Editorial

I’m currently finishing off an article for a French library journal on the experience of English public libraries after lockdown. It’s surprisingly upbeat so hardly my usual style. But I do think that the sector has done far better than one could reasonably expect after being closed or semi-closed for basically two years. Being me of course, and the public library sector, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There are signs, such as in Cardiff, that bad times may be here again shortly but, on the other hand, public opposition still seems very effective, as we can see in Bristol, Essex and Nottingham. So, who will win this year? Central government cuts or hyperlocal campaigning? That’s not as clear cut an answer as it seems. In this asymmetric warfare, experience suggests its often the guerrilla that has the advantage. Viva la Libraryistas.

Change by local authority

• Bristol – “Widespread opposition” means Central Library will not move.
• Cardiff – Options for cuts range from none to £262k.
• Nottingham – Basford, Radford/Lenton and Aspley libraries will stay open. £79k cut rather than original £233k.
• Redcar and Cleveland – Redcar Library may move temporarily before going into new location in 2025.
• Sheffield – Cracks in Central Library mean 3 metre “exclusion zone” around it.
• York – New Haxby and Wigginton Library opens in Oaken Grove Community Centre.

National news

• £135m levelling-up funding goes to seven libraries but concern remains about long-term investment – Bookseller. “Successful bids include a combined library, music and arts venue in Harlow, a state-of-the-art leisure centre, library and cultural space in Farnborough, a creative workspace and redesign at Hackney Central Library, and a new modern library in Reading. More than £135m has been awarded to projects involving libraries. ” but concerns that long-term cuts in spending and budget worries in 2023 may negate gains.

“Libraries have been levelling up for over 170 years so it seems natural that they should feature prominently on this list of successful projects.”

Isobel Hunter, Libraries Connected.

• Armitage embarks on next leg of UK libraries tour – Bookseller. “Starting on 17th March, the poet will deliver readings at libraries in Exeter, Glastonbury, Eastbourne, Fakenham, Flintshire and Ellesmere Port. “

• Book Launch: Supporting people to live well with dementia: a guide for library services – Sarah McNicol. 25 January, 5pm, online. ” find out more about how libraries can better support people with dementia and their carers through approaches to customer service, design, resources, reading interventions, online provision and a range of other activities.”
• British Science Week 2023 activity packs are now available – British Science Week. “We offer an Early Years pack, Primary pack and Secondary pack; keep your eyes peeled for the Community pack coming soon.”
• ‘Dip into Reading’ and Reap the Wellbeing Benefits this Winter – Reading Agency. “The Reading Agency and Welsh Libraries are encouraging you to ‘Dip into Reading’ and reap the wellbeing benefits this winter.”
• Drag Queen Story Hour host blames Tories for ‘queer hate’ in UK ahead of Tate Britain appearance – Pink News. “Her events, usually staged in libraries across the UK where she reads stories to young children, have drawn anti-LGBTQ+ protesters, accusing the drag queen, attendees and supporters of being “groomers”.”
• Library fines in Stamford, Bourne and Rutland add up to £1,800 – Rutland and Stamford Mercury.
• Libraries sector in the New Year Honours – DCMS.
• LibraryOn: researching collaborations between public and university libraries – British Library. “For public libraries, the benefits include the opportunity to share resources, such as skills, personnel and physical space. There is also a desire to broaden the user base of public libraries and to increase footfall, particularly among teenagers and people in their twenties who are not frequent library users.

• Osman, Haig and Rowling books among most popular digital titles borrowed from libraries via OverDrive – BookSeller. “According to OverDrive – which provides schools and libraries with access to e-books, audiobooks, digital newspapers and magazines – Osman e-books were the most popular last year, with The Man Who Died Twice and The Thursday Murder Club (both from Viking) coming in at first and second place. “
• Scotland’s New £30,000 SLIC Fund Backs ‘Pioneering Library Projects’ – Publishing Perspectives. ” a broad base of strategic support from the BBC and BBC Scotland and the British Library to Carnegie UK and the Scottish Book Trust. The council was formed in 1991 and is not, in fact, a government organization. Instead, it’s an independent advisory body to the Scottish government. with membership both in the public sector and in educational institutions.”
• Seminar and Forum – National Acquisitions Group. “Our call for papers is now open for both and closes on 3rd February 2023.  You do not need to be a NAG Member to present and all speakers receive a full free place and UK travel expenses.”

• Video Marketing for Libraries: How to Create, Promote and Evaluate – CILIP. Friday 24 February, 10am to 1pm, Zoom. “Video is an increasingly essential tool to market library services and engage users, both on traditional platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, and on social media across Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. This hands-on workshop aims to familiarise delegates with several styles of video and give you a chance to try out a variety of useful tools.”

International news

• Australia – Are Libraries Getting the Business Basics Wrong? – Jane Cowell. Make joining the library easier, add on extra benefits to membership,
• Ukraine – Exchange with Ukrainian Libraries – Libraries Connected. Online, Thursday 26 January, 1pm. ” The online event will introduce the Universal Library Offers to Ukrainian library workers, who will then describe their extraordinary work to support communities and protect Ukraine’s cultural heritage since the Russian invasion in February 2022″
• USA – Modern Library Awards. “The Modern Library Awards (MLAs) is an annual program that recognizes excellence in products and services for libraries. Vendors submit entries, which are judged by LibraryWorks readers and webinar attendees”
  • Could bolstering public libraries be the key to reducing crime and violence? – WTMJ. Police say “The library has a very huge footprint in the city and they’re servicing many of the same communities we’re trying to have an impact in. Trainings can happen here; conflict resolution and mediation can happen here. Libraries are a place where we can create more activity and resources.””
  • Innovative Library Space Fosters Unique Partnerships – EveryLibrary. Library “hosts adaptive cooking demonstrations”
  • North Dakota weighs ban on ‘sexually explicit’ library books – NBC News. “The bill, which would prohibit books depicting sexual or gender identity, proposes up to 30 days in prison for librarians who refuse to remove banned titles.” see also Republican legislators introduce new laws to crack down on drag shows – Guardian. ” four explicitly ban drag performances at schools or public libraries.” and Opposing Attempts to Criminalize Libraries and Education Through State Obscenity Laws – EveryLibrary and Unbanning Books: LJ’s 2023 Librarians of the Year – Library Journal and Top 10 Library Stories of 2022 – Publishers Weekly. Top ten dominated by Republican censorship.

Local news by authority

• Blackpool – Blackpool library and laundry room shortlisted for RIBA award – BBC. “Blackpool’s Wash Your Words: Langdale Library and Laundry Room opened last August to improve access to washing machines and public health. … It brings together a library, laundry room, and artist workshops.”
• Bolton – Bolton: Families invited to ‘shake rattle roll sessions’ – Bolton News. New regular group.
  • Library terrorised by youths ‘throwing chairs’ and ‘using e-cigs’ – Yahoo. “Youths are terrorising users of Little Lever’s new library by ‘being abusive’, ‘causing disturbances’, ‘throwing chairs’ and ‘using e-cigs’, a councillor said. The new library opened on the site of the Tesco Metro on Market Street less than a year ago, after the old library closed on Coronation Square. At the time, the £5 million development, which also includes Little Lever Health Centre, was seen as an important improvement to the village.”
• Bournemouth Christchurch Poole – Libraries in BCP area ‘asked to stop buying books for few weeks’ over budget issues – Yahoo News. “Libraries across the BCP area were asked to stop buying new books for a few weeks while the council attempted to balance their budget and deal with financial issues”
• Bradford – Wind the Bobbin Up for annual under 5s challenge – Yahoo News. “The Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge sees parents and children learning five rhymes together to join in the fun with the reward of a certificate for taking part. Parents and children learning rhymes together can help young children create social bonds, develop speech and language and also be a foundation for later emerging reading skills.”
• Brighton and Hove – Brighton and Hove Council approves Moulsecoomb £87m home development – BBC. “The plans also include a library, doctors’ surgery, pharmacy, 3G sports pitches and skate park.”
• Bristol – Proposal to move Bristol Central Library withdrawn – BBC. “Although it was never a definite plan, the suggestion it could happen was met with widespread opposition.”
• Cambridgeshire – Cambridgeshire’s travelling library with ‘a story for everyone’ – Cambridge News. “We’ve got three mobile libraries we have one based at the hospital, one near Ely and one in Cambridge.”
• Cardiff – Campaigners call for library cut proposals to be ‘vigorously resisted’ – Nation Cymru. “Welsh authors, publishers, anti-austerity and library campaigners are calling upon Cardiff Council to drop all proposed library cuts and instead invest more in the city library service. Cardiff Council is currently canvassing residents for support to cut opening hours of libraries across the city, including closing them for an additional day a week and possibly on Saturday afternoons.”
  • Librarian Pens Powerful Letter To Cardiff Council Over Budget Cuts – Voice Wales. “The relationships developed between staff and visitors, the sense of safety and security for those vulnerable in our society, removing the barrier of low income/poverty and access to books and computers…. Libraries should be the beating heart of the community and with all due respect to the existing volunteers already in place, reducing trained and qualified professional staff and replacing them with volunteers is a mistake without, at the very least, a comprehensive on-boarding training scheme”
• Cheshire East – Cheshire East will go bust unless savings made, cllr warns – Northwich Guardian. “Among some of the savings which fall under the economy and growth remit is a proposal to move Macclesfield Library into the town hall. Councillors were assured this was a proposal at this stage – and this committee was not responsible for any decisions on library services, this was purely about the building.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – National Poet Laureate to appear at Ellesmere Port Library – Standard. “”Every spring during this decade, Simon Armitage gives readings across the UK, from the flagship libraries of the big cities to smaller libraries serving rural and remote communities.”
  • Cheshire West libraries set to launch iPad lending scheme – Whitchurch Herald.
  • Neston library host ‘Health and Well-being Week’ for residents – Wirral Globe. “Throughout the week there will be a range of partners offering free activities to help improve residents’ mental and physical well-being.”
  • Northwich Library temporary home to open at Weaver Hall Museum – Northwich and Winsford Guardian.
  • World Book Day fancy dress swaps at CWAC libraries – So Counties. “Seeing primary schoolchildren in book-related fancy dress costumes every World Book Day has become a common sight in March but, with ever-mounting financial and environmental pressures, limiting new purchases makes more sense than ever. or the first time, many of our libraries will be accepting donations of fancy dress at the start of the year and hosting clothes swaps before World Book Day itself.”
• Coventry – Coventry Libraries receive Library of Sanctuary Award – Coventry Council.
  • Grab a jab at Coventry Library this January – Coventry Council. Pop-in covid vaccinations.
• Croydon – Croydon asks locals to rank services as it plans to make cuts after bankruptcy – My London. “the council is considering cutting the number of libraries it owns”
• Cumbria – Cumbria Libraries partners with creative group for monthly challenge – Mail. “Cumbria Libraries will partner up with 64 million artists to deliver the January Challenge this year. The January Challenge is a series of 31 fun, quick, free, and accessible creative challenges, for each day of the month.”
  • Cumbria Libraries launch competition to promote love of reading – News and Star. “Cumbria County Council’s Library Service’s new ‘Book Bingo’ competition is free to enter and runs until March, 1 2023. Winners can win one of six regional hampers that are filled with book-related gifts. To enter the competition, participants need to read four books from a choice of eight different categories. “
• Derby – Ideas needed for the future of Derby’s libraries facing closure – Derby Telegraph. “Derby City Council is calling for voluntary organisations and community groups to get in touch with ideas for how they could run any, or all, of the city’s 10 community spaces, which are currently run as community-managed libraries. People are under the impression they could close but the council says volunteers could keep them open.”
• Derbyshire – Whitwell Library to benefit from series of author events as book club strives to increase footfall – Worksop Guardian. “For the last five years, Derbyshire County Council has been working on transferring some of the underused authority-owned libraries, including Whitwell, into community management in a bid to save the council £1.6 million.”
• Devon – Mobile libraries are back on the road – Dawlish Gazette. “The charity has raised more than £11,000 in recent time, funds which will help get new Mobile Library’s on the road, serving rural communities in the South Hams and West Devon.”
• Dorset – Borrow an iPad for free – Dorset Council. “The pilot scheme is being offered by Dorset Council libraries, who are working with Citizen’s Advice and the Department for Work and Pensions to help people search and apply for jobs online. They can also be used to access online training to gain skills and knowledge.”
• Dudley – Pensioner racks up £42,000 in library late fees after returning book 58 years too late – Mirror.
• East Riding – North Bridlington Library to Close for Roof Work – This is the Coast. “The work will involve the removal of the existing glass panels and the installation of a full new glass roof.  This will leave no safe entrance or exit to the library during the works, meaning that a full closure is required.”

• Essex – ‘We need the services’: Calls mounting for south Essex libraries to host banks – Yahoo News. “There are issues with people paying bills with banks shut and not everyone is online. I think there is space and scope in our libraries and it would help bring people back to our libraries too.”
  • Community Fridge set to open outside Hadleigh Library – Basildon Echo. ““I am pleased to say that after a highly productive meeting including officers from ECCs library service, we have been selected to host our community fridge in Hadleigh Library.”
• Hackney – Hackney Unison library workers begin first day of strikes – This is Local London. “Unison believes Hackney Council’s proposed restructure, which it said involves cutting 19 full-time equivalent posts that could cost up to 44 people their jobs, is unsustainable and “not fit-for-purpose”.” see also Statement on the strike action announced by Hackney’s library service – Hackney Council and Struggles to save Hackney Libraries – Radical History of Hackney.
• Isle of Wight – Isle of Wight libraries to host chess clubs and free lessons – Isle of Wight County Press.
• Kirklees – Concerns over ‘very cramped’ new Huddersfield Library – Examiner Live. Public computers reduced from 27 to 10. Books moved to other libraries.
• Lambeth – Lambeth Council offers free energy saving kits – Lambeth Council. “The free energy saving kits contain LED lightbulbs, draft excluders and radiator reflector panels to help improve energy efficiency in recipients’ homes and lower heating bills” available in ten libraries.
  • Lambeth: New Year’s Honour awarded to local librarian – Love Lambeth. “Zoey Dixon has been a leading light in making libraries more accessible, both before and during Covid-19, in her development role at Lambeth Libraries. She has been a champion for diversity and inclusion, both within the borough and beyond. Zoey’s role as chair of the Youth Libraries Group for London and judging national book prizes, as well as her activity in Lambeth Libraries and on social media, make her a voice for change.”

• Liverpool – Conflicting answers over delays to north Liverpool library opening – Liverpool Echo. “A Walton library that was supposed to be shut for three months for a refit is unlikely to reopen anytime soon after being shut for almost a year.” … “The refurbishment of Spellow Library has unfortunately experienced a number of delays that have been beyond the city council’s control, such as unforeseen issues around the existing structure as well as the supply of building materials which has been affected by the Covid pandemic.”
• Newcastle Upon Tyne – Jubilee honour for Jesmond Library’s Chris Clarke – Jesmond Library. “He has worked tirelessly to support the development of Community Managed Libraries and has given advice both across the North East and further afield. During the pandemic, he kept a Click and Collect service running, mindful of loneliness and isolation issues.”
• Norfolk – Libraries’ slippery ‘Covid-secure’ chairs cause chaos – EDP 24. “Norfolk County Council has revealed it has had to throw away almost 170 ‘wipeable’ seats it put in all its libraries during the pandemic, because people kept slipping off them. The authority had spent £10,000 on the chairs, which are covered in vinyl so can be easily cleaned to stop infections spreading.”
• North Ayrshire – Libraries invite residents to share their story – North Ayrshire Council. “nviting residents – aged 18 years and over – to be part of a unique community audio project ‘What’s Your Story?’, supported by the Scottish Public Library Improvement Fund – an audio recording of stories, memories and reflections experienced over the last few years.”
  • Free guitars on loan from the HAC, Kilwinning and Kilbirnie Libraries – North Ayrshire Council. “part of a brand-new project called We Make Music Instrument Libraries”
• North Lincolnshire – People banned from North Lincs libraries and leisure centres for fighting, urinating and breaching IT policies – Grimsby Telegraph.
• North Yorkshire – Temporary closure of Malton library for more improvements – North Yorkshire Council. “Malton library has already benefited from Government public sector decarbonisation funding with the replacement of its windows and the latest work will involve the replacement of an unreliable and inefficient heating system. “
• Northern Ireland – Extension of appointments to the Board of Libraries NI – Northern Ireland Department for Communities.

• Nottingham – Three local libraries saved from closure – Nottingham Council. “The council’s Executive Board today (January 17) voted in favour of keeping all existing libraries open, but with some shortened opening times across the library network, and Aspley Library modified to create a stock distribution and outreach hub while retaining it as a publicly accessible library. Earlier plans involved among other things the closure of Basford, Radford/Lenton and Aspley libraries, with Aspley’s being turned into a distribution hub for the library service. However, some savings have already been achieved through a staffing restructure in the libraries service, meaning only £79,000 of savings were needed from the original £233,000. This, along with strong public feedback against the closure proposals and emerging factors such as their important role of libraries during the cost-of-living crisis and as warm hubs, has allowed the council to look again at how to achieve the necessary changes and savings.”

• Pembrokeshire – Mobile library to visit Narberth while library remains shut – Western Telegraph. Maintenance needed. “Narberth Town Council, which leases the library building from Pembrokeshire County Council, hopes that the work will start shortly.”
• Redcar and Cleveland – Councillors unhappy about proposed temporary library move – Yahoo News. “Redcar and Cleveland Council is proposing to move Redcar library from its current base in Kirkleatham Street to the Tuned In! building about half a mile away in Majuba Road near the seafront. A new facility is due to be created in Redcar High Street as part of the £25m Town Deal plans, but won’t be in place until 2025 at the earliest.”
• Sheffield – Have your say on library opening times – Sheffield Council. “We have an opportunity to extend the opening hours of the Council run community hub libraries from 31 to 34 hours per week and in order to do this we need to standardise the opening times.  Therefore we are consulting with library users and non users to identify the impact of the proposed change to the opening days and times.”
  • No one is allowed to walk within 3 metres of Sheffield library – Examiner Live. “a temporary exclusion zone was put in place around the building in Arundel Gate, Surrey Street and Tudor Square. This three-metre zone will include footpath closures along the whole length of the building in Surrey Street. Protective canopies have also been put in place along the Graves Building’s entrances and exits so the public and members of staff can be safe when using the building.”
• Sheffield Central Library forced to close this morning – Star. Power cut.

• Shropshire – Shropshire libraries hosting friendly banking advice sessions – Shropshire Council. HSBC “hosting expert advice sessions to help people protect themselves from fraud, manage their money and learn about digital banking options.”
  • Libraries add another chapter to innovative prison project – Shropshire Council. “Three volunteer ‘human library books’ went to the prison to be ‘read’ by six selected prisoner representatives in a bid to open up frank conversations. Their subjects were health, sexuality, grief, and abuse.”
  • Ludlow library is hub for adult learning reading initiative – Ludlow Advertiser. “Books in the new Adult Reading Scheme Collection are graded, and the levels range from very basic to short novels and non-fiction, books for those with very limited literacy or who speak very little English, and titles for people with moderate literacy or dyslexia.”
• Solihull – Library book amnesty – please bring your books back – Solihull Council. “Throughout January and February, Solihull libraries are holding an amnesty with anonymous drop-off points available at all libraries in the borough. This means customers won’t need to speak to a librarian, they can just  drop their overdue books into the library boxes. Returned items will then be logged back onto the system and replaced on the shelves for other library users to enjoy.”
• South Gloucestershire – South Gloucestershire libraries named in top five in the UK for children’s reading challenge – South Gloucestershire Council. “Six thousand children aged between four and 11 took part in the 2022 challenge in South Gloucestershire, reading 100,000 books. This means almost 20 percent of all Primary age school children in the district took part.”
• Southwark – C20 makes listing bid for Peckham Library – Twentieth Century Society. “Following concerns regarding an application for intrusive new rooftop plant equipment, C20 has submitted a listing application for the celebrated Peckham Library in Southwark, South London, recommending it be considered for Grade II* status. Designed by Alsop and Störmer, the library opened in 2000 and won the Stirling Prize for Architecture in the same year. It is widely considered one of the most important works of the late Will Alsop, who passed away in 2018, and a landmark millennial project.”
• Staffordshire – Free creative workshops in selected Stafford libraries – Staffordshire Council. “The workshops will help people to explore what they love about where they live, taking inspiration from local heritage collections.  Workshops will also help boost people’s wellbeing through creative & social activity. “
• Suffolk – Long Melford Library closed until further notice – Suffolk Libraries. “We were advised by the Royal British Legion over the weekend that they intend to close their building in Long Melford with immediate effect. We have not been given a reason for the closure.”
  • Ipswich Library to host menopause focus group – Suffolk Libraries. “The new programme is being launched after Suffolk Libraries received £170k of funding from the Department of Health and Social Care’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Health and Wellbeing Fund. The funding will enable Suffolk Libraries to launch a new project to provide support and advice for women who are experiencing the menopause and perimenopause.”
  • Join us for the Orwell Challenge and help raise funds for Suffolk Libraries – Suffolk Libraries. Request for Orwell Challenge walkers to raise money for library service.
  • Suffolk Libraries launch Paw-some Art Sculpture fundraising event – Suffolk Libraries. “PAWS-itivity will involve 45 dog sculptures featuring designs individually created by local artists in each of Suffolk’s libraries over the Summer of 2023.” … “The event aims to raise money to support Suffolk Libraries work at the heart of the community. It will also raise awareness of Suffolk Libraries as an independent charity”

• West Sussex – West Sussex Libraries launches countywide reading challenge for 2023 – West Sussex Council. “The challenge is to read twelve books in twelve months and the theme of each month differs to include genres that readers may have never experienced before, including books that celebrate the great outdoors, a prize-winning book, and a book with a Sussex connection.”
• Wirral – Crucial meeting deciding future of libraries and leisure centre pushed back – Liverpool Echo. “The council decided in December to allow two libraries in Prenton and Pensby to move into final negotiations for community groups or businesses to take over. However some have already gone public on the proposals. One cafe which put in two bids to take over Hoylake Library said it was “with a really heavy heart that we have been rejected.””
• Worcestershire – Come along to a Cost of Living Fair at Worcestershire Libraries – Worcestershire Council. “The events, which are free, for residents to visit will have multiple partners on hand to offer advice”
  • Face to face sessions to be held as part of Redditch Library consultation – Worcestershire Council. Consultation on move.
  • A warm welcome awaits you this winter at Worcestershire Libraries – Worcestershire Council.
• York – Meet the new boss at York library service – Yahoo News. New chief executive comes from museums/National Trust background.
  • Haxby and Wigginton community centre and library reopening – York Council. “Visitors are being wowed by the modern, fresh, welcoming, accessible library and new reading café offering barista-style coffees and snacks plus an outdoor terrace.” see also New library and community centre reopens in York with ‘barista-style’ coffee – Yahoo News.

Editorial

This is going to be the last post before Christmas and so it’s great to see public libraries doing so much great stuff. With the cold weather, the sector is really pushing it’s possibilities as a warm welcoming and neutral space to the fore. I’m loving things like “kindness racks” for people to donate and take clothes, places to recycle those troublesome used batteries, giving hot drinks, providing free activities and free charging of phones. This is full-on final chapter of Christmas Carol stuff but even more so are the library services who have removed fines and the two this week who have either “paused” fining or extended their fines amnesty. All this and we provide fantastic free loan of books too. My gosh what a sector to work for.

So, merry Christmas everyone. Wishing you all the best this festive season. May I wish you many more happy returns (and issues) in 2023.

Changes by local authority

• Cumbria – Kendal Library being further refurbished
• East Sussex – Newhaven, Rye and Hollington libraries to be refurbished.
• Shropshire – Review of library locations
• Stockport – Fines “paused” until Easter review.
• Suffolk – £170k grant from DHS for menopause support.
• Swindon – Council service hubs move into libraries

National news

• Green Libraries Conference – CILIP. London, 24 March 2023. “The 2023 Green Libraries Conference aims to connect library staff at all levels to share ideas and insights on environmental understanding and action. A free, one-day event for public libraries in England on the theme of ‘Working Together for People and Planet”
• Hot drinks, free coats, cold, hungry children: the shocking reality of Britain’s winter ‘warm banks’ – Guardian. “On Thursday, she spent some of the morning at the Gainsborough library in south-east Ipswich, in one of the city’s newly designated warm banks. The modern building is kept heated to 21C; its cafe offers free hot drinks and has a welcoming smell of toast. It feels like a healthier and more cheerful place than her home, where she has been keeping the heating off during the day to save money, and has experimented with keeping some of the windows open in an attempt to stop the spreading mould.”

“… the staff here are proving a new kind of support in a subtle way and their approach seems to be working. People come in to print out a document and stay in the cafe for hot drinks. Rails of free clothes (known as “kindness racks”) are available for visitors to choose whatever they want. On Thursdays, library staff and volunteers pack up bags of pears, potatoes, bananas, apples, peppers and carrots, and sell them for the reduced price of £2. Cartons of free period products have been slotted in between book displays on the library shelves, to make it easy for people to help themselves.”

• The Knowledge – This a link to subscribe to the free daily email from The Knowledge about current affairs. It’s a short update, and I’ve always found it interesting, with different articles to what normally sees plus some fun stuff. Not much to do with public libraries though. But, if you subscribe through the attached link, I get entered into a prize draw [! – Ed.]
• North-east family’s donation to help local charity spread message to every UK child – Press and Journal. “It’s hoped, by Christmas, each library in the UK will have a copy of A Friend Just Like Me. The book was written for Ballater organisation A Bear Named Buttony, set up to break the “poo taboo” around stomas, bowel and bladder conditions.”
• TalkTalk reveals more hybrid workers using libraries to reduce bills – News and Star. “Half of those that have used such alternative venues for work are now doing so for one or two days a week, with further third swapping home for local businesses or libraries three or four days a week.” see full TalkTalk report.
• A Tube-Style Map Of London Libraries – Londonist. “not only includes 350 libraries, but also provides information about their facilities and how to get between them”
• Webinars – British Library Living Knowledge Network. ” a series of recorded webinars that cover a wide range of useful topics for library staff. Build your knowledge of evaluating events, death positive libraries, engaging with teenagers and more.”
• Where to keep warm this winter – BBC Moneybox. “We visit Widnes library and speak to the organisers of the campaign.”

International news

• USA – Massachusetts library will display Christmas trees after controversy turned ‘neighbor against neighbor’ – Fox News. “”The initial decision to not display a Christmas tree was the result of an ongoing review of all our holiday decorations and displays that started back in the spring. What has played out on social media is unfortunate, it has negatively impacted our staff and the community, and frankly, transpired before we had even started our seasonal decorating. As we finish decorating for this holiday season, Christmas trees will be put up at both locations,”.
  • Celebrate Brooklyn Public Library’s 125th birthday with our 125 Most Borrowed Books – Brooklyn Public Library.
  • NYC public libraries say proposed budget cuts may ‘push us over the edge’ – Gothamist. “could face a total of $13.6 million in reductions for the current fiscal year (ending in June 2023) and $20.5 million in each of the next three fiscal years”
  • Teens, Trauma, and the Future of Libraries – Hi Miss Julie. “Teens today need libraries. And tomorrow’s libraries are going to need today’s teens to support them. Eventually these teens will be voting on your referendums. Their library usage (or lack thereof) impacts your door counts, circulation stats, wifi sessions, and all other metrics that impact funding in one way or another.”

Local news by authority

• Bedford – Free crafts and games for children at all Bedford libraries this Christmas – Bedford Today.
• Bradford – As cold snap bites, more than 20 ‘warm banks’ open for Bradford’s most vulnerable – Yahoo News. Libraries are included.
• Bristol – Bristol Central Library: More than 4,000 sign petitions against move – BBC. “In questions to Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees, Mr Hartley was told the annual cost of running the Central Library is £1.63m per year, while it earned £80,000 per year through leasing its lower floors to Bristol Cathedral School … due to national underfunding and rising costs, councils will face an additional £3.4 billion of costs next year. This means that things which were previously red lines now have to be considered, including potentially relocating Central Library.”
• Buckinghamshire – A warm welcome awaits as libraries in Bucks act as Welcoming Spaces – Bucks Herald.
• Croydon – Council ‘cannot guarantee’ that libraries will remain open – London News Online. “Leader of the Labour opposition, Councillor Stuart King, asked how many of Croydon’s libraries would still be open in May 2026, when the next council elections are due to take place. Croydon’s Conservative mayor, Jason Perry, said: “The reality is that libraries are listed as potential disposals. “I don’t know where, we are at the very early stages of setting the budget for next year. To answer your question, I don’t know right now.””
• Cumbria – Kendal Library redesign works set to commence in January – Cumbria Council. “The redesigned library will improve browsing experience through clearer signage, improved layout and dedicated seating areas. The transformed building will provide the perfect space to read, learn, research, relax and make use of the digital facilities and resources on offer. There will also be a fantastic range of activities available such as Adult Learning classes, children’s activities and specialist drop ins.”

• Devon – Warm scheme highlights the importance of Kingsbridge library – Ivybridge Today. “we are welcoming anyone who needs to visit just to keep warm, have a hot drink, charge their phones, study, or simply spend time in the library reading and making use of our facilities.”
• East Riding – New “Stream” events at East Riding Libraries this Christmas – East Riding Council. “Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics” events at several libraries.
• East Sussex – Newhaven, Rye and Hollington libraries to be refurbished – Argus. “The venues in Newhaven, Rye and Hollington will be refurbished with funding from East Sussex County Council. According to the council, the works will “enhance customer experience”, creating children’s areas and study spaces and adding new seating.”
• Hackney – Council invites residents to donate coats at Hackney’s libraries – with winter swap scheme in ‘very high demand’ – Hackney Citizen. “Hundreds of coats are available across the seven libraries and people can take one if they need one. It is the first time the Kind Coat Scheme has been rolled out in Hackney. In the past, coats have only been available at Stoke Newington and Dalston libraries.”

• Peterborough – Peterborough library fine amnesty extended in bid to get overdue books back on the shelves – Peterborough Telegraph. ” “The amnesty has been really successful, mostly because we have been able to engage members who felt they couldn’t use the library service anymore because they owed us money – to date we have seen around 250 library members coming back to us – we’d like to push that to 300 by the end of this year. “
• Renfrewshire – Renfrewshire libraries join Winter Connections programme – Gazette. “Activities including family craft and play sessions and film nights, will be available in selected Renfrewshire libraries as part of the programme, which is creating a network of local places and spaces which offer free events and activities where people can come together and connect this winter. “
• Shropshire – Ponies, presents and plenty of people at Shropshire library’s festive celebrations – Shropshire Council. Santa grotto and Christmas tree competition attracts hundreds of children and eleven primary schools.
  • Shropshire Council to review location of libraries – BBC. “Libraries could share space with other community services under a new strategy, a council said. Shropshire Council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve strategy for services until 2027. It operates 21 static libraries, a prison library and three mobile libraries, and said while the “mix” will continue, each location will be reviewed.”
• Southwark – C20 campaigns for Peckham Library to be made UK’s first 21st-century listed building – De Zeen. “The Twentieth Century Society (C20) submitted an application to make Peckham Library a grade II*-listed building to protect it from plans to add “intrusive new rooftop plant equipment” to its roof. Opened in 2000, Peckham Library was designed by Alsop’s studio Alsop and Störmer and won the Stirling Prize the same year. If C20’s application is successful, it would become the UK’s youngest listed building and the first building opened in the 21st century to be listed.”

• Stockport – Library fines paused in the New Year – Stockport Council. “All library fines will be paused from the New Year, so you can borrow items without fear of fines. This will last until Easter 2023, when the policy will be reviewed. With the cost of living impacting everyone in the borough, the council want to encourage people to use their local library and keep on reading, without any potential barriers in place. It’s all part of the wider drive to keep residents warm and well over the winter period.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries receives £170k for menopause support programme – Suffolk Libraries. “… to provide support and advice for women who are experiencing the menopause and perimenopause. The funding has been announced after Suffolk Libraries successfully applied to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise Health and Wellbeing Fund.”
• Sutton – Helping you through the winter – Sutton Council. “in all our libraries, and in five of these you can find trained volunteers who provide advice on additional support and how to access this.”
• Swindon – Swindon libraries to be used as council service hubs – BBC. “Swindon Borough Council is proposing moving staff from Wat Tyler House to the five core libraries it runs. The council has seen a large drop-off in face-to-face enquiries and hopes the move will make its services easier to access. Under the plans, staff would work from the Central Library, Highworth, North Swindon Park, and West Swindon.”
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire’s Lord Lieutenant presents British Empire Medals to local residents – Warwickshire Council. “Mrs Sorrelle Clements from Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough, Service Development Manager for Coventry Libraries, received her BEM for her services to Libraries. Sorelle has worked at Coventry Libraries for over ten years, maintaining a focus on increasing engagement, accessibility, and inclusivity.”
• Wrexham – Cost of living support sessions taking place at libraries across Winter – Wrexham Council.
• York – Record numbers turn to ‘warm banks’ in York as temperatures plummet – Yahoo Sport. Libraries mentioned once.

Editorial

Things are already quietening down for Christmas, with the only real theme being a late few library services announcing their Warm Spaces offer. This can range from just mentioning their public libraries exist to, on the other extreme, extending opening hours, providing food and drink, plus advice. In other news, the annual launch of the Universal Library Offers Calendar for next year. I have recently become a convert for long-term planning, having already booked in scores of events for next Summer, so I’ll be looking through this calendar for ideas tomorrow.

There is another theme though, and that’s the lots of positive Scottish news (including from Sean McNamara who is fast becoming some sort of library celebrity). There’s talk of automatic library membership, “lend and mend hubs” and (my perennial favourite) dogs in libraries. Shame it’s so cold up there … well, except in the libraries, obviously.

National news

• It’s ok to fail. Creating playful learning spaces in libraries – Artefacto. “Practise what you preach and be inventive with your planning. You could even create a forum for your own staff and/or patrons, where participants are free to creatively engage with ideas on building a creative program together. But staff need to feel supported to deliver these innovative programs. There are resources out there to help them, and we’ve picked out a few below …”
• New drive to make ‘every child’ a library card holder – Herald. “Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), said it is working with health professionals to promote information on the benefits of library membership to parents as early as during antenatal care. “What we would like to see is more children joining up as library members at birth,” said Ms Tulloch.”

• Rainy Libraries – Library Data Blog. ” I’ve recently been exploring the HadUK gridded climate observations for the UK. These are amazingly detailed: 1km grid observation modelling across the UK for various climate readings, from 1836 to the present. Often at a daily basis. Lovely.” Four out of five wettest libraries are in Cumbria, one in Devon.
• Sean McNamara: Why our libraries need to be open to all – Herald. “our skilled library workers will do everything in their power to help their communities and serve their purpose of helping provide equitable access in an ethical way and hopefully supporting a fairer and more just society.”
• UKCoR Uncataloguing Workshop (in association with MDGS) – Metadata and Discovery Group. Friday 9 December, 10am to 6pm, Edinborough.
• Universal Library Offers calendar 2023 – Libraries Connected. “Our Universal Library Offer calendar brings together key national campaigns, festivals and celebrations through which libraries can develop and promote the Universal Library Offers. “

Changes by local authority

• Blackburn With Darwen – Blackburn Library opens for an extra 2 hours every Saturday afternoon and Darwen Library opens for an extra 3 hours every Friday morning (source: email). 

International news

• Canada, New Zealand and USA – The international library: how libraries differ in these 3 countries – Press Reader. A look ay governance, funding, initiatives, culture.

• Nigeria – Journeying With The Nigerian Public Libraries – Princh. ” The 774 local government area councils in Nigeria should have a public library in each of them, but that is not the case – some states have just one facility in the state capital, thereby denying many citizens the benefits of the people’s university. The fact that public libraries have, over the years, been poorly funded is glaring in some states.”
• UK, US and Australia – A future for public libraries. Local Government Library Technology (LGLibTech) Dialogues with library thought leader leaders – Zoom. Webinar, 7 December, 2.30pm. “Consultant Ken Chad will be in conversation with Tim Coates to discuss his analysis of the problem, potential ways forward and the implications for library technology.”
• USA – Austin Libraries Prepare for a Barrage of Book-Banning Bills – Austin Chronicle. Texans lead the whole country in censoring freedom of speech in public libraries.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Aberdeen library to introduce ‘repair and upcycle’ hub as part of sustainability drive – Press and Journal. “Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) will open 10 Lend and Mend points across the country next year to help communities lead more sustainable lives.”
• Aberdeenshire – Dog friendly Saturdays come to Stonehaven Library – Scotsman. “if it gives confidence for new people to come in to the library or our regulars to come in more often, then it has got to be a positive.” The scheme will run for six months in Banff and Stonehaven libraries.”

• Bedford – Mayor urges Warm Space providers to join network to help spread the word – Bedford Independent. “Bedford mayor, Dave Hodgson, said the council’s website lists around 25 places, not including the borough’s libraries.”
• Birmingham – Jeweller-turned BBC star creates Birmingham Library-influenced earrings – Birmingham Mail. “”In a way it’s controversial to spend that much money on a library, but I do think they are the new cathedrals of quiet. There does need to be a place of pause for words and reflection,” she said. “We’ve lost a lot of churches and buildings that might perform that function. I think the library can have that and be a part of the community.”
• Bolton – Bolton Council launches warm spaces to help with cost of living – Bolton News. “Visitors can also get a free hot drink to warm themselves up and chat to staff to get advice on how to get help with food, fuel and finances.”
• Bradford – Bradford newborns to be given library cards under new scheme – Telegraph and Argus. “The council’s Library Service is working with the District’s Register Offices, rolling out the scheme to give families the opportunity to sign their baby up for a library card at the same time as they register the birth of their child.”
• Cumbria – Curl la Tourelle Head wins Carlisle Library revamp competition – Architects Journal. “Much like our approach to the award-winning Hornsey Library, our design enhances its postmodern character by introducing colourful interior features.” … “The 2,500m² scheme will deliver a new multifunctional space suitable for providing learning, skills, digital connectivity, library functions and community events. It has been funded as part of Carlisle’s £19.7 million ‘town deal’.”
• Essex – Are local libraries becoming a fantasy? May Cashman Burnt Mill Academy – Gazette Standard. “it is devastating that local libraries are not receiving the funding that they need. Reading is at the heart of many young people’s lives and is a support for them if they feel they have no one to talk to. Everyone should have the right to read and that relies on having access to a range of books”.”

• Fife – Nine Fife libraries open doors as warm spaces for winter – Fife Today. “Nine libraries across Fife are set to become designated warm spaces over the coming winter months to help Fifers struggling with cost-of-living increases.” £34k council funding. “They will offer spaces to work, study and play, and will also provide free hot drinks and additional free resources, such as jigsaws, games and craft materials.”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde library service selected for pioneering ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ project – Inverclyde Council. “South West Library will introduce a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, funded by The John Lewis Partnership’s £1m Circular Future Fund, which will help the local community to repair, reuse, rent and upcycle everyday items, with free access for everyone to keep items in use for longer, rather than them being thrown away.”
• Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries announce their programme of events for December 2022 – Brixton Buzz.
• Leeds – Library to host festive storybook spectacular this Christmas – Leeds Council. Theatre.
• Liverpool – Libraries to offer a warm welcome this winter – Liverpool Express. “additional activities planned throughout the winter period.”
• Manchester – Gorton Library’s New Chapter – MancLibraries Blog. “Gorton Library has moved into its new home, the lovely brand spanking new Gorton Hub. Although there is always sadness in leaving the comfort of our old surroundings and all the memories attached, there has been a very definite excitement about having such a lovely new building with all its furnishings and resources for our local community.”

• Medway – Medway Libraries’ first international exhibition – Medway Council. “Explore how the Coronavirus pandemic has changed the concept of art at Medway Libraries’ first international exhibition at Chatham Library.”
• Merton – Health and Wellbeing Zones launched in Merton’s libraries – Merton Council. “More than 700 people, including local GPs, councillors and the Mayor, attended the launch of the new Health and Wellbeing Zones at Morden Library. The zones are now available in all seven of Merton libraries, as part of the MindSpace project. The Health & Wellbeing Zones will give residents access to vital information, exclusive online content, and tech gadgets to help improve their wellbeing.”
• Nottingham – Knitted gift for council leader after libraries saved – West Bridgford Wire. “When they heard that their library is saved, they decided to thank the council by way of thanking Cllr David Mellen, the council leader.  The obvious way was to give him something knitted, and a scarf was made for him. The Basford Knit and Natter Group has contacted David Mellen to ask him when they can present the scarf.”
• Oxfordshire – Free food waste caddy liners for households – Yahoo Sport. “Householders can pick up a free roll of food waste caddy liners to help deal with the extra food waste expected to be generated over the festive period.”

• Pembrokeshire – Town library closed ‘until further notice’ – Yahoo News. Essential building maintenance. “Narberth Library is a community managed partnership between Pembrokeshire County Council’s library service, the Friends of Narberth Library and Narberth Town Council. The library will be moving to the Old School site in Narberth late 2023/early 2024.”
• Sheffield – Zest – Zest – ex-Upperthorpe public library is now a multi-use leisure/community centre. Library has very long opening hours, self-service. Joining also requires “2 proofs of ID”.
• Suffolk – Gainsborough Library sees rising demand for food support – Ipswich Star. “Earlier this month, Suffolk Libraries launched the Be Kind in Kind campaign to support vulnerable people through a difficult winter. The initiative has seen the charity open all 45 of its libraries – including Gainsborough – to the community, offering a warm space, free hot drinks, kindness rack – so people can pick donated clothes – hygiene products and a safe place to meet people. “Since Suffolk Libraries launched the Be Kind in Kind campaign people have also been coming in to make the most of the hot drinks and our kindness rack,” added Mandy. “
• Wrexham – Wrexham libraries offer a safe, warm space to visit – Leader.

Editorial

I wasn’t sure what to write in this week’s editorial – more on Warm Banks (or whatever we call them) perhaps or on the recent austerity-laden budget. But then I read something just below publishing about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It strikes me that libraries can meet all of these needs: self-actualisation (e.g. writing that novel, 3D printer), esteem (e.g. literacy, even owning a library card), social (e.g. knit and natter) and safety (neutral welcoming space). What went without saying until recently is that they provided warmth as well. But now that’s an actual selling point of libraries. And it seems to me that what level councils and library services aim for on the hierarchy is a pretty good indicator of how successful they are, and not just them, but for the society in which they a part of. In which case, it’s pretty low at the moment. But pretty essential too.

Changes by local authority

• Bristol – Central Library could move somewhere cheaper, in potential £1.38m cut.

National news

• Cost of Living crisis: Libraries as warm banks – Dawn of the Unread. “By having multiple purposes, libraries are able to connect with communities that may otherwise not come into contact with books.” … “, the question of whether a library can be a focal point of the community seems to be the least important function at present. The current economic climate means the ambitions, at least in terms of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, are purely physiological, to provide shelter and warmth.  “
• Digital Leadership for Libraries empowering England’s public library workforce – CILIP. “five open-access, online learning modules created for public library workers, volunteers and apprentices. The modules are intended to create engagement with the principles and values of being a digital leader in the public libraries, unlocking the potential for all public library workers, and their services, to be confident digital leaders.”
• Health on the High Street: The Role of Public Libraries – DCMS / Gov.uk. 215 people used ” M8 dual function automatic monitor (affectionally nicknamed FRED) which allows customers to accurately measure their height, weight, BMI, heart rate and blood pressure without supervision. They get a printout of the results and the data is also sent to their GP automatically if the customer consents to do so. The pilot was soft launched through local advertising via social media and by library staff and partners talking to their customers.”
• Libraries vs. the Cost of Living Crisis – Book Riot. Free entertainment, easing financial pressure, warm banks. “While the fact that such a thing as a “warm bank” is necessary is a horrifying indictment of how bad things have become under austerity and late-stage capitalism, it’s reassuring that, once again, libraries are stepping up for their communities. “

• Mirror’s Warm Hearts Christmas Appeal: We need you to help those struggling with bills – Mirror. “Warm Welcome is coordinated by the Good Faith Partnership and is supported by the Salvation Army, Libraries Connected, Muslim Council of Britain, Neighbourly, Christians Against Poverty, Acts 435, Safe Families, Edge Ministries and the Together Coalition among others. Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected said: “At Libraries Connected we know that public libraries are determined to help people during the difficult months ahead.”
• More than a third of children don’t feel represented in books they read, Wonderbly research suggests – BookSeller. ” 37% of respondents said a lack of representation on things such as race and gender “put them off reading altogether”.”
• Now more than ever we must fight to keep our public libraries open – Herald Scotland. “Almost every day I read authors and other public figures extolling the value of libraries and especially how important they were in their childhood, but still library closures continue. Where will our grandchildren find the books to open their minds and imaginations?”
• Two Tory-run councils warn PM of possible bankruptcy – Guardian. “Ministers effectively had a choice, the letter said: to fund councils properly or change the law to remove the “outdated and under-resourced” legal obligation on town halls to provide services such as libraries and home-to-school transport.” See the joint letter here.
• Where should libraries go if Twitter becomes a wasteland – Ned Potter. “If you’re a public library… I just can’t see any sort of alternative on the horizon for now. At least Facebook is the really key platform in that sector”

International news

• Iraq – Library Development in Iraq – Re-writing History – CILIP. 13 November, 5pm.
• Ukraine – Forum on Building Partnership for Ukrainian libraries – Naple Sister Libraries. “Several hundred libraries were fully destroyed or damaged because of Russian missile attacks in Ukraine.
  To rebuild them it needs strong partnerships and ‘sisterships’ from the friendly libraries of Europe. That is why it is organized the Forum on 17 November 11.00-13.00 (Kyiv time) to present the situation of Ukrainian libraries and search for opportunities for cooperation.”
• USA – They Want to Kill Libraries – Cory Doctorow. “Librarians are kind of upside-down cops: public employees who are stepping in wherever the rest of our services have failed. Cops are some of our highest-paid public servants and their salaries are going up. Librarians get by on a shoestring and their wages are being slashed. Progressives openly call for the police to be defunded — billionaire plutocrats hide their campaign to defund libraries behind groomer hoaxes.”
  • OCLC v. Clarivate: What was MetaDoor? What is an OCLC Record? – Disruptive Library Technology Jester.

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Local libraries to welcome “anyone struggling to pay their enery bills” – Journal and Gazette. “People with sensory needs can now also benefit from a dedicated sensory space which has been created at Bath Central Library. It’s been fitted out with sensory lighting and toys, a giant beanbag, comfy rug and cushions and a black out tent. Sessions are free and bookable on Eventbrite with the bookings available for one household per session.”
• Bristol – Central library could relocate to save Bristol City Council millions – Bristol Post. “Central Library could relocate as part of plans by Bristol City Council to cut millions from its budget next year. The historic library on College Green would be moved elsewhere, while the library service across the city would be reduced, saving £1.38 million from the budget.”
• Buckinghamshire – Bucks Council developing new vision for its libraries – Bucks Radio. “The survey is open until Sunday 15 January – www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries-your-views“
• Cambridgeshire – Libraries sign up to Green Manifesto including here in Fenland – Fenland Citizen. “As part of ongoing work by Cambridgeshire County Council to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the environment, the county’s Libraries Service has pledged to support a national ‘Green Libraries Manifesto’.” … “Eight of the county’s libraries have had air source heat pumps installed to help the buildings become more energy efficient.”
• Ceredigion – Litter-picking hub established at Cardigan Library – Tivyside Advertiser. “The Hubs have all the equipment needed to carry out a safe clean-up: litter pickers, hi-vis vests, rubbish bags and hoops.”
• Derby – Extra £100k to be spent to keep 10 Derby libraries open until March – Derby Telegraph. “An extra £104,784 of council funding is needed to keep ten of Derby’s libraries from closing between now and next March. Derby City council has a statutory duty to fund and maintain five libraries in the city but the remaining 10 have been run on behalf of the council by the charity Direct Help and advice (DHA) since 2017 using volunteers, as community-managed libraries (CML). But in July this year, the charity gave notice that it would be withdrawing from the arrangements and the libraries would return to the council from November 30, 2022. DHA felt they were unable to continue a month-by-month grant agreement of £26,196.”
• Devon – Exeter Library provides support lifeline as cost of living crisis deepens – Exeter City Council. “The new Libraries for Life campaign runs until March 2023 and highlights the numerous ways libraries offer help, mostly for free. The campaign will cover six themes: the cost of living, loneliness and community connections, food, health and wellbeing, digital access and support, and employment, skills, and businesses.”
  • Cardboard tree on display in Barnstaple library – BBC. “A 5m (16ft) tree made from sustainable scrap cardboard has been installed in a library. The Reading Tree has been created by Exeter-based artist James Lake and is on display at Barnstaple Library. Mr Lake worked on the tree for six weeks in Exeter, with help from members of the public and primary school children.”
  • Libraries across Devon grow into creative cultural centres with £720,369 boost – Devon Live. “The grant, which will run from 2023 to 2026, will enable Libraries Unlimited to extend its programme of music, films, workshops and creative events.”
• Dorset – Lyme Regis Library coffee afternoon explains library service – Bridport News. “the event is designed to let people know more about the free library delivery service which aims to deliver books to your doorstep.”
• Dudley – Dudley librarian wins Romantic Novelists Association librarian of the year – Express and Star. “The awards celebrate the hard work and talent of any person, group or organisation who has championed the broad genre of romantic fiction in a positive way.”
• East Lothian – Libraries temporarily close their doors as new system installed – East Lothian Courier. “The Spydus Library Management System is already used by more than 1,500 libraries across the globe”, including the Scottish Consortium of Public Libraries. The system is designed to help libraries manage all resources, including digital content and events from a single database.”
• Essex – Winter Reading Challenge returns for another year at Essex Libraries – Essex Council. “Around 5,000 children took part last year and it is hoped this year will attract even more participants. The Winter Reading Challenge is being led by Essex Library Service, in partnership with Penguin books and the Essex Year of Reading. This year’s challenge will see children and young people tasked with completing challenges in an interactive booklet to help Lyra the penguin find out how others celebrate winter.”
• Haringey – Quarter of Haringey Council solar panels faulty or not working – Ham and High. “Friends of Hornsey Library contacted Liberal Democrat councillors to tell them that the panels installed at the library had not been working since they were installed in 2020. The panels were switched this month after the matter was escalated to senior officers”
• Highlands – Lochaber libraries welcome back Book Week Scotland – Oban Times. “This annual celebration of books and reading takes place across the country between  November 14 and 20. ”
  • Achievements of young Highland bookworms celebrated in the Summer Reading Challenge – Inverness Courier. ““This year 1032 local children took part across 47 Highland libraries, reading a total of 5260 books over the summer holidays, which is an amazing achievement.””
• Kirklees – Kirklees Libraries becomes first public library service in the Uk to win a Quality 4 Health award – Huddersfield Hub. “The service received the award in recognition of the work of frontline staff and volunteers to improve the health and wellbeing of residents through a targeted programme of outreach activities.”
• Lancashire – County Council launches Lancashire Warm Spaces Charter and grant scheme – Lancashire Council. “a warm drink, a space to sit, free computers and Wi-Fi, charging points for digital equipment, events and activities and help from staff to find further information about what support is available.”
• Leicester – One-stop shop at libraries to help people into work – Leicester Council. “Specialist work coaches are now available on the spot in eight city libraries, providing local people with individually tailored advice to help them find their next role – even if they’re new to the jobs market or have been out of work for a while. To use the service, simply ask for more information at your local library or give them a ring, and they will make an appointment for you.”
• Leicestershire – Lawnmowers and power tools could be loaned out to Charnwood residents like library books – Leicester Mercury. “A series of innovative recommendations, including the possibility of supporting a library of things, has been included in a report by councillors on Charnwood’s waste management panel – established last year to improve recycling rates in the borough.”
• Liverpool – Poorest in Liverpool face cuts over council’s £73m budget gap – BBC. “A review of libraries and leisure centres, slimming down funding of arts organisations and events and ending the council’s contribution to the city’s Christmas lights are also included in the plan, along with a “wholesale transformation” of adult social care and homelessness services.”

• Manchester – Lonely Planet selects Manchester as top travel destination for 2023 – Guardian. “An accompanying one-day itinerary suggests visitors check out Manchester Art Gallery, Central and John Rylands libraries, Northern Quarter street art, Manchester Craft and Design Centre, and Mackie Mayor food hall.”
  • Read Manchester and Libraries help children to #ReadEnjoySucceed – MancLibraries Blog. ”  In total, 43,000 books were read and children participated in the Challenge 27,500 times.”
• Norfolk – Delay to report over the fate of Norfolk’s mobile libraries – Eastern Daily Press. “Nearly 1,400 people responded to Norfolk County Council’s proposals to cut the budget for mobile libraries from £422,000 to £200,000, as part of proposals to save millions of pounds. A report detailing what the Conservative-controlled council intends to do had been due to come to the council’s cabinet this month – but it has been delayed until January.”
  • British Chinese communities celebrated in free exhibitions – Norfolk Council. “A new exhibition from the British Library is coming to several libraries across Norfolk and will be available to view for free.”
  • Norwich council to sell Guildhall library and restaurant – Eastern Daily Press. “The Grade II listed site – which most recently housed a restaurant called The Library – is owned by Norwich City Council, which wants to sell or lease it, along with neighbouring offices. “
  • Warm spaces open up in Downham Market, Clenchwarton and libraries across West Norfolk – Lynn News. “Libraries are offering hot drinks and instant soup, A variety of bags are available for free, with no questions asked, and advice from library staff with trusted information and support.”
• North Somerset – Learn how to get online with free ‘Tea and Tech’ sessions – North Somerset Council. “Residents facing digital exclusion through not being able to afford sim cards and mobile data can also access them for free thanks to a scheme available through North Somerset Council’s library service. The UK National Databank provides free sims and mobile data …”
• Nottingham – Nottingham library campaigners concerned over decision delay – BBC. “Delays to a final decision on three threatened libraries in Nottingham have left campaigners frustrated, they said. Earlier this month the city council’s ruling Labour group voted to overturn a plan to close libraries in Radford-Lenton, Aspley and Basford. But an official vote by the authority’s executive board, expected on 22 November, is now due next year.”
• Rutland – Rutland County Council offers free support guide on cost of living crisis – Rutland and Stamford Mercury. “12 page guide with information and advice about how to tackle the rising cost of living.” available at libraries.
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries launch campaign to help people this winter – Bury Mercury. ” the county’s libraries will also offer free hot drinks, kindness racks – so people can pick donated clothes – hygiene products and a safe place to meet people.”
• Tameside – Libraries launch foodbank and toy appeal collection points in run up to Christmas – Tameside Council. “Tameside Council has set up collection points in all local libraries and children’s centres to make it convenient and easy for people to drop off donations. The council has also organised collection points in its workplaces for its staff to support the appeals.”

Editorial

So now we know. After far-too-long-a-time calling the proposed web presence for English public libraries “The Single Digital Presence”, it’s been decided that the official name will be “LibraryOn”, presumably pronounced like “Librarian”. Well, it could be worse, it could have the word “hub” in it. The logo looks a bit dated to my eyes but, again, there’s far worse out there. And, yes, Libraries Connected, I’m looking at you. So now all that needs doing is to, um, actually deliver. LibraryOn is still in the beta testing stage and does not promise to be as universal as some had hoped but it will be great when it’s actually online and publicly advertised. I had wondered sometimes if that day will ever come, and still do occasionally, but this is a vital next stop.

In other news, Arts Council England have announced big funding decisions, securing BookTrust and boosting library services such as Gloucestershire and York Explore. That’s all good. Elsewhere, I’m loving the pavement illusion in Dublin, a new wood-lined interior for a library in London and the adult reading scheme in Nottinghamshire (especially the video). And, finally, Warm Spaces continues to be a huge thing for libraries, with more services announced, although some just seem to be the normal public library offer.

Finally, a new DCMS report says positive things about public libraries. We will see what this means in practise but it at least doesn’t suggest negative stuff. And at a time when councils are again looking at deep cuts, this is welcome.

Changes by local authority

• Cumbria – Millom Community Hub / Library opens.

National news

• BookTrust awarded £17.3m and recognised as National Portfolio Organisation by Arts Council England – Book Trust. “BookTrust’s new status as an NPO is an endorsement of the transformative power of reading and an investment in the creative development of young people. The £17.3m funding from ACE, spread over three years, will play a key part in the national strategy to deliver better outcomes for children through culture and creativity.”
• East Lothian and Inverclyde libraries triumph at SLIC awards – Bookseller. “East Lothian scooped the Library Service Excellence Award for its activities on the theme of “championing the local community”.” … “Inverclyde triumphed in the Project of the Year category for its focus on sustainability ahead of and linked to the COP26 Summit in Glasgow last year. “
• Government urged to negotiate with public sector workers over pay – Public Finance. ““We’ve got nurses, librarians and teaching assistants going to food banks – we’ve got a hospital that’s set one up for its staff. People can’t afford to feed their families. If I’d have said this would happen 10 years ago no-one would have believed me. That’s now a reality.””
• Green Libraries Webinar – CILIP. Friday 25 November, 1pm. “The Green Libraries Webinar is an hour long meet to showcase the recent work we have published for the Partnership. We will discuss the Partnership’s aims, what work is currently going on and what has taken place earlier this year. We will hear from two libraries that were featured in our case studies and what work they are doing for their library services to be more sustainable and have an impact in their communities. There will be a short Q+A towards the end.”
• Libraries Celebrating Black History Month – DCMS. “Each October, libraries across the country mark Black History Month through events and recommended reading.  Here are just a few examples.  It is a longer read than usual but we wanted to highlight the variety of activities libraries run to bring together their communities.”: Staffordshire, Gateshead, West Sussex.
• Library chiefs call for DCMS to ‘stem the tide’ of service cuts – BookSeller. “Library chiefs have called for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to “stem the tide” of service closures and staff cuts by providing more support, with several libraries across the country under threat due to rising inflation and increased energy costs. Nick Poole, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP), told The Bookseller the organisation is “deeply concerned about the current fresh wave of reductions in library services being proposed in a number of local authorities, including some of the most deprived wards in the UK”.”

• LibraryOn – LibraryOn. “LibraryOn is a not-for-profit initiative and we put libraries and library ethics at our heart. Funded by Arts Council England, LibraryOn is also managing a £1.1m local grant programme. Co-designed with library services, the grants will help libraries improve their own online presence. While LibraryOn is in development, we will provide information here about its progress.”
• New drive to get books by black authors into libraries – Voice. “The ‘Mark My Words’ campaign will gift libraries titles for both adults and children and will include both fiction and non-fiction books by black authors. “
• Parliamentary report calls for government to support and modernise libraries – Guardian. “Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee report says libraries are ‘an important part of a community’s infrastructure’” … “The report, titled Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda put together by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, recommends that the government should “support the development of a network of hubs providing cultural spaces, workspaces and free, fast internet access in places most in need of levelling up in order to modernise library service provision”
• UK councils slashing services to meet £3.2bn budget shortfall – Guardian. Libraries specifically mentioned, with the example being the Wirral.
• The Yorkshire libraries where you can borrow anything from power tools to party supplies – Great British Life. “this library lends everything from hand tools and powertools, to sewing machines, lawn mowers, carpet cleaners, ladders, party supplies, camping equipment and air mattresses — anything that people use infrequently (say once a month or longer) but would otherwise have to buy new and store at home.”

International news

• USA – Book banners are weaponizing legitimate resources: book censorship news, October 28, 2022 – Book Riot. “Part of the reason these book banning attempts are spreading so far and so quickly is because they share lists online, such as in Facebook groups or shared Google Drive folders, making it easy for a book being banned in Montana today to pop up in a California school board meeting the next day. They share images, rhetoric, out-of-content quotations, and other fodder for the fear machine, and it seems to only collect more targeted books as it goes.” … “Book banners are searching out lists online that are aimed at finding good sources to teach age-appropriate sex ed, or lists of books starring Black main characters, or lists of LGBTQ-friendly picture books, or lists of books to teach social-emotional learning — and they’re using these resources as book banning target practice.”
  • Library Launches a Locally Sourced Music Streaming Platform – EveryLibrary. ” Known as Crescent City Sounds, this platform features 30 local albums spanning genres like brass, soul, hip-hop, jazz, and more. Better yet, the service is free.”

Warm Spaces

• Calderdale – Cost of living: Calderdale libraries double up as ‘warm banks’ this winter – Halifax Courier. “As well as warmth, each site will be offering warm refreshments and free activities.”
• Essex – A Warm Welcome awaits this winter at Essex Libraries – Essex Council. “Additional support will include extra clubs and activities such as advice sessions, arts and crafts and a homework club”

“They think they’re just having fun. That’s very important – children don’t need to know their parents are stressed”

Alexandra Mitchell, 28, on visiting Chelmsford Library

• Cost of living: ‘My children have no idea we’re here to keep warm’ – BBC. Essex. “Having a regular place you know your child can explore and be safe, and be entertained and be warm, is really important,” she says. As a single parent, she cannot afford to take them to a café or to soft play, because everything is “extortionate” at the moment.” …. “Adult education provider, ACL Essex, is working with the library to offer free courses on how to save money on energy bills and cooking on a budget.” … “part of £50m of funding that we [the council] have set aside”
• Lambeth – Lambeth: “Warm spaces” partnership plan to open libraries & community centres for people struggling to heat their homes – Love Lambeth. “Fourteen warm spaces have already opened in the borough including in all our Libraries, and Lambeth is opening more in community centres, estates, and faith groups across the borough. They will also offer a range of services suitable for the space including welfare, debt, income, benefits, and health advice, blood pressure checks, activities for children and others.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk Libraries to provide free warm spaces during the cold winter months – Norfolk Live. Libraries across Norfolk remain open for all and provide a space for people to sit in comfort and access a variety of services on offer. These include reading, doing a jigsaw, playing a board game, or joining in Just a Cuppa or activities.”
• Lincolnshire – Libraries across Lincolnshire becoming designated ‘warm spaces’ – Lincolnshire Live. “”In addition to expanding our activity sessions, we have also invested in more comfortable seating and are hugely grateful to Brakes for their generous donation of tea, coffee and biscuits.” Each library has extended its programme of activities, which now range from reading and crafting groups to board game sessions, yoga classes, and activities for parents and babies.”
• Newham – Council opens welcoming Warm Havens across Newham – Newham Council. “Operating according to the Warm Havens charter developed with residents and voluntary sector partners, the dedicated safe and inclusive spaces will give practical help for anyone needing respite due to the cost of living crisis.” includes 10 libraries.
• Portsmouth – Cost of living: Portsmouth opens up warm spaces – BBC. ” include community centres, libraries and churches”
• Southampton – Cost of living crisis – Where you can get a warm welcome in Southampton – Southampton Council. Libraries “Open to all during usual opening hours.” [! – Ed.]

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Spread some Christmas cheer and Gift A Book – Bath and North East Somerset Council. “Bath & North East Somerset Council’s libraries service is calling for donations of new or nearly new books for its Gift A Book campaign, which last Christmas saw around 3,500 books donated by residents and charities.”
• Brighton and Hove – Council cannot confirm there will be no cuts to libraries – Argus. ““This indicated potential budget shortfalls of £13 million in the best case, to £21 million at the midpoint, up to £31 million in a worst-case scenario,” said Councillor Martin Osborne, on behalf of the council.”
• Caerphilly – Popular ‘Managing Money’ event returns to Caerphilly library – Caerphilly Council. “The second Managing Money MOT Day run on November 30th, will include a wide selection of organisations including Caerphilly School Uniform Exchange, Citizen’s Advice, Furniture Revival and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and is looking to replicate its success from September.  There will also be a fantastic budget cooking demonstration with Mrs Shopland, who – along with her talented A-Level Hospitality students from St Martin’s School – will be showing what can be done with Christmas leftover food.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Northwich Library stabilisation work begins this week – Northwich and Winsford Guardian. “Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) has engaged historic building conservation specialist Recclesia Ltd to undertake the first phase of the work.  They will be working alongside structural engineers, specialist scaffolding engineers, Historic England and qualified health and safety advisors.”
• Cumbria – Millom Community Hub opens with new library for town – ITV. “The Millom Community Hub will now host a library and the town’s adult learning, health and wellbeing team. Copeland Borough Council and Millom School reception will also be based in the hub. New technology and free Wi-Fi has been installed at the library, as well as shelving and a comfortable seating area. A dedicated space for teenagers and a children’s library is also part of the new hub.”

• Derbyshire – Sandiacre: Car still embedded in library 24 hours after crash – BBC. “A car that drove through a library wall is still embedded within books 24 hours after the crash in Derbyshire. The building, at the junction of Albert Road and Doncaster Avenue in Sandiacre, was badly damaged on Sunday morning. The vehicle remains inside while structural engineers assess the extent of damage to the building.”
• East Riding – ‘The Pirates of Christmas Island’: A brand new festive family musical coming to East Riding Libraries – East Riding Council. “Tickets available now from £5.00 (babes in arms go free)”
• Gloucestershire – £750,000 boost for Gloucestershire Libraries service from Arts Council – Glos News. “Gloucestershire Libraries will receive £250,000 a year over the three-year period to help continue its development to provide an ambitious and forward-thinking service for everyone in the county.”
• Guernsey – 140 years of the Guille-Allés Library – Bailiwick Express. “n 1882 they made the dream a reality, creating an iconic Guernsey institution that continues to serve the community today. The exhibition telling the story of the Guille-Alle´s Library opened last night with artefacts on show including one of the rarest, and most expensive books in the world. Visitors to the library can learn more about the origin story and view a vast collection of books and items including James Audubon’s The Birds of America – a collection of hand-coloured prints of every species of bird in North America. “

• Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire’s Community Libraries – Hertfordshire Council. List of the 13 libraries the council no longer pays staff for but instead relies on volunteers. “The county council library service still maintains the buildings, buys the stock, and keeps the IT systems up to date. Library teams provide lots of training and support, as do our highly skilled and committed volunteer steering groups.” …”Why not visit one of these lovely spaces this year?”
  • Hertfordshire Performing Arts Library – Hertfordshire Council.
• Kirklees – Kirklees Libraries first in the UK to win Quality 4 Health and Wellbeing award – Kirklees Together. “They have received the award in recognition of the work of frontline staff and volunteers to improve the health and wellbeing of residents through a targeted programme of outreach activities.”
• Norfolk -Books on wheels: Look back at Norfolk mobile libraries through the years – Eastern Daily Press. Pictures of the mobile library service in years past.
• North Yorkshire – Football fever is about to take over Harrogate library with the arrival of Harrogate Town AFC’s official mascot – North Yorkshire Council. “The library has teamed up with Harrogate Town AFC and Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation to host football-themed activities with prizes, and children can have their photograph taken with the mascot.”
  • Newcastle Building Society opens branch in Knaresborough library – York Press. ““The offer of financial services has significantly increased footfall into Knaresborough library and is encouraging new visitors through the doors.””
• Nottingham – No decision yet on closing three Nottingham libraries as campaigners demand clarity – Nottingham Post. “The authority first revealed at the start of the year that it was planning to close three libraries to save £233,000. But a “restructure of frontline services” means that £154,000 has already been saved to date and that shutting the three libraries would now only save £79,000.”

“With soaring inflation and rising costs in fuel, energy, food and mortgages, Nottingham City Libraries have clubbed together to host ‘Cost of Living Cafes’ in their libraries this November. This will give residents the opportunity to meet organisations who can help with energy use, money matters, wellbeing and much more. Plus, tea and coffee will be available as well as children’s activities.”. Free tea and coffee, lego and colouring for children.

Nottingham – Cafes bring communities together in cost of living crisis – Email update

• Powys – Could your child design the new library card for Powys? – Powys Council. “The competition is open to anyone aged between 4 and 16years old and will be split into two age categories: primary school children (aged 4-11), and secondary school children (aged 11-16), with a prize for the winner of each category. One of the winning designs will be chosen to create the new library membership card.”
• Shropshire – Library’s spooktacular success for Halloween – Shropshire Council. “A Halloween themed party at Market Drayton Library attracted more than 1,000 people through the doors to enjoy a host of seasonal activities – the biggest number ever. The annual Halloween event at the Shropshire Council-run library has gone strength to strength and more and more people are adding it to their social diaries. Hard-working staff and volunteers organised face-painting, games and crafts and a town trail to encourage people to get out and about and explore.”

• Solihull – 1921 census available for free at Solihull libraries – Solihull Council. “Residents who are not already library members can sign up at their local library for free – only proof of name and address are required. “
• Suffolk – Woodbridge Library launches new STEM book collection with Science Fun Day – Suffolk Libraries. “The books and the science event were funded by a generous donation by Brafe Engineering which has its head office in Woodbridge.”. 300 people attended Fun Day.
• Wakefield – Wakefield Council launches new programme for teens at library – Wakefield Express. “Reading Well For Teens” collection
• Waltham Forest – Studio Weave adds wood-lined community space to east London library – De Zeen. “Architecture practice Studio Weave has added a wood-lined community centre to Lea Bridge Library in east London, with a red-concrete colonnade that references the original grade II-listed redbrick building.”
• Warrington – Penketh library set to reopen following £120k refurb – Warrington Guardian. “The transformation of the Honiton Way building includes redeveloping the frontage, replacing external woodwork as well as improvements to the internal decoration and shelving of the LiveWire-run library.”
• Wiltshire – Gadgeteers boost Summer Reading Challenge in Wiltshire Libraries – Salisbury Journal. “The council says 6,206 children across Wiltshire registered for reading challenge – an increase of 39 per cent from 2021. And 3,831 of the children who registered returned to collect their final rewards which included a medal and certificate.”
• York – Arts Council funding boosts culture and creativity at Explore York Libraries and Archives – York Explore [press release]. “Over the next three years, as an Arts Council investment organisation, Explore will be funded to deliver opportunities for people to enjoy even more brilliant, fulfilling culture and creativity in our trusted, welcoming spaces. In these challenging times it matters now more than ever. Explore will be joining up with other Arts Council funded organisations in York – such as the Theatre Royal, Pilot Theatre, National Centre for E”arly Music, Next Door But One Theatre and York Museums Trust – to bring great cultural experiences into our libraries and unlock new creative talent.”