Aberdeenshire waste £370k while trying to save money.

Editorial

Some more good news today as new library opens in Meopham. In other news, we have Aberdeenshire spending £370k before deciding moving libraries/leisure centres into a separate trust would not save money and abandoning the idea. That’s an impressive amount of money to waste on saving money. At the other end of the country, Cornwall continue their plans of shifting library expenditure on to more local councils in Redruth. Effectively, the town council agrees to pay for the service but it remains in many ways still part of the county scheme. This model has to be very tempting for library providing councils – but perhaps not as desirable for the town councils who presumably have to raise their taxes to pay for it. Still, it’s a clever way of getting around tax caps on higher tier authorities. Finally, and I know I’m banging on about this but I like it, another library service (this time a big US city) considers getting rid of fines. Oh go on. Go on. Go on. Go on.

Changes

• Aberdeenshire – Abandons leisure trust proposal after spending £370k researching it.
• Cornwall – Redruth Library passed to town council.
• Darlington – Court case to be heard in June.
• Kent – New Meopham Library opens after moving sites.

National news

• A few interesting things – Leon’s Library Blog. A look at the CILIP survey showing library staff are trusted; ACE interview ; “It’s quite strange really that as the development agency for public libraries the Arts council very rarely attracts much criticism from campaigners. After all, this is the agency which is mandated to oversee libraries, direct funding to libraries, and advise the government on libraries. “; co-locations; “While not excluding the wider range of services within libraries, there are many in the sector who argue that it is the provision of good quality book stock, as part of a strong core offer, that attracts and retains library users. I count myself amongst them. But again, much more in-depth research is required to evidence this.”

International news

• USA – Holding Pattern | Budgets & Funding – Library Journal. “libraries of all sizes reporting an overall average increase in funding for operating, materials, and personnel budgets. The trend seems to be leveling out, however. While total operating budgets rose modestly, concerns over a contentious federal budget that originally sought to eliminate federal library funding, as well as new tax laws, leave libraries unsure of what the future may hold.” … “Open hours for systems nationwide have risen slightly, with an increase of 2.1 hours in 2017. But at an average of 52.8 hours open per week, libraries have a way to go before they approach 2008’s high mark of nearly 60 hours.”
• USA – Reimagining Libraries: The Front Door of the Innovation District – ELGL. “The upper floors of the library have taken on a new life and have been transformed into modern spaces for the digital age. As if Hill were creating a new HGTV show titled ‘Extreme Makeover: Library Edition, she says “We took our fourth floor, which was used for storage, and cleared it out to create a maker space.” Hill aims to have “the things you’re seeing on TV, the stuff you’re reading about and that everyone is talking about” are present in the downtown branch. Now, patrons can get hands-on with 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, virtual reality, and photography studio.” … “On the second floor, along with the recording studio, Hill envisions a full commercial kitchen where young people can learn simple culinary skills and gain crucial nutritional knowledge. “
• USA – San Diego may eliminate library fines to avoid cutting off poor– San Diego Union Tribune.””  … “While fines encourage many library users to return items on time, city officials say they actually do more harm than good by discouraging some patrons, especially those with low incomes, from continuing to use the library.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Aberdeenshire Council shelled out more than £370K on doomed sports trust – Aberdeen Journals. “Stonehaven Library is one of the facilities that could have been managed under the abandoned trust plans, which ultimately cost Aberdeenshire Council more than £370,000”
• Bradford – Immersive, age appropriate, sensory story times – Libraries Taskforce. “Working closely with Purple Patch Arts, who originated this concept, we have put together twelve different sensory sacks. Some for adults, and some for teenagers and younger children. Purple Patch Arts operates across Yorkshire, working with groups and supporting organisations to improve the lives and life chances of people with learning disabilities, by providing innovative, inclusive, creative learning experiences for them and the professionals that support them. They have also worked with Kirklees Libraries on a similar project.”
• Cambridgeshire – This historic library is about to be demolished and people are angry – Cambridge News. “The demolition of a beloved 1930s library in Cambridge is just days away – and residents are still fighting to stop it. Milton Road Library was marked for demolition in March last year, and plans were made to replace it with a three-storey building to house a larger community hub with a library and flexible community space, and seven flats.”
• Cheshire East – Cheshire East passes balanced budget and injects more cash into borough’s roads – Cheshire East Council. “A decision to keep all libraries open – axing proposals to close those in Alderley Edge, Disley and Prestbury” see also Cheshire East Council approves budget with tax hike – Knutsford Guardian.
• Cornwall – Cornwall Council to hand over the library and information service to Redruth Town Council as part of its devolution programme – Falmouth Packet. “Redruth Library and Information Service, previously known as the One Stop Shop, will remain at the heart of the community after the service is handed over to Redruth Town Council in April. The service is to be transferred to the council as part of Cornwall Council’s devolution programme, which is helping councils and communities have local ownership, management and control of services.”
• Darlington – Court date set for further scrutiny of Darlington’s Crown Street Library closure plans – Northern Echo. “Last year, a high court judge said there was “just about enough” evidence for him to order further scrutiny of contentious proposals to close Darlington’s historic Crown Street Library” … “It has now been confirmed that the hearing, which is scheduled for two days and will be presided over by a high court judge, will take place at Leeds Combined Court on June 18. The hearing was granted on the grounds that criticisms of the council’s consultation procedures could be argued in court and therefore warranted further scrutiny.”
• Derbyshire – Derbyshire County Council to appoint new bosses ahead of service changes and job cuts – Derbyshire Times “Three new bosses earning a combined total of up to £250,000 per year are to be appointed by Derbyshire County Council as the organisation ‘enters a new world’. On Thursday, cabinet members agreed plans for the Conservative-led authority to become an ‘enterprising council’ … “To start with, bosses will study several services including libraries, highways and learning disabilities.” Opposition asks “Libraries – will some be closed or will they be handed over to volunteers to run?”
• Kent – Meopham library officially opens – Reporter. “The new building, which includes full computer and WiFi facilities, as well as a wide range of traditional reading material, is still within the grounds of Meopham School in Wrotham Road. It was opened by KCC’s Cabinet member for Community and Regulatory Services, Mike Hill, and the divisional member for Gravesham Rural, Bryan Sweetland.”
• Newcastle – Fancy finding a cure for a deadly disease or ruling the universe? Here’s a library that can help – Chronicle Live. “the start of a new game lending programme whereby keen boardgame players or curious rookies, assuming they have a Newcastle Libraries card, can borrow games for up to two weeks, just as they would do a book.”
• North Ayrshire – Councillor backs Largs Library move – Largs and Millport Weekly News. “Rumours have been swirling in recent weeks that the library could transfer to the KA Leisure run facility. North Ayrshire Council have said that there are no plans on the table at present for the move, despite an independent report suggesting the move around five years ago.”
• Oxfordshire – Government seal of approval as Westgate library opens with a flourish – Oxford Mail. “Oxfordshire County Library was opened on Thursday to 100 guests including world-famous author Philip Pullman and libraries minister Michael Ellis MP. Situated in the new Westgate Centre, the updated facility boasts half a million books – but will also serve as a front door to a wide range of Oxfordshire County Council services. Libraries minister Mr Ellis was delighted with the revamped facility.”
• Reading – Fears reduced library hours in Reading could lead to closures – In your area. “Green Party leader Cllr Rob White, said: “If the cuts go ahead my library at Palmer Park will only be open in the daytime and not at all at weekends. I’m totally unsure how working people are going to be expected to access this library, there seems to be no time at all.”
• Somerset – Save Highbridge Library’ protest held outside County Council meeting – Burnham on Sea.
• South Gloucestershire – New chapter for Hawkesbury Upton book lovers – Gazette series. Volunteer library set up as mobile library stop has ended. “The South Gloucestershire mobile library service came to an end in September and the new library will provide an opportunity for children, young people and adults to access books easily without having to leave the village. It is also hoped that it will act as a meeting point with tea, coffee and cake on sale. “
• Suffolk – Needham Market Library asks customers for their thoughts on proposed change to opening hours – EADT. “Book lovers in Needham Market are being asked to have their say on a proposed change to the local library’s opening hours. The proposal would involve no change to the total hours open, but the opening pattern would be slightly different on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.”