Advertiser. “Liden Library is looking to start Friends of Liden Library group and get volunteers to run regular story-time sessions for young children in an attempt to mirror the success of a similar group at Covingham Library.”

“The big difference between places like Liden and somewhere like Central is there you get your books from a machine and put them back through a hole in the wall, but here everyone gets to know each other.”