Editorial

Old logo of CILIP showing full name

Out with the old…

New logo with "The library and information association" as words to right

.. and in with the new

NB. Please note that this editorial has received a few edits, shown as text in square brackets, as more information from CILIP and others came in after the post was originally posted.

Without any publicity at all – no press release, no statement, nothing – CILIP have undergone a complete rebranding, with a new logo that retains the CILIP acronym but without any other indication of what CILIP actually stands for. Instead, the words “the library and information association” (in lower case) are put to the side of it. The absolute secrecy in which this was done is doubtless because of the bitter feeling (and pig’s ear) caused by the attempt a few years ago to change its name to (gosh, it’s still painful to type it) ILPUK. That abortive rebranding exercise [would have] cost £35k but we don’t know how much this new one has cost [I’ve been assured this cost a lot less than last time as this was done in-house – Ed]. The fact that CILIP have done it without any consultation, or publicity, at all is. well. a tad bit dictatorial in a democratic association and presents a worry mark for the future. [ I understand the log was sent out to member networks for discussion but that, obviously, quite a few did not see it – or I’d have known about it beforehand].

Well, that’s the “cons” bit. But the truth is, I actually quite like the new logo (apart from the neither-here-nor-there slope on the end) and if it replaces the impossible to say “Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals” (or whatever it was) then fine. So that’s good. Because if they’d done this without consultation and the rebranding had been anything like as bad as ILPUK, there’d have been hell to pay. So, Nick et al, you may have got away with it this time (but that remains to be seen at time of writing) but try something like this again, or get too complacent with the changes you make without telling anyone, and the reception may not be so soft next time. CILIP have painfully rebuilt a lot of goodwill over the last couple of years but this will have taken the shine off it a bit. Consult next time. Or at least let the information professionals have some information about it.

Here’s the official response I got from CILIP when I asked them about it (I checked the Action Plan: there’s no mention of a rebranding in it I can see):

“First impressions count and presentation matters. We can be doing and saying all the right things but if our presentation doesn’t have impact and make the best impression we won’t connect with the audiences that matter; the students deciding which career to pursue; the people in this sector who haven’t joined yet; the national and local politicians; the employers and the organisations we want to partner with. “CILIP’s 2016-2020 Action Plan sets a fresh vision and mission for CILIP and our community. It reconnects us with our Royal Charter and sets the path to create a stronger, more visible and influential organisation with a clear and independent voice to champion to interests of the information, knowledge management and library sector. We are committed to promoting and representing the sector, to do so we need the right presentation and visuals to support our evidence and messages, and create a strong impact with the right audiences.

The new brand is part of a wider programme to improve the impact of our work for the sector that stems from the Action Plan. Other parts of this programme include securing greater political influence, gaining support from famous people for libraries through our posters, running campaigns such as highlighting #Amilliondecisions that information professionals support across the healthcare sector every day, developing a more open and inclusive approach to membership and doing more to showcase the value and impact of the sector. The new brand launched on the 28 February and we are currently communicating this and rolling it out. It’s an important part of our Action Plan to create a stronger organisation that champions and represents the information, knowledge management and library sector.” CILIP

And here’s a quote from a parody account on Twitter which has come to life again over this rebranding:

And here’s what happened when I asked people on Twitter (I think you’ll need to vote yourself to see the result but as of 8.10pm it was 59% don’t care, 34% “should’ve consulted” and just 7% “did the right  thing):

Do also read Phil Bradley’s blog post below.

In other news, I understand that the news from Dudley that GLL is now taken over the service somehow as a staff mutual was a bit confusing. It turns out the press release from the council was, ahem, confusingly phrased and that there was a competitive process for running Dudley, one of which options was as a staff mutual – which lost – and one of the others was from GLL, which won. At least that’s what I’m told at the moment. If anyone else can shed some light on this (and won’t risk losing their jobs from doing so), do let me know

Changes

Ideas

National news

  • CILIP the err.. library and information association – Phil Bradley’s Weblog. “It appears that the ‘Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals’ no longer exists. No discussion, no voting, no long, angry meetings, nothing. It’s an impressively soft launch. And when I say ‘soft launch’ I mean ‘let’s not mention it to *anyone*’ and see how long it takes them to notice. I am in quiet hysterics here, I really am. All that pain, anguish and quite honestly pure hatred of a few years ago, and for what? I’m sure someone is going to mention the new abbreviation could be LAIA, which is pretty close to La-la, but I’m only doing it because someone is going to, and it may as well be me.”

“I’m happy with the changes; it certainly works for me. I’m slightly less happy with the fait accompli nature though. Seriously – not a single communication? Not even an update anywhere? Not a news item? Nothing? That does tend to smack of arrogance and a ‘f*ck you’ attitude and complete disregard for the member vote we had on the name change a few years back. If I’d argued against it, and voted against it, I would be hopping mad right now, and I’m just wondering if CILIP Council is hoping that people are just too damn tired, scared, worried about other things and worn out to do anything – perhaps the most we’ll see is a quiet little ‘meh, whatevs’ response. But in general…. Well played, Library and Information Association. Well played. I shall now get myself a bucket of popcorn, sit back and crank Twitter up to 11. Phil Bradley

  • Digital Strategy to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business – Gov.uk. The full document includes 15 mentions of libraries.
  • Fun Palaces 2017: let planning commence – Libraries Taskforce. “Fun Palaces is both an ongoing campaign for culture at the heart of every community, and an annual weekend of active participation in culture (arts, science, crafts, tech, digital, and sometimes sports) run by and for local people. Obviously, libraries are perfect spaces for local Fun Palaces. Fun Palaces have grown exponentially in the four years since we started and, in 2016, there were 292 Fun Palaces across the UK and worldwide, with 124,000 people taking part – 59% of them were in libraries, including dozens in New Zealand and Australia.” … “Libraries, with much-loved public spaces, a long history of putting the community first, and a tradition of supporting lifelong learning, have a great role to play in this movement. We welcome you to join in, whether you are a first-timer or a regular participant”

    “To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what funding she has provided to libraries in each of the last five years.” David Nuttall MP, Conservative, Bury North.
    Funding provided to public libraries in England in each of the last 5 years by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and through Arts Council England, the development agency for libraries, is shown in the following table… [Table] … This is in addition to the net investment by local library authorities annually including £701 million in 2015/16. The funding from DCMS in 2015/16 supported the installation or significant upgrade of WiFi in public libraries across England, while the funding for 2016/17 includes a new public libraries innovation fund to support projects that develop innovative library service activity to benefit disadvantaged people and places in England. Arts Council England’s funding provided to public libraries in England supports library-specific activity or direct investment in a library, such as the Get It Loud In Libraries programme which has created exciting opportunities for young people to lead, participate, volunteer and excel in artistic and cultural activity in a library environment” Rob Wilson MP – They Work For You.

  • Jacob Sam-La Rose posters for libraries – CILIP. “Jacob Sam-La Rose, poet, author, performer and educator, has joined the poster campaign by CILIP, the library and information association, promoting the importance of libraries. The poster is available to download for free: ” … “Jacob co-founded Malika’s Poetry Kitchen, developed the Roundhouse Poetry programme and Summer Slam series before moving on to establish Barbican Young Poets and Burn After Reading. He is recognised as a leading figure within the UK’s youth poetry slam movement, having served as Artistic Director for the London Teenage Poetry SLAM, Apples & Snakes’ Word Cup, Shake the Dust and Shot from the Lip.” [No, I’ve never heard of him either – Ed.]
  • Libraries and privacy – debate – CILIP North East Member Network. “The CILIP North East Member Network invite you to a debate on user privacy in libraries held at the Mining Institute in Newcastle. The motion to be debated is: This house believes that protecting users’ privacy in libraries should take precedence over any other demands on users’ data. The debate is free and open to anyone with an interest in libraries and/or privacy. It will be chaired by Dr Biddy Casselden from Northumbria University, with speakers including radical librarian Ian Clark, law graduate and privacy activist Alex Haydock, and cybersecurity futurist Robin Smith.” Newcastle Upon Tyne.
  • Libraries ‘crucial’ for the nation’s engagement in literature, says RSL – BookSeller. “The role of public libraries is “crucial to sustaining and building engagement in literature”, the Royal Society of Literature has concluded from a survey conducted with Ipsos MORI….” …
  • Literature in Britain Today – Royal Society of Literature. Sixth (of sixth) main points is “Public libraries are crucial to sustaining and building engagement in literature”. “The factors most likely to encourage more reading of literature are recommendations of what to read, cheaper books and more local libraries”. “more local libraries” one of three keys to people reading more literature. “Local libraries may come third in this list, but they are equally relevant to meeting the needs expressed in the first two points – with librarians and library activities helping people choose their reading, and with free accessibility removing any financial barrier. A properly resourced public library service is vital to sustaining and increasing the engagement in literature that this survey makes clear is such a valuable component of British society. Like many others, we at the RSL have been appalled to witness the proliferation of library cuts and closures in recent years.”
  • Makerspace Librarian’s Sourcebook – Facet Publishing. “The Makerspace Librarian’s Sourcebook , edited by technology expert Ellyssa Kroski, is an essential all in one guidebook to makerspaces written specifically for libraries. This practical volume provides an invaluable resources for librarians seeking to learn about the major topics, tools, and technologies relevant to makerspaces today. Containing cutting-edge guidance from a range of international experts, this collection is packed with practical tips and case studies for the field’s most tech-savvy innovators.”
  • Mi Wifi: helping some of the most disadvantaged Londoners to get online – Libraries Taskforce. “The Mi Wifi pilot project is a ‘proof of concept’ or pilot project to test how efficient, effective and value for money lending wifi-enabled devices (tablets) through a library (or community centre), coupled with basic digital skills training, is at reducing digital exclusion in one or more London boroughs with high digital exclusion rates. It is aimed at those who currently do not have access to the internet and who have little or no basic digital skills.” … “The GLA wishes to appoint a delivery partner(s) to deliver this programme in one or more borough with high rates of digital exclusion through local libraries or community centres”
  • PMLG & CDEG Conference 2017: Public Libraries for Social, Digital and Economic Inclusion – Chances for Life – CILIP. “Public libraries are at the heart of their community. Libraries connect and empower excluded individuals. From supporting job seekers to providing social opportunities, the role the library plays for inclusion is profound and vital for personal and social prosperity. This event explores future direction and best practice for inclusion.”
  • Rosemary Goring: To axe librarians is to treat learning with utter contempt – Herald Scotland. “Today, librarians fall over themselves to entice and keep young readers. How out of step, then, that in the state secondary school sector, an environment in which you would expect learning to be revered, the words library and librarian are in danger of joining dodo as a definition of extinct.” see also Library staff in Scottish schools ‘down by third’ since 2010 – Scotsman.

  • “Councils pick on those services whose loss will cause least rumpus; in the short run, that is. Long-term, the effect is incalculable. Put it this way: this country will one day have to face up to the consequences of a population whose education has been diminished, where a culture of intellectual inquiry has been hog-tied, and respect for the life of the mind, and for higher thought, treated with contempt. “

  • Scottish Public Libraries – Scottish Library and Information Council. A Google map with every public library in Scotland listed, with picture and link to webpage.
  • The uncomfortable truth: UK government cuts have happened under our noses – Guardian. “In Liverpool, on top of the £330m in existing cuts, there is now another £90m to come. That means closed day centres and nurseries, sold-off civic heritage of land and buildings, and boarded-up libraries – if current closures go ahead it will mean the city will have lost more than half its libraries in the past two
  • ternational news
  • Canada – Freedom to Read 2017 – Toronto Public Library. “Toronto Public Library is celebrating Freedom to Read Week, an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom and the protection of privacy. By providing universal access to knowledge, ideas and opinions, public libraries are a true force for democracy. This is truer than ever in today’s information age. Seventy percent of Torontonians use the library regularly, borrowing more than 30 million items every year and attending thousands of programs that give people uncensored access to a wide variety of topics, beliefs and opinions.”
  • Global – From Trains to Tanks: More Libraries in Unexpected Places – Book Riot. “Just recently, a new library-on-the-move has been making headlines: a library now installed on the Leo Tolstoy express train from Moscow to Helsinki. To celebrate that fun new find, I want to highlight that train as well as some other fascinating, unexpected places you might find a library”
  • India – Central Library reopens its doors – DNA India. “The Grade 1 heritage neoclassical style structure, dating back to 1833, was in a poor condition until last year. Restoration work was soon taken up by the Public Works Department (PWD) along with the Architectural Conservation firm named Abha Narain Lambah Associates” … “The cast iron columns were painted in many colours and we had to work and identify the original colour to make it look like the original one. The quality of the lights was bad because of which we had to redo the wiring and put up LED lights and table lamps. This library is democratic in nature. Anybody can visit and sit inside the library even if they don’t have membership.””
  • USA – Create Your Library Branding, Signage, Promotions & More With Buncee – Library Voice. “I can’t wait to see what you create and how you use these in your libraries too! And I can’t wait to share the cool little library posters we are creating to look like the old ones too”
  • USA – Making ALA Great Again – Publishers Weekly. “Librarians are standing up to Trump, and they want the American Library Association to follow suit.” … “I am not a member of ALA. But as a reporter who has covered the organization for almost two decades, I found the backlash to be, well, refreshing. Inspiring, in fact. Because, in all my years covering the organization, never have I seen such engagement by rank-and-file members. For many librarians, ALA exists largely in the background of their professional lives. I mean, ALA is an organization of some 57,000 librarians, yet it only takes about 5,000 votes to win the ALA presidency (even though you can vote online over a period of weeks)—hardly robust engagement, right? But in the first days of the Trump administration there was ALA, front and center. OK, I wouldn’t necessarily call all the criticism leveled at ALA constructive, and yes, the rhetoric got a little heated. But the message to ALA leadership was clear: we’re paying attention. And while anodyne statements and strategies may be normal for ALA following an election, the Trump administration, librarians stressed, is not normal.”
  • USA – Program Idea: Homeschool Libratory – Webjunction. “Our program originally involved stories and simple crafts. It evolved and changed over the years as their needs and ours also changed. By 2014 we were combining readings, poster board displays and videos with more formal lessons in subjects like history, art, English and geography. Often we did complex activities such as modeling the moon and planting and nurturing seeds to be transplanted into our Children’s Garden. Other times we presented simple cut-and-paste crafts or played learning games”
  • USA – Ten Things a Children’s Librarian Needs to Know – Public Libraries Online. Current trends in early literacy practices and education; The importance of the reference interview; Understanding the needs of all levels of readers; An awareness of pop culture; Management and networking skills; How to talk to children; Technological know-how; How to be a creative problem-solver; Time management; How to promote library services.
  • Local news by authority
  • Bath and North East Somerset – B&NES Council approves budget in wake of opposition – Gazette. “The decision by the council to relocate Bath central library from its current home in the Podium, above Waitrose to Council Buildings on Manver Street has proven to be most contentious. The move will cost the council £2million but from 2020 save them £80,000 a year. Protesters fear that the move will see a reduction in the number of books stored at the library. However for those in North East Somerset, including Chew Valley residents, where library access is limited to mobile services or the converted telephone book exchanges, the news that the council would be putting £160,000 towards community library developments was welcomed.”
  • Cambridgeshire – Cambridge 1930s library set to be bulldozed – Cambridge News. “There are plans to demolish a 1930s city library and replace it with a larger “community hub” and flats, despite concerns over noise and residents’ quality of life. On Wednesday (March 1) Cambridge City Council’s planning committee will consider plans to demolish Milton Road Library. The proposal would see the library replaced with a mixed-use development comprising a library and community facility at ground floor with seven residential flats on the upper floors (comprising two two-bed units and five one-bed units) along with cycle parking and associated landscaping.”
  • Cheshire East – Library to stage comedy theatre performance – Wilmslow.co.uk. “Wilmslow Library will be hosting a comedy theatre performance of ‘The Thing That Came From Over There!’ by Gonzo Moose next month.” … “The Thing That Came From Over There will be the fifth event hosted by Wilmslow Library as part of the ‘See it Live in Libraries’ project. This is in partnership with Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, who aim to bring professional performers and performances to local libraries.”
  • Devon – Brand new Ottery St Mary library opens to the public – View News. “On Friday (February 24th), the brand new library welcomed families from the town to check out the new facilities on offer. The new library replaces the former facility in the Old Town Hall. As well as offering step-free access, the building has been fully refurbished and stocked with books, DVDs and audio books for all ages and interests. There are comfortable reading areas and a bigger and better children’s library full of books and resources for learning and entertainment. Teenagers now have their own dedicated area with study space, lounge seating and specially selected books.
  • Devon – Crowds take a peek at Ottery’s new library – Cambs Times. “Doors officially opened on Saturday with a range of activities including a book signing with local crime author Graham Hurley. Also on the day storyteller Ian Pearce entertained youngsters with readings of Winnie The Pooh in the new children’s library. The premises will also be home to the town’s Tourist Information Centre and new public toilets. It is the first new library to be opened by Libraries Unlimited with an opening ceremony planned for Saturday, March 18.”
  • Essex – £1.5million regeneration will see library and community centre move – Echo series. “Wickford’s library and community centre will be moved to a new state-of-the-art building as part of a £1.5million regeneration of the town. Wickford Community Association, currently based in Market Road, could be relocating to a site in the Nevendon Road recreation ground. The existing centre will be transformed into shops and flats by London and Cambridge Properties. Last year the firm completed a deal to buy the neighbouring Willows Shopping Centre. London and Cambridge is also proposing to replace the library on the site – which would result in payment to Basildon Council for the land.”
  • Fife – Candlelit vigil to mark closure of Pittenweem library – Courier. “The current Pittenweem library will close its doors for the last time at 7pm, signalling the end of a hard-fought campaign to retain it. A new service run entirely by local volunteers will reopen in the Old Town Hall in Cove Wynd toward the end of March. Pittenweem was one of 16 libraries earmarked for closure by Fife Cultural Trust as part of a cost-cutting exercise in 2015. Fife Council agreed to the controversial recommendation, saying the “tough decision” would ensure wider services were sustainable in the long term.”
  • Glasgow – Glasgow librarians share gong for helping city fall in love with reading – Evening Times. “… Principal Librarians Margaret Houston and Dawn Vallance have been honoured with the prestigious title of Librarian of the Year 2017. The pair, who work in the Mitchell Library, shared the accolade from the Publishers’ Publicity Circle (PPC). Margaret, who travelled to London with Dawn to collect her award, said: “It has been my great privilege to welcome thousands of young people into the city’s libraries to share their love of great books and inspiring characters.” … “Margaret and Dawn were hailed for their work bringing authors to Glasgow, through high profile events including Book Week Scotland, Tesco Bank Summer Reading Challenge, World Book Day and the Wee Write! festival. “
  • Kent – Kent Libraries shine a light on commendable literacy staff for the Kent Teacher of the Year Awards – Kent Online. “Sarah Bottle of Kent Libraries said: “Kent libraries are passionate about reading for pleasure, this manifests itself in supporting literacy staff in schools and we want everyone to show their support by nominating””
  • Kent – Library volunteers can change lives – News Orpington. “One of the volunteers who delivers books to housebound people said a client had told her: “I have numerous helpers, including cleaners and a gardener, but if I had to choose just one it would be the library service because I just cannot live without my books. I am so grateful for the service you provide.” … “The volunteer development programme for the service is being run by West Kent Housing Association, which is determined to help the county council maintain its place at the forefront of library based volunteering in the UK.”
  • Lancashire – Library group in Oswaldtwistle has new leader – Lancashire Telegraph. “… community group which is set to take over the former Oswaldtwistle Library has changed leaders. Previous chairman Chris Brindle stepped down due to work commitments. He will be succeeded by committee member John Woods, who was voted as the new chairman at a meeting last week.”
  • Lancashire – Ribble Valley MP blasts Lancashire County Council over Whalley Library sale plan – Lancashire Telegraph. “Nigel Evans has condemned Lancashire County Council’s decision to once more put Whalley Library up for sale. The Ribble Valley Tory MP spoke out after it was announced last week that the community hub, which acts both as a village library and children’s centre, had been placed back on the market. The library was initially listed for sale on New Year’s Eve but was taken off the market after councillors Terry Hill and Ged Mirfin of the ‘Save Whalley Library’ campaign held a meeting with civil society minister Rob Wilson.”
  • Lewisham – How dirty is Deptford’s air? Join new Goldsmiths-led pollution monitoring project – Goldsmiths University of London. “For six months from 29 October 2016 to April 2017, Dr Jennifer Gabrys (Principal Investigator on the Citizen Sense project) and researchers Helen Pritchard and Lara Houston, will provide ‘Dustbox’ sensors – air particulate matter monitoring kits – available for free loan from the library at Deptford Lounge. The Dustboxes, which resemble pollution particles when viewed under an electron microscope, are designed by Citizen Sense and are made of 3D-printed ceramic. They also contain an optical PM 2.5 (particulate matter) sensor, Wi-Fi connectivity, a microcontroller, and a miniature fan to ensure constant airflow.”
  • Lincolnshire – 320 books borrowed in first week at new Holbeach library – Spalding Today. “During its first week the library had 388 visitors with 320 books issued and 26 new members.It’s one of 51 libraries in Lincolnshire, 36 of which are community hubs led by volunteers with the support of GLL, the council’s library provider. There’s 818 volunteers signed up to work at the community hubs, 22 of which are at the new Holbeach facility. Coun Nick Worth, executive councillor for libraries, attended the official opening celebrations on Wednesday. He said: “This is a wonderful facility for local people in Holbeach. The joy of the hubs is that they’re all different and respond to the needs of their local community.”
  • Lincolnshire – Vital town arts centre secures charity status after funding axe – Grimsby Telegraph. “As reported, the future of the centre, which encompasses the town’s only library and art gallery, looked uncertain when £11,000 worth of annual funding from Lincolnshire County Council was slashed in half back in April last year. It meant the centre lost its contracted library staff and instead had to rely on a team of hardworking volunteers to plug the gaps. Those volunteers were praised for keeping the “beating heart” of the town alive during a particularly tumultuous financial year. Now centre manager Stephanie Dale is confident the facility, which was the subject of BBC’s Village SOS TV programme in 2011, has a bright future ahead of it after securing charity status.”
  • Manchester – Read Manchester celebrates World Book Day with exciting library events – Manchester City Council. “The following day (28 February), Maz Evans, author of Who Let the Gods Out? will be at Central Library to inspire pupils from nine different primary schools with a series of workshops.” … “This year, Read Manchester is giving children across the city the chance to get their hands on an extra book, with 4,000 World Book Day titles given out at Manchester’s libraries. Book tokens will also be available for families who attend special Tiny Tots and Toddler Times sessions at libraries, which will be themed for World Book Day with dressing up and book-themed fun. Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Luthfur Rahman, said: “We’re pulling out all the stops to mark this year’s World Book Day with a fantastic range of free books, activities and author visits – all of which will help local children to get the reading bug at the earliest possible age.””
  • North Somerset – Libraries prepare for World Book Day events – North Somerset Times. “A bookstart rhymetime, for children aged up to four, will be held at Long Ashton Library while story time sessions will take place at Nailsea, Portishead and Yatton libraries. Pill Library is also inviting children aged four to 11 years old to attend dressed as their favourite book character from 10.30-11.30am on March 4.”
  • Northern Ireland – Carnegie Old Park Library – Discover Northern Ireland. “The group behind the plans to revitalize the old Carnegie Library on the Oldpark Road, Belfast, has a clear and simple mission statement: “We are going to bring this splendid old library back to life.” Privately purchased in December 2015 after its closure, plans are underway to fully conserve and restore this former library for community use including the tiled mosaic hallway, wood, metal, stone and plasterwork features. Consultation is beginning with the enthusiastic local community for possible future sustainable economic and social uses and to hand management over to them through a social enterprise. The fundraising target is £1.1m and proposals will include keeping large spaces for community / public use, while generating income from rental space”
  • Swindon – A dozen expressions of interest received for running community libraries – Swindon 24. “The Council, in conjunction with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), has already been working with Mutual Ventures, an independent organisation which specialises in developing charitable and public service mutual enterprises, to look at various delivery models for the town’s library service. This work responds to feedback from last year’s public consultation to look at the best approach of delivering the service.”
  • Swindon – Nice spot for a Shame of Swindon award – Swindon Advertiser. “I see the team behind the excellent Save Swindon Libraries campaign are up for a Pride Of Swindon Award. The awards are a great way of celebrating people who work tirelessly and selflessly to make life better for others. Often, they spot horrible situations and leap into action to avert harm and damage. If I had my way, though, there’d be another set of awards set aside especially for the people who cause some of those problems in the first place. They’d be called the Shame Of Swindon Awards, and no two trophies would be alike. They’d be carefully crafted by local artists to reflect the achievements of the winner”

  • “For example, if somebody won a Shame Of Swindon Award for – to choose an example at random – trying to shut down libraries, their award might be a model of an empty bookshelf. Or perhaps a little model of a kid from a disadvantaged background standing before a barred door with a sign saying: “Your Potential – Strictly No Admittance.””

    • Torbay – Torbay Library Services – Gov.uk. “In July 2016 the Authority ran a bidder event which gave organisations an opportunity to advise the Authority how the service could be improved and achieve savings. As a result the Authority is undertaking a formal procurement exercise and seeks a Service Provider to deliver Library Services on its behalf, providing value for money and reducing the Library service budget. This specification sets out the Authority’s requirements for its Library Service by identifying a series of outcomes and outputs and minimum performance standards.”

    “The Service Provider may however suggest innovative ideas on how the Library Service can be delivered differently to deliver larger savings and better value for money. This could include reducing the number of Library’s [sic] delivered across Torbay. However to ensure compliance with its statutory duties, any decisions relating to service change must be the responsibility of the Authority. Due to ongoing austerity measures the Authority has set a target saving of £200,000 for the 2018/19 Library budget. The successful Service provider will be requested to demonstrate whether and how this saving can be achieved. The Service Provider however, must ensure compliance with the regulatory framework governing service delivery and with any additional requirements detailed in this specification.” “

    • Wiltshire – Big plans revealed for town’s historic library – This is Wiltshire. “Plans to give Westbury Library a huge overhaul have been revealed, which could see it become the location for the town’s desperately needed Post Office. A feasibility study is currently under way to assess the best plan of action for the redevelopment before a planning application is submitted for Westbury House on Edward Street.” .. ““The overall idea is to turn the library into an exciting facility which the whole community can benefit from, and I for one am excited about this development.” “