Changes

Ideas

National

  • Amendments to Public Lending Right Scheme – Lexology. ” the Order, which will come into force on 1 July 2014, extends the Scheme to cover audio-books loaned from a public library and e-books downloaded on library premises. Producers and narrators of audio-books will also become eligible for payments under the Scheme, provided they can prove their eligibility in respect of the relevant audio-book, either by producing a written contract with the publisher, or by being credited within the audio-book itself.  Payments will also be made to those who become eligible posthumously.”
  • The National Public Library Festival – Crowdfunder. “Why has there never been a Public Libraries Festival? That’s the question we asked ourselves when we realised that 2014 was the fiftieth anniversary of the Public Libraries Act. ​So ​LibraryCamp have taken up the challenge and ​ Saturday 30 August will see the first ever National Public Libraries Festival. Now we need you to help us celebrate the awesomeness that is public libraries – past, present and future – by donating to the National Public Libraries Festival Crowdfunder campaign.”

“So far we have an amazing venue – the Library of Birmingham and a splendid summer date for your diary – Saturday 30 August 2014, but what we don’t have is enough cash to book all the acts”

International

  • Alec Baldwin travels to Central Falls for library – Boston Globe. “Baldwin, who donated $15,000 to the Central Falls library in 2011 and 2012, stood on the front steps of the small brick building Saturday afternoon and accepted the key to the city from Mayor James Diossa. “You believed in us, Alec, and we appreciate it,” Diossa told him. A native of Amityville, N.Y., and the son of a social studies teacher, Baldwin, 55, spoke about the enduring role of libraries. “Even though the technology has changed how we consume material . . . libraries are still very important in the life of the community,” he said. “Me, I still like to carry a book around.”
  • EPL – Proud to be Library of the Year 2014 – Edmonton Public Library (Canada). “We’re so excited to spread the words and tell the world – the Edmonton Public Library (EPL) has been unanimously named 2014 Library of the Year by Library Journal magazine and Gale Cengage Learning. EPL is the first ever Canadian library to receive this prestigious award and we think it’s safe to say – we’re kind of a big deal!”
  • Nashville libraries encourage people to grow food – Tenneseean (USA). “This year’s seeds came from local farms. And she got them for free with a swipe of a library card. In March, the Nashville Public Library launched its new Seed Exchange program, which offers vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seeds to the public at no charge. “We want to show how easy it can be to grow some of your own food at home,” said Katherine Bryant, the Bellevue library branch manager and founder of the program.”

“Libraries are good at collecting information, like with books: They collect them, organize them and share them,” Bryant said. “That’s exactly what we’re trying to do with seeds: Collect them, organize them and share them with the public.”

Events

  • “Joining the dots” Libraries Conference – 14/15 October in Lancaster. “I am delighted to be able to announce details below of a new Lancashire Libraries national conference which has been designed for innovative, ambitious, aspiring and dynamic library staff.  We would particularly welcome middle managers, or those new to management and we believe the reasonable cost of £199.00 for the entire event will enable budget holders to support these delegates to attend what could potentially be their first professional conference.  Joining the Dots: Inspire, Innovate and Inform; a two day conference will include keynotes by Wayne Hemingway and Paul McGee, there are full details on our website at http://new.lancashire.gov.uk/joining-the-dots where you will also find the programme including a choice of workshops covering topics such as motivation, management, marketing and the arts in libraries.  The event will be held at the prestigious Lancaster House Hotel.”
UK local news by authority
  • Darlington – Library encourages residents to pick up litter along with books – Northern Echo. “The mobile library run by Darlington Borough Council will loan out litter picking equipment in a bid to encourage communities to take more responsibility for the upkeep of their neighbourhoods. It comes as a senior councillor warned this week that standards in the borough will ‘deteriorate considerably’ unless residents step in to fill shortfalls caused by cuts to council services.” … “Proof of ID or a Library card is required to borrow the equipment. Library cards are free and would-be members can join at the mobile library or at Crown Street or Cockerton libraries.”
  • Enfield – Enterprising Libraries – Enfield Council. “The aim of Enterprising Libraries is for libraries to support local economic growth by offering spaces for the development of business ideas, provide coaching, advice, meeting spaces and IT support for local businesses and entrepreneurs. The project is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Arts Council via Enfield Council. The Library Service, has teamed up with Enterprise Enfield to offer a comprehensive 6 week programme of free support to help anyone wishing to start their own business turn their idea into reality.  The New Biz Programme includes a range of services to help you get your business off to the right start- those completing the course will also be given free access to a Cloud service for a year.  “
  • Leicestershire – Leicestershire County Council to scrap community forum meetings to save cash – Leicester Mercury. “We believe communities can work with us to help themselves and others and to run some of these services, such as libraries. Town and parish councils are likely to play a crucial role in this.”
  • Lincolnshire – Philistine councillors support mass closure of Lincolnshire Libraries – Keithpp’s blog. “When a society destroys its libraries, you know there is something very sick at he heart of that society. Lincolnshire County Council is planning what amounts to little more than wanton vandalism of its libraries.”
  • Southend – Libraries closure plans are on hold – Echo. “The new Independent, Labour and Lib Dem administration has already put the wheels in motion to stop staff being axed from libraries across the borough and has told council officers to come up with alternatives. The previous Tory administration put in place changes in a bid to save £378,000 over three years.” … ““It will be an open review with three alternatives – to leave the proposals alone, look at little changes or reorganise them. We will need to look at the implications of keeping them going, including financial issues.”
  • Staffordshire – Burton’s library has major role to play in the future – Burton Mail. “Burton Library is to become a ‘centre of excellence’ under proposals that have been revealed by council chiefs – but jobs could be lost at another building in East Staffordshire which is set to be run by volunteers.”
  • Staffordshire – Communities in Gnosall, Penkridge and Stafford asked to run their local libraries – Staffordshire Newsletter. “Libraries in Gnosall, Penkridge, Rising Brook, Holmcroft, Baswich and Brereton are among 24 earmarked to become “library local” centres under new proposals. Community organisations would be given the chance to manage their library, including maintaining current services or introducing new ones. They would be supported by the council but it would not be directly involved in management or staffing.”
  • Staffordshire – Concern raised on future of libraries in Staffordshire – Express and Star. “The full impact on library staff has not yet been revealed at this stage but council chiefs admit positions will be at risk if proposals go ahead. Libraries earmarked as suitable to be run by community groups are Brereton, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Norton Canes, Brewood and Cheslyn Hay. Others are Great Wyrley, Kinver, Penkridge, Baswich, Gnosall, Holmcroft and Rising Brook. It comes after the county council revealed all 34 of its local authority-run youth clubs would close unless volunteers came forward to run them.”
  • Staffordshire – Poll: Should libraries be run by volunteers? – Express and Star. “As plans are unveiled today for more than half the libraries across Staffordshire to be run by volunteers in a bid to help save £1.3 million over the next three years, we want to know what you think.” [84% were against volunteers at time of checking – Ed.]