Out with outsourcing? Northants fatally injured.

Editorial

It looks like Northamptonshire is going to be split up, with the most likely option being commissioners coming in to take over the council services. It’s unclear what will happen to libraries – especially as they’re currently run by a mish-mash of council, university and NHS – but the next full council meeting on Thursday may give some idea. The first fun fact is that the chief executive who oversaw and created a lot of this mess was the first chair of the Libraries Taskforce and that his “outsource everything” approach to life doubtless must have influenced it in some way, although from everything that I hear about him, I think he genuinely did care about libraries. Anyway, he’s now gone and hopefully the rush towards outsourcing, that has already taken a bashing with the demise of Carillion, has been further slowed by what has happened in his county. The next  Full Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday so we may hear more of what is happening to Northants libraries and their long-suffering staff and users.

Second fun fact is that the new Northants HQ. built with what is now becoming clear was a trademark lack of care to expense, will have some spare space in it. And possibly, due to the imminent end of the council, may all become spare space. Hmm, a big office building outside London suddenly becoming vacant. Perhaps this may be nice cheap accommodation for national organisations thinking of setting up in the capital. Just a thought.

Changes by authority

• Bury – Tottington becomes volunteer.
• Calderdale – Consultation on cuts.
• Portsmouth– Reservation fees scrapped as well as fines in 3-year pilot.
• Wokingham – Maiden Erlegh Library to close – co-located with Academy which needs the space.

National news

• Arts Council England consultation: opportunities for libraries – Libraries Taskforce. “To find out how to feed your views in, and for further information on the consultations … Beyond the consultation, there is also a call for evidence.”
• BIC criticises ‘confusing’ use of metadata fields for book promotion – Books and Publishing. “BIC issued a statement on 9 March in which it noted that some publishers and other metadata providers are using the subtitle fields—and sometimes the title fields—in metadata feeds to carry marketing and promotional text, including phrases such as ‘Sunday Times Best Seller’, ‘Gripping read from…” … “BIC said that this kind of promotional text is ‘not wanted’ by retailers or libraries and is ‘hugely confusing’ for book buyers, “
• Cultural Health and Wellbeing Alliance – “The Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance is a new national organisation representing everyone who believes that cultural engagement and participation can transform our health and wellbeing.”. ACE funded but libraries not mentioned: mainly galleries and museums.
• From Chester to Newcastle – Arts in Libraries are being embraced in the North – Libraries Taskforce. ” I hadn’t been quite prepared for the wide-ranging scope of ideas, activities and interventions taking place in libraries across the region – whether it’s been our own networking events in Chester, Leeds and Newcastle, or ACE’s funding sessions in Manchester or Hull, I’ve been blown away by the diverse range of exciting practice that highlights how libraries are embracing the opportunities that the arts give them to host innovative events, performances, exhibitions and participatory arts interventions. Some examples follow of how this is happening:”
• School pupils bring the fight for school libraries to Theresa May – BookSeller. “A group of school pupils are to petition the prime minister to save school libraries arguing that “knowledge is not a privilege”.”
• UKs best cities to live and work in revealed – Independent. “Other factors considered in the study included cultural services, such as libraries and theatres. In fourth place, Newcastle and Gateshead, which happen to rank ahead culturally – with 10.7 theatres and 68.6 libraries per million people.”

International news

• USA – New York Public Library Wins International Award For Library Marketing Award – Library Journal. “The award honors organizations that have implemented creative, results-oriented marketing projects or campaigns that promote the library and information services industry.  First place goes to the New York Public Library – USA for the “2017 NYC Youth Fine Amnesty” project.”
• USA – Reflections on Gender Oppression and Libraries – Public Libraries Online. “As a female supervisor in public libraries, I have sometimes struggled to provide adequate support to frontline library workers dealing with inappropriate behavior from patrons …”

Local news by authority

• Bury – Discussions taking place over future of Whitefield Library – Bury Times. “Negotiations are taking place between Bury Council and Elms Bank Specialist Arts College. Whitefield Library and Adult Learning Centre was one of 10 libraries across Bury that were shut in a bid to save money.”
• Bury – Tottington Centre and Community Centre reopens after being saved from closure by volunteers – Bury Times. “Following the announcement, a group of dedicated volunteers was formed, the Friends of Tottington Library, in an attempt to save it from permanent closure. Led by Tottington councillor Yvonne Wright, the group have spent the past few months working tirelessly to raise funds and recruit more volunteers to run the library, which will now be called Tottington Centre and Community Library.”
• Calderdale – Making the most of community libraries – Calderdale Council. “Calderdale Council is holding a public consultation from Monday 5 March until Monday 30 April 2018 to drive a review of its 15 community libraries.”
• Cambridgeshire – Stop ‘two-tier’ library system plea by Cambridgeshire opposition councillor Jocelynne Scutt who opposes charges plan – Fenland Citizen. “leading opposition Cambridgeshire county councillor is calling for a U-turn on controversial plans that would see charges introduced for people using library computers. Labour councillor Jocelynne Scutt believes the controversial proposals to charge residents for Internet access in libraries and create a ‘premium membership’ will impact the less well-off and vulnerable members of the community.”
• Carmarthenshire – A brand new fleet of mobile libraries is too low for tall people to stand upright in, a union has claimed – Wales Online. “The new vans were introduced in August and deliver a ‘more than books’ approach, the council said at the time, with internet access and visits to at least 38 communities across the county every week. Mark Evans, branch secertary of Unison in the county, said one of the taller members of council staff working regularly on the mobile libraries was unable to stand inside the van without stooping while helping the public. This is despite the council’s own promotional video on its website boasting about the vans, saying: “Our mobile libraries cater for everyone.”” … ““We (Unison) think that someone should take responsibility for the error and rectify it by purchasing at least one van with sufficient headroom for our member to work in safely.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – New anthology of short stories by Cheshire West authors includes tales of canalside animals, a ghostly park and The First World War – Chester Standard. “The anthology was the result of the Write Time, Write Place creative writing course for beginners, which ran during autumn 2017 in four libraries across the borough: Storyhouse, Chester; Ellesmere Port; Northwich and Winsford. ” 100 attended launch.
• Derby – When Derby will be without a city centre library – Derby Telegraph. “There will be no borrowing library in Derby city centre for almost a month when the Central Library closes its door for the last time at 1pm on Saturday, June 9. Instead users will have to access some of the city’s other suburban libraries or access ebooks as normal online 24/7. The closure of the Central Library in the Wardwick – after almost 139 years in its current location – will allow staff to move books and resources to the ground floor of the Council House, where a new library will open on July 2.”
• Devon – Library opens new creative FabLab facility – North Devon Gazette. “Barnstaple Library has opened a brand new creative space including digital and design equipment and a 3D printer.” … “North Devon District Council also funded the FabLab’s brand new 3D printer. “
• Dorset – Dorchester Library to host March ‘baby shower’ for new and expectant parents – Dorset Echo. “The library’s March ‘baby shower’ will comprise a range of workshops and taster activities aiming to bring new and expectant parents and grandparents together. The day will see sessions including ‘Read-to-Your-Bump’ and ‘Baby Rhymetime’, while refreshments will be available and a quiet area will be put aside for breastfeeding. “
• Harrow – Kenton Library, Harrow, finally reopens – Hillingdon Times. “Kenton Library, in Kenton Lane, Harrow, opened its doors again on March 1. Works saw the creation of improved study spaces with accessible power and USB points for handheld devices, a new meeting space, improvement of stock layout and signage and the installation of a public toilet.”
• Hull – Builders start work on a new library in Holderness Road – Hull Daily Mail. “Work has begun on converting East Park Pavilion into Holderness Road‘s new library. The area’s old library, in Mount Pleasant, is to close later this year as part of cost-cutting measures and will move to East Park following a consultation of residents and library users at the end of last year. Hull City Council say the move will save “up to £45,000 a year”.”
• Merton – Library volunteers honoured at awards ceremony – Wimbledon Guardian. “You will see them when you go to check out a book, or when logging on to a computer, but for the most part the hard work done by Merton’s library volunteers go unnoticed. But last Thursday, those 600-some volunteers had a night to remember at an annual awards ceremony. All volunteers were presented with a certificate in recognition of their contribution to Merton’s libraries, with awards going to a special, select few.”
• Northamptonshire – Northamptonshire County Council’s finance chief sacked after refusing to resign – Northampton Chronicle. “Inspector Max Caller’s long-awaited appraisal of the embattled council released yesterday, found a series of failings in the leadership of the authority.” … “He described how living within budget retrains was not “part of the culture at NCC” and called for Government commissioners to take over the running of services for the next two years.” see also Inspector’s Chronicle: : Two new councils should be created in Northamptonshire by 2020… all others should be abolished – Northampton Chronicle and Council to discuss future of libraries in Northamptonshire – ITV. “Community groups who want to establish an independent library will have until the end of May to submit a form to either purchase or take on the leasehold for their local library.”

“To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 12 March 2018 to Question 131194, how many representations he has received on Northamptonshire County Council‘s changes to its library provision.” Kevin Brennan, Shadow Minister

“Since the changes to the library service provision were agreed by the Full Council of Northamptonshire County Council on 28 February 2018, the Department has received at least 60 representations.” Matthew Hancock, Minister [! – Ed.].

• Portsmouth – Libraries in Portsmouth bid to get ‘naughty books’ returned – News. “…, library services manager, told the BBC ‘naughty books’ and ‘sexy’ books were the ones most likely to go missing. She said: ‘The most popular books which go missing are student textbooks and some naughty books, some slightly sexy. And on a serious note, books on health issues.’ It comes as Portsmouth councillors today approved a three-year pilot scheme, making the city one of just two authorities in the UK where library-users no longer pay fines for returning books late. Charges for reserving items have also been dropped.” see also Portsmouth libraries hope for return of ‘naughty’ books – BBC. 
• Redbridge – Berlin artist creates interactive sculpture in Ilford town centre to bring communities together – Ilford Recorder. “Stefan will be talking about his creative process at Redbridge Central Library at 5pm on Saturday, March 17. “
• Somerset –‘Pressure Is communities on over libraries’ in face of cost-cutting plans – Wellington Weekly News. “Friends of Somerset Libraries (FOSL) said the way the county council was running a consultation on the future of libraries meant communities could not be open-minded about the issue. FOSL spokesman Peter Murphy said the exercise felt like a re-run of 2010-11 when the council tried to withdraw funding for 11 libraries across the county.” see also Everything we know so far about the future of Highbridge Library as Somerset County Council extends consultation period – Somerset Live and Residents given more time to have say on Somerset library futures – Somerset County Gazette.
• Southampton – Survey launched over bid to improve Cobbett Road Library – Daily Echo. “Bosses at Cobbett Road Hub and Library, in Bitterne Park, want to update the facility, with a view to make it suitable for hiring. But in order to secure funding, library chiefs need to consult with members of the public to get their views.”
• Staffordshire – Campaigners fighting to save village library – Express and Star. “Staffordshire County Council is drawing up plans to make Penkridge Library community-managed [volunteer – Ed.] – claiming the Grade II listed library is one of the least used services in the county. But the The Friends of Penkridge Library group is fighting to help save the library in the market town and says the move would mean the ‘burden’ of running it would be left in the hands of volunteers.”
• Staffordshire – Libraries to offer more arts and cultural events – Tamworth Informed. “The new national Culture Offer developed by the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) and Arts Council England will help libraries offer more people the chance to experience performance, arts, exhibitions, music and film. People will also get the chance to meet individual artists, actors, dancers and writers who will excite, inspire and challenge visitors.”
• Wokingham – Liberal Democrat campaigners have urged Wokingham Borough Council to oppose the closure of Maiden Erlegh Library – Reading Chronicle. “School leaders decided to terminate the lease for Maiden Erlegh Library after a relationship of more than 30 years with Wokingham Borough Council. ” … “Elaine Spratling, from Moor Copse Close, said: “I am very disappointed that the school wants to close the library. Some of us fought very hard years ago to save the Library when the council wanted to close it. “
• Worcestershire – Radical plans including demolishing the town hall and library to make Redditch “vibrant” – Redditch Advertiser. “proposals which could see the town hall and library torn down to make way for housing or office blocks have been mooted – in an attempt to make Redditch “vibrant”. The ambitious proposals, part of a regeneration plan to update the tired and dated town centre, were recently discussed and endorsed by councillors at a meeting last week.”