Editorial

I was sorry to read of hear of the loss of Marleen Kennedy, a fellow judge of mine in the CWA Dagger In the Library awards, so as a mark of respect I will not write an editorial this post.

Changes by local authority

• Buckinghamshire – Eight libraries to have 23% increase in hours via staffless technology.
• Cumberland – Carlisle to have £3m refurbishment
• Essex – Clacton Library may include more co-located services
• Guernsey – Postal service takes over staffing home library service.
• Lincolnshire – Gotham Library to be replaced with mobile service.
• Newham – Canning Old Town Library to become heritage centre
• Wakefield – Opening hours may be cut

National news

• Best of 2024: ‘If there’s nowhere else to go, this is where they come’: how Britain’s libraries provide much more than books – podcast – Guardian. “Every Monday and Friday for the rest of December we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2023, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. From July: In 2024, libraries are unofficial creches, homeless shelters, language schools and asylum support providers – filling the gaps left by a state that has reneged on its responsibilities. By Aida Edemariam”
• Co-creation boosts young people’s library engagement – Arts Professional. “Following a co-creation pilot programme between libraries and young people, researchers found 71% of participants reported gaining new knowledge and skills, such as writing, communication and digital marketing.” … “In a pilot project funded by Arts Council England (ACE) between January and August this year, nearly three-quarters (71%) of participants also reported gaining new knowledge and skills, such as writing, communication and digital marketing. The scheme, run by the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL), involved seven library services across England. It tested co-created approaches with 56 young people aged between 11 and 13, including some who were neuro-divergent.”
• Councils closing libraries across Scotland will ‘destroy communities’, say Greens – National Scot. “In November the Tory-run council in Aberdeenshire announced it could close 13 libraries, with seven more in Moray and Perthshire also threatened with closure in the coming months. Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell, who represents Central Scotland, has been a vocal supporter of a campaign aiming to save the seven local libraries across his region.”
• Council staff logging into work from beaches abroad while taxpayers foot the bill – Conservative Post. ” more than 2,000 requests for council staff to work from abroad have been approved since the pandemic began. Destinations include such “essential” work locations as Barbados, Jamaica, and Botswana” … “What’s resilient about a council worker in Thailand while your local library shutters its doors?”
• Education Secretary: Encourage your child to pick up a book at Christmas – Telegraph. Behind paywall. “total of 344 libraries in England have closed in the past 15 years”
• England council shake-up: five ways it could affect you – BBC. “Rayner’s plan is to make the system similar across England. So bins and libraries, planning and leisure centres will all fall under one, single council.”. For closing libraries and other council owned property: “The government says it wants to replace this right to bid with a right to buy, with funding available to purchase community assets.”
• English councils slash culture spending by 50% – Local Gov. “Spending on culture, heritage and libraries by English councils has been cut by more than half over the last 15 years, according to new research. New analysis by the Campaign for the Arts (CFTA) has found that since 2009-10, revenue expenditure on culture has fallen by 50.4% in real terms, from £42.42 to £21.05 per person.”
• Japanese Manga Translations in UK Public Libraries – Proceedings of Joint Conference on Digital Libraries – “The extent to which translated Japanese manga are held in public libraries worldwide can serve as an indicator of their international reception. This study utilized a list of translated Japanese manga compiled during our previous surveys to investigate the availability of these works in public libraries across the United Kingdom.”
• Leading library and digital inclusion charities forge new partnership – Libraries Connected. “Libraries Connected, the membership body for public libraries, and Good Things Foundation, the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity, have announced a new agreement that will see them work together more closely on fixing the digital divide.”
• Libraries Connected issues guidance to councils considering major changes to library services – Libraries Connected. “The guidance has been produced as part of a support package for library services within local authorities that have issued Section 114 certificates – effectively a declaration of bankruptcy – or are operating within severe financial constraints.”
• NAG’S 15th Collection Development Seminar and Public Library Forum – 40 Years of NAG: Looking Back, Looking Forward – National Acquisitions Group. 15 May, Leeds. Call for speakers. “Join us in celebrating NAG’s 40th birthday, in looking back at where we have come from, and looking forward to potential future developments.” https://nag.org.uk/forum-speakers/  Deadline 2nd Feb
• Secret network of Santa’s helpers is bringing missing people home this Christmas – Mirror. “Last week we distributed our safeguarding briefing to a library and within half an hour one of our helpers called us to tell us a missing person was there. “We were able to call the police, do the welfare checks to make sure they were OK and close the missing case. Libraries are wonderful. They do so much for the community. When it works, it works ­absolutely beautifully.”
• Sharing libraries: easy on the planet, easy on your pocket, and great for the community – Happiful. “We’re not talking about regular libraries here, where you can borrow books, magazines, newspapers, and more. Sharing libraries offer other useful items to local people, who are able to borrow and return them, free of charge or for a very low fee.”: toys, maternity clothes, tools, reusable cloth nappies. Gives environmental benefits, saves money, promotes equality of access and sense of community.
• This year marks a critical moment for Scotland’s libraries – Herald. “.. a shadow looms over many towns and villages in Scotland where the fate of local libraries hangs in the balance. The poignant plea of a child in Aberdeenshire, weeks before Christmas, wishing only for Santa to keep their library open speaks volumes about the urgency of the situation. Recent years have seen a troubling trend of closures and cuts to library services across the country”

“We need a national conversation — and national action — to ensure our libraries not only survive, but thrive. Let’s resolve that in 2025, we won’t be talking about closures and cuts but celebrating a renaissance in library services that reflects their true value to our communities. Anything less would be a failure we cannot afford.”

Alison Nolan, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)

International news

• IFLA Publishes First Ever “Guidelines for Libraries Supporting Displaced Persons: Refugees, Migrants, Immigrants, Asylum Seekers” – Info Docket. “In this time of the largest global refugee crisis since the second world war-refugee numbers have doubled since 2016 based on the Global Refugee Forum 2023, the threat of starvation facing 343 million people in 74 countries in the world, numerous active armed conflicts, poverty, climate crisis – libraries have become more than ever a shelter for the body, mind and soul when people are making difficult decisions, chosen or forced, in order to survive.”
• Finland – Why libraries in Finland are free for everyone to use and how these libraries are served as public good – Economic Times / India Times. An awestruck look at Finnish public libraries.
• Ghana – Big dreams: He’s the founder of a leading African photobook library – NPR / Goats and Soda. “Ghanaian photojournalist Paul Ninson was thrilled — and surprised. When he came to New York to study photography five years ago, he found a trove of images of life in Africa, past and present, in the archives of the city’s libraries, galleries and museums. Here he was thousands of miles from Ghana surrounded by more visual history of Africa than he had ever seen back home. That paradox led to an idea: create a library of photobooks in Ghana to bring the African story home, allowing people to learn about their history and give them the tools to tell new stories of the continent.”
• India – BSK mobile librarians hold hunger strike – New Age. “Mobile librarians of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra and book lovers in Dhaka on Sunday staged hunger strike protesting at the move of the BSK to suspend its mobile libraries in the divisional cities.”
• Ireland – Big increase in people using North Tipp libraries – Offaly Express. ““Our libraries are doing very well,”… “They are now back to pre-Covid numbers. The libraries in Cloughjordan, Borrisokane and Nenagh are all doing extremely well. There are now about 100,000 visitors to Nenagh Library per year.”
  • Libraries close early as mark of respect – Anglo-Celt. “The late Marleen Kennedy worked as branch librarian in Bailieborough and Kingscourt. Libraries across Cavan will close early today (Friday) as a mark of respect to “dear friend and colleague” Marleen Kennedy, a branch librarian in Bailieborough and Kingscourt, who sadly passed away just before Chirstmas.”
• Mongolia – Development of public libraries in Mongolia (1921-1990) – International Journal of Librarianship.
• Turkiye – Türkiye’s cultural breakthroughs: Libraries, arts lead the way – Daily Sabah. “Türkiye’s libraries saw significant growth. The number of library members reached 6.6 million and the total area dedicated to library use expanded to 735,000 square meters. Public libraries across the country grew to 1,301, and the total number of books available in libraries reached 25.8 million. By the end of 2024, public libraries had welcomed over 38 million visitors.”
• Ukraine – UNDP-supported project helps 25,000 people learn digital skills in libraries – UNDP. “More than 25,000 people from 22 regions of Ukraine received training in Digital Education Hub libraries in 2024 and learned digital skills as part of a joint project of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.”
• USA – Editorial: Wanted: A state librarian who’s eager to ban books – Valley News. “It will be interesting to see if Ayotte can find a library nominee willing to kiss the conservatives’ ring at the considerable risk not only of professional self-respect but also of impairing the freedom of New Hampshire residents to inform themselves as they see fit.”
  • 2024 Year in Review – American Libraries. Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington passed laws against book bans. Cyberattacks and ransomware. “The master’s in library and information studies program at University College London (UCL) became the first outside North America to receive ALA accreditation.”
  • Efforts to ban books in Oregon libraries on the rise; library patrons and supporters are pushing back – Yachats News. A countrywide look at the current state of censorship in US public libraries.
  • Libraries unveil the books New Yorkers couldn’t put down in 2024 – NY1. “For the first time, the city’s three library systems — New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library — have combined their data to reveal the year’s most popular titles.”
  • Public libraries: from cradle of democracy to community connections – Economics 2024. “Public libraries’ capacity for reinvention and renewal lies at the heart of their continuing role within society, despite the ongoing challenges of funding constraints and ideological opposition.”
  • The Top 10 Library Stories of 2024 – Publishers Weekly. Trump likely to cut/erase national funding for public libraries, six of the other nine stories are all to do with censorship/book bans.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Aberdeenshire libraries slated for closure cost council just £270k of £700m budget – Aberdeen Live. “According to the local authority’s books, the libraries set to be closed in 2025 cost the council 0.03% of their budget last year, with £190,000 allocated for staff salaries and £88,000 for building maintenance.”
• Birmingham – Library still ‘temporarily’ closed two years later – BBC. “A 130-year-old library which temporarily closed two years ago remains shut with no date given for its reopening. Spring Hill Library, housed in a grade II-listed, red brick Victorian building near Birmingham city centre, is shuttered due to what bosses call “issues with the building”. The city council is considering closing a number of its library buildings as part of efforts to drastically reduce its budget and Spring Hill has been recommended for permanent closure. The consultation is ongoing.”
• Bradford -Eccleshill Library will reopen on Thursday, January 2 – Telegraph and Argus. “Eccleshill Library closed in late October to allow for improvement works funded by Arts Council England. It will reopen on Thursday, January 2.” … “Both the adults and children’s areas have been fully refurbished as has the first-floor meeting room, and there is a new small meeting room on the ground floor. The shelving is now on wheels so can be moved aside to create a large event space on the ground floor.”
• Buckinghamshire – Eight Buckinghamshire libraries set for increase in opening hours – Bucks Free Press. Staffless technology allows “The libraries in Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Buckingham, Chesham, Hazlemere, Marlow, and Princes Risborough will see a 23 per cent increase in opening hours from June”
  • Aylesbury one of eight libraries adopting controversial cost-cutting scheme – Bucks Herald. “when the plans were first announced in 2023, they drew opposition from concerned charity groups, current library staff, and former librarians.”
  • Library job cuts and fee rises planned by council – BBC. “Conservative-controlled Buckinghamshire Council said about 15 full-time equivalent members of staff could be made redundant under a “Library Flex” cost-cutting plan agreed by cabinet members on Thursday. It said the idea could save £555,000 a year by 2026/27, following an initial investment of £500,000.
  • Job losses from library cuts to be minimised – council – Bucks Free Press. “Around 15 full-time equivalent members of staff could be made redundant under a cost-cutting plan the council is calling ‘Library Flex’ agreed by cabinet at a meeting on Thursday.”
• Cambridgeshire – Village library to close for refurbishment work – BBC. Yaxley to close for three months.
• Ceredigion – Library poised for summer move despite opposition – BBC. “Aberaeron library is expected to be in its new home in a county hall building on the edge of the town at Penmorfa by June, according to Ceredigion council. Many of the 900 people who took part in a public consultation opposed the move, but in October it was backed by senior councillors, as part of a £70,000 savings target for the library service. It is one of four full-time libraries in the county, and potential similar proposals were suggested for Lampeter, partly due to budget pressures.”
  • Date revealed for contentious library move – Nation Cymru. “The consultation attracted just under 900 responses, the vast majority against a move from the town hall, with concerns including a loss of footfall for local businesses, increased walking distance making it unusable for those with physical limitations, and users wanting to shop and socialise in the town centre at the same time as visiting the library.” Also, “potential similar proposals being mooted for Lampeter, partly due to ongoing budget pressures.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Designs for revamped Cheshire library to be submitted in new year – Chester Standard. Northwich. “Due to the scale and complexity of the works required, it is not currently possible to identify the full time-scale of the project at this stage, it is currently anticipated that the library will reopen to the public in 2026.””
• Coventry – Coventry library to close for weeks for ‘building improvements’ – Coventry Live. “Foleshill Library will be closed from Monday, January 20, and will reopen on Monday, February 3, due to planned building improvements.”
• Cumberland – Library will be ‘modern space’ after £3m revamp – BBC. “More than £3m is to be spent on the redesign of a city’s library almost 40 years after it first opened. Carlisle Library, which is located within the The Lanes shopping centre, is in need of “essential upgrades”, according to Cumberland Council. As well as structural work such as rewiring, the authority said the facility would be transformed into a “modern space” with a children’s zone, study spaces and adult learning classrooms. It is being funded by the government as part of a £19.7m Carlisle Town Deal programme.”
• Derbyshire – Plans to secure future of libraries to be discussed in new year – Derbyshire Council. “The library service was tasked with delivering £910,000 of savings by 2028-2029, and has already achieved £285,000, leaving a total of £625,000 to be saved through the implementation of the strategy, if it is agreed, over the next 4 years.” see also Final library cuts plan to be discussed by council – BBC. “The fact that we received more than 3,800 responses during the public consultation shows that Derbyshire people feel as passionately about the service as we do”
• Devon – Tiverton Library hosts community Christmas craft fair full of seasonal fun – Devon Live. “Tiverton Library put on a brilliant show, and all the folk of Tiverton have turned out here. Amazing choir and brilliant craft stalls—it’s a brilliant community event”
  • Library book returned after 31.5 years – Dawlish Gazette. “We are very grateful to the anonymous borrower who posted us back our copy of ‘Thomas’s ABC’ this week. “We checked the date label and note that this book was slightly overdue by 31.5 years.””
• East Lothian – Sofia and Ivy win Library Service writing competition – East Lothian Council. “The competition was part of Book Week Scotland, which runs every year in public libraries in November, organised by Scottish Book Trust. The theme for 2024 was Hope. More than 160 entries were received for the competition, which was publicised in all of our public and school libraries and by the East Lothian Courier.”
• Essex – More than 105k books presumed lost from libraries – BBC. “The authority has received £58,845 in fines from readers who failed to bring books back to its libraries this year, a Freedom of Information request revealed. A spokeswoman said it was “great” to see well-used library services, but warned people were “disappointed” when their favourite novels were unavailable.”
  • Redevelopment plans proposed for library – BBC. “Essex County Council has proposed changes for Clacton Library, with community space alongside the traditional library resources being proposed. The redevelopment is part of a wider £20m rejuvenation in the town centre. Lee Scott, Conservative cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration at the council, said: “We are excited to see the plans for the library progress alongside other regeneration work we are supporting in the area.””
• Gloucestershire – Lending library aims to help people reduce waste – BBC. “Stroud Library of Things (SLOTH), in Gloucestershire, will offer a variety of tools, DIY supplies, decorations and electronic goods for people to borrow for a fixed time at a low cost.”
• Guernsey – Postal workers rescue library home deliveries – BBC. “Guernsey Post said it had formed a partnership with the Guille-Alles Library in St Peter Port to continue the service established in 2018 to deliver books, audiobooks and other materials for free to people’s homes.”
• Haringey – Haringey Council compromises on library opening hours cuts – Tottenham Independent. Council opts for retaining one evening of opening for Wood Green, Marcus Garvey, Hornsey; Hornsey and Marcus Garvey libraries to remain opening on Sundays; cuts continue in other libraries.
• Hertfordshire – County’s most loaned library book of 2024 revealed – BBC. “Spare ranked above Rory Stewart and Adam Kay to top the biography category, according to information from the county council.”
  • Hertfordshire libraries say goodbye to newspapers – Hitchin Nub. “the only way to access the publications at the county’s network of libraries is on a computer screen.”
  • ‘Always welcoming’: New Abbots Langley Library support group set up to help ‘hub of our village’ – My Local News. “the new support group was established, which according to Abbots Langley resident and former Mayor of Watford John Horsfield, has “the simple aim of supporting the library in any way we can”.”
• Highland – Highland Libraries: A lifeline for communities and a treasure trove of history – Press and Journal. “In Moray, locals were stunned by a proposal last month to close seven libraries in the region. Meanwhile, in the Highlands, there are no plans to shut down any public libraries, which collectively attract nearly 2 million visitors annually. The Press and Journal met head of Highland Libraries, Julie Corcoran, who spoke about the “vital” service these facilities provide, in particular for vulnerable people.”
  • HLH Libraries partner with Samaritans for National Suicide Prevention Week – West Coast Today. Registration wall.
  • ‘Library cuts will have a disproportionate effect on students and job seekers’ – Ross-shire Journal. “Libraries are indispensable assets that serve as gateways to knowledge and lifelong learning. They provide free access to information, technology, and a space for community activities. Reducing financial support for these services will disproportionately affect those who rely on them the most, including students, job seekers, and vulnerable populations.”
  • Media and Caithness councillors praised by Thurso resident for fixing a ‘farcical situation’ – John O’Groat Journal. “The issue of the lack of printing facilities at Caithness libraries is now being resolved after a recent article highlighted the problem. A Thurso resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted local councillors and the Caithness Courier to look into the “farcical situation” of broken printers which he says is not the fault of the staff at Wick and Thurso libraries.”
• Kirklees – Kirklees Libraries awarded prestigious ‘Library of Sanctuary’ status – Yorkshire Live. “The service was the first to receive the award in Yorkshire back in 2021, and has now been re-awarded the status for another three years. This award is issued by City of Sanctuary UK alongside other major refugee organisations. Library of Sanctuary status recognises the work done by library services to provide welcome and safe spaces for people fleeing conflict, climate change and persecution.”
• Leeds – Tiny bible features in Christmas book display – BBC. “The miniature book, which is not much bigger than a £2 coin and can fit in the palm of a hand, features in a collection of festive classics on view to visitors at Leeds Central Library.”
• Lincolnshire – Gotham library will reopen after fire – but mobile service will remain – Nottinghamshire Live. “A village library will not reopen following a fire last year. In February 2023, a blaze broke out in the Memorial Hall in Gotham, which housed a library, doctor’s surgery and dispensary in addition to the community hall. From March 27, 2023, the village has been serviced by a mobile library which regularly visits the Memorial Hall car park, with the next visit scheduled for January 13, 2025. Almost two years after the incident, a number of repairs and improvements have been carried out at the building which allowed the dispensary and doctor;s surgery to reopen in the building earlier this month. The hall itself is expected to open again for community use in February 2025. However, it has been confirmed by Nottinghamshire County Council that the library will not be reopening at the site.”
• Liverpool – ‘Spellow Library changed my life’ – BBC. “Manicurist Alex McCormick said she was sitting at home alone when she decided to start an online fundraiser to repair the damage done by vandals. “After seeing the library destroyed, my initial plan was to raise £500,” she said. “I didn’t think beyond that.” She had no idea that four months later, she would be the guest of honour at the Spellow reopening ceremony, having raised £250,000.”
• Milton Keynes – New lease of life for Milton Keynes Central Library – Milton Keynes Labour Party. “Milton Keynes City Council is set to approve plans for critical repairs and significant upgrades to the city’s Central Library, in a decision taking place next week. The £3.6M project will address essential infrastructure issues which include making the building watertight and operational for the long term.”
• Moray – Moray Council meeting halted as leader apologises in tears for library closure chaos – National. Paywall. “A MorayCouncil meeting was suspended after its leader broke down in tears due to the confusion surrounding the closure of Moray libraries last week.”
• Newham – Former Grade II-listed library to be renamed – BBC. “Newham residents are being asked by the council to help name a former Grade II-listed library. Canning Town Old Library on Barking Road is being refurbished and is set to reopen as a heritage centre with a café in 2026.”
• Norfolk – Cast of Norwich panto hosting free event at city library – Norwich Evening News. “The cast of Aladdin is set to delight audiences with dramatic readings of Christmas stories at Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library.”
  • How can libraries become safe, supportive spaces for teenagers? – Reading Agency. Putting in bean bags, adding Reading Well leaflets by books, “Friendship bracelet workshops, inspired by Taylor Swift, attracted teens into the library”, school visits” but “The libraries recognise they are addressing a critical gap. Valentina and Emily both acknowledge that young people are a missing demographic in their libraries, and they’re an age group that libraries across the country are struggling to engage.”.
  • Former Norfolk libraries chief named in New Year Honours list – East Anglian Daily Times. “Jill Terrell, from Stowmarket, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) is among the recipients in this New Year’s honours for her contributions to library services in Suffolk and the East of England. Her role has seen her collaborate on a number of projects, including chair the Libraries Connected East branch.” 
  • Council leader warns future of Norfolk libraries in peril – Diss Mercury. “With £45m of cuts and savings needed to balance the books next year, Kay Mason Billig, Conservative leader at County Hall, said she was not able to promise libraries would be spared. Her comments came after Liberal Democrat county councillor Saul Penfold asked for reassurances about the future of libraries, and other services the council does not have a legal duty to provide, at a recent council meeting. “
• North Somerset – Somerset library twins with Ukrainian counterpart with festive celebrations – Somerset Leveller. “The twinning of The Campus library in North Somerset and the Central Children’s Library of Kharkiv is wonderful news, and the two libraries are already building a fantastic friendship. “This twinning provides an invaluable opportunity for us to develop joint initiatives, connect audiences and celebrate UK and Ukrainian literature and culture.”
• Oxfordshire – Library to relocate for refurbishment works – BBC. Henley Library. “The council said there would be moveable shelving enabling the space to be used for multiple purposes, as well as a bespoke children’s area once the work was completed.” … “The refurbishment project is fully funded through a combination of Central Government Decarbonisation Funds and developer funding provided by South Oxfordshire District Council.”
• Perthshire – Hundreds sign petition to save Auchterarder Library from closure – Daily Record. “Hundreds have signed a petition to save Auchterarder Library from closure. Earlier this month residents from under-threat Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie and Scone came together to launch the Save our Rural Libraries campaign. Now an online petition on change.org to prevent Auchterarder’s “irreplaceable community hub” from being lost amassed over 600 signatures in less than a week.”
• Powys – Library to stay closed until the new year – Powys Council. “It had been due to open in its new temporary home, in the canalside cottages next to Y Lanfa, after a week’s break, but the planned set up has not been completed in time.”
• Sheffield – How many people banned from Sheffield’s leisure centres and libraries revealed – The Star. “In libraries, there are six people who are banned for anti-social behaviour, less than five for racially abusing a security steward in the Central Library and less than five for viewing porn sites on the library’s computers.”
• Slough – Cippenham and Langley libraries ‘not fit for purpose’ as council considers closures – Maidenhead Advertiser. “Papers for the cabinet meeting suggested a mobile library could be an alternative option to a library building. Councillor Wal Chahal (Con, Langley Marish) slammed a ‘shambolic’ consultation in 2021 – which prompted library cuts. Cippenham Library is open regularly just three days a week and Langley is open four days a week, after a review undertaken by the council’s Labour administration in 2021. Cllr Chahal said the consultation had caused libraries to ‘die on the vine’ and added, ‘what we have currently is not fit for purpose.’”
• Somerset – Council services move to library during upgrade – BBC. “Residents who need to speak to Somerset Council in person will be able to do so at Williton Library from Thursday. The council said its library, customer service point and children’s centre will move back to West Somerset House after the upgrade in March.”
  • Milverton urinals boxed in for toilets to be used for 12-month informal library trial – Wellington Weekly News. Villages “… men’s public toilets are to double up as a mini public library with the urinals boxed off to allow people to access its books.”
• Southampton – City’s libraries use e-bike book delivery service – BBC. “A city’s library service is encouraging people to sign up to its home delivery service that uses eco-friendly transport. The free Southampton scheme enables people who are unable to leave their homes to have books brought to their doors using e-bikes. The service is funded by Solent Future Transport Zone as part of a range of sustainable transport trials across the Solent area.”
• South Gloucestershire – Library cards given to Year 6 children in South Gloucestershire – South Gloucestershire Council. “South Gloucestershire Libraries are giving every child in Year 6 their own library card to encourage children to read for pleasure and build a love of reading into their lives. Having a library card and reading has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s learning and life chances, supporting them to thrive. In the summer term, library cards were given to more than 3,000 children in Reception class. An additional 3,500 library cards will be given to young people in Year 6 this term to ensure the momentum and interest in reading is carried into the secondary phase.”
• St Helens – St Helens Arts in Libraries Project to be extended – St Helens Star. “The council’s cabinet has approved plans to extend the project for an additional year beyond the current end date of 2025/26. This extension could bring in a further £236,000 in funding, allowing the council to continue providing quality art projects across the borough.”
  • Four places we have to say goodbye to in 2024 – St Helens Star. Rainhill,  Garswood, Rainford and Parr libraries : “The decision to axe four libraries and also not to reopen Peter Street and Billinge libraries, which have already been closed for some time due to the expiry of a building lease and structural issues respectively, was strongly opposed by many in the communities affected, who expressed anger and sadness at what they branded a “disastrous decision”.  St Helens Council claims the new strategy will focus “on providing resources in areas of greatest need””
• Staffordshire – Most borrowed Staffordshire library books of 2024 revealed – Lichfield Live. “Crime and thriller titles continue to be a hit, with Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series taking the first four places. The Jack Reacher series also remain popular titles, with The Secret and No Plan B taking two of the top ten places.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries offering free Warm Welcome boxes – East Anglian Daily Times. Seven libraries take part as “The initiative, funded by almost £11,000 from East Suffolk Council, is part of Suffolk Libraries’ winter campaign.” … “The boxes contain useful items, including LED light bulbs, a blanket, a hot water bottle, a vacuum flask, hot chocolate, and cup-a-soups.”
  • Christmas appeal sees thousands of toys donated – BBC. “More than 3,800 toys have been donated to a children’s Christmas toy appeal. Suffolk Libraries and BBC Radio Suffolk celebrated the success of the second year of the Be Kind to a Kid Christmas appeal.”
  • Leiston Library to host new free singing workshops – East Anglian Daily Times. “The ‘Tonic: Singing for Health’ sessions, organised by Suffolk Libraries in collaboration with Cohere Arts, are aimed at adults facing health challenges.”
  • Physical newspapers in libraries – Suffolk Libraries. “From January 2025, Suffolk Libraries will no longer be buying physical newspapers for libraries.  Increasing financial pressures, coupled with the rising cost of newspapers means that providing daily and weekly newspapers in all our 45 libraries has become unsustainable. This is also coupled with the fact that the way people access news and information has changed in recent years and far fewer people are solely reliant on physical newspapers.  “
  • Romanian community plan education festival – BBC. “The first Romanian film festival, external for Suffolk was held in partnership with Ipswich County Library in September.”
  • Ukrainian refugee finds sanctuary at Suffolk library – East Anglian Daily Times. “”I felt very anxious but I met amazingly kind, friendly and sympathetic people. I am very grateful to my hosts as they advised me to visit a local library where I became a welcome guest.””
• Sutton – A bright future for Sutton as we go into 2025 – Sutton Council. “Nearly half a million books have been borrowed from our local libraries and almost 3,000 children took part in our summer reading club.”
• Wakefield – Reduced hours for libraries and museums considered – BBC. “Reducing the opening hours of libraries and museums is being considered by a council to cut costs. Wakefield Council said the change would mean venues opening slightly later or earlier to try and minimise the impact on visitors. Hannah Appleyard, the council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport said the authority needed to “make some changes to help us deliver a balanced budget”. Two surveys asking residents how they use the facilities will run until 14 March, before a final decision is made by councillors.”
• West Dunbartonshire – West Dunbartonshire Libraries awarded improvement grant – Clydebank Post. “This fund, managed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), supports initiatives designed to inspire engagement in areas including digital upskilling, sustainability, and inclusivity. The West Dunbartonshire Libraries Empower Connections project aims to engage with new audiences and tackle child poverty and digital exclusion in the area.”
• West Sussex – West Sussex Libraries celebrate 100 years in 2025 – Sussex World. Council is “proud to say that it still boasts 36 libraries thanks to innovative thinking and thanks to embracing the new technologies. It means the service is in good heart to celebrate – and indeed blow its own trumpet – for a very special year ahead.”
• Wirral – ‘We took over our library when the council shut it’ – BBC. “Wallasey Village library was opened in 1938, but closed in 2022 alongside eight other branches on the peninsula because the local authority could no longer afford to run them. The community group decided to take it over instead and now the building has fully reopened, with a café, a community room, bookshop and a lending library. Trustee, Ray Lyons said the library project probably would not have been viable without the café.”
  • Community ‘in the dark’ over future of historic popular library – Liverpool Echo. “A community group linked to one of Wirral’s most popular libraries said they are still in the dark about what Wirral Council plans to do with it. Wallasey Central Library on Earlston Road first opened in 1910 after a £9,000 grant from iron and steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. In February 2024, the council decided in its budget this year to consider relocating the Wallasey Central library out of its current hub on Earlston Road as part of plans from April 2025 onwards. This could save £250,000 alongside plans to relocate Birkenhead Central Library.”
• Wolverhampton – Memories gathered to mark estate’s centenary – BBC. “The city council said the exhibition was part of the wider Know Your Neighbourhood Project and was planned for Low Hill Library next year.”
• Wrexham – Consultation on Wrexham libraries and community resource centres – Leader. “Like most other councils, Wrexham is under huge financial pressure and it’s getting harder to make ends meet. We have to do more with less following more than a decade of reduced funding, increased costs, inflation, interest rate rises, and more residents needing our support. So we’re having to rethink the way we do things and we’ve launched a new consultation. We urge you to have your say and complete the questionnaire or collect a paper copy from your local library. Thank you for your continued support! https://orlo.uk/34VQP“
• York – Our amazing year: ‘We had more footfall than Railway Museum and York Minster’ – York Press. “As  2024 draws to a close, we’re celebrating a decade of Explore Libraries, Archives, and Reading Cafés – ten years of transforming York’s public spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity, community connection, reading and learning.”
  • Library Services public engagement survey – York Council. “We’re calling residents, workers, and students in York to participate in an early engagement exercise to help shape the future of the city’s library services. This exercise launches on Friday 6 December 2024 and will remain open for 9 weeks.”

Editorial

It may seem to be a strange time to talk about the Summer but, as a small but select bunch of library staff know, the brochure for Reading Agency Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) materials arrived last week. It’s a big moment. One gets to look through to see the theme (embargoed so no news of that here) and what’s on offer.

The SRC is by far the biggest promotion for most library services offer and is the only real national library promotion that the average man on the street – if they’ve been a parent or a child in the last 25 years – will know about. Medals and certificates are handed out in their hundreds of thousands and the Challenge is the key thing in libraries during August, which is the busiest month in the library year.

But it’s not all wonderfulness. The last few years has seen first one then several then a significant number of library services cease purchasing the Reading Agency material. This, due to never-ceasing demands on the budget, is often due to the cost but also due to the materials themselves. The SRC, you see, has remained largely the same since it started 25 years ago. One still has a pack that one has puts stickers in after reading books/visiting the library and one still receives a certificate and medal for “completing” after, normally, reading six books. This was revolutionary back in the heady days of 1999 but not so much now. Some librarians get bored with doing the same thing year after year, even if the kids (who, after all, change every few years) don’t. And it’s increasingly obvious that the SRC is losing its appeal for older primary school children, who have so many more options available to them than they did in the pre-digital turn of the century.

The challenge for the Reading Agency is how to respond to this. They’re not a huge organisation and they don’t have much of a budget. And it’s hard to see what would appeal to older primary school children, at least in the price range feasible for local library services. To their credit, though, they are noticeably being more involved in getting feedback from libraries – who are, basically, their customers – and have responded to some of the suggestion in the materials for 2025.

But is it too little and too late? Is there anything actually else that they could do? It’s certainly easier to criticise from the outside than to actually create the resources and some of the materials I see from library services producing their own SRC are decidedly below par. although others are good. So I hope that this is the start of a turnaround for the SRC. Because it’s still the best public promotional campaign libraries have.

I just wish it was a more exciting theme.

Please send any comments, views, remarks, news or chocolate assortments to ianlibrarian at co dot uk. Thank you.

Changes by local authority

• Bedford – Library of Things to open in Bedford Central Library
• Derby – Volunteer libraries to be managed by Sporting Communities non-profit.
• East Lothian – Opening hours cut in several libraries
• Kirklees – Dewsbury Library to move to near town hall, despite public opposition.
• Slough – Cippenham and Langley may close (2 out of 4 libraries in service)

National news

• Basic library cleaning – Library Data Blog. “Download the basic libraries dataset – enhanced “
• Big Tasty Read: Book Recommendations – Reading Agency. “Big Tasty Read: Feast on a great read! The Reading Agency and BBC Arts are looking for suggestions of adult books with food as a key theme for a new campaign, The Big Tasty Read in 2025. Find out more and submit your suggestions by 11 December. Librarians can also support the selection of the books by volunteering to read and review the submitted titles. Apply by 11 December. “
• Creating Safer Libraries – Guidance Note – Libraries Connected. “Creating Safer Libraries, originally published in October 2023, offers clear, concise guidance on preventing, managing, and responding to disruptive and anti-social behaviour in public libraries. The 2024 updates include information about external communications and social media as well as additional links to guidance and useful organisations.”
• Engagement with UK public libraries is on the rise – SW Londoner. “The DCMS’ Annual Participation Survey showed a 6% rise in physical visits to public and mobile libraries, increasing from 19% in 2022-2023 to 25% in 2023-2024.”
• Librarians in plea over ‘never before seen cuts’ – BBC. “The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS) has written to Finance Secretary Shona Robison warning of cuts at a level “never seen before”. A number of cash-strapped local authorities have proposed permanent closures, staff cuts and reduction in opening hours. Libraries earmarked for closure include 13 in Aberdeenshire, seven in Moray and five in Perth and Kinross. Councils say fewer people are using libraries and they are accessing books and information in new ways. However, six facilities were saved in North Lanarkshire in October, after the council reversed an earlier decision to close them.”
• Library guide to Bluesky – Ned Potter. “Bluesky has reached a critical mass, with enough users leaving Twitter and joining the platform for it be considered a legitimate X-replacement. This shift makes it worth considering setting up an account for your institution.”
• Scotland’s Libraries at Risk – CILIPS. “CILIPS have written to the Scottish Government to ask for urgent financial support for our public and school libraries following a series of severe cuts proposed by local authorities. These proposals include the closure of over 60% of branches in some areas. In addition to this, our school libraries have seen continued loss of staffing and resources as well as significant deprofessionalisation. We believe this is unsustainable.”
• A warm welcome in South London’s libraries and leisure centres this winter – London Daily News. Lists Warm Libraries offers in Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham, Merton and Wandsworth.

International news

• Global – Weird and Wonderful Libraries Around the World – Mind Food. New book ” ‘Hidden Libraries’ by Lonely Planet takes you on a completely new journey to discover 50 of the most unique and unusual libraries across the globe.”. Looks at Future Library (Norway), Lonely Library (China) and Beach Library (Bulgaria)
• Australia – Free gifts for kids with First 5 Forever – Bundaberg Now. “Running from December 2024 to March 2025, children aged five and under can collect a different gift each month from libraries across the region. Gifts will be available from the library counter on the first business day of each month and while stocks last.”
• Norway – Inclusive Public Libraries: How to Adequately Identify Accessibility Barriers? – Universal Design. “there is a need for library specific guidelines addressing the organization and presentation of the collection, signage, and to understand what users need to be self sufficient in the library when it is open outside opening hours and no staff is present.”
• USA – Can libraries help solve our connection crisis? – Reimagining the Civic Commons. ” the role of the library as a connector across differences is more important today than ever, particularly now that we walk around with a “library in our pocket” (our cellphones) and spend more and more time interacting digitally.”
  • The 2025 Guide to LinkedIn for Libraries: Latest Tips To Get More Organic Reach – Super Library Marketing. “40 percent of libraries say they post to the platform, a jump of 20 percentage points in a year.”
  • Libraries & Well-Being: A Case Study from The New York Public Library – New York Public Library. ” new report as part of an ongoing collaboration to study and advocate for the role of public libraries in the communities they serve.”
  • LibParlor Online Learning is live(!) & takeaways from launching a big project – ACRLog. “LPOL is a free, openly-available “living” curriculum for library workers who want to develop their research skills.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Views on future of Aberdeenshire libraries sought – BBC. “The council expressed “regret” last month over how it announced the planned closures of 13 library buildings, after a community backlash about a lack of consultation.” … “”Our aim through these discussions is to provide reassurance that our intention is to continue to provide an element of face-to-face contact with our communities in the future, albeit this might be in a different location or delivered in a different way.””
• Barnsley – Libraries and care leavers go from strength to strength in our latest performance report – Barnsley Council. “Barnsley’s libraries continue to attract visitors, with 13% more visits than the same time last year. Alongside our regular craft activities, the Summer Reading Challenge attracted 1,271 children to participate at their local library. ”
  • Barnsley Libraries shortlisted for a national award for pioneering oral history project – Barnsley Council. “Barnsley Libraries’ ‘Telling Stories’ project has been shortlisted for a prestigious ‘Fantastic for Families Best Age-Friendly’ Outreach Award.”
• Bedford – Borrow tools, games, cake tins and more: Library of Things coming to Bedford – Bedford Council. ” a new partnership with Share Bedford to bring a Library of Things to Bedford Central Library. This innovative service will launch in January 2025, offering residents the opportunity to borrow a wide range of items, from tools and gadgets to party supplies and outdoor equipment.”
• Cardiff – Strong performance from Capital’s library services in annual assessment – Cardiff Council. “The annual assessment found that Cardiff is in the top quartile of Welsh library authorities for attendance at events per capita and the total number of attendees has risen by 80% compared to 2022-23. The service is also in the top quartile for both adult and children’s issues, with adult book issues increasing by 16% and children’s issues by 5% compared to 2022-23.”
• Derby – 10 ‘crucial’ Derby libraries saved as organisation chosen to run them – Derby Telegraph. “Sporting Communities will create a trust to operate the library service and the organisation has already agreed leases with the city council, which will provide a financial support package to operate the community libraries.”
• Devon – Woman sexually assaulted outside Devon library – Devon Live. Teignmouth.
• East Lothian – Longniddry residents protest cuts to library hours – East Lothian Courier. “Saturday, with ward councillor Lachlan Bruce also showing his support. The concerned residents are campaigning to have recent changes to opening times – which saw Longniddry Library reduced to just one weekday and alternate Saturdays – reversed.”
• Gloucestershire – New scheme to start at Fairford and Tetbury libraries – Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard. Staffless opening hours.
• Hammersmith and Fulham – Happiness Hour a hit at Shepherds Bush Library – Hammersmith and Fulham Council. “These new interactive sessions use smart projectors to run dozens of games and activities.” … “the weekly sessions use smart projectors to offer a variety of activities with a range of benefits for both the young and old. This includes people with dementia, people with learning disabilities and more.”
• Haringey – Haringey libraries set to remain open with reduced hours – Haringey Council. “there are now proposals in place for a reduction in opening hours, with three out of the nine libraries in Haringey closing two days a week more than their current service model as part of a £675k cost-saving exercise.”
• Kirklees – Town’s library to be moved to new site – BBC. “Dewsbury Library would be shifted from its current site on Railway Street to the Walsh Building, next to Dewsbury Town Hall, where it would be set up alongside the town’s customer service centre, Kirklees Council said.” … “However, about 66% of the 301 people who responded to a council consultation said it was either “important” or “very important” that the library remained in its current location.”
• Merthyr Tydfil – Update issued on future of public libraries in Welsh county – Wales Online. “A report which went before full council summarised the assessment for Merthyr Tydfil’s library services in 2023/2024 which had been run by a leisure trust, but that has since been dissolved.” … “Merthyr’s library service meets 10 of the 13 core entitlements in full, two in part and does not meet one entitlement. Of the seven quality indicators with targets, Merthyr is achieving four in full, one in part and two were not achieved.” … “The entitlement that was not met was: “Libraries in Wales will ensure friendly, knowledgeable and qualified staff are on hand to help.” The report said that Merthyr Libraries had previously met this entitlement, but through financial constraints existing staff retired or left the service and were not replaced.”
• Moray – Moray Council attracts library closure protest – Grampian Online. Registration-wall.
  • Meet the Moray campaigners fighting for the future of their libraries – Press and Journal. “Leaders of the campaign to save seven libraries argue that these vital facilities have become an “easy target” for cuts.”
• North East Lincolnshire -Library could merge with leisure centre – council – BBC. “The draft proposals, to be consulted on next year, are part of a review of North East Lincolnshire Council’s libraries and public archive services. Plans also include a skills hub alongside the existing library service in Grimsby.”
• North Northamptonshire – Confusion over the future of town’s library – BBC. “In a post on Facebook, which has since been deleted, Raunds Library said it faced closure due to “financial pressures” on Creating Tomorrow Trust (CTT), its lead funding partner. A statement issued by North Northamptonshire Council insisted it was “business as usual for the library”, but CTT said it remained in discussion with the authority after a review of its arrangement to run the site.”
• North Somerset – Libraries at risk as North Somerset council tries to save £53m – North Somerset Times. “It is understood the proposed savings target for libraries is £217k in the financial year 2026/27, and £217k in the financial year 2027/28 and no savings are proposed to be delivered in the next financial year.” … “We’re currently looking at a range of options, including different delivery models, investing in outreach and reducing the number of library sites”
• North Yorkshire – Free slippers on offer at Pickering Library to prevent falls – Gazette and Herald. “North Yorkshire Council is working with North Yorkshire Sport to host slipper socials where people can collect a free pair of anti-slip slippers whilst chatting to other organisations that support older people.”
  • Newby & Scalby Library Volunteers Recognised in Parliament – This is the Coast. “Newby and Scalby Library and Information Centre’s volunteers have been praised in the House of Commons for their “enormous work” in promoting children’s literacy.” … “The library, located on Scalby Road in Scarborough, is run by 7 trustees and approximately 60 volunteers.”
• Nottingham – ‘No guarantees’ that four at-risk Nottingham libraries will be saved from closure – Nottinghamshire Live. “A consultation signed by an “unprecedented” number of people, more than 5,000, saw several charities, organisations and other voluntary groups come forward to express an interest in continuing to run the four threatened libraries in partnership with the council.” but councillor has “now said that discussions with the organisations interested in taking on libraries may not amount to anything”
  • City library opening delayed until summer 2025 – BBC. “a spokesman for the authority told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the library service was now “working towards an opening date of summer 2025″.” … “Campaigner Des Conway branded the handling of the Sherwood Library project as the “nightmare on Spondon Street”.
• He added: “It means we’ve not had a library for four years and that’s totally unacceptable.””
  • Sherwood Library opening pushed back as Labour councillor claims people ‘deceived’ – Nottinghamshire Live. “the identification of over 100 snagging issues has caused repeated delays.” but councillor says “the library closure in Sherwood has been used as a saving already without a consultation process.”
• Nottinghamshire – New tier plan for organising Gedling borough library services approved – Gedling Eye. “A new plan for how to run libraries in Gedling borough has been approved – despite concern some will only be open for 12 hours a week.”
• Oldham – More than 23,000 people sought refuge at warm banks in Oldham last year – Manchester Evening News. ” Oldham libraries gave out 23,753 free hot drinks to people who needed them” … “The offer is available at all Oldham libraries, though the Central Library isn’t able to provide free hot drinks.”
  • Oldham – Children and Families Design our new Sustainable Library Card – Oldham Council. “Oldham Libraries are very pleased to be moving to 100% recycled and biodegradable library membership cards across all its 12 libraries.” … “Having tasked, an independent panel of creatives and environmental specialists, with judging over 200 hundred children’s and adult entries Oldham Libraries are now proud to announce the three winning designs”
• Oxfordshire – Goring Library reopens after six-week refurbishment – Oxford Mail. “The library, which reopened on November 16, has been given a complete redecoration, as well as some new additions, including moveable shelving to allow larger events to be held and charging ports. Surplus shelving and a counter from another library have also been repurposed to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the project.”
• Perth and Kinross – Perthshire library campaigners demand halt to ‘sham’ closures ahead of crunch budget talks – Courier. “The Save Our Rural Libraries campaign says it has written to councillors to express support for the proposed tax hike. But it says some of the additional funding should be ring-fenced to secure libraries for the future.”
• Powys – Library to close ahead of move to museum building – Powys Council. “Llandrindod Library is to close its doors for a month as it prepares to move a short distance and into the same building as Radnorshire Museum”
• Renfrewshire – Blockbuster first year for Paisley’s new central library – Renfrewshire News. “Television star Sean Batty and The Gruffalo both booked in to help celebrate a blockbuster first year for Paisley’s showpiece new central library. More than 115,000 visits have been made to the award-winning High Street venue, with almost 46,000 books borrowed, since it opened on November 30th last year. Almost 300 events have also taken place there, ranging from children’s storytelling sessions and talks by authors to technology tutorials to open new opportunities.”
• Salford – Pages of identity launches at Eccles library with a collection of Arabic literature – Salford Now. “Salford Community Libraries has collaborated with the Yemeni community association with the release of new book ‘Pages of identity’. Pages of identity is a new book collection across both Eccles and Pendleton library focusing on the Arabic language”
• Sandwell – Sandwell Police help board games group fighting loneliness – West Midlands Police. Games Drop-in group. “When officers heard the group – set up by Sandwell Libraries volunteers – needed new games, they asked their colleagues in Sandwell Police to help.”
• Shropshire – Need something special to wear this festive season? Oswestry library users can now borrow special evening wear thanks to new initiative – Shropshire Council. “, the project in collaboration with Shropshire Council’s Oswestry Library service launched on 25 November and will run for one month. During this time, attendees are invited to donate items to the shared wardrobe, browse a 200-item loanable festive collection, and provide feedback and pledge their support. “
• Slough – Slough Borough Council could close Cippenham and Langley libraries – Slough Observer. “In an announcement on Friday, December 6, Slough Borough Council said it is considering closing Cippenham and Langley libraries. If plans go ahead it means the number of libraries in Slough will be cut in half, with just Britwell library and The Curve left open.” … “A statement from Slough Borough Council said it considers that keeping four libraries open is ‘not affordable’ and making no changes would be ‘a risk to the council’s financial stability’.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries announces new Chair and Vice Chair – Suffolk Libraries. Chair is a long-standing library volunteer/supporter, deputy is a “sales and marketing professional by background who has worked exclusively in the private sector.”
• Wokingham – Former library to be used for new SEND hub – BBC. “The former Wokingham library in Denmark Street shut in September 2022 after the service moved to Carnival Place.”
• York – Residents invited to shape the future of library services – City of York Council. “The Council is calling on York residents, students and workers, other users and non-users, to participate in an early engagement exercise to help shape the future of the city’s library services. This exercise launches on 6 December 2024 and will remain open for nine weeks, closing on 7 February 2025.”

Editorial

Some interesting stuff from the communication departments of various councils this week:

• Aberdeenshire announced library closures as a fait accompli with no apparent consultation with local politicians.
• Ealing have announced that “building on the success” of their previous volunteer libraries staying open, the best things is for six more to be volunteer-staffed.
• East Lothian announce “temporary” opening hour cuts over the Winter.
• Nottinghamshire confused the public with how they described cuts to their service.
• Sheffield celebrated a decade of volunteer libraries.
• Stoke on Trent announced increases to opening hours and services (after cutting them earlier this year) but only if volunteers can do it.

The danger with putting the most shiny interpretation on things is that it may mislead the public or be seen as patronising. It also shows, presumably unintentionally, how little value is attached to paid library workers. The frequency such press releases result in angry responses and, in some cases, the need for apologies, is notable.

What could be done instead is researching what to do fully then giving the news in a clear factual way, with evidence and no bias.

Um, hang on. That’s exactly the sort of thing a librarian would do …

Changes by local authority

• East Lothian – “Temporary” opening hours cut.
• Norfolk – Diss Library temporarily moved due to need for green energy building work
• Slough – Proposed £60k cut.
• Stoke on Trent – Appeal for volunteers to increase opening hours and services

National news

• Aberdeenshire and Moray library cuts plan ‘another nail in coffin’ for communities – Press and Journal. “Authors, including Shetland writer Ann Cleeves and Bookseller of Inverness author Shona MacLean, told the Press and Journal why they love libraries and why they are so vital”. Aberdeenshire local councils “kept completely in the dark about the cost-cutting measures which could see 13 facilities close within weeks ” … “In Cruden Bay, more than 200 people have already signed a petition calling for a rethink” … “for best-selling author Neil Lancaster, libraries are not only about books, but are community lighthouses, enhancing the towns and villages where they are based.”

 “Without libraries, I wouldn’t be a writer. There would be no Vera or Shetland on our screens, selling all over the world and bringing money and tourists into our country. More importantly, I probably wouldn’t be a reader.”

Ann Cleeves

• Anti-racism campaigner’s London book events cancelled amid threat of far-right violence – Guardian. Even the London Film Festival is intimidated by far right-wing bullies.
• Browns Books – Introduction – Community Libraries Network. For volunteer libraries. “The goal of this session is to show how Browns can support your Community Library in sourcing the best content at competitive prices.”

“Great hour on @BBCRadioScot this morning about the value of libraries. So many members of the public and campaigners articulated it brilliantly, and CILIPS were happy to contribute too. Go back to the start of this and enjoy an hour of library support”

Sean McNamara, Twitter.

• How the Reading Landscape is Changing – Reading Agency. “By embracing digital development, and evolving reading habits, we can unlock new creative possibilities and inspire more people to read, write, and engage with stories and information. We’re in exciting times as the future of reading unfolds before us. Ask a child if they enjoy reading for pleasure and they may say no. Ask them if they enjoy gaming and they are likely to say yes. Bridging the two can offer new possibilities.”
• Inclusive Public Libraries: How to Adequately Identify Accessibility Barriers? – Studies in Health Technology and Informatics. “there is a need for library specific guidelines addressing the organization and presentation of the collection, signage, and to understand what users need to be self sufficient in the library when it is open outside opening hours and no staff is present.”
• I would have been stranded on my walk without Scotland’s libraries – their closure is devastating – Scotsman. Lists several occasions when she has worked in a library and seen how valuable they are – with children, bullying, loneliness, community. “I could go on with stories like this that show how libraries in towns and villages around Scotland don’t just provide books. They are a lifeline for communities.”
• Only posh people will be writing books if you close down libraries, warns romance novelist Colgan – Daily Mail. Jenny Colgan “pointed out some of the country’s leading writers, including herself alongside Val McDermid and Sir Ian Rankin had been ‘library kids’ growing up.” … ” ‘I would say “no libraries, no authors”, because that’s where it starts.”
• Reading `picnics’ and campfire projects win library funding – Scottish Government. “As Book Week Scotland opens, it has been announced that 17 projects will benefit from the 2024-25 funding round through the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF). Among these, the S’More Reading For Mental Health initiative which operates at Fraserburgh, Inverurie and Mintlaw Academies in Aberdeenshire will benefit. It uses campfire-themed kits with tents, replica campfires, and nature toys to create a calming atmosphere for storytelling sessions and has been awarded £12,260. The Craigie Book Blether at Edinburgh’s Craigentinny Primary gets £3,200 to help foster a reading community …”
• World Book Night – World Book Night. Bids accepted for free Quick Reads books.

International news

• Canada / USA – Urban Libraries Council Survey Shows Positive Trends, Challenges for Libraries – Publishers Weekly. “The survey captured a range of trends in patron engagement from 115 ULC member libraries, “representing nearly 2,300 locations and serving over 87.5 million people” for 2023.” … 24% average increase in visits in 2023, 11% increase in the average number of digital resources accessed, a slight increase (3%) in FTE staffing levels in 2023. But in-person visits still a third down on pre-Covid, two-thirds down in computer usage.
• Denmark/Norway – The public library “for all”? A typology of the ranging notions of “for all” in public libraries in Norway and Denmark – Journal of Documentation. “The analysis shows that although for all is used as an argument by both advocates and opponents of the principle of neutrality, there are different notions of who constitutes for all. In total, five ranging notions of for all are identified …”
• Europe – If Librarians Ran Europe – Europe Challenge. “The Webinar Series showcases the work of libraries and communities participating in The Europe Challenge, offering a dynamic online Marketplace of library initiatives, ideas, and inspiration.”
• Japan – Japan libraries to trial book sales amid decline in bookstores – Kyodo News. “Some public libraries in Japan will trial sales of new books from fiscal 2025 to fill the void caused by a nationwide decline in the number of physical bookstores, industry officials said. The program is aimed at increasing opportunities for people to buy books, particularly the elderly who may be unfamiliar with the process of using online shopping sites.” … “The trial will be funded by the two companies which are currently selecting candidate libraries. They expect to expand the system if demand for book sales is strong”
• USA – Confronting Shiny Object Syndrome in Libraries – Katina. “Every few years a new shiny object takes over calls for proposals, grant application themes, and social media commentary. Some last longer than others, while some quickly fade from memory.”
• Vatican City – Pope to librarians: May your libraries be oases of encounter – Herald Malaysia. “Addressing participants in a Vatican Apostolic Library conference, Pope Francis emphasised the role of libraries as guardians of cultural heritage, urging librarians to foster peace, openness, and human connection in addressing global challenges like inequality, conflict, and ‘cancel culture’.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Aberdeenshire residents launch fight to save ‘irreplaceable’ libraries amid closure plans – Aberdeen Live. “The council blamed low footfall and unsuitable buildings for the drastic decision. However, the unexpected announcement has caused uproar. Hundreds of residents affected by the shock closures have been quick to take action to reverse the move. A number of online petitions have been created for individual libraries, while another has been set up on behalf of all 13 venues. It comes after Aberdeen City Council created fury by permanently closing six libraries through brutal budget cuts last year.”
  • Council ‘regrets’ handling of library closure news – BBC. “Live Life Aberdeenshire, which delivers services for the council, said on Friday the sites would close by the end of the year due to reducing usage. It said 18 libraries in “main towns” would remain open. However there was a community backlash about a lack of consultation. BBC Scotland News has learned a final decision will be taken by councillors before the end of the financial year, so some buildings may remain open into 2025.”
  • Cruden Bay residents back petition to save library from closure – Press and Journal. “Leader of the opposition, SNP councillor Gwyneth Petrie, said: “Despite being told, time and again, that local voices and place planning matters, we are hit with yet another raft of closure announcements without any community consultation, and without even our local members in those areas being informed of the decision.”
• Cambridgeshire – Singing librarian says online reaction ‘crazy’ – BBC. Closing time announcements are sung by music student. “”Some days people will clap… other days it’s just crickets and complete silence.””
• Cheshire East – Updated strategy for Cheshire East’s libraries to be considered – Cheshire East Council. “Following significant engagement with town and parish councils, ‘top-up’ funding has provisionally been agreed for Alderley Edge, Bollington, Disley, Handforth, Macclesfield and Poynton libraries. When combined with existing town council support for Crewe and Nantwich libraries, this equates to local council investment in library services of more than £166,000, which delivers 41.5 library opening hours each week. Subject to committee approval, the Libraries Strategy 2024-28 will go live from 1 January 2025.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Date set for Cheshire town library’s roof replacement works – Cheshire Live. “The library will remain open as normal during the works with disruption being ‘kept to a minimum wherever possible’, the council says.”
• Ealing – More community-run libraries proposed – Ealing Council. “Building on the success of the 4 libraries in Northfields, West Ealing, Perivale and Hanwell, which have been managed by community groups since 2020, the council believes that the following libraries should also be community-managed: Jubilee Gardens, Southall; Northolt Leisure Centre, Northolt; Greenford Library; Wood End (currently under construction in Greenford)” [Really impressive Double-speak from Ealing here, making removing paid staffing sound like an opportunity – Ed.]
• East Lothian – Five East Lothian libraries have their hours slashed – East Lothian Courier. “In September, East Lothian Council announced that Dunbar, East Linton, Gullane, Haddington, Musselburgh, Ormiston, Port Seton and Wallyford residents would lose opening hours at their libraries due to a “recruitment freeze” and the need for “financial savings”.  Now, the local authority has announced that the East Linton, Gullane, Ormiston and Port Seton libraries, as well as the library in Longniddry, face a further reduction in opening times, with “temporary winter opening hours” being applied from Monday until February 28.”
• Edinburgh – Have your say on plans for Edinburgh libraries – North Edinburgh News. “Your feedback will inform our plans for the next five years.”
• Gateshead – Gateshead Libraries receive fantastic response to customer survey – Gateshead Council. “Our Gateshead Libraries team recently ran their annual customer survey. It’s something they do every year to hear feedback from those who use our libraries on what they love about our spaces, and importantly, what could make them even better. It’s open to everyone no matter how regularly they come through our library doors and for whatever purpose. This year, the team were delighted to get responses from 1,092 residents – 166 more than last year. “
• Glasgow – Glasgow protest at ‘high risk’ Cardonald Library after RAAC closure – Glasgow Live. “The library, along with two other buildings, was closed by Glasgow Life in September following the discovery of dangerous RAAC concrete – protesters are demanding the library be re-opened.”
• Hammersmith and Fulham – Hammersmith Library closing for three weeks – Hammersmith and Fulham Council. “Hammersmith Library will be closing for three weeks from Monday 25 November while essential maintenance works take place.”
• Hampshire – Two parties show interest in the former Horndean Library – Petersfield Post. Library was closed in 2021.
• Lambeth – ‘LiBARary’ launches in Brixton to meet UK demand for books in bars – Lambeth Council. “Brixton Brewery will be home to a pop-up mini library in the taproom – not just to give people a space to read while they meet and drink, but hosting book clubs and events featuring some of the city’s best literary talent. The LiBARary will include books for visitors to tuck into with a drink, anytime, courtesy of Book Stop Brixton- with anyone donating a book to the LiBARary eligible for a free pint.”
• Liverpool – ‘Hate will never win’ as library torched by rioters to reopen – Echo. Spellow Library. “the city council has now confirmed the hub will reopen on Thursday, December 12. To mark the occasion, the local authority is calling on councils around the country to join Liverpool in solidarity on the day.” see also From fire to light – a spotlight on unity marks re-opening of arson-hit library – Liverpool Council. “Any organisation which wants to get involved in the lighting up moment can email cultureliverpool@liverpool.gov.uk and they are encouraged to share their photos on social media using #SharetheLight #Spellow #Libraries.”

“Cllr Liam Robinson is writing to councils, asking them to light up one of their libraries on Wednesday December 11 in a show of solidarity, hope and joy. By having a light, or a lantern in a window, or illuminating the outside of a building, this will shine a light on libraries as places of sanctuary, knowledge and community.”

Liverpool Echo

• Monmouthshire – Sponsor a Book initiative launches at Monmouthshire libraries – Monmouthshire Council. “Residents can now sponsor books at Monmouthshire libraries through our partnership with Friends of Caldicot Library. The new scheme allows locals to contribute directly to their library by sponsoring new titles, ensuring the shelves remain vibrant and well-stocked for all community members.”
• Moray – Resurrected Moray library campaign group prepares for another battle – Press and Journal. “Moray Save our Libraries helped save three sites from closure when it was formed in 2013.” … “In 2013, Rothes, Portnockie, Findochty, and Hopeman libraries were all closed despite strong opposition from the Moray Save Our Libraries group. However, the campaign succeeded in saving three libraries in Cullen, Dufftown, and Burghead. Now, more than ten years later, the group reconvened at Elgin Library on Monday evening to prepare for another battle – this time, to protect those same three libraries, along with others in danger of closure.”
• Norfolk – New poetry project launches across Norfolk libraries to celebrate Norfolk as a county of welcome – Norfolk Council. “Service has teamed up with Creative Arts East on a multi-lingual Words of Welcome Poetry Exchange, launching this month in all 47 libraries across the county. The project aims to celebrate Norfolk’s cultural diversity and showcase it as a place of welcome, by inviting library visitors to read specially commissioned poems on the themes of welcome and sanctuary, and respond with their own ‘words of welcome’. ”
  • Norfolk’s town’s library to be moved during revamp – EDP. “Norfolk County Council officers have approved County Hall’s application to move Diss Library from its current Church Street home while revamp work is done.”
• Nottinghamshire – ‘Confusion’ over plans for county libraries – BBC. “It included reclassifying sites as either a “hub library”, “community library”, or “library access point”, depending on the size. Council documents, however, say feedback indicated the new names have caused confusion, and they now plan to reinstate a numbered system, with libraries placed in tiers 1 to 3.”. Strategy document described by local author as “fairly vague and confusing” and “There’s a curious omission of any mention of paid staff running libraries”
  • Notts council ‘crystal clear’ it will not close county libraries as new 10-year plan considered – Nottinghamshire Live. “Cllr Scott Carlton (Con), cabinet member for communities and public health, said: “Firstly…this is not a strategy to close libraries. Secondly, it is not a strategy to reduce provision, and thirdly it is not a strategy to replace staff with volunteers.””
• Perth and Kinross – Protesters gathered outside Scone Library campaigning to save it from closure – Daily Record. “Over 200 protesters gathered outside Scone Library on Saturday, November 9 eager to save it from potential closure.”
• Sheffield – Sheffield celebrates 10 years of volunteer-led libraries – Yorkshire Bylines. “Library volunteers from all over Sheffield gathered together to celebrate and reflect on a decade of hard work in their community” … “Sheffield’s libraries are no longer just places to read and borrow books – they have become vital hubs for the community, offering services to everyone from babies to the elderly. These libraries now provide facilities for schools and young people, low-cost groceries for families in need, fitness classes, and table tennis.”
• Slough – Slough Borough Council threatens library service cuts – Slough Observer. “A first public draft of the council’s next spending plan includes what it calls a £60,000 ‘service reduction’ to libraries in its children’s services budget. Slough Borough Council told the Observer that councillors will discuss ‘potential options’ for library services at a meeting next month – but didn’t say what those possible changes might be.”
• Staffordshire – People asked for views on town library refurbishment – Staffordshire Council. “People in Leek are being asked for their views on how their town library could look after a refurbishment at three information drop-in sessions.” … “Staffordshire libraries service has carried out successful refurbishment projects across the county, most recently Burton and also Newcastle, Stafford, Lichfield, Tamworth and Codsall.”
  • Major refurbishment of Staffordshire library reaches significant milestone – Staffordshire Council. “A £1.3million refurbishment of Burton Library is almost complete – with the main part of the building newly fitted out and now open to visitors.”
• Stirling – Drymen’s ex-library set for new lease of life as hotel accommodation – Daily Record. “The neighbouring Winnock Hotel has submitted an application to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park planners for a change of use of the premises at 12 The Square from Class 10 (public library) to Class 7 (hotel).”
• Stoke on Trent – Call for volunteers to help boost library hours – BBC. “The city council said it wanted to increase opening hours at all six of its public libraries and deliver additional services. The libraries already offer services such as book loans, IT facilities, digital support sessions and activities for children, families and adults. Under the proposals, a book delivery service for people who struggle to leave their homes would be expanded, and new services such as befriending would be introduced, the council said.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries Christmas toy appeal relaunches to help struggling families – East Anglian Daily Times. “The Be Kind to a Kid appeal aims to make Christmas special for Suffolk families by distributing donated new toys to children in need. Last year, the initiative received 2,500 toy donations, which were distributed to more than 20 charities and organisations working with struggling families and children. Suffolk Libraries is partnering with BBC Radio Suffolk as part of its Warm Welcome cost-of-living support campaign.”
• Warwickshire – Children’s book by Warwickshire Libraries staff member achieves national recognition – Warwickshire Council. “Warwickshire County Council is delighted to share that a children’s book edited by Dr Anjna Chouhan, National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) Creative Producer at Warwickshire Libraries, has achieved national recognition. The children’s book, Shakespeare’s First Folio: All The Plays, has been shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year, which is due to be announced on 28 November, and highlighted as one of the best children’s books of 2024 by the Telegraph as an engaging introduction to Shakespeare’s works.”
• Wirral – Final Christopher Salmon Poetry Competition announced – Birkenhead News. “Organisers have announced the launch of the 15th and sadly what will be the final Christopher Salmon Poetry Competition. “
• Wokingham – Libraries break new ground – Wokingham Today. “Wokingham Borough’s libraries have become the first group of libraries in the country to sign up for a scheme that gives families confidence about breastfeeding. Wokingham Borough Council has continued its partnership with the Breastfeeding Network to establish its libraries as breastfeeding friendly venues.”
• Wolverhampton – Library restoration scheme under way in city – BBC. “Work has begun to improve Wolverhampton’s Central Library and adult education facilities as part of a £61m City Learning Quarter development.” … “The library is having its Grade II* listed facade restored, a new roof, remodelling, a new lobby and landscaping. The adult education base, the Alan Garner Centre, will also have internal remodelling and a link building connecting it to the library’s 1930s extension.”
• Worcestershire – All libraries in Worcestershire to offer free warm spaces this winter – Worcester News.
• Wrexham – Libraries are an integral part of our communities – Leader Live. MP for Wrexham says how important libraries are and how people can be involved with the consultation on cuts to them.

Editorial

After the US election result, I tweeted “Well, it’s been pretty tough being a librarian in the UK this last decade or so but I think I’d still prefer it to working in a US library for the next four years”. There have been strong moves towards censorship in the USA and that is likely to greatly strengthen during Trump’s return. But this is not to say American libraries are not well-funded – see the report below on Austin’s lovely libraries to see this is not the case. It’s just to say that even the most beautiful library misses the point, and worse, if it is not allowed to show the books its community needs.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the case of Croydon gives more evidence, following the horribly disappointing budget last week, that nothing much has changed. The Secretary of State, who campaigned for libraries while in opposition, is declining to intervene, stressing it’s up to the local council and any cuts due to local budget is therefore, of course, nothing to do with her. New boss same as the old boss?

Please send any news, views, convincing evidence that library policy will change, and biscuits to ianlibrarian@live.co.uk. Thank you.

Changes by local authority

• Stockport – New Marple Library being built (co-location)

National news

• 1,400 libraries now helping patients access NHS App – Healthcare Leader. “Around two in five public library services have signed up to the scheme (64 out of 151), with more expected to join ‘in the coming months’, it added.”
• Community Libraries – Scottish Parliament. “Numerous constituents have contacted me to raise concerns about the proposed closure of seven community libraries in towns and villages across Perth and Kinross as a direct result of budget cuts by the Scottish National Party-run Perth and Kinross Council. “

“This was a new variation on what some may recognise as the Fine Free Libraries map. The main takeaway is really that library overdue fines are not necessarily about being fine-free or not. They are about how much, and the expense varies considerably. Being charged 20p for a book being a week overdue, and getting a timely reminder to bring the book back seems to be a service aiming to ensure responsible lending from users. Charging 50-60p per day, and waiting a week or so to remind users seems more about extracting money from users. If you can’t go fine-free, try to be the service that uses fines for the benefit of users.”

Fine Free Libraries

• Practical Tips for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries – Facet Publishing. “This exciting book will equip readers to assess their own library, talk about challenges with more confidence and make concrete changes to improve diversity and inclusion.”
• Report finds ‘shocking and dispiriting’ fall in children reading for pleasure – Guardian. “National Literacy Trust finds only 35% of eight to 18-year-olds enjoy reading in their spare time, a sharp drop on last year to the lowest figure yet recorded”
• Shadowing – Carnegies. “Every spring, CILIP invites reading groups from schools, libraries, and homes to join the exciting process of shadowing the Carnegie Medals. This experience gives young readers the chance to follow along with the official judging process as ‘shadowers.’”
• The Summer Reading Challenge celebrates 25 years of encouraging young readers – Reading Agency. “With yearly themes spanning from the inaugural year’s ‘The Reading Safari’ to 2024’s ‘Marvellous Makers,’ the Challenge, which encourages children to log their reading and earn rewards over the summer holiday, has created 15,649,232 reading journeys between 1999 – 2023. “
• Turning the page: understanding the barriers to library use and how to encourage engagement – DCMS. “we spoke to people who had not used a public library service in England in the last 12 months to understand their views. The research involved 22 focus groups, 20 depth interviews and an online journal task completed by 12 participants who took part in depth interviews and did activities via a mobile app to familiarise themselves with a local library.”: limited awareness of library services, poor interiors, lack of time, services offered by others”

• Why aren’t children reading in their free time? – National Literacy Trust. “The research, which was taken from our Annual Literacy Survey 2024 of more than 76,000 UK children and young people, revealed that only 1 in 3 (34.6%) 8 to 18-year-olds say they enjoy reading in their free time.”

International news

• Australia – Branching out: the Sydney street libraries where neighbours swap plants instead of books – Guardian. Plant exchange, even including little free-like plant libraries.
  • Connecting communities through language at our libraries – City of Melbourne. “Meet the librarian behind Melbourne’s diverse language collections.”
• Bangladesh – IoT in Bangladesh Libraries: A Path to Transformation – ACR Log. “While IoT presents opportunities, its implementation also brings new challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is the mindset toward adopting new technologies. Many library professionals prefer traditional systems and are resistant to change, particularly when technology is involved”
• Cyprus – Minister promotes libraries as hubs for mental health – K News. “Vasiliki Kassianidou highlights the role of libraries in fostering critical thinking, social action, and philanthropic activities through the ”Literacy Routes in Libraries” program.”
• Ireland – Why are librarians up in arms over ebooks? – RTE. “There are three main reasons: availability, cost and terms and conditions.”
• Nigeria – Experts Seek Government’s Intervention To Revive Libraries In Nigeria – TVC News Nigeria.
• USA – The true story of a famed librarian and the secret she guarded closely – NPR. Black woman “passed as white” throughout her life.
  • Engines of optimism – Texas Highways. A look at some of the amazingly beautiful and well-funded libraries in Austin, Texas.
  • School District Pulls 425 Books From Its Libraries In Response To Tennessee’s Shitty Book Ban Law – TechDirt. ” the books “challenged” the most are ones that contain anything remotely LGBTQ-related, as well as anything that might portray minorities in a positive light and/or white Americans in a negative light, even if the books factually depict historical events.”
  • Statement From EveryLibrary: “This Election Should Not Determine the Fate of Libraries (But it Might Have)” – Library Journal Info Docket. “he previous Trump administration proposed gutting Federal Funding for libraries every year he was in office. Project 2025’s stated anti-library aims are clear. EveryLibrary has been shouting about the threats to public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries, and the people they serve for months. We are committed to working in coalition with local, state, and national libraries and allied organizations to oppose the framework and proposals embedded in Project 2025.”

Local news by authority

• Bristol – Two-metre bar crashes through glass ceiling at Bristol library narrowly missing readers – Bristol Post. “2m bar fell through a glass ceiling at a library in the centre of Bristol narrowly missing readers. Multiple eyewitnesses told BristolLive it landed close to people reading. The bar, described as around two metres in length, took out a glass panel from the historic roof. Work is currently being done on the roof of the library, which was built in 1906 and is a Grade I-listed building.”
• Caerphilly – Community groups could be offered chance to run libraries at risk of closure – Caerphilly Herald. “If any of those sites are recommended for closure, then a Community Asset Transfer could be a path towards their survival.”
• Ceredigion – Ceredigion Library promotes new books for teenagers – Cambrian News. “Ceredigion Library has received a grant from the Welsh Book Council to promote the ‘Reading Well for Teenagers’ scheme across the county.”
• Cornwall – Help for Loan Shark Victims: Cornwall Libraries to Host Support Sessions – Cornish Stuff. “. Cornwall Council’s Library Service is partnering with the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) to bring this vital support directly to local communities.”
• Croydon – Labour minister Bryant rejects public’s pleas to save libraries – Inside Croydon. “Bradmore Green, in Old Coulsdon, together with three other public libraries in Croydon – Sanderstead, Shirley and Broad Green – are being closed” … DCMS refuses to intervene … “It seems that the bar has been set impossibly high, though, as the outsourcing of austerity by central government looks to be continuing into its 15th year.”
  • Croydon library closures spark devastation after ‘sham’ consultation process – SW London. ““They’ve cut the staffing, they cut the stock, they cut the hours. “They’ve basically tried to kill the service and still people go and use it.”
• Denbighshire – Rhyl Library selected to host national writing workshop – Rhyl Journal. “The library was victorious in the All Stories national competition, earning a fully-funded writing workshop aimed at supporting aspiring writers from underrepresented backgrounds.”
• Denbighshire libraries to host series of author events – Rhyl Journal.
• Devon – Exmouth Library welcomes Littleham CofE Primary School – Exmouth Journal. “Littleham is the only neighbourhood out of 81 in East Devon that falls within the 20 per cent of most deprived areas in England.”
  • Axminster Library launches “Dyslexia friendly” backpacks – Midweek Herald. “funding from Axminster Care Services to create “Dyslexia Friendly Backpacks” which will be borrowable to local families.” … “Initially, the library will have three different “Dyslexia Friendly Backpacks” for different ages: 0-5, 5-8 and 8-12 which will contain games, coloured overlays, parent/carer support books, electronic reading pens, headphones and lots of dyslexia friendly books.”
• Dorset – Borrow an iPad for free from Dorset Libraries – Dorset Council. “thanks to support from the council’s Cost of Living fund”
• East Sussex – “No more books” urges community library after deluge of donations – Argus. ““In the last year it has been used as a dumping ground. A few weeks ago, we had 150 books dumped in one go. I’s becoming unusable “
• Enfield – My local library made me who I am today – it must be saved – Enfield Dispatch. “So I’m horrified to hear that Southgate is one of eight libraries earmarked by Enfield Council for possible closure.” … “Instead of closing libraries, Enfield Council needs to advertise what amazing things they are”
• Flintshire – Flintshire leisure and library services have reopened – Leader Live. “The council has confirmed services are now operational and thanked people for their understanding.”
• Glasgow – Glasgow library’s new ‘piece of the jigsaw’ in famous Madeleine Smith murder trial – Glasgow Times. Mitchell Library special collection.
• Greenwich – Eltham Library paired with Kyiv’s Central Library to support Ukrainian refugees – News Shopper. “The south-east London library was paired with the Ukrainian capital’s library by the charity Libraries Connected. The twinning is part of a national initiative aiming to connect more than 20 areas of the UK with Ukrainian libraries. The aim is to share information and skills, develop joint initiatives, and celebrate British and Ukrainian language, literature, and culture.”
• Gwynedd – Former library in Gwynedd demolished to make way for council-built homes – Daily Post. “The scheme has seen the removal of the old Llanberis library, which had been vacant since closure in 2017, one of four libraries in Gwynedd which were shut as part of a major shakeup of the service to save money. Now, the site will be used to build three homes which are being developed through Cyngor Gwynedd ‘s Ty Gwynedd scheme.”
• Hounslow – Hounslow among best areas in the country for library access – Hounslow Council. “63 percent of Hounslow residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home. One of the highest proportions in the country placing Hounslow 21^st out of 318 local councils”
• Kensington and Chelsea / Westminster – Gamers unite in local libraries for a week of play – Kensington and Chelsea Council. “This time last year the bi-borough Games Library initiative was launched to make tabletop games more accessible, provide regular events and activities for all age groups, and create valuable work experience opportunities for young people. “
• Kirklees – Islamophobia Awareness Month 2024: Seeds of Change – Kirklees Council. Poetry, talks, displays.
• Leicester – New website launched for Leicester Libraries – Leicester Council. “The website – at bookfinder.leicester.gov.uk – allows library members to search for, reserve and renew books, submit book reviews, read book news and access the online library catalogue for ebooks and other resources.”
• Monmouthshire – New use to be found for library that is home to town’s ‘most famous spelling mistake’ – South Wales Argus. 1905 Carnegie former library building could be leased or sold off now it is no longer used for children who aren’t attending mainstream schools.  ” The stone mason accidentally spelled Abergavenny with three n’s.” “
• Moray – Moray libraries celebrate Book Week Scotland – Moray Council. Author Lin Anderson visits.
• Newport – Bettws Library in Newport gets new home in service shake-up – South Wales Argus. “The current library building in Bettws will shut down on November 25, and its books, furniture and other equipment will be moved to their new home, in Bettws Community Centre, which will reopen on December 2.”
• Northern Ireland – Carrickfergus Library: learn how to research your family tree using online census – Northern Ireland World.
• Northumberland – Northern Poetry Library finds a new home in Morpeth – Northumberland Gazette. “The Northern Poetry Library is now fully accessible and based at the new library at Morpeth Sports and Leisure Centre.”
• North Northamptonshire – Oundle Library re-introduces its popular weekly events – North Northamptonshire Council.
• North Yorkshire – Knaresborough and Ripon libraries launch support sessions to help people apply for bus passes – Harrogate Advertiser.
  • Scone residents holding protest against potential closure of town’s library – Daily Record. “A spokesperson for Save Scone Library said: “We previously had a very successful community meeting on October 3 with over 135 people attending.” The library is considered “vital” by the community and provides books for the local primary which does not have its own library.”
• Perth and Kinross – Hundreds of people sign petition opposing closure of Comrie Library – Daily Record. “A campaign to save a closure-threatened Perthshire library has attracted more than 500 signatures opposing the move. Comrie Library is among seven PKC libraries whose future is in doubt following a decision by councillors to spend £8.7m on a new community campus in Pitlochry, relocating its library to Pitlochry High School.”
• Peterborough – Community centres and libraries could be sold as Peterborough City Council battles cash crisis – Peterborough Telegraph. “libraries in Stanground and Woodston”. Council says ” many on this list are for consideration only. However, repayment of debt, funded from capital receipts, will support the council’s financial position and help to balance the budget.””
• Sheffield – Stocksbridge Library relocates to new venue – Welcome to Stocksbridge. “Stocksbridge Library has begun its preparations to move to a temporary new space in December as part of the Town Investment Plan to redevelop Manchester Road, which includes a new modern library in the heart of the community. The existing building will close on 10 December 2024 and relocate to nearby IKON Church, where it will remain until the new Stocksbridge 519 building opens in 2026.”
• Shetland – National award success for Shetland Library – Shetland News. “It won the library service excellence prize at the SLIC awards in Edinburgh today (Friday). SLIC – the Scottish Library and Information Council – said the Shetland Library team won the award for their “commitment to maintaining their library service as a relevant, worthwhile and modern resource for people of all ages and walks of life”.”
• Stirling – Stirling Council could auction off thousands of languishing library books in bid to free up space – Daily Record. “safeguards would protect anything of local or particular significance and it was a process for managing redundant stock.” … “Officers had sought approval for a further review of the collection by an auction house to identify books of interest and removal of these titles for sale, noting that all items with a local connection would be excluded from the process and retained by the service.”
• Stockport – Temporary library opens as work progresses on Marple Community Hub – Marketing Stockport. “A new temporary library has opened in Marple Scout Hut as part of work to deliver a new community hub and leisure centre for the village.” … “he new Marple Community Hub will have a brand-new ground floor library with a small café, a five-lane swimming pool, a 60-station fitness suite, shared community spaces, and the relocated Marple clinic.”
• Stoke on Trent – Boost for learning as library numbers soar in Stoke-on-Trent – Stoke on Trent Council. “Compared with the same period last year between April and June, library visits have increased this year from 60,694 to 64,186. This amounts to an increase of 6% and means the city council is on track to achieve our annual target of 250,000 visits in 2024/25.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries and other Ipswich cultural organisations come together to celebrate world class festive lineup – Suffolk Libraries. “Suffolk Libraries is proud to be part of ‘We Are Ipswich’, an independent collective of nationally acclaimed arts and heritage organisations, which bringing the festive spirit to Suffolk like never before this Christmas.”
• Surrey – Surrey’s warm hubs to return this winter – BBC. “Eighty-four locations including libraries, charity shops and churches have offered their help to residents”
• Warwickshire – Interesting items on show at Warwickshire Libraries’ local studies collections – Warwickshire Council. “two events showcasing some of the most interesting items from the local studies collections at Leamington and Rugby Libraries”
  • Stratford Chatterbooks scheme plots its way to national recognition – Stratford Observer. “Warwickshire Libraries’ Chatterbooks programme, aimed at engaging with school children who may otherwise never attend their local library, has achieved national recognition. It was one of three case studies from across the country presented to MPs at Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals’ latest event, Libraries Change Lives by Creating Opportunities.”

Editorial

From 2010, as libraries underwent budget stress the like of which they’d never seen except in wartime (and perhaps not even then), there were a lot of experiments on how to run them cheaper. One of these models were volunteer-run libraries, which now number in their hundreds. Another model were library trusts, of which all four (Devon, Northern Ireland, Suffolk and York) are still with us. And then there was the idea of saving money by having libraries run by a for-profit company (I was never sure how that was supposed to work), which had but one, unsuccessful, example.

Yet another idea was, and is still, being tried – the library service run by a leisure trust. Leisure centres, swimming pools, theatres and the like. This has been more hit and miss, with some apparently doing well, such as Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL, trading as “Better”) which has taken over five services in a decade. But an increasing number – not so well.

To my knowledge there are 22 single-council leisure trusts running libraries within the UK, with more than half being in Scotland. But there used to be 30, with 8 having been returned back to council control, with the last one of these – Flintshire – ending this week. And there may be more. At least one – Aneurin Leisure Trust (Blaenau Gwent) has recently announced it’s in serious financial difficulties.

Please email me your news, comments and offers of large amounts of money via ianlibrarian@live.co.uk

Changes by local authority

• Birmingham – Revised cuts proposed: “14 libraries to be open 14-21 hours per week (previously proposed at 14), 4 co-locations 14-21 hours (inc. 2 may be closed and re-located), 7 libraries to stay open only if someone else runs them, 10 libraries to be open for 28 hours per week (previously proposed at 35), Library of Birmingham would be only library open “full-time”. Other organisations looked for to help fund/run libraries.”
• Blaenau Gwent – Aneurin Leisure Trust in financial trouble.
• Flintshire – Council takes back ownership from Aura from 31 October, local authority trading company formed.
• Hartlepool – £250k refurbishment of Seaton Carew Library.
• Somerset – Job losses expected.
• Surrey – Redhill Library to reopen in Summer 2026 after RAAC remedial work.

National news

• Consultation on the proposed rate per loan for the 2023 to 2024 Public Lending Right scheme year – DCMS. “The British Library Board has proposed a rate per loan of 11.76 pence for payments in the 2023 to 2024 scheme year. This is a reduction of 1.93 pence, from 13.69 pence (in 2022/23). This reflects the slightly raised amount of funding available (but the PLR fund remains relatively unchanged), and an increase in the estimated number of loans of books registered for PLR.”
• Developing a library strategic response to Artificial Intelligence – Elucidate. “AI is ‘the defining technology of our generation’ according to a recent joint statement by the UK and US governments. We all understand that it is likely to impact library and information work profoundly, so it is important to try and be more than reactive and think strategically about the opportunities and problems it is creating. The article poses nine key questions for consideration, and reflects on some answers that might support a more strategic library approach to AI. “
• Introducing the first ever Michael Rosen Day – Michael Rosen. “Join us on Tuesday 12 November for a day of poetry, stories and creativity to celebrate 50 years since Michael’s first book. With bespoke resources and activities for children of all ages, we want to see as many schools, libraries and other settings across the country getting involved and getting creative, with all things Michael.”

“Public libraries are funded by local authorities and each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources. I will work with my colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to get local government back on its feet after fourteen years of savage and drastic underfunding. We will do the basics right, providing councils with more stability through multi-year funding settlements and ending unnecessarily expensive competitive bidding for tiny pots of money.”

Chris Bryant, The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport

• Leisure centres, pools and libraries facing threat of closure as ‘no fat left to cut’ for councils – Cambrian News. “Council chiefs warned of “no fat left to cut” with leisure centres and libraries across Wales facing the threat of closure due to “unprecedented” financial constraints. The Senedd culture committee took evidence on 24 October as part of an inquiry on the impact of cuts on the arts, culture and sport.” … “WGLA warning of a £432m funding gap across Welsh council services”

• Libraries to offer warm spaces for third year running – Arts Professional. “Libraries Connected said it is partnering with the Warm Welcome Campaign, which began in 2022 when energy prices rose because of the war in Ukraine. The first warm spaces will open next week after the clocks go back at the weekend. “
• Rebecca Lawrence appointed as new Chief Executive of the British Library – British Library. Previously in Crown Prosecution Service, Policing and Crime, Civil Service. “She brings skills and experience from more than 25 years at the forefront of reforming and delivering public services, with particular strengths in leadership and digital transformation. “

International news

• 9th IFLA Green Library Award 2024 Results – IFLA. Winner is “The Missoula Public Library exemplifies sustainability through its innovative programming and green practices.”, second is “The Stadtbibliothek Paderborn / Paderborn City Library renovated a 460-year-old building, and upcycled scrap by products for furniture.”
• Afghanistan – Taliban issue list of 400 banned books to libraries – Amu. “The banned books reportedly cover a wide range of subjects, including those related to the Shia branch of Islam, modern governance, political freedoms, and figures like Ahmad Shah Massoud, a prominent resistance leader. Titles exploring democracy, social and civil rights, art, literature, and poetry are also among those targeted.”
• Australia – The enduring importance of public libraries in the digital age – SBS News. “More than just a place to borrow books, modern libraries have reinvented themselves to fit into the digital age. One library in Sydney – shortlisted as one of the world’s best- says demand for its services has never been higher.”
• France- When 50 Librarians Biked Across France – School Library Journal. “Cyclo-biblio – a library-to-library bike tour designed by and for librarians” … “a volunteer-led nonprofit with an organizational team of librarians scattered across France from the Loire Valley to the southern part of the country. The goal? A rolling unconference providing exposure to multiple libraries”
• Sweden – Sweden’s libraries caught in a political row about drag story hour – Conversation. “Drag story hour is “nothing other than indoctrination and sexualisation of children”, claimed Sweden Democrats politician Jonathan Sager during a session of the local parliament in Kalmar, southern Sweden, in 2022. He was reacting to plans to organise a drag story hour event at the local library, where drag queens would read to children, challenging norms of gender and sexuality. He called (unsuccessfully) for the event to be cancelled.” … “Sweden is experiencing a backlash against drag story hour events.”
• USA – Public libraries level the playing field for students and job seekers – Seattle Times. “Community members can gain valuable skills at the library to set them up for success inside and outside of the classroom. KCLS offers free learning resources for students in grades K-12 through Study Zone. This volunteer-driven program includes tutoring, homework help, math clubs, programs to practice reading out loud and English language learning classes. College students and adult learners may access free online learning support, get assistance with résumés and cover letters, finish high school through the library, and find entrepreneurial training to launch a small business.”

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Celebrations of counties libraries continue with the history of Keynsham Library – Journal. “will also celebrate the library’s ten year anniversary of its current building.”
• Bedford – Bedford among worst areas in the East of England for library access – Bedford Today. “The ONS’ figures show Bedford had five open libraries as of August, or one for every 38,000 people in the area.”
• Birmingham – Full list of Birmingham libraries and how revised proposals could impact each one – Birmingham Mail. “Revised proposals have provided the clearest idea yet of what the future could hold for every library”. 14 libraries to be open 14-21 hours per week (previously proposed at 14), 4 co-locations 14-21 hours (inc. 2 may be closed and re-located), 7 libraries to stay open only if someone else runs them, 10 libraries to be open for 28 hours per week (previously proposed at 35), Library of Birmingham would be only library open “full-time”. Other organisations looked for to help fund/run libraries.
  • Small Heath Library joy as cuts battle could be won – Birmingham Live. “A Birmingham library appears to have fended off a threat to its opening hours after a community campaign. Small Heath was among sites which could have been hit by Birmingham City Council cuts after the authority declared itself effectively bankrupt. But now it could maintain its current weekly 28 hours and operate as a library community hub for Ladywood. Hubs provide library and early intervention and prevention services. Residents are being asked for their views and councillors will decide in January.”
• Blaenau Gwent – Operators behind Bedwlty Park on brink of financial collapse – South Wales Argus. “The perilous financial position that Aneurin Leisure Trust (ALT) finds itself in will be laid before Blaenau Gwent councillors at a meeting of the county borough’s council’s Partnerships scrutiny committee on Wednesday, October 23. At that meeting leisure chiefs are expected to present the trust’s performance report for last year which shows they posted a £888,000 deficit for 2023/2024. ALT had an income of £7.749 million but an expenditure of £8.637 million.”
• Brighton and Hove – Half of Brighton and Hove residents do not have a local library – Argus. “Analysis from the Office for National Statistics shows 49 per cent of people in the city had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home. Despite this, 93 per cent were within half an hour of a library and every resident could reach one within an hour’s walk.”
• Bromley – The London borough where the fewest residents have easy access to a library – My London. “Analysis from the Office for National Statistics shows 44 per cent of Bromley residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home – the lowest proportion in London. Despite this, 89 per cent were within half an hour of a library, and 99 per cent of residents could reach one within an hour’s walk.”
• Buckinghamshire – Half term fun for families in Bucks – Buckinghamshire Council. “a short ballet that tells the story of Windrush”, list of library events.
• Caerphilly – Have your say on plans for major changes to library services – Caerphilly Observer. “The futures of 12 libraries across the county borough could be under threat as the council attempts to save money and rationalise its resources.” … “It has proposed focusing its energy into six sites, which will be developed into “hubs” for community services as well as the usual library offer.”

“We have just written our fifth letter in a month to the DCMS about the impending disaster in Croydon. As we said in the last newsletter, this cash-strapped borough is pushing the strangest library “plan” we think we have ever seen. In brief, it will close four libraries, redeploy the staff to work wonders at the remaining libraries and “mitigate” the loss of the four with plethora of highly unlikely “outreach” activities that don’t yet exist, in places that have not been identified (let alone secured). The libraries are to close in early November. The non-existent “outreach schedule” will not be launched until April next year. We are getting distressing messages from local people who can’t find out what is going on, and will be severely affected by the closures.” Croydon – Library Campaign newsletter.

• Cheshire East – Cheshire East admits library cuts could impact vulnerable – Nantwich News. “while CEC is hoping to work with local businesses and community groups across the borough to provide warm places for residents who can’t afford to heat their homes, only one appears to have signed up so far. The Union Street Baptist Church in Crewe is the only one of the 17 venues listed on the council’s website as a “warm place” which is not a Cheshire East library.”
  • Campaign group backs council tax precept increase ‘subject to contract’ for Bollington residents – Macclesfield Nub News. “Campaigners in Bollington have implied their support to a new proposal to prevent Bollington Library’s hours being slashed, should the public get behind it too. As reported by Macclesfield Nub News yesterday, Bollington Town Council has begun consulting its residents on proposals to save the town’s Library from having its hours reduced by 66% from January next year under Cheshire East Council’s Libraries Strategy.” see also Library friends back hours funding plans – Macclesfield Express. Friends of Bollington Library.
• Cheshire West and Chester – Winsford Library holding event to celebrate 50th birthday – Northwich and Winsford Guardian. “Winsford Library first welcomed members of the public through its doors back in August 1974. An official opening ceremony for the building, in High Street, took place on October 30 that year.” [I worked here for 20 years and I think I took the featured photograph of the library when there – Ed.]
• Devon / Torbay – Making libraries more inclusive and accessible with virtual tours – Libraries Unlimited. “To do a virtual tour simply head to our website, choose the library you would like to visit, click on that page and scroll down to find the virtual tour. We have this for all 54 of our libraries”
  • Libraries open for the vulnerable this winter – Radio Exe. Donate or exchange clothes, community fridges, events and groups.
• Doncaster – Doncaster joint best area in Yorkshire and the Humber for library access – Doncaster Free Press. “Analysis from the Office for National Statistics shows 51 per cent of Doncaster residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home – the joint-highest proportion in Yorkshire and The Humber.”
• Dorset – Verwood Library to close for essential building works’ – Daily Echo. “Verwood Library will be closed to customers for six days while essential building works take place next month. The library will be closed from November 18 – 23. New technology will be installed which will allow library members to use library facilities beyond staffed opening hours.” … “The upcoming works are funded by Arts Council England and are part of a wider project to launch extended access at four Dorset libraries.”
  • Weymouth library’s annual fancy dress fundraising quiz – Dorset Echo. “The Friends of Weymouth Library group has organised its annual fundraising quiz at the library on Great George Street on Wednesday, November 20 at 7pm. Spot prizes will be given out for colourful dressing up in addition to cash prices for the winning teams. There will also be a raffle on the day. Tickets cost £12 for a team of six and all proceeds go towards helping the library buy items and run events not in their usual budget.”
• East Dunbartonshire – New project set to help library visitors check out some winter sun – East Dunbartonshire Council. “Visitors to four local libraries will have the chance to borrow a lamp which replicates the physiological benefits of real sunlight. The lamp is included in a ‘Wintering Well Box’ also containing a book, information, activities and access to an online course to help tackle the effects of seasonal affective disorder”
• East Riding – Temporary banking hub opens at library in Hessle – BBC. “The temporary facility at Hessle Library and Community Centre has been opened by Cash Access UK – an organisation set up to protect access to cash. It offers a counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks can carry out regular cash transactions. Cash Access UK said the hub was open from Monday to Friday and would remain available until a new permanent banking hub opened.”
• Edinburgh – Wikipedia could be blocked in Edinburgh’s libraries after school pupils access porn – Rayo. “Access to Wikipedia could be blocked in Edinburgh’s libraries after it emerged children were able to view inappropriate content. An IT error meant filters were not enabled on computers accessed with a child’s library card, allowing for pornography and violent videos to be viewed.” but concerns over Wikipedia: “its more than six million English articles cover a wide range of topics, including those which may contain explicit language and adult themes related to sex and violence.” [Because of course kids have no access to TV, mobile phones … Ed.]
• Essex – Colchester Library closure ‘affecting southern residents’ – Gazette Standard. “Councillor Lee Scordis has penned an open letter to Essex County Council asking for additional mobile library availability while Colchester Library is being renovated. “
• Flintshire – New company to take over Flintshire’s Library and Leisure Services – Dee Radio. “Flintshire County Council has set up a Local Authority Trading Company to take over from the current provider Aura when the contract comes to an end on October 31. A long-term contract was offered to Aura earlier this year, however, Aura declined to sign” see also Aura run leisure centres and libraries to close for four-day transition as council takes over – Deeside and ‘Disaster’ fears as not-for-profit’s leisure services contract comes to an end – North Wales Live. “It comes despite more than 3,700 people signing a petition to try and prevent Aura Wales from going out of existence.” and Nearly 3,800 signatures urge Flintshire Council to renew Aura’s contract for vital leisure and library services – Deeside.com.
• Hampshire – Most residents don’t have library within 15 minutes walk, data shows – Andover Advertiser.
• Haringey – Have fun in a Haringey library this October half term – Haringey Council. Black History Month themed. Maasai bracelet, Cuban singer-songwriter, history, etc.
• Hartlepool – Work to start on library transformation – Hartlepool Council. “Work is about to start on the main phase of a quarter of a million pounds of improvements to Seaton Carew Library, securing its future and making it an exciting space for the whole community. Hartlepool Borough Council is turning the tired and draughty 1970s building into a welcoming, accessible and vibrant Community Hub offering a much wider range of services.”
• Kent – Matthew Munson: Libraries, a ghost tour and dad and son time – Isle of Thanet News. “you’d better believe we spent four days this week writing in libraries.”
• Manchester – Manchester Libraries gain funding to help communities connect with nature – Manchester Council. “Manchester is among twenty-six English public library services that have received funding to launch new projects this month to help their communities build stronger connections with nature.” … “The seed libraries would provide up to 3 packets of free seeds to customers signing up to the scheme. People would be encouraged to allow their seeds to grow to maturity and flower, then collect and return resultant seeds to the seed library for others to access.”
• Milton Keynes – Milton Keynes residents less likely to have a nearby library than almost anywhere in England and Wales, new figures show – MK Citizen. “Analysis from the Office for National Statistics shows just 20% of Milton Keynes residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home – one of the lowest proportions in the country. Despite this, 56% were within half an hour of a library, and 98% of residents could reach one within an hour’s walk.”
• Newham – Newham Libraries to launch inaugural Festival of Stories: A celebration of community narratives – Newham Council. 11-22 November. “The festival will feature 50 free activities across multiple libraries, showcasing prominent speakers and authors such as Dame Zandra Rhodes, Paterson Joseph, Tom Percival and Vaseem Khan.”
• North Ayrshire – National group ‘deeply concerned’ at proposals to close six Ayrshire libraries – Daily Record. “Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIPS) in Scotland have sent an open letter to North Ayrshire Council urging a change of course.”
• Northern Ireland – Children ‘are the future of NI libraries’ – BBC. “The week-long event is being jointly hosted by BBC NI, and Libraries NI and it has become an annual event for almost a decade.” see also Comment: Why we need to defend the public library as we celebrate Book Week NI – View Digital. “The role of the traditional “librarian behind the counter” is under threat in a drive by some UK councils to cut staff hours using self-service checkouts. Officials in some local authorities are proposing that libraries can be operated at times without any professional librarians, relying on self-service technology, smartcards for entry and CCTV. This has been criticised as a “mad idea”, limiting access to librarians’ advice and expertise for the young, vulnerable and many elderly people.” and Communities Minister encourages local library visits during Book Week NI – Democratic Unionist Party. “Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has visited Larne Library to help highlight the benefits of reading more as part of this year’s Book Week NI.” and DfC must address under resourcing of libraries, says Mulholland, in recognition of Book Week 2024. – Alliance Party. ““When the Department for Communities outlined its key objectives for delivery for the 2024/25 period, there appeared to be little to no specific mention of libraries in its plans, and this is incredibly concerning”
• North Tyneside – Community Hubs and Libraries: A New Name, A New Purpose – North Tyneside Council. “North Tyneside’s Customer First Centres have been given a new identity to better reflect the range of services on offer. All six locations have been rebranded as Community Hubs and Libraries and new signage is being installed at each one. The change is part of a larger plan to make these venues the heart of our communities, offering everything from digital support to health advice and skills training, all in one place.”
• Nottingham – Why Nottingham library closures may not be a done deal as final decision looms – Nottingham Post. “Councillor Linda Woodings, who holds the finance portfolio at Nottingham City Council, is reported to have said at a recent meeting of library protestors that the planned closures are “not a done deal.” Many off-the-cuff things have been said by councillors keen to placate campaigners at meetings over the years. Yet this reported comment so close to the final plans for Nottingham’s libraries being confirmed may represent more than a platitude. Very recent history, coupled with changes to libraries underway in other parts of Nottinghamshire, suggest that a full closure of the four libraries may yet be avoided.”
• Nottinghamshire – List of Nottinghamshire libraries that could be downgraded amid ‘significant changes’ – Nottinghamshire Live. “A  group of Nottinghamshire libraries could be downgraded amid “significant changes” in demand. Plans have been revealed that will see 28 areas across the county being home to a ‘library access point’ rather than a full library.”
  • Council considers ‘tiered’ library service – BBC. “In a new 10-year strategy, external, council bosses said they would allocate 12 sites in key population centres as “hub libraries” offering a wide-range of activities and services.”

• Reading – Reading’s Southcote Library set to be completely demolished – Reading Chronicle. “The Southcote Library building has been empty since 2018 when books and other services were moved into the nearby Southcote Community Hub.”
  • Library access in Reading among the best in the country, new figures show – Reading Chronicle. “54% of Reading residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home – one of the highest proportions in the South East. Meanwhile, 93% were within half an hour of a library, and every resident could reach one within an hour’s walk.”
• Somerset – Council could make up to 450 employees redundant – BBC. “Somerset Council has opened a formal 45-day consultation on compulsory redundancies. The potential job losses are in addition to the 195 voluntary redundancies announced earlier this year. The news comes as part of the council’s plans to restructure and rein in its projected budget overspend by saving £30-£40m by April, to avoid going bust.”
• Staffordshire – Read all about it! 16 qualified librarians across 43 Staffordshire libraries – Stoke Sentinel. “A senior county councillor has said Staffordshire has a “gold-plated” library service after the number of qualified librarians was questioned. More than 25 of Staffordshire’s 43 libraries are now community-managed services, where day to day running is carried out by a community group while the county council remains responsible for providing books, other stock and IT services and paying utility and maintenance costs.”
  • Half term family learning fun available in libraries – Staffordshire Council. “Families can drop-in and get stuck in, with everything from playing 1970s number games, such as Connect 4 and Skittles, making a lavender bag and making fruit kebabs and bread from scratch.”
• Stirling – Huge response to Stirling libraries survey as deadline looms – Daily Record. “Almost 1,700 people of all ages have already taken part in a survey as part of a consultation on the future of Stirling Council’s libraries.”
• Surrey – Library to reopen in summer after Raac work – BBC. “Redhill Library in Warwick Quadrant will reopen following a full refurbishment and works to address the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete discovered in 2023. The newly-refurbished library will have a children’s area, meeting rooms, a public computer and study area.” … “The library is also temporarily moving to the Belfry Shopping Centre from its stopgap site at Consort House.”
• Warrington – Warrington twins with Ukraine library – Warrington Council. “The borough has been twinned with a library in the city of Chortkiv, located in western Ukraine, on the banks of the Seret River. It forms part of a national initiative led by Libraries Connected, which is seeing more than 20 areas in the UK twinning with Ukraine libraries to share information, exchange skills, connect audiences, develop joint initiatives and celebrate UK and Ukrainian language, literature and culture.”
• Westmorland and Furness – Libraries call for shipyard memories to bring history to life – Westmorland and Furness Council. ” calling on Barrow Shipyard workers and local veterans to share their memories, stories, and items as part of their Memory Lane Project.”
• Wiltshire – Free thermal cameras lent in home heat loss scheme – BBC. “Wiltshire Council has made 11 devices free to use from libraries across the county. The camera can be used with a smartphone or tablet and a special app, external. Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling said being able to fix cold spots in the home is especially important this winter as energy bills continue to rise.”
• Woking – Temporary Woking library closure – Woking News and Mail. “It will be closed until November 3 and a click and collect service will be available on site so customers can still return items and collect reservations.”
• Worcestershire – Councillors fear for future of libraries in Worcester – Worcester News. “St John’s councillor Richard Udall and Warndon councillor Jill Desarayah both fear their libraries are under threat. However, Worcestershire County Council has said it is looking to increase library provision. The councillor spoke after statistics showed three-quarters of Worcester residents do not have a library within walking distance.”
  • Helping children and young people to reach their potential – Worcestershire Council. ““Worcestershire Libraries were instrumental in helping me connect with the community, they offered me spaces to perform, access to poetry workshops, and even introduced me to a broader audience than I ever could have reached on my own.” Caleb’s role as Young Poet Laureate taught them invaluable life skills. “