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The normal patchwork response
Apr 18th
Editorial
Libraries have reopened in England in the patchwork nature that one has come to expect from our wonderfully diverse network, with some still offering only click and collect, some bookable browsing for varying periods and some with no restrictions on browsing at all. The reports I have heard are of the expected pile of returned books and busy-ness on the first day followed by a calming-down reasonably quickly. Books are still being quarantined and the social distancing measures so familiar after the last lockdown are back again. So it’s all got a feeling of deja vu about it, really. What is different this time is the hope that, with vaccines, we have seen the last lockdown. I am sure we all really hope that is the case.
Now a possible glimpse at the future. I have been talking to some Australian librarians who have, of course, been reopen for months because they live on a huge remote island with a government who realised the blindingly obvious importance of closing borders. They report that, even with their relatively mild brush with the virus, visitor numbers are still down. This ties in with what I am hearing and feeling myself – that Covid means that, even when what passes for normality returns here, there will be a sustained reduction in visitor numbers to buildings for quite a while, as the cautious stay away. And not just the cautious. There will be others who have discovered digital alternatives and it is those that libraries will still have to cater to, with a probable permanent increase in online use of library services, although at a lower level than the peak we saw last year.
Finally, I notice that this newsletter has now passed the 2000 subscriber network. Thank you to you all for making that possible.
Local news by authority
- Glasgow – Whitechurch Library to close.
- Warrington – £100k Penketh improvement.
National news
- 7 of the most beautiful libraries in Britain and Ireland – Independent. Register to read article.
- Better Libraries To Resume More Services From 12 April – Better. “From today, 12 April, and in line with Government guidance, more library services will be available from Better Libraries in Bromley, Greenwich, Dudley, Lincolnshire and Wandsworth. Customers will be able to visit libraries to return items, browse a range of stock and access computers, scanners and photocopiers. “
- Children’s mental health and wellbeing guide – Libraries Connected. “How libraries can support children’s wellbeing: A resource pack developed by Libraries Connected, ASCEL and The Reading Agency. April 2021”
- ELL libraries reopen with Covid safety rules – East London Lines. Info on Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets.
- Fun Palaces 2021 Launch celebration – Eventbrite. 27 April, 11am, online. “Join us to open signups for the 2021 Fun Palaces Weekend, 2/3/4 October 2021… and hear some exciting news”
- How can public libraries effectively and ethically balance freedom of speech in public spaces with ensuring all members of the community feel safe and welcome? – UCL. Student survey for MLIS degree.
- ILIG AGM and talk by CILIP President Paul J Corney – Dad, are you really a spy? – CILIP. “Join us for our AGM, chaired by Jamie Finch, to hear the Annual Reports and confirm our Appointed Officers. We are delighted that this will be followed by Paul Corney, CILIP President, author, and member of the BSI committee which developed ISO KM Standard 30401 and oversaw KM Chartership Accreditation.”
- Libraries in the 21st Century – the next 20 years? – Designing Libraries. “a look back at the evolution of library spaces and looks ahead to the future in a digital, post-pandemic world” … “Now in 2021, we can see the transformation has been extraordinary; over the past two decades librarians embraced a new customer-facing role with enthusiasm, reinventing their role from the stern, finger-on-lips stereotype to a role encompassing aspects of a teacher, research assistant, social worker, events manager, community co-ordinator and in many cases a friend.”
“Now libraries must again follow the lead of retail, building their brand in a virtual space, engaging through social media and other online channels with an ever-wider community to encourage take-up of all the services the library has to offer, from leisure reading to study and research.”
Sarah Godowski, Director of architects Bisset Adams
- Save libraries to end education inequality, top author urges PM – Express. ” Cressida Cowell is demanding an end to “library poverty” where some primary schools have great provision while others have none at all.”
- Social media project / Internship – DCA. DCA are “funding a social media project and are looking to collaborate with a UK library and information science student or postgraduate with an interest and aptitude for social media as a tool for promoting library usage and specific offerings from the library. Our budget is £250 per month, for 5hrs per week at £12.50 per hour for an initial six month period. There is the potential for the project to become a longer-term appointment for the right candidate.”
- Universal Library Offer virtual seminar – Libraries Connected. Tuesday 15 June. “The day will focus on our four Universal Library Offer themes and aims to inspire you by offering practical ideas that can easily be put into practice. The event is aimed at mid-level library managers and development staff working in libraries, but anyone is welcome to attend.”. £20 – £100.
International news
- USA – Libraries and Pandemics: Past and Present – JStor. “In 1918, library books were seen as fomites (or objects likely to harbor infectious microbes); today we know that paper and books are not reliable conductors of viral agents, for the most part.” … ” The 1918 flu pandemic was the first in which libraries were central to disseminating public health information” … “The 1918 influenza pandemic had a profound impact on how librarians do their work, giving them a chance to reevaluate what was working and what wasn’t in old models.”
- Sharp rise in parents seeking to ban anti-racist books in US schools – Guardian. “Jason Reynolds’ Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, a history of racism for children and teens, was the year’s second most challenged title. In their complaints, parents claimed that Stamped contained “selective storytelling incidents” and “does not encompass racism against all people””. “The Hate U Give” was challenged because it was “thought to promote an anti-police message””
Local news by authority
- Angus – Libraries and leisure centres lead Angus Alive road to re-opening – Courier. Limited browsing from 26 April.
- Bexley – The Nest in Bexley – Designing Libraries. Pictures.
- Cambridgeshire – Our guide to The Library Presents’ spring outdoor events series – Ely Standard. “Music, theatre, comedy, puppetry, educational shows, samba drumming and online workshops are among the highlights of The Library Presents’ outdoor spring season”
- Cardiff – Bookworms will be able to browse the shelves at their local library from Monday – In Your Area. Bookable 25 minute browsing slots from 19 April.
- Cheshire East – Cheshire East libraries reopen after lockdown – In Your Area. “Sixteen of the council’s libraries have opened their doors again and have done so with full Covid-safe restrictions in place.” … “Library staff also now have access to a new electric vehicle, which is being used to deliver books to residents, who may be socially isolating or who simply prefer to remain at home.”
- Croydon – Save South Norwood Library – Change. 5709 signatures so far.
- Doncaster – Doncaster’s new library opens virtually – Designing Libraries. “DGLAM should open its doors later in the year when it’s safe to do so”
- Fife – Fife’s libraries, museums and galleries confirm re-opening date – Fife Today. Limited browsing from 26 April.
- Glasgow – Whiteinch Library to close after being left off reopening list – Glasgow West End. Library was mistakenly said to be being refurbished when it was noticed it was not on the reopening list. Glasgow Life is in poor financial state after lockdowns. “Glasgow Life’s operating budget this year is nearly 15% lower than pre-pandemic budgets for the charity and the £100 million safety net announced by Glasgow City Council will be fully utilised reopening more than 90 facilities across the city we confirmed last week.”
- Milton and Springburn libraries reopening delays slammed – Glasgow Times. Partial paywall.
- Save Whiteinch Library – 38 Degrees. Petition “Do not close this library” … “It is a precious resource for the local community. Is accessed by local schools, nurseries. Provides access to computers and internet and assistance to those who don’t have access to these resources.”
- @SaveGlasgowLibs – Twitter. Campaign group.
- Hampshire – New Forest libraries welcome customers back as lockdown eases – Advertiser and Times. 30 minute browsing.
- Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire services reopen – Hertfordshire Council. 15 minute browsing in 30 libraries.
- Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries has set up a dedicated helpline for people who need help with technology – Greenock Telegraph. “Experts will be on hand to talk callers through connecting to wifi, navigating social media and staying safe online.”
- Islington – Islington’s leisure services and libraries start re-opening as lockdown eases – Islington Gazette. “Archway Library, Central Library, Finsbury Library, N4 Library and West Library have also opened for browsing, and library users can book PCs and study space. “
- Lancashire – Libraries in Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire to welcome visitors again – Blog Preston. “Visitors can browse, borrow, photocopy and use computers without an appointment, but may have to queue before being able to enter as part of social distancing arrangements which limit the number of people allowed in at any one time.”
- Lincolnshire – Market Rasen Library ready to celebrate its golden years’ service – Market Rasen Mail. “The first 50 customers to visit the library on that day will be able to take away a cupcake to celebrate the occasion at home.”
- Not all Lincolshire libraries in Peterborough area towns to reopen on Monday – Peterborough Telegraph. “Fourteen ‘core’ libraries across the county will be open for residents to browse books, pick up reserved items and use computers to access essential digital public services.”
- Northamptonshire – Northamptonshire elections: Tories sorry for ‘farcical’ leaflet gaffe – BBC. “The pamphlet urged voters in West Northamptonshire to vote Conservative “so that we can [insert prominent local pledges here, eg save our libraries]”. Library campaigners called the error “farcical”, given the Tory-run county council had previously drawn up plans to axe 21 library branches.”
- Nottingham – ‘Quite a big name’ – positive response as Sainsbury’s confirms plan to open in Sherwood – Nottinghamshire Live. “The food giant has pledged to open a convenience store planned as part of the redevelopment of the Sherwood Library site”… ” It will be nice just to have the library back as a community hub that people can use.” … “Owned by Nottingham City Council, the buildings at the existing library site in Spondon Street are in a poor state – and the authority has deemed that the library no longer meets the “standards expected” by users. Working with contractor Hockley Developments, the council’s redevelopment plans have been put forward – planning documents revealing that a “blue-chip retail operator” was be announced in due course to operate from a ground floor unit.”
- Redbridge – Vision RCL begins re-opening Redbridge venues – Ilford Recorder. Phased reopening.
- Somerset – Burnham Library welcomes customers back inside again – Burnham on Sea. “Normal opening hours will resume, along with browsing of books and collection of reservations.”
- South Tyneside – South Shields’ The Word and other South Tyneside libraries confirm limited reopenings on April 12 – here’s how to book a visit – Shields Gazette. “Library users will be able to return and collect pre-ordered books, reserve access to libraries’ public computers and enjoy time-limited browsing of selected shelves across all four sites – still on a strict appointment-only basis.”
- Southwark – Southwark reopens eight libraries after lockdown – Southwark News. “Southwark Council has opened up eight across the borough, with four more to remain closed for the time being.”
- Staffordshire – Paper hands tied to railings in protest over proposal to move Burton Library – Staffordshire Live. “Protestors opposed to a proposal to move Burton Library into the town’s Market Hall tied fabric-shaped books with hands on them to the railings outside the current building.”. Council have removed them, put them in a box and are willing to return them to protesters.
- Surrey – Surrey County Council joins The Libraries Consortium – Library Technology. “Members will be able to use their library card at any of the 380 member branches, crossing boundaries into London boroughs, and reaching as far as Essex and Luton. Shared catalogues will offer choice from more than 8 million items of stock, which can be delivered to any Surrey Library in days”
- Swindon – Swindon library click and collect and Steam shop return when lockdown eases – Swindon Advertiser. “The click, call and collect service which allows customers to reserve books online or by telephone has only been available at Central Library during the current lockdown. From Monday, the service will also be available at Highworth, North Swindon, Park and West Swindon libraries.”
- Warrington – Plans for £100,000 improvements at Penketh Library moving forward – Warrington Worldwide. “Warrington Borough Council and LiveWire are progressing with refurbishment works at Penketh Library following consultation with the local community and The Friends of Penketh Library on what improvements should be made.
The council will shortly be going out to tender to identify a contractor to carry out the works, which will breathe new life into the library and create a more vibrant, flexible space for the whole community to enjoy.” - Wiltshire – ‘We feel so grateful to be open again…’ – This is Wiltshire. “One customer told library staff: “I’m so, so grateful you have reopened, I missed the library so much.””
- Worcestershire – Libraries are open to public – Worcester Observer. Browsing and PCs available. “Only storytime sessions for pre-school children will be re-introduced at a later date, April 22.”
“Normality” in 2021?
Apr 11th
Editorial
Public libraries in England can open for browsing this week after more than three months of being closed. It is possible, what the vaccinations, that this will be last lockdown. Let us earnestly hope that it is and let us also wish the best for those thousands of library workers back in the front line tomorrow. Here’s to the thought that libraries, that will still tomorrow be quarantining items and have social distancing in place, will be able safely at some point this year be able to ditch the security measures and have events and what we used to consider the “normal” buzz of library life. And that the very thought of it does not sound strange. Make a silent wish with me, folks, and open those doors in a properly risk assessed manner in the meantime.
National news
- CILIP to receive £320,000 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund – CILIP. “CILIP is among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. This award will enable us to continue to develop a sponsorship programme for the Carnegie Greenaway Awards, invest in our training and CPD offer to support the sector and drive forward our digital transformation programme to ensure that CILIP’s resources, help and guidance are effective and accessibly for all our members.”
- Community book exchanges flourished while libraries were closed in lockdown – I. “With bookshops, libraries and charity shops closed for much of the year, book lovers desperate for fresh reading material took matters into their own hands. Book exchanges popped up all over the country” … “Libraries and bookshops may soon be opening their doors again, but book exchanges are here to stay”
- The Fight for Britain’s Libraries – Tribune / Alan Wylie. “And although there have been some articles written about the great work done by libraries during the pandemic, it’s actually library workers who have done the work – a subtle yet crucial distinction. Working from home has caused its own divisions, with lower-grade staff more likely to be working on the frontline than their higher-grade managers.”
- Library Dividend: Encourage candidates in the May 6th Local Elections to celebrate the #LibraryDividend – CILIP. “CILIP is asking our members to reach out to your local candidates and encourage them to recognise the ‘Library Dividend’ – the tremendous social and economic impact of supporting strong local library services.”
- A Love Letter to Libraries – Varsity. “We must protect libraries, academic and local, if we want to continue to make information, resources, and that indescribable ‘library experience’ – which I’ve been trying so hard to capture – accessible. “
- An open letter to Kwasi Kwarteng – BookSeller. List of suggestions, including “Enhanced support for public libraries via central government, in particular for educational materials (including non-English-language materials to help with the levelling up agenda) and for digital access, ebooks, and downloadable audio.”
- Public Libraries Project of the Year Grant Award – National Acquisitions Group. “NAG are pleased to announce that their Public Libraries Project of the Year Grant for 2021 has been awarded to Wandsworth Libraries with their “Roehampton Kaleidoscope” and Derbyshire Libraries with “Read, Play, Puzzle” and each will receive £5,000 from the National Acquisitions Group.”
- Service recovery toolkit – April 2021 Word – LIbraries Connected. “This Service Recovery Toolkit has been prepared in consultation with Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Updated 12.04.21”
- Simon Armitage to embark on decade-long UK library tour – BookSeller. “Beginning with the letters “A” and “B” this spring, the tour launches in in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and will visit a variety of libraries during the week, stopping in Belper, Aberdeen, Bacup and Bootle. The week will include a reading from the entrance hall of the British Library featuring Joelle Taylor, founder of the national youth slam championships SLAMbassadors, and Theresa Lola, Young People’s Laureate for London 2019-2020. Readings from the first week of his trip will be streamed live from 26th April to 1st May.”
“It would have been easy to stream these events from my office or garden shed, but at a time when libraries are under threat and have been out of bounds during lockdown, reading from inside their physical structures feels like an act of solidarity — with books, with poetry and with communities.”
Simon Armitage
- Using Hublet at Northamptonshire Libraries – National Acquisitions Group. 11am Wednesday 28 April webinar. “Hublet is a system of self service tablet loan units for public libraries. The tablet is released from the docking station by showing a library card and typing in the corresponding PIN code …”
- Quickstart Cataloguing (RDA in MARC) – 19 May 11am.
- Quickstart Cataloguing: Local Studies Materials – 26 May 11am.
International news
- Global – Rebuild Your Summer Reading Program! Here Are Ten Tips To Boost Participation This Year – Super Library Marketing. Drop library card requirement, make joining easy, let adults do it, add experiences, have an app, use partners, email promotion, targeted advertising, competitions, good public service.
- USA – The spy who came in from the carrel – Public Books. ” “The keeping of these records is itself a kind of warfare,” MacLeish explained. “The keepers, whether they wish so or not, cannot be neutral.””
- How the New York Public Library Is Equipping Artists With Technology (for Free) as the Pandemic Shutdown Continues – Playbill. “The Library has developed “Tech Kits for Performing Artists,” available to check out for any NYPL cardholder 18 or older. Contents include an iPad Pro with cellular data and a suite of creation-oriented apps, a USB microphone, wireless headphones, a ring light, and a phone tripod stand; those with musical pursuits can also request a 32-key MIDI keyboard.”
Local news by authority
- Bath and North East Somerset – Libraries across Bath and surrounding area to offer Covid-safe browsing – Bath Echo. “residents will be able to browse the resources available at Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton libraries.” … “To ensure social distancing, the number of people entering a library at any one time will be limited, and a dropbox will be available at the entrance to each library.”
- Bolton – Bolton libraries to open on Monday – here’s how it will work – Bolton News. Browsing, full open hours.
- Essex – Residents reminded to pick-up tests from Tendring libraries – Clacton and Frinton Gazette. Covid collection points.
- Essex County Council candidates asked to back library campaign – Gazette Standard. “The Colchester branch of Save Our Libraries Essex (SOLE) is asking all candidates for May’s election to set out their position on libraries. The future of facilities across Essex has been in doubt since 2018 when a County Hall strategy document set out plans to close 25 of 74 libraries and remove ongoing support for 18 more.”
- Falkirk – Falkirk district libraries to reopen and offer click and collect service – Falkirk Herald.
- Glasgow – When Glasgow libraries reopen as lockdown eases in Scotland – Glasgow Live. Branches open at variety of different times and levels from 27 April.
- Isle of Wight – Isle of Wight libraries to extend services next week – Isle of Wight County Press. Browsing.
- Northern Ireland – Consultation on the proposal to extend remote e-lending from public libraries to Northern Ireland – Gov.uk. Allows public lending right for ebooks in Northern Ireland.
- North Yorkshire – Colburn library refurbished to inspire young readers – Darlington and Stockton Times. “About £40,000 has been spent on Colburn’s library which will also feature a community space that will host a variety of events appealing to all age ranges, from a coding club for younger people to a Knit and Natter gathering for those a little older. The refurbishment has been carried out by the charity Catterick, Colburn and Richmond Community Libraries (CRAACL) which was formed in 2017 to take on the running of the libraries when they were threatened with closure by the county council.”
- Libraries set to welcome customers back to choose books – North Yorkshire County Council. Browsing and computer from 12 April.
- Manchester – Using libraries during COVID-19 – Manchester City Council. More services from 12 April.
- Manchester’s Inaugural ‘Festival of Libraries’ Announced – About Manchester. “Manchester UNESCO City of Literature’s inaugural Festival of Libraries, a brand-new county-wide celebration of Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries, will take place from Wednesday 9th to Sunday 13th June, 2021. The festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, will feature a vibrant programme that highlights the library network’s full offer, across wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information, and, of course, reading.”
- Oxfordshire – The Oxfordshire libraries reopening in May and their Covid rules – Oxford Mail. Phased reopening.
- Peterborough – Peterborough libraries to re-open on Monday – Peterborough Today. Browsing from 12 April.
- Rochdale – Rochdale council opens six libraries to help people complete the census – In Your Area. “Number One Riverside, Alkrington Library, Balderstone Library, Castleton Library, Darnhill Library and Spotland Library have been opened so residents can see someone to answer any questions and access the internet for free to complete the census.”
- Rutland – Libraries to reopen in Oakham, Uppingham, Ketton, Ryhall and Stamford – Rutland and Stamford Mercury. “Rutland Library Service is offering an amnesty on long overdue books and DVDs as Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted and buildings reopen.”, browsing, order and collect, computers. ““Many Rutlanders don’t realise that our libraries don’t charge for overdue items, and may be reluctant to return books because they’re worried about late fees.”
- Shropshire – Shropshire announces libraries and facilities reopening for Monday – Whitchurch Herald. “Opening hours will be reduced for the time being and Covid-19-secure measures will be in place in all libraries to help keep staff, customers and communities safe. Library customers will be able to access computers, but are asked to book sessions in advance by contacting the relevant library.”
- South Lanarkshire – Gyms, pools and libraries preparing to reopen – Daily Record. “Following on from the Scottish Government’s announcement on easing Covid-19 restrictions, a number of services will be back up and running from Monday, April 26.”
- Staffordshire – 17 vital questions answered on proposal to move Burton Library – Staffordshire Live. “The group behind proposals to move Burton Library into the town’s Market Hall have answered a series of questions people have been asking about the controversial proposals. Staffordshire Live has now put the 17 questions to the Burton Town Board which came up with the idea to move the library as part of a series of proposals aimed at breathing new life into the town centre.”
- Warwickshire – ‘Grab and go’ rules when Warwickshire’s libraries reopen – Coventry Telegraph. 30 minute browsing.
- West Sussex – West Sussex Libraries reopen for browsing next week – Crawley and Horley Observer. All open for limited browsing and computers.
- Wiltshire – Council reveals opening of Tidworth & Ludgershall libraries – Andover Advertiser. “In line with the Wiltshire Council Roadmap, Wiltshire’s 34 libraries (including mobile libraries) are taking a cautious approach to reopening. As lockdown is eased, opening hours and services will be increased in a phased way over the next few months. For individual opening times and days please check the links below.”
- Wirral – ‘Order and collect’ from Wirral libraries as lockdown eases – Wirral Globe. Order and collect from 12 April.
- Worcestershire – Covid home testing kits now available from local libraries – Evesham Observer.
- Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: looking forward to welcoming you back – The Leader. Browse, order and collect soon.
- York – Let’s explore together again – York Explore. Browsing and bookable PCs.
The Double Library: things should stay changed, only more so
Apr 5th
Editorial
Once upon a time, libraries were entirely physical entities. Everything the library could offer was inside a physical building, nothing outside it, and if one could not get to it within specific times, it could not help you. Then digital came along and some services such as reference and books were available online, but not events. Then Covid came along and the physical was gone but the digital was beefed up, with events too. That’s where we are as of today.
Looking into the post-lockdown world, I would argue that we need to go further than this and, as the physical comes back, we cannot forget the digital. Both things need doing equally. We need to be able to offer every physical service online and every online service physically. So, yes, rhyme-times will come back but they should be on Facebook too. Author talks should be physical but also streamed. Reading groups should be physical but also on Zoom, etc. And, yes, online reference should be available in print. Because it is clear now that to do anything else is discriminatory. To only offer either the digital or the physical is to create a bar to one group. Some people don’t like or don’t have access to the internet. Another group, far larger, won’t be able to get to a particular place at a particular time.
Libraries need to examine everything they do and ensure it is available in both physical and online formats. Because the world has changed and, like a receding tide before a tsunami, it has revealed things to us. And if we don’t take note of these things and act upon them then, well, we sadly know what happens to those who don’t prepare for tsunamis. OK, that’s not a perfect metaphor – people who rush out and examine suddenly dry bits of coast don’t tend to do well a few minutes later – but I genuinely think the last year was earth-shattering. And libraries should shatter the earth with their response.
I expand a bit more on this in this short recorded zoom conversation.
National news
- ‘Cancel Culture Gone Mad’: Fans React as ‘Captain Underpants’ Book Pulled Over Racism Concerns – News Week. “Publishing company Scholastic pulled a graphic novel based off the popular “Captain Underpants” series over “passive racism” concerns, prompting reactions that overwhelmingly ridiculed the move.”
- CILIP Supplier Showcase – Innovative Interfaces – Vimeo. Ian Anstice from Public Libraries News [Yes, me – Ed.] talks about the experiences of the last year and possibilities for the future.
- Letting the Community In: Putting audiences at the heart of library projects – British Library. 4pm Friday 30 April. “Using the Engage2020 project as a case study, Hannah and Martha will explore good practice for engaging audiences successfully and reflect on how to make the library a safe forum for community conversation and expression. Find out how they adopted a “history in the making” approach and gave young people a voice for their lived experience.”
- Library Campaign Zoom meeting 14 April 2021: 19:30 -21:00 – Library Campaign. “Activities – and campaigns – are very local affairs. They build on local resources, local tastes, local facts. But they also develop great ideas, arguments, insights, artwork, leaflets and posters, quotes, contacts… and much more. The Library Campaign is holding a Zoom meeting to discuss how all could benefit by sharing some of these. We have our ideas. Now we’d like to hear yours”
- When do libraries open in 2021? – Metro. Summarises the various rules throughout the UK.
- Why we should prioritise imagination in early years learning and medical education – RSPH. ” the hub provides technology and guidance for users to help develop their skills and confidence. The aim is to find out what people want to know and give them one-to-one help. ” Dr Rigler is a keen advocate for the role of public libraries in providing health information.
International news
- Sri Lanka – “Libraries shouldn’t shush, they should roar” – Sunday Times. ” A passionate advocate for promoting libraries, she has done a TEDTalk about the power of libraries, and their importance as spaces for people from diverse walks of life to come together.”
- USA – Libraries offering services to seniors during Covid-19 Pandemic – Book Riot. ” a pen pal program in collaboration with area senior living communities” … “a “hotline” number that seniors can call, on their own time, to hear a new recording using different library materials for content each week” … online events for dementia.
- Beyond Books: Salt Lake City Library Creates a Community Garden – SirsiDynix. 7 April, 6pm webinar. ““The Plot” in Salt Lake City, Utah is a community garden that serves as an extension of the city library, allowing patrons to learn sustainable ways of gardening, grow their own plants, and cultivate an appreciation for community resources. Join Garden Coordinator Rikki Longino as they share how “The Plot” has uplifted the community by offering avenues for creativity and innovation.”
- Libraries Are Key Tools For People Getting Out Of Prison, Even During A Pandemic – NPR. “You don’t have to show an ID. Nobody asks why you’re there. But if you need help, getting an email address, looking for a job, people are there to help you”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeenshire – Click and collect and doorstep delivery library services restarts in Aberdeenshire – Grampian Online. “customers will also be able to collect hearing aid batteries from the NHS, food waste caddy liners, battery recycling bags and photocopying.”
- Bradford – Keighley Library in pilot project as service bosses vow: “no libraries will close” – Keighley News. “Setting out the model until 2025, the spokesman added: “The library service will be developed with a focus on enhancing wellbeing and tackling a number of key priorities including addressing poverty and social isolation, supporting people to develop their skills and employability, and helping children get the best start in life.”
- Brent – Barham Libraries books – Brent and Kilburn Times. “A community library in Sudbury has been gifted 60 boxes of new books as it prepares to reopen after lockdown.”. Reopening 12 April.
- Bridgend – Libraries to reopen in Bridgend county – In Your Area. Browsing, IT, study.
- Cardiff – Cardiff Hubs & libraries to open for appointments only – Wales 247. Click and collect. “Access to the libraries and hubs will be on a pre-booked appointment basis (except in urgent cases) for Into Work, housing, benefits, money advice services and public access computers.”
- Cheshire East – Cheshire East libraries launch new e-reading service – Cheshire East Council. Borrowbox.
- Cheshire West and Chester – Services Begin to Reopen From 12 April – About My Area. Selected libraries open from 12 April. ” Children aged 0 to 12 years will no longer be charged for any overdue items and any pre-existing late charges will be removed from their accounts. “
- Where to pick up a home Covid-19 testing kit – Northwich Guardian. “New locations to collect a kit include Cheshire West and Chester Council’s no-symptoms testing centres and several libraries across the borough.”
- Conwy – What is open in Conwy following the partial lifting of lockdown rules – North Wales Pioneer. ““Customers can make an appointment to visit their local library to select books. Appointments to select books will be limited to 45 minutes.”, computers.
- Devon – New look for Honiton library – In Your Area. “As well as new signs outside the building – which people can already see now – the children’s area has been completely redesigned. Staff and office areas have also been given some new carpet and redecorated. “
- Essex – Essex libraries offer take away self test Covid kits – Saffron Walder Reporter. “Essex County Council has received an initial stock of 199,000 tests to start the scheme and further tests, and potentially more libraries will be available as more tests become available from the government.”
- Flintshire – Everything you need to know as Aura Libraries reopen in Flintshire – The Leader. Browsing and computers.
- Gwynedd – Gwynedd libraries open again after easing of Covid-19 restrictions – Cambrian News. Browsing by appointment.
- Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire Libraries – My Story Creative Writing Sessions – Hertfordshire Council. ” artists John Prebble and Alex McIntyre will be hosting a duo of online workshops exploring storytelling, and encouraging participants to tell their own story through speaking and listening, writing and visual arts activities. “
- Tender for Branding Consultancy and Creation – Hertfordshire Council. “We are excited to offer the opportunity to work with Hertfordshire Libraries and our key partner, Nysa Projects, to develop branding and design logos for our Culture and Creativity Offer and My Story arts project.” £3500.
- Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries events April 2021: Select & Collect resumes, Dostoevsky in Love, an Anarchist in the UK, and more – Brixton Buzz. Click and collect and IT. “Liverpool City Council’s new ‘Reading Friends’ scheme will encourage people to connect – virtually – in group sessions using books, magazines, newspapers and poems. People will not be expected to read anything, if they don’t want to, they can just join the session tochat to someone new and have a laugh.”
- Manchester – Children’s library refurb planned at Manchester’s Central Library – About Manchester. “Plans for the refurbishment are currently being finalised, with potential features including quiet space, a high-backed story-telling chair and “cosy corner”, where children and their parents can sit together to discover new books. Portholes, allowing children to climb through different sections, could be incorporated, as could a blackboard wall for displaying posters and art, while the current garden theme will be retained.”
- Manchester Libraries. The Next Phase – MancLibraries Blog. £100k refurb of children’s library. ” Parents said that they were keen to see a larger, more flexible space, with more comfy seating. “
- Monmouthshire – Libraries reopen across Monmouthshire from this week – Free Press. Browsing, not computers.
- Norfolk – Libraries can play ‘key role’ as Norfolk recovers from Covid pandemic – Diss Mercury. “Beyond the books, we have seen each library become a hub for local groups and services that are a lifeline to so many.”
- Pembrokeshire – Selected libraries in Pembrokeshire reopen including Haverfordwest and Milford Haven – Western Telegraph. Some libraries open for browsing and computers.
- Sheffield – Time to turn the page on lockdown as community libraries across Sheffield get ready to welcome readers back – Sheffield Telegraph. “Some community libraries have already been using a ‘click and collect’ servicing, allowing residents to order a book for collection online, whilst many others have not been open at all. A number of them, including Totley Library, will reopen for ‘limited browsing’ in April, and people are ‘very excited’ to step foot in the library once more.”
- Somerset – Former Somerset library headquarters to become town centre homes as plans approved – Somerset Live. “Morgan House will be converted into ten flats, with the ‘Old Library’ building being converted to provide an additional nine flats.”
- Staffordshire – Libraries get set for Staffordshire Day celebrations – In Your Area. “Zoom calls with local authors, poetry readings, history talks and family quizzes are some of the online activities being organised by the county’s libraries service for this year’s Staffordshire Day”
- Warrington – Library improvement programme held up by Covid – Warrington Worldwide. “Lockdown has forced the closure of libraries and impacted on staffing capacities at both LiveWire – who had been forced to place many staff on furlough – and the borough council, who had diverted to staff to work on Covid related matters”
- Concerns over future footfall at town’s libraries – Warrington Guardian. “In respect of the library service, it is difficult to predict the longer-term impact of Covid on user levels and engagement, but there is a risk footfall numbers will not recover to the level they were pre-Covid.”
- Worcestershire – Get your home Covid test kits from Worcestershire libraries – Redditch and Alcester Advertiser. “Testing kits are also available to anyone who works in a related occupation such as school and public transport bus drivers and other childcare providers”
Third time lucky?
Mar 28th
Editorial
Welsh public libraries can reopen, carefully, now, with England a fortnight later and Scotland two weeks after that. I think this is the third time of reopening (I may have lost count) after a lockdown and let us hope it is the last. Apart from the normal news, there’s a fair bit about what the future will look like, with contactless and the need to concentrate on digital as well as physical being unsurprisingly foremost. Away from the news headlines, there is a also a lot of interest in cashless ways of paying fines, with of course the most cashless way being not to charge fines at all.
Changes by local authority
- Derbyshire – Killamarsh Library may move into new sports centre.
- Warrington – Padgate Library £142k refurbishment.
National news
- Commissioning: Future Funding Webinar – Libraries Connected. Recording. “This workshop sheds light on the processes around procurement, with advice on how best to approach these, and the ways that library services can engage with commissioners outside the procurement process. It is suitable for all library staff.”
- Covid: ‘Christmas Day’ for families as Wales lifts travel ban – BBC. “Organised outdoor activities and sports for under-18s can resume and libraries and archives can reopen their doors.”
“Canongate are offering 10 authorities the opportunity to each receiving 1,000 copies of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig for World Book Night, with the aim of reaching adults who don’t regularly read for pleasure or have access to books. We’re inviting authorities to sign up to apply by 1 April, briefly outlining how they can reach those people (we don’t need exact plans as we appreciate it’s next week). All the details are on this form: ”
The Reading Agency
- “Libraries changed my life”: Author Kelly Yang on the mysterious power of reading – Book Trust. “I remember hiding in the library during lunch, crouching in between the aisles, hoping the librarian wouldn’t see me because we weren’t really supposed to be in the library at lunch. The librarian, of course, saw me. She came over, smiled at me — no judgement — and handed me a book. “
- The library dividend – BookSeller. Nick Poole of CILIP writes. “Unless we can find a better way to pay for libraries, chances are we will see hundreds more closures in the next two to three years as we address the cost of public borrowing during the pandemic.” … “It is to address this that CILIP has been funded by the Arts Council England to lead a new Independent Review into Public Library Financing. The Review will explore innovative models for the financing of public libraries while still retaining their core identity as public services.”
- Public Library Recovery: Lessons and Opportunities from the COVID Crisis – Innovative. Including Isobel Hunter from Libraries Connected. Recording.
- Public Library Staff Introduction to materials on personal resilience – Libraries Connected. 8 April, 12 noon. “Using materials developed for the Leading Libraries Programme, we will demonstrate how these may be used locally to facilitate small team sessions.”
- Queers in the Library – The Coast is Queer. Recorded online panel “discusses the potential of libraries as spaces for generating and nurturing queer communities as well as the limits of certain institutional forms of librarianship. Our panelists comprise workers in university and public libraries as well as creators of queer community libraries.”
- UK councils funding crisis threatens essential services – World Socialist Web Site. “From April, the NAO expects remaining special educational needs and homelessness services to be gutted, while more theatres, libraries and community centres face closure.”
- #uklibchat 12th April 2021 – #ebookSOS – UK Libchat. “If you work with e-books in any capacity, you may well have heard of #ebookSOS – a campaign to raise awareness and instigate change in the pricing, accessibility and functionality of e-books. Rachel Bickley and Caroline Ball will be helping us to lead this Twitter chat”
International news
- Canada – Woman dead, six in hospital after stabbing spree at North Vancouver library – Vancouver Sun. Just awful.
- EU – Boosting Digital Skills and Competences for Librarians – Biblio. “The Biblio Consortium is inviting you to join the webinar on 31 March at 10:00-11:45 (CET). The project partners will talk about the new trends and requirements in the professional development of librarians; present the findings of the research on skills and training needs in the library sector”
- Global – The Tech Landscape & Libraries – 2021 – Princh. Suggestions for the future: “Post-pandemic, we must be prepared to offer some virtual programming, and commit to improving the quality of the offerings.”, more digital, more contactless, streaming, VR.
- New Zealand – A last bastion of public space? Why the fight over Wellington’s library was so fiery – Spinoff. “Wellington Central Library has been at the centre of an increasingly bitter dispute in recent weeks, after the city council voted to sell off part of the library building as office space. In response to loud and wide condemnation, several councillors had a change of heart and the library was given a reprieve. “
- USA – The Future of Libraries Is in the Community – Bloomberg. ““Libraries are going to recognize that their role is not just within the walls of their buildings, but it is across the landscape of their community and in people’s homes,””
- ‘Avoid terms like white supremacy’: Free Library workers furious over diversity training – Philadelphia Inquirer. “a presenter told the nearly 200 attendees to avoid terms like white supremacy and systemic racism because they were overused, distracted from solutions, and focused on just one race. White privilege — which she called “one of the other myths out there” — was another to avoid.”
Local news by authority
- Barnet – Last chance to save old Hendon Library – Change. “The council are now planning to lease the entire building to Middlesex University. Everything but the façade will be demolished and rebuilt. “
- Cheshire West and Chester – eBooks: New app to access eBooks for library members in Cheshire West – The Standard. Borrowbox.
- Coventry – Coventry taps into literary heritage with new £97k ‘One Million Reads’ project for UK City of Culture – Coventry Observer. “One million reads in a year – is the target for city book fans after Coventry Libraries and Information Service won the award. An artist will be commissioned to create a One Million Reads Coventry interactive digital read-o-meter installation counting the number of reads completed during 2021/22 building up to a One Million Reads total by May 2022.”
“”Public libraries are also a vital component in tackling digital exclusion. A priority of Coventry Libraries is to create improved access to digital services and increase the digital literacy skills of local residents. During 2019 to 2020 Coventry Libraries in the North East of the City have provided over 70,000 hours and over 100,000 sessions of access to public computers and Wi-Fi services. While reduced service has been provided during 2020, due to COVID 19, they are continuing with plans to increase access to public PCs, install new computers at both Bell Green and Foleshill Libraries and reintroduce computer help sessions, job clubs and benefits, debt and housing advice sessions.”
Carol Dinenage, Minister of State, DCMS.
- Denbighshire – Welcome back to your local Library and One Stop Shop – News From Wales. “Libraries across Denbighshire will be re-opening their doors from Monday, March 29 for browsing for books, using a computer and printing, and accessing One Stop Shop services. To ensure a safe visit, customers will need to phone their local library to make an appointment to visit.”
- Derbyshire – Councils in talks over bright future for Killamarsh library – Derbyshire County Council. “we’ve been discussing the possibility of moving the library into the newly-refurbished sports centre with North East Derbyshire District Council”
- Essex – Essex libraries on board in new Covid-19 test collection scheme – In Your Area. “From Monday, March 29, Covid-19 testing will be even more accessible and convenient with self-test kits available for collection at 21 libraries across Essex.”
- Gateshead – Phased reopening of leisure centres and libraries – Gateshead Council. From 29 March “The Library Ring and Read service will resume as well as limited access to public computers for essential purposes at Gateshead Central, Blaydon, Birtley, Leam Lane, Crawcrook, Chopwell and Pelaw.” then from 12 April “Reduced hours Library access for a selection of books will resume.”
- Glasgow – Ten Glasgow libraries to reopen for computer access only – Glasgow Live. “Under the Scottish Government covid guidance, public libraries in level 4 areas are allowed to open to provide free computer access only. Following the latest Scottish Government update, a further announcement on the re-opening of Glasgow Life venues will be made soon.”
- Hertfordshire – Enjoy poetry and music online at duo’s fun Easter picnic – Welwyn Hatfield Times. ACE funded.
- Isle of Wight – Order and Collect service to resume at council libraries – Island Echo. “From Monday (29th March), residents can order books by emailing their requests to libraries@iow.gov.uk or by calling 1 of the 6 libraries directly.”
- Lincolnshire – Golden times for Market Rasen library – Market Rasen Mail. “Market Rasen Library will be marking its 50th birthday on April 21 and to celebrate staff are planning to take over the LincsLibraries social media for the week, but they need help from their customers.”
- Midlothian – A fine move by Midlothian libraries to win customers back pre-pandemic – Midlothian Advertiser. “Midlothian Council has agreed to remove library fines and hire charges for CDs and DVDs to encourage users back.”
- Norfolk – Norfolk Libraries appoints new head – Lynn News. “Jill Turrell is taking on the role of head of service, following the retirement of Jan Holden who has overseen Norfolk’s libraries for over 20 years.”
- Northamptonshire – ‘New unitary council must cut £15,300 rent for Kingsthorpe Library in Northampton’ – Northampton Chronicle. “The Kingsthorpe Library saga goes on! The Parish Council has written to the county council asking them to review the cost of the annual rent of £15,300, but as yet, has had no reply. Members of the Parish Council spoke to the councillor for Kingsthorpe North, who had spoken to the council, but they were entrenched in the £15,300 rent for the library.”
- Redbridge – Redbridge Library hosts film premiere on grief during pandemic – Ilford Recorder. “It is part of its “Death Positive Library” project, which is looking at the use of libraries as spaces to start conversations about death, dying and loss.”
- St Helens – More libraries in St Helens to reopen for essential computer use – The Reporter. “Parr, Eccleston, and Newton-le-Willows libraries will join St Helens and Chester Lane libraries in offering IT support, available to book by appointment for up to 45 minutes at a time during opening hours to assist with essential tasks such as study, access to benefits, searches for work and training opportunities.”
- The St Helens Libraries set to reopen on April 12 – St Helens Star. “Chester Lane, St Helens, Eccleston, Newton-le-Willows and Parr libraries, which have the space to reconfigure layouts in the interest of social distancing, have been identified to reopen first on April 12.”
- Solihull – Return all Solihull library books as click and collect services restart – Solihull Observer. “Solihull Council say it does not matter how long these books have been on loan for, or what condition they are in – they just need to be returned to a drop off trolley at any library branch from March 29.” Click and collect to start.
- Staffordshire – Libraries in Lichfield and Burntwood preparing to host events as part of Staffordshire Day celebrations – Lichfield Live. “The event takes place on 1st May and will feature online chats with local authors, poetry readings, history talks and family quizzes.”
- Library seeking artist to transform outdoor space – East Anglian Daily Times. “The aim of the project, which is Arts Council-funded, is to turn the space into a garden and attractive outdoor space for the community to enjoy. “
- Suffolk – New research highlights the impact of Suffolk Libraries Lifeline service – Suffolk Libraries. “Suffolk Libraries created Lifeline, supported by Suffolk County Council and the East of England Co-op, as a response to the first lockdown to help lonely and vulnerable library customers. Between March 2020 and July 2020 library staff made over 6,700 calls to ‘check in’ on library customers and have a chat. The reach of the library service’s network enabled staff to focus on older people and those who are particularly isolated or vulnerable. The service has continued during subsequent lockdowns and has now made over 10,000 calls. The social impact team at Moore Kingston Smith carried out research into Lifeline which calculated an impressive return on investment for the service of over £4 for every £1 spent.”
- Artist paints unseen moments from Suffolk libraries – East Anglian Daily Times. “Suffolk Libraries joined forces with local illustrator and printmaker Sandy Horsley, who spent a year regularly visiting 13 Suffolk libraries to capture unseen moments between customers and staff.”
- Warrington – Proposed Penketh Library improvements welcomed – Warrington Worldwide. “The exact extent of the work to be done isn’t finalised yet, but external work is expected to include repairs and repainting of the facias, window frames and door frames. Double glazing is not included. Internal gutters, which have caused leaks in the library, will be replaced with external gutters.”
- Warrington library set to be modernised as part of £142,000 revamp – Cheshire Live. “Padgate Library on Insall Road, Warrington, will be renovated next month ahead of its reopening following lockdown” … “Priorities include making the library frontage brighter and more attractive. The work also aims to provide more flexibility of space for library and community activities.”
An invisible swan event
Mar 21st
Editorial
There is a term called a “Black Swan Event”. Wikipedia (get over it, traditionalists), defines it as “an event that comes as a surprise, has a major effect, and is often inappropriately rationalised after the fact with the benefit of hindsight.”. Covid was definitely one of those things. But I like to think that this week is another week of library services doing their own swan impression, looking serene on the surface while paddling furiously out of sight. Councils throughout England are deciding, or have already decided, if and how many libraries will reopen come 12 April. It will, as ever, be a mixture, with some going full-out open from day one and others taking their time. Then there will be the timing of doing other things, things which are now too-distant memories, like story-times and other events.
And, soon enough, there will be the Summer Reading Challenge, with the likely take-up for that still being, in an unprecedented fashion, a complete mystery. Who knows how many people will return to libraries? To stretch the metaphor completely, post-vaccination 2021 usage is like an invisible swan at this point – we have no idea of its size or its shape. And it has the potential to be dangerous like any swan. But it could also be beautiful. Some could say that this could even be a golden year for libraries if things come back to normal and people come in desperate to be with people and the physical once more. But I would not want to stretch my neck out that far. It is, after all, not as long as that of a swan, real or imaginary.
Changes by local authority
- Powys – 3 libraries to become volunteer (Llanfair Caereinion, Talgarth and Llanwrtyd Wells).
- Rochdale – Balderstone Library extended, includes changing rooms for sport.
- Somerset – £800k refurbishment for Minehead.
National news
- The Government is defunding libraries and it is affecting racialised communities – Bad Form Review. “In 2010, funding for libraries topped £1bn, but last year it fell to a total of £725m; this year, on average, libraries face a further 14% reduction in their budgets. For some reason, these statistics do not seem to capture the public imagination, perhaps because libraries are a normalised, mundane part of life that people assume will always be there.”
- Gov Starts GBP5bn UK Gigabit Broadband and Voucher Schemes Update – ISPreview. “The UK Government has today revealed new details of how their £5bn gigabit broadband roll-out scheme will work and rebranded it as “Project Gigabit“. As part of that they’ve also confirmed £210m for an extension of their rural Gigabit Voucher scheme and £110m to connect up to 7,000 rural GP surgeries, libraries and schools.”
- Libraries Connected annual report 2019-20 – Libraries Connected. “Find out about all we achieved in our second year including our exciting new projects.”
- Library Recovery: Lessons and Opportunities from the COVID Crisis – Innovative. 23 March, 11am, webinar. Speakers include Isobel Hunter CEO Libraries Connected and Sue Wills (Surrey). “The health crisis has brought challenges and opportunities for public libraries. Even while buildings have been closed, libraries worked with determination and innovation to bring their services to users in new ways, reaching 3 out of 10 people.”
- Partners Toolkit for Read, Talk, Share – Reading Agency. “This toolkit includes information and resources, including visual assets, to help promote the Read, Talk, Share campaign. You can find press releases, a visual assets pack, and how to take part in our social media campaign with suggested copy for all channels. … “Books from the Reading Well mental health booklists are available now for free digital borrowing to support library users and staff. You can promote e-lending with downloadable social media images for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, with options to choose your lending partner logo.”
- Timetable for further lockdown easing – Scottish Government. Libraries can open from 26 April.
International news
- India – In this Kashmiri library, the power of books goes beyond words – Christian Science Monitor. “whenever I get time I come here, touch, feel, and smell [the books], with this constant hope that things will become normal again, and my library will once again thrive with people.”
- The lure of libraries – Deccan Herald. “I probably married my husband because his family owned a circulating library called Serene” … “As soon as we got into the GT express or the Tamil Nadu or KK express (as it was then called), for the long 48 hour journey, the first thing was to check out the tiny library in one of the compartments”
- Syria – Hunting for books in the ruins: how Syria’s rebel librarians found hope – Guardian. ““Books don’t set limits; they set us free. They don’t mutilate; they restore. Reading helps me think positively, chase away negative ideas. And that’s what we need most right now.””
- USA – Post-Pandemic Libraries – Medium. “it’s almost as if we’re after the type of hero worship that comes with bringing water to people after a natural disaster.”
- Libraries are getting $200 million in stimulus funds. Here’s why – CNN. “t librarians say they’ve come to the rescue for those hit the hardest by the pandemic, becoming the only way many without internet access are able to get their kids online for school — or access medical services, make vaccine appointments or register for federal aid like stimulus checks and unemployment benefits.” … “The total earmarked for libraries is less than 1% of the total $1.9 trillion American Rescue but is a huge influx of cash for the Institute for Museum and Library Services fund. The $200 million is the largest single increase in the agency’s 25-year history and worth about 80% of its annual budget.”
Local news by authority
- Cambridgeshire – Wildfires: Cambridgeshire archive saves couple’s wedding album – BBC News. “Mr Date, who contacted Cambridgeshire’s libraries service, said he was “pleased and amazed” they had been found.”
- Cheshire East – Council secures funding to drive forward carbon neutral ambition – Cheshire East Council. “Projects that the funding will support range from upgrading heating controls in libraries to the installation of solar panel arrays on leisure centres.”
- Cheshire West and Chester – To Quiz or Not to Quiz? That is the Question – About my Area. “Neston Library have enlisted the help of Little Actors, who will play Quiz Master for the evening.”
- Devon – Roadmap set out for return to in=person library services – Exmouth Journal. “From March 29 – choose and collect service restarts and some libraries will offer computer access. From April 12 – libraries will offer phased reopening for book borrowing and computer sessions. Mobile libraries will be back on the road. From May 17 – The rule of six will apply meaning the café indoor spaces can reopen and meeting rooms for small groups will be available. From June 21 – Libraries Unlimited should be able to expand the in-person offer, start to introduce events and offer meeting rooms to bigger groups. “
- Flintshire – Aura Libraries Flintshire: Celebrate World Poetry Day – The Leader.
- Glasgow – Libraries and train stations across Glasgow to benefit from new ebike stations – Glasgow Live. At three libraries.
- Union fears for future of Glasgow’s sports facilities, libraries and community centres – Glasgow Live. “Union reps will meet with Glasgow Life bosses to demand “full transparency” on potential jobs losses due to the impact of Covid-19”. … “an impact assessment, published with the council’s budget papers, indicated 1000 jobs could be at risk – around 40% of the workforce.”
- Halton – The Wild West is coming to Widnes Library – In Your Area. ” a special, socially distanced matinee gig, in collaboration with Get it Loud in Libraries.”
- Hertfordshire – Digital updates – Hertfordshire County Council. “Hertfordshire Libraries are pleased to introduce their new digital skills webpage www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/digitalskills where you can access links to top tips, how-to-guides, courses and information which can help you (or help you to help others) improve your digital skills.”
- Read, Talk, Share – Hertfordshire County Council. Telephone befriending service.
- Lambeth – Archbishop’s library fully public at last – Church Times. “The ground floor is mostly taken up by the light and airy double-height entrance gallery, and it is on the floors above that the 200,000 books of the collection have been deposited”
- Midlothian – Reserve and collect service resumes in Midlothian – Advertiser. Order and collect.
- Northern Ireland – Escape on a free reading adventure with Libraries NI – Armagh I. “Since the start of the pandemic, almost 30,000 people have joined Libraries NI to gain free access to a range of online resources.”
- Powys – Three county libraries handed over to community groups by Powys Council – Powys County Times. “The libraries in Llanfair Caereinion, Talgarth and Llanwrtyd Wells are to become community-run resources. Volunteer groups will operate the libraries – the three smallest in Powys – when they are able to safely re-open the buildings under Welsh Government guidance.”
- Renfrewshire – Library bosses are in the good books as new delivery service is a hit – Daily Record. “Almost 200 people have signed up to Renfrewshire Leisure’s Libraries Direct service, which provides free delivery of library books to those over the age of 70, people with disabilities and families with children.”
- Rochdale – Work begins on Balderstone Library extension – In Your Area. “The library, situated in the park, when finished later this year, will have home and away changing facilities plus two new football pitches. There will also a community or club room and a cafe.”. Section 106 funding.
- Rutland – Rutland libraries will become lateral flow testing collection sites – Rutland and Stamford Mercury. Four libraries.
- Shropshire – Census support available at Shropshire libraries – Advertizer. “This support is already available by Shropshire Libraries over the phone, or as a virtual session through Microsoft Teams”
- Somerset – Together We Are Stronger project launched by Yeovil Art Space – Chard and Ilminster News. “Patrick, 92, from Burnworthy, is featured in a booklet and series of online activities for primary schools and families, which have been created in partnership with Somerset Libraries.”
- Work starts in May on £800k Minehead Library refurbishment – County Gazette. “Refurbishment plans include extending the building, redeveloping the space and adding in a series of energy saving measures.”
- Suffolk – Hideaway reading den feature in library children’s section revamp – Ipswich Star. “The Friends received £5,000 from the Felixstowe Peninsula Community Partnership alongside £2,500 from East Suffolk Council’s Enabling Communities Budget and further funding from Felixstowe Town Council, Suffolk County Council Locality Budget, Suffolk Libraries and through its own fundraising.”
- Suffolk Libraries getting ready for Suffolk Libraries Day – East Anglian Daily Times. “From treasure hunts to a guess the weight of the hawk competition, libraries are gearing up”
- Suffolk Libraries launch new scheme to help jobseekers – East Anglian Daily Times. “The aim of the scheme is to provide a dedicated helpline to replicate the support which staff would normally be able to provide customers in libraries. “
- Surrey – Award-winning performing arts library collection can be kept together in Surrey – Get Surrey. “On Tuesday (March 16) the New Surrey Performing Arts Library (NewSPAL) was granted planning permission to move into Morris House on Commercial Way, next door to Betfred and Lloyds Bank.”
Something to think about
Mar 14th
Editorial
One year ago, it all changed. Library workers, long told in conferences that “the library is not the building” discovered the truth of it as the doors were closed and locked in every building in the country. Those staff who had work computers at home got down to the work of promoting their online resources and putting on, incredible as would have seemed simply a month previously, recorded rhyme-times and the like. E-book use soared and councils saw public libraries as a much-needed good news story.
Throughout last year, library staff – again, limited to those with work computers – learned a whole bunch of new skills, Many others were co-opted into other departments and discovered the truth that they were council employees. Again, many new skills were learnt. When libraries reopened for the short periods between lockdowns, it was the front line staff – largely, those without work computers – who quarantined the books, cleaned the work surfaces and faced the masked public while the others mainly continued at home.
Now, with vaccination becoming general, hope is in the air, an incredible full twelve months after, and library services don’t really know what will happen. Will a relieved public throng back into libraries like never before? Or will people stay cautious or have discovered new things to do during lockdown? Will the Summer Reading Challenge be the busiest ever or a damp squib? Will, the horror, a new Covid variant develop and we all return to our tedious homes? We don’t know. But something which I have been thinking about for a while is that this crisis has widened the divide between those who continued working at home and those that did not. There will be many in libraries that have not physically seen a specialist librarian for a year. How we mesh together again, when we mesh together again, will be a challenge to us all when branches reopen. Start thinking about it now if you have not done so already.
Changes by local authority
- Northumberland – Consultation concluded. Five libraries will become “hubs”.
- Staffordshire – Burton Library to be demolished and re-located.
- Sunderland – New “Culture House” proposed.
National news
- Bolinda UK Ltd and CILIP join forces to activate Libraries Week 2021 – CILIP. ” This year Libraries Week will take place between the 4th and 10th October and will focus on the central role that libraries play in their community as a driver for inclusion, sustainability, social mobility and community cohesion.”
- CILIP Pathways ready to deliver end-point assessments for Level 3 Apprenticeships – CILIP. “This Apprenticeship opens up a robust alternative route into the profession, enabling employers to attract and retain from a wider pool of talent”
- Great public library services – Library Data Blog. “Newcastle library service began publishing open data in 2016, and have run two hackathons engaging the public with that data” … “Suffolk decided to go their own way and create their own software. This looks great, and runs on tablets within a stand that provides a barcode scanner. More information is available at this Suffolk Libraries Self Service Demo from 2018.” … “Leeds are well known for their digital inclusion programmes, such as 100% Digital Leeds. Note the top-quality accessibility statement on that site.” … ” was amazed to see in 2019 that a library service (North Ayrshire) was recruiting for a role called ‘Open data development officer’. As far as I know, this was the first dedicated role in open data for public libraries.”
- Guardians of UK’s literary jewels at risk in V&A plan to cut key library staff – Guardian. “Thirty librarians have been told that their numbers are to be reduced to just 10, as part of a major restructuring at the museum.”
- Library careers panel with CILIP NW – CILIP. 23 April 10am. “e’ll be joined by a panel of library colleagues from higher education, public libraries and health, who will introduce their role, their team and their organisation, before taking questions from the audience.”
- Patron Point now available for public libraries in the UK and Ireland – Patron Point. “The company’s marketing automation platform connects to all popular library management systems and other third-party library data sources like eBook vendors and reservation system”
- Re-engaging Library Customers – CILIP East Midlands AGM – CILIP. 27 April 9.30am. ” Ash Charlton will lead us in identifying the issues and solutions for re-engaging customers as life starts to return to our new ‘normal’. “
- Summer Reading Challenge to have Wild World Heroes theme– BookSeller.”The charity has teamed up with the World Wildlife Fund to deliver the event across the summer, encouraging children to engage in reading about environmental issues, including plastic pollution and deforestation to wildlife decline and nature loss. Through taking part in the challenge, with free packs from public libraries or online, children will be able to join six fictional characters — “wild heroes” — to help solve some of these threats, learning about the importance of the environment while helping to restore nature levels in the neighbourhood of “Wilderville”.”
- What’s the key to finishing that novel of yours? Try working at the library – Crime Reads. “nd so I got to work at the library, reading everything from US-set fiction to travel guides. Whatever I wanted to find out about, the library had me covered.”
International news
- China – Mecanoo plans macau central library with façade that opens like the pages of a book – Design Boom. “15,000 sqm library with children’s, teenagers, and general collection, exhibition spaces and multi-functional rooms, café and offices”
- USA – Amazon withholds its ebooks from libraries because it prefers you pay it instead – The Verge. “Amazon is the only major publisher that’s doing this” … “six of the top 10 ebooks sold on Amazon, the dominant ebook platform in the US, were published by Amazon, making them ineligible for library loans because Amazon won’t sell them. “
- How Library Closures Hurt Adult Learners as Kids Doubled Down on Digital Reading – EdSurge. “oung adults were most likely to say they lost their main internet access when libraries closed: ages 18-29 (24 percent), followed by ages 30-44 (22 percent), 45-60 (12 percent), and over age 60 (5 percent). Those affected were also much more likely to be adults who were male, lived in an urban area, spoke a language other than English in their home, and were persons of color. “
Local news by authority
- Bracknell Forest – Praise for ‘lifesaving’ home library service used by Bracknell residents – Bracknell News. “One person told us we had literally saved their life.” … “328 residents in Bracknell Forest who are over 70, having to shield, or are clinically extremely vulnerable, registered with the contact-free delivery scheme, council data shows.”
- Calderdale – Air quality in Sowerby Bridge and impact on health to be focus of innovative library project – Halifax Courier. “Calderdale libraries’ ‘Something in the Air?’ project, supported by researchers at the University of Manchester and funded as part of the Engaging Libraries programme was launched this week. Between March and September this year, there will be a series of free events that anyone can attend, to hear from specialists and to ask questions about all sorts of issues around air quality and health.”
- Denbighshire – Denbighshire’s service was the best performing in Wales for the number of Welsh books borrowed per capita – Free Press. “The Welsh Government has praised the service in the Welsh Public Library Standards assessment report for 2019/20 saying it has a ‘strong commitment to health and wellbeing’ while its ‘intention to focus on the development of staff should enable Denbighshire libraries to remain at the heart of their communities and continue to deliver services effectively’.”
- Hampshire – Villagers asked to remove ‘adult literature’ from communal red phone box library – I. “Hurstbourne Tarrant had lost access to its mobile library service because a lack of funding from Hampshire council forced it to cease. Access to such libraries have come under increased scrutiny in recent years. However, Hurstbourne Tarrant’s telephone box was bought by the council in 2019 and then used grant money to convert it into a library” … “However, the Parish Council noticed Nancy Holder’s Hot Blooded, and publications by Debbie Viguié – whose novels are sometimes catergorised as “erotic romance” – began to appear”
- Inverclyde – Library celebrates Women’s History Month – Greenock Telegraph.
- Milton Keynes – Milton Keynes Libraries to host online ‘Lines of Lockdown’ poetry event – MK FM. “Milton Keynes Libraries and Milton Keynes Islamic Arts & Culture are set to co-host an online open mic poetry night”
- North Ayrshire – Council set to perform u-turn on disposal of ‘lifeline community facilities’ – Largs and Millport Weekly News. “Under-threat facilities, which included Largs Library, are set to be thrown a lifeline after playing key roles in the community effort during the coronavirus pandemic.”
- Northumberland – Shaping the future of libraries in Northumberland – News Post Leader. “An extensive consultation between December 2019 and March 2020 saw more than 5,000 people, both library members and non-members, take part.” … “Building on the findings of the consultation a redesign of the service was approved by the County Council’s Cabinet to establish five Hub Libraries, serving each locality area.”
- North Yorkshire – Home library service grows in popularity during Covid – Northern Echo. “Around 1,400 people across North Yorkshire currently benefit from the service and last year’s Covid restrictions and lockdowns saw increased demand for the service.”
- Meet the Yorkshire volunteers delivering a world of escape through doorstep deliveries of library books – Yorkshire Post. “With libraries closed to customers in the traditional way, an army of volunteers is reaching out across North Yorkshire to ensure services can be accessed from home.”
- Nottingham – Nottingham’s new central library delayed until next year – Nottingham Post. “The new building for the library is already there, as part of the complex which will also house the car park and the new bus station but like many other authorities Nottingham city council continues to face a challenge so there will be a delay to our original intention to complete the fit out of the new central library. “The sale of the Angel Row site means we can start the fit out of the new central library in the summer, aiming to complete next year.””
- Powys – Powys libraries join dementia music campaign – Powys Country Times. “It is the first library authority in Wales to work with dementia charity, Playlist for Life, to distribute its booklet ‘Create the Soundtrack of Your Life”
- Renfrewshire – Library books home delivery service is best seller – Renfrewshire 24. “Almost 200 people have signed up to Renfrewshire Leisure’s Libraries Direct service providing a free delivery service of library books to those over the age of 70, people with disabilities and families with children.”
- Sandwell – Sandwell solution to lockdown loneliness – sharing a good book – Halesowen News. “It will include a new telephone reading group, one-to-one telephone conversations with Reading Befrienders, and online book readings for all ages which will be showcased on the library service’s Facebook page.”
- Sefton – Iconic building closed for eight years could soon get new lease of life – Liverpool Echo. “The Carnegie Library in Crosby was shut by Sefton Council in December 2013 as part of a “libraries review” and a bid to save cash. Six other libraries across Sefton were also ordered to close the same year. Now documents on Sefton Council’s website reveal plans to transform the Grade II listed building into a “community hub” with office space, a bistro, and bar areas.”
- Somerset – Somerset libraries reopen and launch Reading Friends service – Weston Mercury. “Almost all Somerset libraries have reopened this week, offering a limited-service as lockdown measures start to ease. “
- Staffordshire – Services support residents as lockdown restrictions ease – Tamworth Informed. “From Monday (8 March) libraries at Biddulph, Burntwood, Codsall, Kidsgrove, Rugeley, Stone, Uttoxeter and Wombourne will reopen to offer essential PC use and ‘order and collect’ services. Until 12 April these eight will close between 1 and 2pm.”
- Improvements in Burton town centre could see dozens of homes created – Staffordshire Live. “The project to regenerate the area around High Street, which fronts the Washlands and the River Trent, would also see the town’s library building bulldozed if its services were to be moved to the market hall, a council anticipates.” … “it “anticipates” demolishing existing “low value” buildings, such as the 1970s library building, off Meadowside Drive.” … ” agreed, in principle, to relocate the library, off High Street, to the market hall in the Market Place at a meeting in August – two months before the nine-day public consultation on the proposal was launched in October. When the library project was discussed this part of the meeting was in private and not open to the public. The authority had previously said Burton Library was the most successful library in the county.”
- Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries launches new technology lending scheme – East Anglian Daily Times. Laptop lending. “The aim of the new Device to Your Door scheme which has been funded by Suffolk’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund is to provide help for those with no access to a computer or the internet at home. “
- Sunderland – Sunderland’s Culture House – Designing Libraries. “Central to the regeneration programme is the proposed new library. The stated aim of the project is to create the UK’s best new library in an iconic, 80,000 square feet building which will contain adult lending and reference libraries; libraries for children and young people; spaces for making, creativity and innovation; a local studies and archive centre (£650,000 has been agreed for the digitisation of collections).” 600,000 visitor target.
- Wandsworth – Shakespeare week coming to Wandsworth libraries – SW Londoner. “Wandsworth libraries will be showing daily videos exploring the life and works of William Shakespeare to celebrate Shakespeare week. There will also be a live online event, which will feature a team of actors performing speeches from Shakespeare followed by a Q&A session for children to ask for any secrets on how to perform the legendary playwright’s work.”
- Wigan – Libraries launch e-book service – Leigh Journal. “Libraries in the borough are launching a new e-book service which will give residents free access to up to 36,000 digital books and over 20,000 audiobooks. Any member of Wigan library services will be able to download the BorrowBox app”
- Wokingham – New Twyford Library Approved – Wokingham.co.uk. “A new chapter is opening for Twyford Library as Wokingham Borough Council approves plans to create a brand-new facility in the centre of the village, converting the Old Polehampton Boys School.”
- Worcestershire – Archive service to help Redditch residents trace their family trees – Redditch Standard. “The number of library customers accessing Ancestry Library Edition increased by 200 per cent in February, compared to the same period in 2020. Digital library membership has increased by 355 per cent in the last 12 months”
- Census help is available – Worcester Observer. Zoom library sessions. “Join Tony Hutchings, Census Engagement Manager for Worcestershire from the Office for National Statistics as he explains more about the census, how you can complete the census, how information is captured as well as being on hand to answer any of your queries and signpost you to useful helplines”
- Malvern Library set to become Rapid Covid Testing site – Worcester News. ““It’s great to see Malvern Library offering support to the local community by becoming the next rapid flow testing site.”
Tower Hamlets reprieve
Mar 7th
Editorial
Tower Hamlets have reversed their decision to impose deep cuts on their library service. This will come as a relief not just to their library users but also to many in the library community, where the Idea Stores model from the borough is well-known and respected. The councillors of Croydon, however, whose library budget have rarely been envied at the best of times, are still going through with deep cuts there, although there is some impressive campaigning work going on to try and stop it. Elsewhere, library services are gearing up for their plans for when they are allowed to open on 12 April, with some services which had been completely closed, sticking a toe in the water with click and collect before then.
Changes by local authority
- Bedford – Increase in staffless technology.
- Northamptonshire – Far Cotton Library closes permanently.
- Tower Hamlets – Cuts stopped after protests.
National news
- CILIP’s Library and Information Supplier Showcase – CILIP. 25 March, online. “Attendance for delegates is free of charge and you will need to register so that you can gain access to the virtual event platform.”
- CIPFA Speaks: Budget 2021 and World Book Day – CIPFA. “his week’s packed episode featured CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman with his reflections on the 2021 Budget, Libraries Connected on the impact of COVID-19 on libraries, and CIPFA student Faye Revely joined us for our recurring segment on working from home in public finance.”
- Dr Seuss: Six books withdrawn over ‘hurtful and wrong’ imagery – BBC. “Among the six children’s titles being withdrawn are If I Ran the Zoo, Scrambled Eggs Super, McElligot’s Pool and On Beyond Zebra” … “Babar’s Travels was removed from the shelves of libraries in East Sussex in the UK after complaints of racism from words used such as “savage cannibals”. Similar complaints have led to some of Herge’s Tintin adventures being removed from libraries, or moved to the adult section.”
- Libraries are a safety net, what happens when they are pulled away? – Big News. “Libraries are often referred to as “the last safety net”. When someone slips through the cracks of social care, they come to us. What happens when that “last safety net” is pulled away?”
- Libraries are lifelines – BookSeller. “Whatever the future holds, the pandemic has made it clear that we need to rethink how essential services are made available to those who need them the most. Libraries are not expendable, and I hope that the way they are cared for in the coming years reflects the value that they hold for their communities.”
- ‘Library job stopped me from suicide, they’re a sanctuary we can’t afford to lose’ – Mirror. “The library where Allie Morgan works became a sanctuary for gaunt, poverty stricken men and women, including an ex-heroin addict who said boredom was the killer that could make him use again.” … “After experiencing the magic of libraries first hand, Allie has written a book, The Librarian, telling the story of how she went from rock bottom to community activist and spokeswoman for library workers”
“The Library Communication Framework (LCF) is set to transform how library suppliers share information with each other in the future, building on the work that the SIP2 protocol has delivered in the past. LCF will allow vendors to share not only basic transactional information (like SIP2), but additionally manage libraries’ users and stock better. For libraries planning on upgrading any of their systems from 2021 onwards, LCF should form part of your understanding and be a (possibly mandatory) part of your specification or tender requirements.” BIC Webinar, 29 April.
- Pandemic shows how ‘digital by default’ government services exclude those who need them most – Conversation. “And with libraries closed many are more cut off than ever before. Indeed, people rely on libraries for online access – a place to search for jobs, answer emails, access educational resources and stay in touch with the outside world.”
- Working Internationally for Libraries Conference 2021 – CILIP. 25 June, 10 to 5pm, webinar. ” A unique programme of panel sessions, presentations and hands-on workshops draws on speakers from a diverse range of countries – from UK, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East – to share best practice, spotlight new ideas and showcase successful examples of international working projects.”
- World Book Day: Is Covid lockdown giving reading a boost? – BBC. “Gone are the children’s dressing up competitions, reading extracts in school assemblies, the book reports and the festivities at the local library.” … “During lockdown, the Welsh government provided £250,000 towards digital library resources and one provider saw a 110% increase in borrowing of e-books compared to 2019.” … “It is not clear yet, but it is safe to assume bookworms cannot wait to return to bookshops and libraries again once restrictions end.”
International news
- Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s Libraries Authority signs deal to digitize manuscripts – Arab News. “o make original manuscripts available online through a unified digital platform.”
- USA – The Internet Archive’s National Emergency Library Controversy – Hackernoon. “The row over the Internet Archive’s National Emergency Library, which aims to fill the learning gap in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, has now reached government.”
- A Disproportionate Pandemic – American Libraries. “Library patrons with disabilities face compounded challenges”
- Libraries oppose censorship. So they’re getting creative when it comes to offensive kids’ books – CNN. “”It doesn’t mean that people should stop reading the books or not have them in their collection, but they should be thinking critically about the books and how they are shared with young people.””
Local news by authority
- Aberdeen – Aberdeen City Libraries to host virtual author event – Evening Express. “The council’s library service will mark the day with the event Wild Women: Magi Gibson and Gerda Stevenson in ‘virtual’ conversation.”
- Bedford – Consultation to extend LibraryPlus to Kempston and Putnoe Libraries begins – Bedford Independent. “Extended opening hours and greater flexibility for users of Putnoe and Kempston Libraries are being cited as benefits of the LibraryPlus scheme that Bedford Borough Council is consulting on.”
- Blackpool – Fines not needed to ensure books returned on time at Blackpool libraries – Gazette. “There are no plans to reintroduce library fines in Blackpool after the removal of the charges in 2019 has been judged to have had “a universally positive effect.””
- Calderdale – Library events focus on air quality in Sowerby Bridge – Calderdale Council. “Between March and September this year, there will be a series of free events that anyone can attend, to hear from specialists and to ask questions about all sorts of issues around air quality and health.”
- Cheshire East – Reading friends libraries project to combat loneliness – Cheshire East Council. “library staff are on hand to contact anyone requesting a weekly call to discuss their favourite authors and books, something they’ve heard on the radio or read in a newspaper. “
- Croydon – Responding to Croydon’s Libraries consultation – Helpful tips before you respond – Save Croydon Libraries. See also Save Croydon Libraries want to amplify the voice of children and young people and The stats tell a very different story to Croydon Council’s “we are proud to have invested in our libraries” narrative.
- Five Croydon libraries identified for potential cuts – Sutton and Croydon Guardian. “An unused brand new library could soon be sold off by Croydon Council as it looks to save money amid its financial crisis. South Norwood Library is one of five earmarked for closure by the local authority. The others affected are Broad Green, Bradmore Green, Sanderstead and Shirley.”
- Libraries are our long-term investment. Don’t squander it – Inside Croydon. ” because our council is bankrupt and is desperate to save money, it is now suggesting that as many as five local libraries should be closed. This is a terrible idea.”
- Devon – Libraries across Devon play vital role with 2021 census – In Your Area. “Staff at the libraries will be given special training and information to help answer questions and take people step by step through filling in the form”
- Library postcard project helps tackle isolation – Midweek Herald. “Staff are spreading some friendship by giving out locally-designed postcards to library users so they can send messages of support to others.”
- East Sussex – Six books withdrawn over ‘hurtful and wrong’ imagery – Report Door. “Babar’s Travels was removed from the shelves of libraries in East Sussex in the UK after complaints of racism from words used such as “savage cannibals”.”
- Edinburgh – International Women’s Day – sign up for event with Edinburgh City Libraries – Edinburgh Reporter. “They invite readers to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day with award-winning author Monique Roffey who will be in conversation with Sarah Howells of the Central Library.”
- Fife – Janey Godley launches new menopause initiative in Fife with online gig – Fife Today. “The renowned stand-up, who teamed up with OnFife library staff to kickstart the’ Pause…not Full Stop’ initiative, said the launch event had been eye-opening and enjoyable.”
- Highland – Highland Libraries go online to mark World Book Day – John O’Groat Journal. ” We have a full day planned around World Book Day with live Bookbug sessions on Facebook at 11am and themed Lego challenges throughout the day concluding with a World Book Day themed family Quiz at 4pm.””
- Kent – Plans revealed for reopening of Kent libraries – In Your Area. “It has been announced that the phased recovery programme will begin with essential library computer use from Monday, March 15. It is then anticipated that April will see 35 libraries being fully open for browsing and study space:”
- Newcastle – Newcastle schools, libraries and theatre to get eco-upgrade – BBC. “Newcastle City Council has been awarded £27.25m from a government fund to improve energy efficiency in public buildings across the city. Projects will include the installation of solar panels and heat pumps and improvement of insulation.”
- Norfolk – Norfolk libraries to reopen with click and collect services – Lynn News. “In the first week, starting on Monday, there will be 25 libraries offering ‘at the door’ services, with a further 22 libraries reopening the following week. Each library will allow users to pick up selected books, return items and access toiletries or period products through the Tricky Period scheme”
- Northamptonshire – Maternity services to take over Northampton neighbourhood library formerly used as a community hub – Northampton Chronicle. “Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton General Hospital have now confirmed the library will be used as a community maternity hub and any stock and furniture from the library will be used for a refurbishment of Weston Favell library.”
- North Yorkshire – Libraries help bring business ideas to life at this challenging time – North Yorkshire County Council. “To access COBRA or Universal Skills from home or work, you need to be a North Yorkshire library member …”
- St Helens – St Helens Library to reopen for essential computer use and click and collect – The Reporter. “Based in the World of Glass Museum, St Helens Library – which opened in September 2020 – joins Chester Lane Library in offering IT support, available to book by appointment for up to 45 minutes at a time during opening hours to assist with essential tasks such as study, access to benefits, searches for work and training opportunities.”
- Somerset – Burnham-On-Sea Library to re-open from Monday 8th March with limited service – Burnham on Sea. “borrowers will be able to return library items, collect reservations that have been placed via the LibrariesWest website,”
- Suffolk – Visits need to be booked at some Suffolk libraries – East Anglian Daily Times. “Ten Suffolk libraries are asking book-lovers to book an appointment before visiting. Meanwhile, the service has suspended all overdue charges indefinitely, and loan periods have been extended to six weeks.”
- Swansea – Swansea helps Welsh libraries reach out into the virtual world – Wales 247. “Library staff across Wales will have access to a custom-built digital training package thanks to a Swansea Council officer and a grant from the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund. Kerry Pillai, of Swansea Libraries, has coordinated a range of training packages for library staff members across Wales.”
- Tower Hamlets – ‘War of words’ at Tower Hamlets cabinet meeting stops library closures – East London Advertiser. “A last-ditch battle has been waged to save two libraries in east London caught up in £1.6 million public spending cuts which has led to a U-turn tonight (March 3) at Tower Hamlets Council’s cabinet meeting.” … “the cabinet has had second thoughts after a petition with 2,200 names and a letter to the mayor from academics including a former Children’s Laureate and three authors. “
- Libraries saved in Tower Hamlets – Library Campaign. “TLC talked to Glyn Robbins, one of the main organisers of the public campaign. All the local unions – Unison, Unite, GMB – backed the campaign. But public support is vital, Glyn says. A campaign can be dismissed by politicians as self-interested workers “just defending their jobs”. Showing that libraries are vital to communities makes that much harder. Also vital was a clear, simple and united message – just leave the libraries alone.”
- Wokingham – Council planning committee gives green light to transform old Twyford school into library and community space – Maidenhead Advertiser. “A planning application to transform an old school in Twyford into a library and community space has been approved by Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC) planning committee. The council application, which was brought before the committee on Wednesday, February 10, looked to restore and convert the old Polehampton Boys’ School building into a library. The current library in Twyford is located in a temporary portable building in Polehampton Close.”
So it’s the 12th of April
Feb 28th
Editorial
So, it’s the 12 April. That, surprisingly, gives public libraries enough time to get ready for what we all earnestly hope is the last time we come out of lockdown. Public libraries are in the same class as “non-essential retail” and means we open up more than a month before our colleagues in museums.
In other news, there’s mention of libraries being available for help with the census, some protests against cuts (notably in Lewisham) and a couple of mentions of reducing or getting rid altogether of fines. This was a definite trend before Covid and it will be interesting to see if it continues now.
Changes
National news
- CILIP’s Library and Information Supplier Showcase – CILIP. “This brand new virtual event will bring together suppliers for the library and information sector, showcasing their products and services” 25 March.
- If shops can reopen in April, why can’t museums? – Apollo. “‘If libraries, community centres and department stores can open, so should museums and galleries. It feels like ministers are not making the case for culture.’”
- Keir Starmer lashes Brexit trade deal for ‘holding British businesses back’ – Mirror. “Claiming “rural infrastructure and services” have been “eroded and ignored” over 10 years of Tory rule, he said: “The loss of village shops, post offices and pubs has hollowed out many rural communities, and 150 of the 600 libraries closed in England since 2010 were in rural areas.”
- Lockdown: Boris Johnson unveils plan to end England restrictions by 21 June – BBC. “The second step from 12 April would see major parts of the economy permitted to reopen: Non-essential retail opens, hairdressers and some public buildings like libraries”
- New Words – Time To Read North West. “We’ve just announced plans for our first virtual book festival and tickets are available now.” 1 – 26 March.
International news
- Afghanistan – They Built Libraries to Honor Loved Ones, Women Felled by Bombings – New York Times. ” libraries — one in Kabul, the capital, and the other in Daikundi Province — stand as symbols of the progress made toward gender equality and access to education in Afghanistan”
- Canada – Canadian libraries increasingly scrapping late fees to boost access to services – CBC. “Long considered a tool to encourage patrons to return materials on time, in the past few years hundreds of public libraries have decided that late fees do more harm than good by pushing away low-income and disadvantaged readers. In the past few years, nearly 300 libraries across Canada have recently eliminated late fee”.
- Singapore – Hygge – a new space for wellbeing by NTU Library, Singapore – Access. “unique design encourages self-expression, self-reflection and self-care through the experience of calmness and tranquillity. A reading corner was also conceptualised for the space to provide self-care resources including informational guides on practising mindfulness.”
- USA – Libraries Are an Essential Service. Give Librarians the Vaccine Now | Opinion – Newsweek. “Librarians, too, constantly interact with the public; libraries are high-risk workplaces. But the CDC failed to name librarians and library workers specifically in their vaccine guidance.”
- Where Are We: The Latest on Library Reopening Strategies – Library Journal.”As the pandemic continues, communication among colleagues and the public is the key to success. “
Local news by authority
- Cambridgeshire – Cambridgeshire libraries support independent bookshops hit by Covid pandemic – Peterborough Telegraph. “The mail-order website ‘BookshopUK’ launched last year with the site working to donate profits to bookshops and organisations that support the service through book lists and affiliated websites. Cambridgeshire libraries has become an affiliate of Bookshop and will help promote the site alongside the service’s current reading offer.”
- Cheshire West and Chester – West Cheshire Museums: What does Cheshire mean to you? – In Your Area. “My Cheshire, is a joint project between Cheshire West Libraries and West Cheshire Museums”
- Cornwall – ‘The most Corbusier building in Britain’ listed – Architect’s Journal. “Saltash library was one of a series of five new branch libraries to be built by the council in the 1960s. The others were at St Austell, Newquay, Torpoint, and Helston.”
- Denbighshire – Memory bags designed for people living with dementia are being offered at libraries in Denbighshire – News From Wales. “They contain a collection of books, poems, artefacts and smells designed to stimulate the senses and promote reminiscence and discussion.”
- Dorset – Help available for Dorset residents completing 2021 census – Dorset Echo. “If you’re having trouble completing the form, advisers at Dorset Council’s libraries will be able to help. During lockdown this help is over the telephone, with face to face appointments available if and when Covid rules allow.”
- Falkirk – Membership body criticises council’s decision to take leisure charity back under its control – Third Sector. “Community Leisure UK says it is disappointed after Falkirk Council voted to take Falkirk Community Trust in-house again”
- Fife – Comedian Janey Godley to highlight menopause in OnFife comedy night – Dunfermline Press. “Pause … not Full Stop is one of 16 projects in the UK-wide Engaging Libraries Programme. The initiative enables libraries to interact with their users in new ways while encouraging local communities to engage with research.”
- Leeds – Drag queen hounded with death threats and labelled a paedophile for ‘reading stories to Leeds kids’ – Leeds Live. ““It goes to show that there’s still people in the UK who still harbour these hateful views and its establishments like this teaching people not just children but adults that homophobia, transphobia and racism will not be tolerated.”
- Leicester – Reading Friends connects those who may be feeling isolated in Leicester – In Your Area. “The phone call will be with a befriender from the city council’s libraries service, and will connect readers with up to three others in group conversations. This will give readers the opportunity to talk to each other, share stories, make new friends and have fun.”
- Lewisham – Campaign launched to reverse cut to Lewisham library service – News Shopper. “The council is reviewing the library service to fund cuts of £300,000 to £500,000, £100,000 to £230,000 of which could be made this year. Part of the cuts includes a hiring freeze as the service’s salary budget makes up 80 per cent of its total budget. “
- Lewisham needs libraries more than ever, we can’t have services slashed by up to £500,000 – Change.org. “the council’s threatened cut will rip the staff along with their skills and knowledge out of the service and dedicated people who’ve spent hard months on test and trace face losing their jobs.”
- Save Lewisham Libraries statement – 18th February 2021 – Save Lewisham Libraries.
- Norfolk – Norfolk libraries to scrap late fees for children – Eastern Daily Press. “Plans by Norfolk Libraries and Information service to improve children and young people’s reading skills also include universal membership of the county’s e-library through Norfolk’s schools and the introduction of a new ‘1,000 books before school’ reading challenge aimed at under-fives.”
- Northamptonshire – ‘We feel like we have been evicted’: Friends group furious over Northampton library closure – Northampton Chronicle. “Friends of Far Cotton Library has been working since 2019 to run it following Northamptonshire County Council’s decision to shut it. The group was working on a second business plan after its first one was rejected but found the books at The REC Centre were being removed and other tenants ‘are being explored’.”
- North Yorkshire – Library’s book bundle service praised by young readers – North Yorkshire County Council. “Winnie and Valentine Long use the service at Whitby library and rely on it to help with home schooling. In January alone the library issued 201 book bundles to customers.”
- Solihull – Bookworms invited to join in virtual story telling session to combat isolation – Solihull Observer. “Solihull Libraries, The Core Theatre Solihull and Art at the Heart CIC have joined forced to create Solihull Reading Friends – a programme of free events designed to help people connect and combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.”
- Help for Solihull residents as borough gears up for Census 2021 – Solihull Observer.
- Staffordshire – Hundreds sign petition to block controversial plan to move Burton Library – Staffordshire Live. “More than 500 people have signed a petition opposing £7.3 million proposals to move Burton Library to the town’s market hall. The petition claims there has been a lack of public consultation to the controversial proposal, which could see the town’s library move from Meadowside Drive to the market hall in Market Place, subject to funding.”
“This week will see the third Smallprint Book Festival for children run by our library service. It is timed to coincide with World Book Day each year. So far it has proved very popular and this year it is totally digital, running from 4-6 March. We have an absolutely fantastic programme thanks to our enterprising Readers’ Services Team and talented and tuneful Community Library Officers. All the events will be promoted through our social media channels, where it looks fantastic. The team are trialling one school event which isn’t on this programme, working with local author Laura Fyfe to run a creative writing workshop with Cambusbarron Primary, P6 & P7. They are doing this as a Google Meet on Thursday 4th March and hope that it will give them a format to use for further events with schools.” Stirling – Smallprint Book Festival – via email. See festival webpage here.
- Suffolk – Suffolk libraries host meet the authors online book festival – East Anglian Daily Times. “This digital event, running between Monday March 15 and Sunday March 21, will incorporate Suffolk Libraries Day – Suffolk Libraries’ annual fundraising event will be taking place on Saturday March 20.”
- Thurrock – Thurrock Libraries reopen for order and collect service and essential computer use – Your Thurrock. “
- Thurrock – Thurrock Libraries reopen for order and collect service and essential computer use – Your Thurrock. “The libraries in Grays, Belhus, Aveley, Blackshots, Tilbury, East Tilbury, Corringham and Chadwell St Mary will operate under reduced hours and have measures in place to keep residents and staff safe.”
- Wandsworth – Wandsworth Libraries launches ‘A Chance To Talk’ to combat loneliness – SW Londoner. ““I’ve also received a flurry of emails from people who have seen the posters and wanted to say they think it’s a lovely initiative. It’s nice that the community has been super responsive, even if the programme isn’t right for them.””
- West Berkshire – West Berkshire ‘wee libraries’ bring village cheer in tough times – Newbury Today.
- York – York libraries offer help with census forms – The Press. “Explore staff and CVS volunteers have been getting special training, ready to help anyone who has difficulty filling in the forms, Fiona said”
Disturbingly normal
Feb 21st
Editorial
As I write this, it’s the day before we find out what is happening with possible (or not) reopening after the third lockdown. Let us hope the vaccines mean that this is the last one we are in. This weird shut world is starting to feel disturbingly normal.
World Book Day looks interesting, as does the Future of Libraries webinar. There are some of the normal various interesting things and outright weirdness from the USA and a few initiatives from around our country, including a nice series of events from the ever-positive and busy Manchester library service.
National news
- CILIPS Annual Conference 2021 – CILIPS. “Our 2021 President, Cleo Jones, will host two days of keynotes, workshops, and talks online on June 7-8th on the theme of Reinvigorate and Renew: Emerging into a better, brighter, new world.”
- The Future of Libraries – Aspen UK. 24 February 5pm webinar.
- John Scally interview: ‘Libraries have to be for everyone’ – The Times. “The outgoing chief executive of the National Library of Scotland had to tear up the rule books”. Partial paywall, ironically.
- Vintage launches Free Books Campaign partnership – BookSeller. “Vintage has launched a new partnership with the Free Books Campaign, a charity set up by education activist Sofia Akel to get books by authors of colour to those who cannot access them. Under the partnership, Vintage will donate 300 books to the Free Books Campaign annually. Twenty-five copies of 12 titles will be delivered over 2021”
- Welsh Libraries Reaching Out Into the Virtual World – News from Wales.”“This grant of £169,950 has enabled us to appoint Kerry Pillai from Swansea Libraries as coordinator to organize, plan and deliver a range of training packages for library staff members across Wales. This will be technical training in the use of basic equipment and software apps for creating and delivering digital content, but also activities for staff to experiment and practice their skills – such as author talks, conversations between readers, reading group discussions, and illustration workshops. The Estyn Allan project will also enable authorities to invest in basic hardware and software they need to produce good quality activities and content.””
- World Book Day’s New Strategy Receives Major Boost From Arts Council Funding And New Partnerships, As Charity Announces First Ever Official World Book Day Song – FMCM. “The charity also announces its first ever official song by MC Grammar.” … “A partnership with Oak National Academy and the National Literacy Trust: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall will lead a day of special events for the online classroom” … “A World Book Day themed Live Lesson broadcast live on CBBC:” … “A partnership with Twitter: will help the charity reach more families directly online in lockdown. An official #WorldBookDay emoji will be launched to mark the annual celebration.” … “An extended partnership with McDonald’s: will see the food company include World Book Day’s £1 token in all its Happy Meal Boxes from 3 March to 13 April”
International news
- EU – Seminar Replay – Eurolis. “All 3 sessions of this year’s webinar series ‘How can Libraries play a Positive Role in a Crisis’ have been recorded and are available online.”
- USA – White Lady Discouraged From Humiliating Herself With ‘Library Rap’ Cries Reverse Racism – Wonkette. “public libraries are continually recalibrating and reinventing services, plans, and procedures to keep up with a roiling landscape”
- Buy One, Give One- Inspiring Library Stories – Hinchas Press. “Buy one, give one is a campaign to put ‘Inspiring Library Stories: Tales of Kindness, Connection, and Community Impact’ in the hands of every Congressperson in the next session of Congress. When you purchase this bundle, we will mail you a paperback copy of Inspiring Library Stories and give one to a Congressperson.”
- Chattanooga Fires Library Activist Who Allegedly Burned Books Written by President Donald Trump, Ann Coulter – TN Star. “Officials said part-time library specialist Cameron Dequintez Williams took the books and burned them in December, WDEF reported last week. Williams led several protests last year in Chattanooga and was charged with blocking streets.”
- Where Are We: The Latest on Library Reopening Strategies – Library Journal. “public libraries are continually recalibrating and reinventing services, plans, and procedures to keep up with a roiling landscape”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeen – Aberdeen libraries’ interactive online videos viewed over 31,500 times during coronavirus pandemic – Press and Journal.
- Bristol – The Little Libraries of Bristol – Epigram. “Groups of library campaigners were alerted to Olivia’s use of the term ‘library’ to describe her book-swap, claiming it was problematic and counter-productive to raising awareness for local libraries which currently face government funding cuts. However, Olivia clarified that ‘they’ll never replace public libraries – never – and that’s not the intention. They are an addition rather than a replacement’”
- Denbighshire – Dementia ‘memory bags’ including books, poems and artefacts available at Denbighshire libraries – Journal. “offering a new collection of memory bags which contain a collection of books, poems, artefacts and smells designed to stimulate the senses and promote reminiscence and discussion.”
- Devon – Books, reading, community and connection for new parents and carers in Devon – In your area. “The charity, which runs Devon and Torbay’s library services, is launching the Reading Friends initiative under the Reading Agency ‘Read Talk Share’ 2021 campaign umbrella. The Reading Agency wants to promote the use of books and reading to help mental health.”
- Share your memories of Budleigh Library – Exmouth Journal. “The memories will be collated into a book which will then be sold to raise funds for Libraries Unlimited – the charity which manages libraries across the county.”
- Essex – Historic Maldon library granted over £60,000 by Historic England – In your area. “one of the oldest public libraries in England”.
- Essex County Council and SOLE Zoom meeting on Debden library – Epping Forest Guardian. “Cllr Sue Barker, cabinet member responsible for libraries, will be meeting online with representatives of Save Our Libraries Essex (SOLE) in a Zoom meeting on Monday, February 22. She will be joined by bosses of New City College – bidding to become the first takeover of an Essex library at Debden.”
- Fife – £40,000 funding boost announced for Fife libraries – Fife Today. “The money came from a Scotland-wide pot administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC). Fife scooped £41,800 to help staff understand how users engage with their local libraries which were forced to close their doors at the start of the pandemic.”
- Kent – Uncertain future for libraries after no guarantee given by KCC that all of them will reopen once Covid lockdown restrictions are eased – Kent Online. ” “I can’t guarantee that 99 libraries are going to reopen in three months time. When the time is right we will start reopening as and when we can.””
- Moray – Order and collect service rolled out to more Moray libraries – Northern Scot. “In addition to the recent set up of an order and collect service at Burghead library, Dufftown library is ready to offer a similar operation from this Thursday and Cullen library will be starting the service from Thursday”
- North Somerset – Reading Friends programme for North Somerset – Chew Valley Gazette.
- Peterborough – Peterborough libraries expand select and collect service – Peterborough Telegraph. “Orton, Bretton, Werrington and Dogsthorpe Libraries will now join Central Library in offering this service.”
- Sheffield – Sheffield Libraries and Poet in the City bring a rich menu of poetry, language, film and local stories – Yorkshire Post. “Produced by Poet in the City, one of the UK’s leading poetry organisations, and in partnership with the British Library, Digesting History takes place next week.”
- Stoke on Trent – Everything you need to know about February half term activities by Stoke-on-Trent museums and libraries – Stoke Sentinel.
- Tower Hamlets – MP calls for halt to cuts threatening Tower Hamlets libraries – East London Advertiser. “A motion is being tabled in the Commons on Wednesday, February 17, by Poplar and Limehouse MP Apsana Begum. ” … ““Libraries face their greatest crisis since the Second World War,” she said in a statement to the East London Advertiser. “People on low-income suffer the brunt with children from deprived backgrounds losing desperately-needed support outside the classroom.” The MP has lodged a Commons motion demanding that libraries are protected from cuts in the post-pandemic period, a move backed by shadow chancellor John McDonnell. “
- Windsor and Maidenhead – Maidenhead councillors vow to save Boyn Grove library from closure – Royal Borough Observer. “Boyn Hill councillor Stuart Carroll (Con), lead member for social care and public health, said he and his colleague Cllr Gurpreet Bhangra (Con) disagree with the proposed closure and will leave ‘no stone unturned’ in finding ways to save the library.”
Picking our fights
Feb 14th
Editorial
First, Covid news. A couple of councils are opening up for click and collect after weeks of being entirely closed and Bristol libraries are offering “surge testing”. Also, the Reading Agency funding for library services to help with loneliness.
But the big story, obviously, is a librarian or two objecting to the use “little library” being used about a free book-swap outside a house, which was covered by the BBC, the Mail and the London Evening Standard. This was, of course, on Twitter, where massive fights can start instantly and things can be taken out of proportion. It’s worth noting too that far worse insults were thrown at the librarians in return, who were expressing their point of view, without being personal about it.
OK, Here comes the paragraph I have worried about writing but needs to be said. I have been a coward for not saying it before …
I know this is a really unpopular opinion amongst some librarians but, personally, I think we lost the monopolistic use of the word “library” decades ago, if indeed we ever had it. The unfortunate book-lover did not claim to have a public library in her garden and I suspect people can tell the difference between a glorified bird-box and, say, an actual building. I also think that such enterprises are not contributing to closing libraries and even the most extreme councillor does not genuinely (even if it seems so officially) believe they can a proper replacement. The real threat to libraries would be budget cuts.
That last paragraph is going to get me absolutely vilified by some. So be it. Some have already told me there is something wrong with me and that, at this difficult time, some librarians are feeling threatened. This is true of course. But, really, public libraries are bigger than this. We provide a hugely beneficial service with limited resources and we need to pick our fights. And such as we have should not be with book-lovers trying to share their passion with others.
Single Digital Presence
“A guest-written editorial that featured in last week’s Public Libraries News contained a number of misrepresentations relating to the Single Digital Presence project. We are grateful for the opportunity to correct them. In depicting the project merely as a succession of research reports the article failed to convey that the report we published in June 2019 was just one element of a much broader programme. This has included designing prototypes for both a new national presence and for improved local library web-pages, testing these prototypes with existing and potential users, and also a continued and wide-ranging engagement with our close stakeholders throughout the library sector.
Last week’s article also referred to the project as a ‘digital library’. Although a part of our work is focused on improving public library users’ access to digital material, this does not involve the creation of a digital library for public libraries. Instead, our ambition is to improve access to information and services about public libraries, and to make it easier for users to engage with public libraries at the local level, both physically and digitally.
Finally, the figure the article quoted for the cost of the project was inaccurate: £1 million is more than double the amount of money that has supported our work to this point. In addition, the project has been undertaken by a team at the British Library since February 2018, and so we have been working on this for three years – not six years, as the article suggests. We welcome the opportunity to set the record straight, and will be posting further updates on our findings later this spring.”
Statement from the British Library
National news
- Bristol book lover suffers abuse over ‘little library’ – BBC. “A book lover who set-up a ‘little library’ for the community to enjoy, found herself subject to a stream of “nasty” and “vicious” online comments.”
- Future of Libraries – Aspen UK. Webinar 24 February 5pm. Panel include Nick Poole, Ayub Khan, Dr Jenny Peachey.
- CWA Dagger in the library – Crime Writers Association. Deadline to vote is 26 February. “The Dagger in the Library is a prize for a body of work by a crime writer that users of libraries particularly admire. Only librarians can nominate authors for the award. It is one of the most prestigious crime writing awards in the UK”
- Librarians troll book lover who built ‘swap box’ outside home in lockdown – Metro.
- Public Libraries 2020: Netloan Customer Survey Results – Lorensbergs. “The 2020 public library survey results from netloan highlight the vital work libraries have undertaken throughout the pandemic. Wherever possible, libraries have offered access to public PCs and printers, allowing users to stay connected to critical online services and information.”
- Read, Talk, Share: The UK charity putting books at the heart of its new mental health campaign – Evening Standard. “Enabled by a £3.5 million award by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the initiative is aimed at combatting loneliness and promoting wellbeing through bibliotherapy, working closely with local libraries to reach struggling communities.”
- Vigilante librarians troll woman who built book ‘swap box’ outside her home during lockdown because they claim it could lead to more closures and job losses – Mail Online. “This included claims from some it would enable Covid to spread, as well as criticism from librarians, with the husband of one telling her ‘it does not replace the knowledge and help that a librarian brings to people’. He added that many librarians have lost jobs as a result of schemes like hers and have since been replaced by well meaning volunteers or not at all’.” … “Olivia was called ‘stupid’ and ‘misguided’ and slammed for having ‘no real understanding of the role of libraries’. She was also accused of doing ‘such a middle class thing’ and told the books would spread Covid. One troll said: ‘So, take home a used book and maybe take home the virus that kills your mother.'”
International news
- Global – IFLA’s Section on Children and Young Adults’ “Safer Internet Day” Survey – IFLA. “The annual Safer Internet Day is now celebrated in approximately 170 countries worldwide. The campaign calls upon all stakeholders to join together to make the internet a safer and better place for all, and especially for children and young people. This survey is for librarians and/or related staff who serve children and young adults, or those who supervise those who do.”
Local news by authority
- Bracknell Forest – Bracknell Forest Council library service wins £14,000 funding to tackle isolation and loneliness – In Your Area. “The Reading Agency, the Arts Council of England, and its book supplier Bolinda have awarded Bracknell Forest Council’s library service £14,000 of funding in a bid to tackle isolation and loneliness.”
- Bradford – Boosting your health by reading: district libraries service backs new campaign – Keighley News. Reading Friends: “Adults will meet via Zoom, but there will also be a postal element for people unable to access the project digitally – or who aren’t confident with the technology. Reading materials will be posted out and participants can reply by post or chat over the phone.”
- Bristol – Libraries transformed into surge testing sites to combat Bristol ‘Variant of Concern’ – ITV News. “Eight libraries in Bristol and South Gloucestershire have been transformed overnight to accommodate surge testing for coronavirus, as NERVTAG classes the strain detected in Bristol a ‘Variant of Concern’.”
- Camden – Camden libraries join national initiative to tackle loneliness during winter – Camden Council. “Camden Council libraries in partnership with Age UK Camden are hosting a series of online reading events to help tackle loneliness and support mental health during the pandemic this winter.”
- Cardiff – Plans for Rhiwbina Library to become community hub – Wales 247. “Cardiff Council is carrying out an engagement exercise on proposals to refurbish the library building and create the newest facility in the city’s network of community hubs. The aim will be to deliver more Council and partner organisation services there, based on the theme of wellbeing.”
- Edinburgh – Librarian records bookbug video on nightshift driving an Edinburgh gritter – Edinburgh News. “When she is not leading on learning development at Edinburgh’s Moredun library the 29-year-old is also serving her local community as an emergency seasonal worker for the council.” … “Ms Leake knew she couldn’t make it to the live session of bookbug on Tuesday morning due to working the nightshift beat this week…” so “She recorded a version of ‘wheels on the bus’ with lyrics about gritters while her NT74 spreader vehicle flashed in the background.”
- Read all about it: Edinburgh libraries scoop top digital award for newspaper downloads – Edinburgh News. “Pressreader, a digital platform where people can read newspapers and magazines online, awarded Edinburgh Libraries with the Most Newspapers Read in 2020 Worldwide accolade after 2,155 unique titles were read by its members last year, beating off competition from 100 other organisations.”
- Eilean Siar – New library vans are named by island youngsters – Stornoway Gazette. “Naturally it was a very tough decision for the judges going through all the amazing names sent in, but the names finally decided upon were ‘Lexy’ for the Lewis and Harris Mobile, and ‘Lachaidh’ for the Uist and Benbecula Mobile.”
- Hull – Why the tireless efforts of HC&L is a breath of fresh air for us all – Hull Life. “”The library service has been brilliant and done a lot of online work including virtual tours of the museums,” says Coun Brabazon”
- Flintshire – Aura Libraries Flintshire: Join in the Big Welsh Rhymetime online – The Leader. “The Big Welsh Rhyme Time, organised by Book Trust Cymru, is aimed at children aged 0-7, takes place this year between Monday, February 8 and Friday, February 12.”
- Herefordshire – Library reopens for click and collect services – Hereford Times.
- Lancashire – Lancashire County Council reminds residents not to make a special journey to return library books – Blog Preston. “Library staff are finding that many people are visiting their local library unnecessarily, unaware that they will face no penalty for holding onto any books they’ve borrowed for now.”
- Moray – Moray libraries to offer tech support online – Grampian Online. “The support could boost confidence with the basics: emailing, searching the internet safely, online shopping, accessing services, or connecting with family and friends virtually.”
- North Yorkshire – Libraries take part in project to provide IT – Gazette and Herald. “People and organisations who want to donate are asked to take their devices to their nearest participating local library where an appropriate drop-off point will be clearly marked.”
- Library events for children are online this half-term – Harrogate News. “From model-making to poetry classes, the library service is offering events on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nycclibraries.”
- Redbridge – Rapid Covid testing – Vision. “Rapid COVID-19 Testing is now available for residents at this library.”
- Somerset – Ten activities for half-term during lockdown – County Gazette. “If your children are bookworms or love to listen to stories, they can listen to some of their favourites read by Somerset Library staff.”
- South Gloucestershire – Collect and Drop surge testing service launches in South Gloucestershire – Gazette Series. “The second phase of additional community testing began today with the introduction of ‘Collect and Drop’ sites, situated within five libraries across Bristol and three libraries in South Gloucestershire. The first phase of this one-off testing began on Sunday, following an announcement from the Department for Health and Social Care that Bristol and South Gloucestershire will be providing additional community testing for COVID-19.”
- South Lanarkshire – Burnbank faces ‘double whammy’ of losing library and family centre in South Lanarkshire Council’s savings proposals – Daily Record. “Plans to close Burnbank Library and relocate the nearby family centre have been included in South Lanarkshire Council’s savings proposals.”
- Suffolk – Libraries are set to reopen as use of their online services doubles – Ipswich Star. Click and collect restarting.
- Thurrock – Plans to stop loneliness with conversations through reading in Thurrock – Thurrock Gazette. “Reading Friends launches in Thurrock on Wednesday 3 February to reconnect adults, including readers and non-readers, with others and make new friends.”
- Wandsworth – Valentine’s Day offers and activities: spread some local love – SW Londoner. “Wandsworth Libraries are offering mystery bundles so you can have a blind date with a book”.
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