Editorial

Public library services up and down the country are wrestling with what to do now Covid restrictions have been lifted while Covid is still very much present. From what I can tell by talking to people and from media reports, most services appearing to be returning to more like 2019 but with more hand sanitiser, staff still behind screens asking (but not telling) public to be masked, and hand sanitiser remaining obvious. There’s more variety when it comes to physical events – libraries are finding the risk assessments a bit difficult being they’re unprecedented – but a number are restarting them, including inside libraries.

The big news this week, though, is not Covid related. It’s about a very inappropriate monkey costume used for a Summer Reading Challenge event. The costume is adult enough (including the male reproductive organ, I kid you not) that I will not include it here. The incident has been covered worldwide, with so much that there is a separate section below. Read about it in detail there if you wish. One of the key lessons for councils from this, unstated in the reports, is that it doesn’t matter to the public if their library service is outsourced or not. When push comes to shove, the public will still blame the council for its mistakes, even though the council may be genuinely unaware of the problem until the same time as the public and quickly acts upon it when they do notice it. Thus outsourcing comes with an unavoidable, and by the look of this story, pretty random and unpredictable, risk to reputational damage for the local council.

Finally, it’s worth noting the fight continuing in Glasgow about some very serious potential job losses from their outsourced organisation for libraries and leisure, Glasgow Life. Up to 500 jobs are at risk there due to lack of income over the pandemic. It is noticeable there also that the local council, and even the Scottish Government, have got flak for something neither of them are directly in charge of.

It looks like, in fact, when it comes to outsourcing. sometimes the public do give a monkeys.

Changes by local authority

• Conwy –  Colwyn Bay Library may move to the local authority building at Coed Pella

National news

• Libraries Connected launch new awards scheme for library staff – Libraries Connected. “The awards are linked to the Universal Library Offers and Promises and the judging panel will include those leading these areas of work nationally. The awards are open to individuals or teams” ..  Overdrive are sponsoring to pay for all the winners will get a free ticket (with accommodation) to attend both days of the annual Libraries Connected seminar in October. We’re also putting on a special awards dinner with (hopefully!) a VIP to present the awards to them in the evening. 

“Public libraries offer free resources for study and learning. This includes media literacy skills, through channels such as online courses and information sources, and providing quiet spaces for study and reflection that people may not have at home. Libraries also provide opportunities for people to develop core online skills, such as the ability to analyse information confidently and safely.” (Nickie Aiken, Conservative, London and Westminster)

“I thank my hon. Friend. She is quite right; there could not be a better campaign for the summer. We have put £1.9 million of support into the reading scheme that she mentions. But of course there is £200 million going into the holiday activities fund, and there could not be a better, more useful, happier way of occupying your time on holiday than reading a good book.” (Boris Johnson)

Hansard 14 July

• Online Media Literacy Strategy – DCMS. Public libraries have their own small section in the new document, including “Public libraries offer free resources for study and learning. This includes media literacy skills, through channels such as online courses and information sources, and providing quiet spaces for study and reflection that people may not have at home. Libraries also provide opportunities for people to develop core online skills, such as the ability to analyse information confidently and safely.”

“Libraries play an important role in communities and already offer training and support to the public to help them access technologies and navigate the online environment. The strategy will provide a training programme for frontline library workers who interact with members of the public every day to teach them about information literacy.”

Digital Minister Caroline Dinenage

The Rainbow Monkey Incident

• Actor in monkey costume with fake penis and bare bum was invited to library to encourage children to read – Independent. The Summer Reading Challenge “is all very wholesome stuff … until now.” … “Goodmayes Library in Redbridge, East London ruined everything by inviting an actor in a rainbow monkey costume with a fake penis and bare bum to the launch event, and created an absolute s**t storm.”. Arranged by Redbridge Vision, not council. Council Leader complains and event is stopped, apologies made. Libraries says they were not aware of monkey costume at time of booking, theatre group have “retired” costume. However, previous tweet exchange between Redbridge Libraries and Exeter Library suggests at least some in library service knew about the costume. “Sorry but we are just thinking about the brainstorm meeting that led a library to think a ‘Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey’ was the best character to get children to read. Nope, we can’t image how on Earth it happened so we welcome whistle-blowers who wish to come forward.”

“Local Labour MP Wes Streeting asked how “anyone involved – including your staff – thought that a costume described by one national journalist – with depressing accuracy – as a ‘Rainbow Dildo Butt Monkey’ was appropriate for family audiences around our libraries and public realm, let alone a festival aimed at promoting literacy amongst children.”

• Actor in bare-bottomed monkey costume appears at event to encourage children to read – Mirror.
• Willy bad: Actor in bare-bottomed monkey costume with fake penis appears at event to encourage children to read – Sun.
• Exeter Library sorry over Instagram post of a man dressed as a monkey with a sex toy – Devon Live. “xeter Library has since apologised, admitting that the costume was ‘inappropriate’ and that they ‘deeply apologise for the offence caused'” … “Exeter Library were not involved in any way in the organising of this event. We commented on a post regarding this event in some haste, without appreciating the true nature of the show. We apologise for misreading the situation and commenting in a positive way. We pride ourselves on offering children fun, exciting and appropriate activities that celebrate inclusion and diversity. We are investigating this incident to ensure staff follow our policies at all times including on social media.””
• Hey kids! Bare-bottomed monkey man with fake penis teaches kids to read – Star News (New Zealand).
• Library apologises after ‘dildo-wearing rainbow monkey’ booked for kids’ reading event – Daily Star. “In a video, the ‘monkey’ runs out from the library on the street with two other performers holding a placard. Footage shows the character’s fake genitalia flapping in all directions as he danced around”
• Library apologizes for performer in a monkey costume with a false bottom and a fake penis attached to it – Boing Boing (USA).
• London borough apologises for having actor in bare-bottomed monkey costume with mock genitalia encourage kids to read more books – Russia Times. “This does not, however, appear to have anything to do with party politics”
• London library apologises for bringing actor dressed in bare-bottom monkey costume to children’s event – Evening Standard. “One parent said: “Someone needs to lose their job over this.” A second asked: “This is unbelievable. Have we completely lost our moral compass as a society?””
• London: Library brings a performer in monkey costume with hanging genitalia, exposed buttocks, says it was to ‘encourage kids to read’ – OpIndia (India)
• MP slams ‘if you’ve got it, flaunt it’ comment on explicit monkey costume – Ilford Recorder. “In a letter written on July 12 to Vision’s chief executive Iain Varah, Ilford North MP Wes Streeting demanded “consequences for this appalling lapse in judgement”.” … “Ilford South MP Sam Tarry added the incident was “deeply upsetting and completely unacceptable”.”
• Parents’ disgust as actor in rainbow coloured monkey costume with fake penis and nipples appears at library event encouraging children to read – Daily Mail.
• Parents Furious After Library Uses Actor In Monkey Costume With Fake Penis To Encourage Kids To Read – Comic Sands (USA). “The fact that all attention for the wholesome event was hijacked by the whacky primate was just plain bananas.”
• Redbridge Council launches investigation after actor in monkey suit with fake penis encourages kids to read – News Australia. “Furious parents complained about the incident to UK news publishers The Sun and the Daily Mail.”
• Redbridge Libraries under fire for inappropriate costume – Guardian series.
• Watch: Rainbow Monkey Dildo Story Hour at London Library ‘Reading Challenge’ for Kids – Breitbart. “A London library sparked intense backlash after it hired a self-described anti-racist carnival troupe with a performer dressed up as a monkey with a large dildo hanging between his legs for a children’s reading event.” … “The Redbridge Library features a slew of woke content on its YouTube page, including regular drag queen story hour-style video”

International news

• Canada / USA – 7 sent back to Canada after using library lawn to enter U.S. from Quebec – CTV News. Library is on the border. “Surveillance videos released by the Border Patrol shows the car drive by the Haskell Free Library and Opera House on July 4, nearly hitting a car as it turns onto a street in the Vermont community.” … “The Haskell Free Library was deliberately built straddling the border in the early 20th century so people from both countries can use it”
• Denmark – Copenhagen: How can a library be a social inclusion place against racism? – Biblio Project. “The Human Library – or “Menneskebiblioteket” as it is called in Danish – was created in Copenhagen in the spring of 2000 “
• Kenya/Tanzania – Why our public library facilities and services need improving – The Citizen. ” I will compare my experience of the Kenya National Library Services with that of Tanzania, based on cost of the service, facilities and use of technology. ” … “The state of the toilets at the main library in Dar es Salaam is shocking. There is no running water, the hand-washing sinks are blocked”
• USA – Right-Wingers Are Taking Over Library Boards to Remove Books on Racism – Truthout. “Some locales are making opposition to critical race theory — either through books or community lectures and discussions — their core focus, but other locations are adding virulent opposition to comprehensive sex education and LGBTQIA+ acceptance in a trio of concerns. ”
  • Goodbye, ALA – April Hatchcock.” I’m more convinced than ever that ALA has always been and will always be centered on promoting the “neutrality” of white supremacy and capitalism. Despite the endless working groups and task forces aimed at the contrary, there is no interest in changing the organization. “
  • How and Why to Team up with your local librarian – America Walks. “Working with public librarians, these disparate institutions convene downtown walking tours, install art installations along walking trails, take kids on birding trips along rails-to-trails corridors, enhance the walkability of communities by installing amenities like community gardens, and even build new libraries that are more accessible to pedestrians and bicyclists. “

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Covid-19 rules to remain in Bolton Council buildings and services – Bolton News.
  • Anger as Farnworth and Horwich libraries set for school holiday closure – Bolton News. “Building work starts on July 26 at Farnworth library, where the council’s library and museum service is developing a partnership with Bolton College to deliver a community learning programme.” … “On the other side of the borough, Horwich Library is temporarily closing because urgent repairs are being carried out on the roof.”
• Bradford – Bradford Council services prepare ahead of lockdown easing on 19 July – Telegraph and Argus. “it will continue to encourage library users and staff to wear face masks, observe social distancing and use the hand sanitiser provided. Limits on the numbers of people allowed in libraries will be lifted, but the Council is asking people to continue to respect social distancing.”
• Conwy – Have you say on Conwy consultation over relocation and new library plans – North Wales Pioneer. “Conwy County Borough Council will close its survey on the Library and Information 2021-2026, which sets out its approach to improving library services, at the end of this week. The draft strategy includes relocating Colwyn Bay Library to the local authority building at Coed Pella, plans for a community hub in the west end of Abergele and outreach services in rural communities.”
• Croydon – Croydon Social Enterprise receives national recognition – Sutton and Croydon Guardian. “GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates seven sports and leisure facilities on behalf of Croydon Borough Council, has been recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 social enterprises in the NatWest SE100 Index 2021” … “GLL’s social enterprise credentials stretch beyond its sports and leisure operation into the world of libraries – and GLL is now the UK’s largest and most innovative library operator.”
• Denbighshire – Denbighshire children urged to take part in Summer Reading Challenge at their nearest library – Rhyl Journal.
• Derbyshire – First county community-managed library set to open its doors – Derbyshire County Council. “Woodville Library is to be the first of our libraries to transfer over to community management as part of our innovative Libraries for Derbyshire strategy”
• Dorset – Friends of Weymouth Library welcome reopening of services – Dorset Echo. “Borrowing, browsing, information, computer use are now available and opening hours are back to pre-pandemic times.”
• Durham – Record free storytelling keepsakes at Durham libraries – Northern Echo. “County Durham Libraries, run by Durham County Council, has teamed up with Featherbed Tales to bring a new kind of storytelling where readers can record themselves as the narrator.”
• East Riding – Changes to East Riding Library Services from Monday, 19 July announced – Pocklington Post. “Some library sites are re-instating social groups over the summer, and most libraries (space and government guidance permitting) will have a social activity programme starting in September, including book groups, bounce and rhyme sessions for pre-school children and carers, Knit and Natter groups, and Reminiscence sessions.”
• Essex – George the Bookworm to embark on tour of Tendring libraries – Clacton Gazette. “George the Bookworm, suitable for children aged between five and 10-years-old, is coming to libraries in Harwich, Manningtree, Brightlingsea, Frinton, and Clacton. The free, 45-minute show, created by the Grand Theatre of Lemmings, will see cheeky and adorable bookworm George lead a host of activities based on stories.”
• Flintshire – Become a Wild World Hero with Flintshire libraries – The Leader. “Follow a Story Trail or solve the treasure hunts or join us for ‘Fit Fed and Read’”
• Glasgow – Still Game star Gavin Mitchell says libraries are a right not a luxury as campaign to reopen Maryhill site continues – The Herald. “For Mitchell libraries are a place of solace and comfort and he says he wouldn’t be where he is today without them. Growing up he was a regular visitor at Springburn library which he describes as an escapism for someone with such a love of books.” … “He has been supporting the Save Maryhill Library campaign since it was revealed it wasn’t one of the libraries with a reopening date as we emerged from lockdown. “
  • Glasgow librarians call for council to give ‘urgent reassurance’ over jobs – Glasgow Evening Times.
  • Glasgow library campaigners say fight will go on despite hopes of local victory – Herald. ” “I really get quite emotional when I talk about it. Libraries belong to the people of Glasgow and are much more than just a place to read books. They are a refuge for many. From Book Bug clubs for parents with little ones to cancer support services housed in libraries these were face to face services which supported people before the pandemic.”
  • Glasgow Life told to rectify ‘dire situation’ affecting city’s massive library service – Glasgow Life. “Head of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS), Sean McNamara has written to the charity after it was revealed it intends to cut its workforce by 20 per cent, putting 500 jobs are on the line.”
  • Unions lodge grievance over Glasgow Life job cuts – BBC News. Up to 500 jobs under threat due to reduced income over lockdowns. “Unison, GMB and Unite say the arms-length charity has failed to properly consult staff about the plans. Glasgow Life said the job cuts would be made “over time” and would not involve compulsory redundancies.”
• Gwynedd – Gwynedd libraries host summer fun – North Wales Chronicle. “”Every child who joins the challenge will receive a bag full of resources including a ticket to watch an online film of the creatures in our libraries in association with Creature Ark and a nature activity booklet created by Wild Elements while stocks last.”
• Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire initiative that transforms stories into art set to continue after boost of almost £50,000 – In Your Area. “The workshops form part of Hertfordshire libraries’ My Story Project, which began in 2019. They give participants the opportunity to express their stories of adolescence and change through painting, music and other creative art forms.”
  • Dacorum residents invited to explore their inner creativity with Hertfordshire Libraries – Hemel Today. “These workshops are part of Hertfordshire Libraries’ My Story Project, which provides participants with opportunities to express their own stories of adolescence and change through painting, music and other creative art forms.”
• Isle of Man – Creation of Isle of Man national libraries board proposed – BBC News. “The Council of Ministers-commissioned document made several recommendations, such as introducing a “universal membership card” and allowing libraries to “provide other services”. It also recommended any new libraries board and the mobile library service be funded by government. A consultation on the report’s suggestions will run until 20 August.”
• Isle of Wight – Council-run libraries returning to normal from Monday – Island Echo. Fines amnesty extended until Autumn. ““Sanitise your hands on arrival, zap the NHS Test and Trace app or fill in a very small contact details form, and please continue to wear a face covering for your own safety and the safety of people around you.””
• Leicester – Go wild for this year’s summer reading challenge – Leicester City Council. “There’s also the chance to catch some free live theatre with a nature theme over the summer, thanks to Leicester Libraries’ collaboration with The Spark Arts for Children and Upswing. ‘Seasons’ will be a story told through acrobatic performance, suitable for the whole family. Performances will take place with the audiences sitting in tents, with one family bubble to each tent”
• Manchester – Manchester City Council joins forces with British Library to roll-out small business support across Greater Manchester – About Manchester. “Manchester City Council has joined forces with the British Library to roll-out small business support to Greater Manchester, Blackpool and Lancaster and turbocharge the local economy.”
  • Libraries to fully re-open after a long year – Manclibraries Blog. “Newspapers and magazines are soon to be reintroduced and regular events and activities, beginning with the popular Summer Reading Challenge activities for children and families as well as the popular story time for Under 5s, will return”
• North Yorkshire – Fantastic Mayan themed entrance welcomes youngsters to the Summer Reading Challenge at Scarborough Library – Scarborough News. “To celebrate the launch, our very talented caretaker Andy Field and volunteer Robyn have created a magical and mystical Mayan themed entrance way to the Junior Library at Scarborough Library.”
  • Buzz around new initiative at North Yorkshire libraries – The Press. “Libraries are abuzz with under-fives enjoying Buzzy Bee’s Honey Hunt, a free scheme that rewards young children who borrow books from the library with cards, stickers and a certificate.”
  • North Yorkshire Libraries: Scarborough’s children save lost time travellers – Scarborough News. “Scarborough Library seemed the obvious location for the time traveller to arrive, so each class arranged to perform their story at the library, in hope that the time traveller’s ‘time wardrobe’ would arrive safely.”
• Nottingham – Nottingham’s new Central Library opening delayed until 2023 – West Bridgford Wire. “Nottingham residents may not have a city centre library until at least 2023. Thousands of books and records from the former library on Angel Row are currently being stored at an industrial unit two miles from the city centre, next to Stonebridge City Farm. Nottingham City Council has already created a new state-of-the-art central library at the Broadmarsh bus station and car park, which was due to open in 2021. In March this year city council leader Cllr David Mellen confirmed the opening of the new library would be delayed until 2022, when the Angel Row building had been sold off to developers.”
• Pembrokeshire – Become a ‘wild world hero’ with Summer Reading Challenge – Western Telegraph. “Although we can’t offer activities in our libraries due to ongoing restrictions, we will be giving out activity packs for the children taking part to take home.”
• Peterborough – Free film screening at the Key Theatre if youngsters take up Summer Reading Challenge – Peterborough Telegraph. “Children who complete a book review at any of the city’s libraries will qualify for free admission with their family of up to six people to watch Jungle Book, Peter Rabbit 2 or The Witches in August.”
• Rotherham – Riverside Library reopens on Monday while other sites return to normal hours – Rotherham Advertiser. “Riverside Library will reopen its doors to the public on Monday for the first time in 16 months — but numbers will be limited “for at least two weeks” … “in order to “operate safely for customers and staff”.”
• St Helens – Peter Street and Garswood libraries to reopen – The Reporter. “The move means all libraries in St Helens borough are back to offering a normal service – except for Billinge Library which will remain closed until further notice for health and safety reasons because of a damaged roof.”

• Staffordshire – New libraries & arts project in Staffordshire to help bring communities together – Signal 1. “The project will support local artists and makers to take up residence in libraries across the county to help create new connections with communities.”
• Wandsworth – Battersea Library is chosen as launch venue for new Government Strategy – GLL (press release). “Battersea Library in South London was invited to host the launch of a new national Media Literacy Strategy today (Wednesday 14^th July).  Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister for Digital and Culture briefed a group of industry experts on the new £340k initiative that is designed to fight online disinformation. ”
• Wiltshire – Wiltshire children urged to pick up a book as Summer Reading Challenge returns – Greatest Hits Radio. “A few of the changes include: Libraries not being able to listen to the children talk about their books; Core materials being handed out in bags; Families encouraged to visit at the quieter times such as afternoons as there may be queues.”

Editorial

It’s looking increasingly likely that Covid may, in various versions, be with us for quite some time to come. Perhaps like influenza it will never be truly eradicated but, rather, we will need to get regular jabs to fight against the latest variants. So what does that mean for libraries? Well, it means that there may be a quick superficial return to normality but, actually, no underlying return to what was standard two years ago. Even if normality is declared by the government in a couple of weeks, few would doubt that the cautious may take a while to come back in, especially if the infection rate continues to rise. People have had over a year of being told it’s dangerous, after all.

At least some people are now so comfortable with digital alternatives that they may not come back to traditional library services. This means that libraries will need to consider shifting budget long-term away from the physical to the digital, which many will be loath, for good reasons, to do. A more pessimistic possible scenario is that cash-strapped councils look at the (hopefully) short-term but steep decline in physical use and simply just reduce the printed book budget instead, and close libraries. Optimistically, of course, another alternative is what we have seen the last year or so when at least some councils have really appreciated what library services have been doing.

Something that is noticeable is that usage is returning more in some services than in others and in some branches in those services more than others. Location and type of building, the user population, and what is allowed in each service, appear to be the factors here. Many people come into libraries for events and activities and so it is only with the return of fear-free events that we may see something like “regular” numbers coming back. But when will people be fear-free? Well, the next couple of months will be crucial here in finding out, especially the final numbers for the Summer Reading Challenge.

I remember a seminar a year ago entitled “Libraries After Covid”. That title proved really optimistic at the time but now perhaps no less so. It’s even possible that this very editorial looks optimistic if the government needs to backtrack on plans if infection rates continue to rise. But I think what we can safely say, in any currently realistic scenario, is that, like every other sector, public libraries will probably need to cope with the fall-out from Covid, in one way or another, for a long time to come.

Changes by local authority

• Bristol – £30k bookfund cut
• Reading – £1 million set aside for either refurbishment of central library or replacement.

National news

• CILIP Webinar: BL Single Digital Presence Update – CILIP / British Library.  Led by Liz White and Becca Mytton. SDP will be used to promote physical library as well as digital. Help local library services improve their digital services too. So, not single – a national presence plus also local library digital services, filling the gaps local services cannot. Ensure every library service has engaging local presence. SDP should be accessible via PC/mobile and be capable of being added on to. ACE provision for local services to bid to boost digital, around 50 services expected to benefit. Live site some time in 2022. Open dialogue with BL welcomed.
• Death positive libraries: An invitation – Libraries Connected. “library services have been developing events and activities that focus on engaging residents in conversations around death, dying and planning for end of life since 2018. ” … “Almost 80% of British adults find it difficult to talk about death, even though we all have to face it.” … “The time is now right to scale up and rollout a framework of support so that all UK library services can be death positive libraries.”
• Future Funding Showcase – Libraries Connected. 8 July, 1 to 3pm. “You’ll hear why income generation is so important, what the course will cover and you’ll have the opportunity to meet the trainer and mentors.”
• Independent Review of Public Library Financing Panel announcement – CILIP. “All eight members of this panel have extensive experience in public and academic libraries, local government, lifelong learning and the cultural sector.”. Aim is “to identify the opportunities and risks inherent in our current model for the resourcing and funding of public libraries; to identify under-exploited opportunities to secure a more diverse and sustainable funding base for the future and to set out a roadmap of recommendations for how this might be achieved.”
• Know your rights: the key to eBook access – CILIP. “The law, or our understanding of it, is the biggest threat to a fragile status quo, Ben says: “The goal posts have been moved, sometimes by licensing and sometimes by less-than-helpful law changes, particularly in the UK.”” … “Ben says that the UK is the English-speaking state whose public libraries are most adversely affected by eBook pricing and restrictions:” … ““Overall, the UK has the least attractive licence terms, the highest prices, and the lowest availability.”.
• Let’s stop saying that libraries are more than just books – NoveList. “I have a problem with that sentence, “Libraries are now about more than just books.” Every time I hear it, what I hear is “books aren’t really that important.” Then the follow-up thought in my mind is: “I guess this other stuff the library is doing is way more exciting.” It makes the value of books seem so very small and perhaps even irrelevant. “
• Libraries Hub – Libraries Week. “In 2021 Libraries Week celebrates how libraries support active and engaged communities. Visit our ‘Get Started Guide’ to explore our marketing and publicity toolkits and download posters and social graphics in four eye-catching designs to showcase how your library is Taking Action and Changing Lives. Discover editable posters and social graphic templates via the links below.”
• Marketing the Library webinar 1: Campaign planning – Libraries Connected. Wednesday 21 July, 11am to 1pm. “This is the first of three webinars in our Marketing the Library project. It will take you through the seven key steps of campaign planning, answering the question ‘Why plan?’ and including identifying a target audience, producing clear messaging and measuring success.”
• Oliver Dowden, be on the level about investment – Big Issue. “If you’re genuine about levelling up and making sure nobody is left behind, stop closing libraries. Stop shutting gateways to opportunity. If the £200m estimated cost for the new Royal yacht was awarded to UK libraries, it would just about take them back to the funding level they were at in 2010 before austerity bit. There is an estimated £8 return on every one pound invested in libraries. The more we put in, the more everybody gets out. In so many ways.”
• Sustaining Professional Confidence in a Changing Work Environment – British Library. 15 July, 11am to 12 noon. “he continually shifting landscape for many has had an unsettling effect on our professional confidence with many feeling apprehensive about moving into the next phase. How will it feel working closely again with colleagues? How comfortable will the conversations feel? How can we challenge our limiting self-beliefs and regain our assertiveness ? This webinar is focused around giving you the confidence to look ahead positively with some reminders about communicating effectively as well as overcoming any barriers you may face.”
• Why Britain’s economy can’t afford to lose the public library – Big Issue. “Nick Poole reiterates the importance access to books and information, making the economic case for the UK’s libraries”

International news

• Australia – Managing a Library Service through a Crisis: Part 1 -The Governance – Jane Cowell. “This is a story of a library service responding to a crisis in four parts. Part 1 is The Governance (this post) as a government corporation we must have a sound basis for our decision making and also who can make what decision. Our Communication (Part 2) in a crisis was essential, both with staff and with our communities and supporting and managing the Staff (Part 3) as another critical response to the crisis. The Work (Part 4) that we undertook also had to respond to the immediate situation our communities were facing and respond to their actual need in ever changing times.”
• Global – Lighthouse Sessions 2021 – Public Libraries 2030. “Over the month of June, we hosted sessions focused on civic participation, democratic renewal and innovation in libraries. We welcomed various guest speakers over the course of these sessions to gather their insights into how libraries can develop new activities. “. Videos of 3 talks.
• Iraq – Thousands of great literary works donated to Mosul library that was destroyed by ISIS – National World. 2 000 title donation “British artist and author Edmund de Waal’s library of exile was displayed at the British Museum until January and remained there during the height of the pandemic until transportation to Iraq could be arranged earlier this month. The acclaimed installation featured the works of almost 1,500 writers from 58 countries forced to leave their countries of origin for political reasons. Readers at the Iraqi institution’s famous College of Arts will be able to browse through the pages of literary greats – from the ancients Ovid, Voltaire and Dante to the more contemporary, including the Chinese poet Ai Quing, Hannah Al-Shaykh from Lebanon and Samar Yazbek from Syria.”
• New Zealand – Auckland Council to remove library overdue fines from 1 September 2021 – Our Auckland. ““We’ve been researching and building the case for the removal of library fines and although fines were introduced to encourage returning of borrowed items, they have evolved to become barriers to equitable access to information and lifelong learning. Libraries who have removed the fines have experienced greater rate of return of items borrowed and membership growth,””
• Poland – An unusual place in Marszałkowska. In this library you can listen to music, play games and bake a cake – R and R Life. “A unique place has opened in the Śródmieście district of Warsaw – a library where you can bake a cake, spend free time with your neighbors, listen to music, play on the console or board games. “We are destroying the biggest myth about libraries – we don’t have to be completely silent,” said Alexander Ferenc, mayor of the district.”
• Singapore – From Idea to Exhibit: A Curator’s Musings – Medium. “The National Library and Public Libraries were, and still are, a large part of the lives of many Singaporeans. Many grew up borrowing books from the libraries and spending their leisure hours there. However, not many people are familiar with the fascinating journey that our libraries went on to get to where they are today. Many stories can be found within our libraries, but we think it’s time to tell the libraries’ story.”
• South Africa – The Hot-Spot Library Was Born In Two Shipping Containers In A Cape Town Slum – NPR. “Built around a pair of aging shipping containers, it may not look like your conventional library. But for the residents of Scottsville, a neighborhood torn apart by drug abuse and gang violence, it offers a safe space to escape the harsh realities of daily life and to explore different worlds in the pages of thousands of donated second-hand books.”
• UAE – UAE-based global non-profit foundation to deliver 15 libraries to refugees and children – Gulf News. “Under the joint project, Kalimat Foundation will deliver 15 libraries, each containing 100 Arabic language books. “

Local news by authority

• Birmingham – Birmingham stabbings: Man admits Jacob Billington killing – BBC News. “University library intern Jacob Billington, 23, died and seven others were injured in five separate incidents in the early hours of 6 September.”
• Borders – Libraries set for early phased reopening – Southern Reporter. “Four libraries – in Galashiels, Hawick, Eyemouth and Peebles – will reopen on a phased basis with limited opening hours to measure public demand for the services.” … “Visits will be limited to 20-minute slots “
• Bristol – Bristol City Council cuts library books budget by £30K – Bristol Post. “Campaigners have criticised Bristol City Council for cutting £30,000 from its library books fund. The money, which is just over five per cent of the £560,000 reading materials annual budget, is being redirected to help pay for a new regeneration service.”
• Caerphilly – Caerphilly Libraries Service ranked in Wales’ top three – Wales 247. “Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Libraries Service has been ranked in Welsh Government’s Ranking Table as joint 3rd place, of all 22 local authorities in Wales. The Ranking Table is based upon the results from an all-Wales assessment for 2019/20”
• Coventry – 1,000 free copies of the 2021 International Booker Prize winner delivered to libraries across Coventry – Coventry Observer. “1,000 free copies of the 2021 International Booker Prize winner All Night All Blood is Black are being delivered to libraries across Coventry as part of the UK City of Culture. The Big Coventry Booker Read will bring the city together in a ‘virtual book club’ to read and discuss the winning novel this summer.”
• Denbighshire – Denbighshire Libraries Open Up for Browsing Again – News from Wales. “They will still need to make an appointment to use a library computer, book a study space and to access One Stop Shop services by phoning their local library.”
• Devon – From Exmouth with love: lockdown quilt inspired by books – Exmouth Journal. “A quilt made in Exmouth and inspired by a love of books and reading is going on tour around libraries in Devon. The quilt has been created by Exmouth & District University of the Third Age (u3a) members and depicts shelves of books and a curious cat. 
  It took 12 quilters 80 hours of work to design, cut and stitch. The beautiful quilt will tour libraries over the next year and it will be raffled to raise money for Libraries Unlimited.  Raffle tickets will be available in libraries and online.”
• Glasgow – Mike Dailly: Glasgow communities won’t give up their local libraries – Glasgow Times. Behind paywall.
• Isle of Man – Isle of Man Family Library could be given one year reprieve – BBC News. “The family and mobile libraries on the Isle of Man could be secured for a further year after the Treasury agreed to consider providing funding. Those behind the facilities had said closure was being considered after a government grant ended in April 2020. Minister Alfred Cannan said a further £125,000 would be provided “on receipt of an appropriate business case”. The funding would be to ensure the running of the mobile library for a further 12 months.”
• Peterborough – New Peterborough BookBench sculptures installed across city – Peterborough Telegraph. “The trail, produced by Wild in Art and led by Peterborough Reads from the National Literacy Trust, launches this week in museums, shopping centres, cultural hubs and libraries across the city. Over the past year, 11 local schools and six artists have been busy designing the benches, taking inspiration from a wide variety of topics, including outer space, chickens, Mr Men, fairytales and the travels of Paddington Bear.”
• Reading – ‘Tired’ Reading Central Library could move location – Get Reading. “A council report said the library “does not currently provide an attractive environment for customers, despite the ongoing best efforts of library staff and piecemeal changes over the years”.” … “It is one of the busiest council buildings in Reading, welcoming more than 200,000 visitors a year pre-Covid, providing services over three floors and generating more than £300,000 per year in income. The library, which is on the corner of Abbey Square and Kings Road in the town centre, opened in 1985 and has never had a full refurbishment.” … “It has set aside more than £1 million in its capital budget to either refurbish or create a new central library in Reading.”
• Suffolk – First look inside town’s newly-revamped library – EADT. “Saxmundham has unveiled its newly-revamped library – which promises to be bigger, better and more modern than ever before. The site, which is part of the Saxmundham Hub, boasts more up-to-date facilities and greater space for community activities. There is also a new children’s section, new books for people to read and fresh carpets and furniture.”
• Swansea – You can now pick up free Covid lateral flow tests from Swansea libraries – Wales Online.
• Warrington – Padgate Library officially open – Warrington Worldwide. “The plans for the £142,000 redevelopment were produced by Warrington Borough Council and LiveWire – which manages the Insall Road library – in conjunction with a working group made up of members of the local community and the Friends of Padgate Library group.
  Priorities included making the library frontage brighter and more attractive to make it feel safer, especially in the winter months.”
• West Sussex – Chichester Library to undergo four months of conservation work – Chichester Observer. “The work will see the concrete ribs renovated and the original windows refurbished, as over the years water has seeped into the concrete building and caused the internal steel to rust and expand leading to ‘spalling’ which forces the concrete off. The original windows also need an overhaul to improve the way that they work, the council said.”
• Wirral – Public consultation begins on Wirral Library Strategy – Wirral Globe. “aims to deliver an attractive, relevant, modern and flexible library service.”

Editorial

My thanks to Liz White of the British Library for answering my many questions about the much-awaited Single Digital Presence below. In other news, there’s a couple of possible new cuts (Bolton and the Isle of Man), a library closed for reapirs, and two stories of closires/co-locations from Scotland. But, frankly, we’re all waiting for what Mr Johnson announces tomorrow and whether children’s events in English libraries this August will be a thing or not.

Changes by local authority

• Bolton – £430k cut.
• Highlands – Tain library may close, to be co-located in school.
• Isle of Man – Funding shortage.
• North Ayrshire – Irvine and Ardrossan libraries close and be co-located, Bourtreehill will become volunteer, Springside will close.
• Richmond – Richmond library closed June to September for repairs

Some more on the Single Digital Presence

Liz White from the British Library very kindly answered a few of questions on the project below:

Can, or will, library catalogues be searchable directly from the proposed SDP. So, if someone types in the author and book title, all the nearest library copies (print and ebook) are shown, with a link to how to search? 

Earlier user research has shown that people are most interested in what loan copies are held by the libraries closest to them and part of the next phase of development will be to determine what kind of search functionality is most beneficial at national and local level and then how to deliver this. Having a shared national platform where freely-available content can be shared will also help understand the further potential for inter-library lending although there would be a number of issues to work through across sectors before this could become a reality.  We are able to learn from the purchasing models and user journeys offered by consortia already, for example Merseyside, Greater Manchester and The Library Consortium in London.

Will any e-resources e.g. Britannica, Ancestry, be available on it? This isn’t in scope at the moment but users starting out on the national pages will be able to find out how to access the online resources held by individual public libraries (and then access these via existing systems)

Will the website be able to direct to a local library service, and, if so, how? This is a really important part of the development, to ensure that there is an easy and user-friendly navigation between the two which is intuitive – there has been some user testing undertaken already about the attractiveness of postcode searches, but more will be undertaken to map out possible user journeys between national and local in the next phase.

What sort of content is being expected to be uploaded? The first step is to work with libraries and stakeholders to develop the content strategy for the site, alongside branding. However it will in essence: showcase what libraries and Librarians are doing today; connect people to their local library branch and service; surface great content created by and with Librarians and library staff; share recommendations and opinions from the community of Librarians (of interest nationally, trending, seasonal and thematic); enable location search with map-based results; use tried and trusted common web technology, accessible to all and easy to update and, finally, provide a vehicle to communicate unified national campaigns, issues and activities

What is meant that it is “not a website”? We describe the SDP primarily as a platform rather than a website as it will host and curate content from many different users and will enable connectivity with and between libraries and users. As this project is something new and different there are no direct comparisons we can make with existing services, however Youtube is one high-profile example of this kind of model (although very different in terms of scale and content!). The SDP project is also a wider programme of change, as the funding is supporting development of local web presences, and it is about the connectivity and joint communications between local and national rather than a single website solution.  We hope to make a live product available by the second year of the programme, so that we can test and iterate ideas based on feedback.

How long until it is available for the public to use? Yes it will be mobile optimised, but SDP is a wider programme of change, as the funding is supporting development of local platforms, and it is about the connectivity and joint communications between local and national rather than a single website solution.  We hope to make a live product available by the second year of the programme, so that we can test and iterate ideas based on feedback.

National news

British Library Single Digital Presence Update – CILIP. 24 June, 12.30. “Staff members from the British Library will give a presentation on the Arts Council England and Carnegie UK Trust funded ‘Single Digital Presence’ project. The project began in 2018 to explore digital transformations in public libraries and what a national online presence for the sector could look like. We have recently reached the end of the project’s research and development phase. As well as explaining its drivers, methods and findings, we will also outline the next steps for development and answer questions from attendees.”

• British Library to open seven new business support centres in North East – Business Live. “The network has had a centre at Newcastle’s City Library for a number of years, but Government funding has allowed it to set up more than 80 new sites, including seven in the North East. BIPCs will be established in Hexham, Morpeth, Berwick, North and South Tyneside and Sunderland. A new regional centre will also open at Stockton Central Library, with potential to extend across the Tees Valley to local libraries in Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar.”
• Featherbed Tales – Included here because it’s possibly the sweetest thing I have heard this year. A small child provides the narration for a picture book for her grandparents. This is a service currently being trialled in Suffolk. “Little Emily’s grandparents said “This is wonderful! It’s really effective.  It was as if she was there reading to us.  It was a real surprise to us as well”. “
• FestivIL Award – Medium. List of nominees for information literacy awards, with their projects. ” for a member of the IL community who has been a local hero supporting, leading or inspiring colleagues or library users in information literacy during the last 12 months.”
• Five questions with… Festival of Libraries – Arts Council England. “From the 9-13 June 2021, Manchester City of Literature are running Festival of Libraries – 80 free online and in person events across every Greater Manchester borough. The festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, showcases a vibrant programme covering wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information and, of course, reading. We caught up with Jo Flynn from the festival to discuss how everyone can get involved, how they’ve adapted through the pandemic, the role libraries can play in bringing communities together and her hopes for the future. “
• ‘The Future is Phygital’ – Libraries roundtable – CLOA. Please God, don’t let that term catch on. ” explored how library services are building on the innovation during the pandemic to develop a ‘three channel’ service (digital, physical and outside the walls) to provide maximum engagement and impact for users and contribute towards local strategic priorities.”
• The Great Outdoors – Libraries Connected & St Helens Borough Council Library Service Webinar. “As libraries begin to navigate their roadmap out of lockdown and with more authorities than ever thinking about utilising outdoor spaces to remain Covid-19 compliant, Alan Lane from Slung Low explores the challenges, pitfalls and opportunities that programming, hosting and staging activities outdoors present.”
• The Librarians’ Virtual Toolkit: Books and Reading Supporting Mental Health – West Midland Readers Netowrk / Eventbrite. 17 June 2pm. ” explore the relationship between our various reading offers and mental health”
• ‘Libraries saved my life’, says Lowborn author Kerry Hudson – BookSeller. ““I am extremely grateful to be here to tell you how essential libraries have been to me in my life. Mine is a happier ending than I could ever have imagined for myself, for a kid from a background like mine. And that is thanks to libraries. It is thanks to librarians. It’s genuinely no overstatement to say I don’t think I’d be alive today without libraries.””

International news

• USA – Overdrive to acquire Kanopy – Overdrive. “Kanopy provides academic institutions and public libraries with an award-winning catalog of over 30,000 highly curated films.”
  • A New Podcast From the LA Times : “How the Los Angeles Public Library Made Libraries Cool” – Library Journal. “he city’s system has become an incubator for making libraries hip.”
  • Maryland Passes Law Requiring Publishers to License Ebooks to Libraries Under “Reasonable Terms” – Library Journal. “requires publishers to offer electronic “literary product” licenses to Maryland libraries “on reasonable terms,” and prohibits publishers from instituting embargo periods during which ebook and electronic audiobook licenses are available for sale to the public but not to libraries.”
  • Welcome to LJ’s 2021 Movers & Shakers – Library Journal. A chance to see what some of the best (almost all) USA librarians are doing.

Local news by authority

• Barnsley – Students bring Barnsley Libraries to life – FE News. “Matt and Becky have been funded by Youth Music and Barnsley Libraries to work alongside LfLW students to create an accompanying soundtrack and original artwork to the story The Little Blue Bird, which will play across the Barnsley Library sites.”
• Bolton – Council opens consultation on Library changes – Bolton News. “Under the new proposals, all the borough’s libraries will be kept open but with some reductions in opening hours and neighbourhood collections.” … “It means that the Libraries and Museums Service must find savings of £430,000.” Consultation here.
• Croydon – Croydon Council says it will not fully close five libraries but concerns remain over alternatives – London News Online. “The full closure of five Croydon libraries has been ruled out but campaigners are concerned alternatives could lead to a ‘postcode lottery’ in the borough. As the council faces a financial crisis it originally proposed closing South Norwood, Broad Green, Bradmore Green, Sanderstead and Shirley libraries to save just £500,000 a year. But now the council says it has ruled out these closures and is consulting on alternatives.”
• Cumbria – Kendal Library redesign – Cumbria County Council. “This is already a fantastic library, but we want to make it even better with even more on offer. So as well as books, Local Studies and everything you’d expect we’re also thinking about how new digital technology could be integrated and how the building could be used more flexibly. Perhaps to host events, exhibitions or provide a space for community groups or just to meet socially with family and friends. We’re really open to your ideas about how we can make the most of this exciting opportunity.”
• Devon – Puzzles, books and replica village pieces at Barnstaple Library help people with dementia – In Your Area.
• Essex – Concerns remain over Loughton and Debden library plans – Epping Forest Guardian / Letters. “We … need to see our libraries adequately resourced and professionally staffed.”
  • Fears of a ‘closure plan by stealth’ on libraries despite reassurances – Saffron Walden Reporter. “the main campaign group against library closures – said while the decision is positive, it believes the threat remains of many libraries morphing into community hubs manned by volunteers.”
• Flintshire – Empathy Day celebrated across Flintshire’s libraries – The Leader.
• Glasgow – Save Maryhill Library – Tik Tok. Short video of protestors saying “save our libraries”.

“On Saturday (June 5) trade unions and local communities came together in a rally in George Square in central Glasgow. It was the first time in several weeks of campaigning against the closure of libraries and other venues, that the various action groups had come together in at united display of anger at Glasgow City Council – and their ‘arms-length’ cultural body Glasgow Life. Their strength was emphasised by their keeping the weekly read-ins and picketting going at the local libraries under threat, while the rally proceeded. There was visible support from local branches of trade unions such as GMB, Unison and UNITE, as well as from Glasgow Trades Council.

Many see their activity as part of the long running national campaign against library closures and rundowns, with one activist displaying the logo of a similar campaign in Devon. She is Ruth Gillett of the ‘Friends of People’s Palace, Winter Gardens & Glasgow Green’ fighting to preserve a large area of Glasgow long seen as belonging directly to the people of the city. She welcomed a photograph being taken of their newly created banner, and told Workers it was made by artist Stasia Rice. Their representaive spoke at the rally before it marched the short distance to the City Council building. An umbrella campaign ‘Glasgow Against Closures’ has been set up to co-ordinate further action.”

Eddie McGuire, via email

• Glasgow Life: Authors back Save Whiteinch Library campaign – Clydebank Post.
• Highlands – Public consultation into proposed relocation of library in Tain in Easter Ross to site of new school campus at Craighill – Ross-shire Journal. “It is proposed to move the public library in Tain from the existing Stafford Street site to the new 3-18 school campus at Craighill, creating a new community library.”
• Isle of Man – Isle of Man family and mobile libraries could close over funding – BBC. “Half of the libraries’ £250,000 annual running costs have been donated by a benefactor since 2012, with the rest covered by a temporary government grant for the last two years. Covid-19 meant replacing the grant has not been possible, a spokeswoman said. She said “all options”, including closure, would now be considered.”
• Kent – KCC joins forces with British Library to roll out small business support – Kent Council. “Following last year’s pledge of £13 million in Treasury funding towards the expansion, KCC has been allocated £627,245 to equip the Kent History and Library Centre with Business & IP Centre spaces, resources, and services. It is set to launch during Libraries Week in October.”

• Lewisham – Consultation launched on future of Lewisham libraries – This is Local London. “The council is reviewing the library service to fund cuts of £300,000 to £500,000, £100,000 to £230,000 of which could be made this year. ” … “Part of the cuts includes a hiring freeze as the service’s salary budget makes up 80 per cent of its total budget. The council is currently preparing to fully reopen the borough’s libraries after they closed during the pandemic and has launched a survey asking the public what they want from them. “
• Lincolnshire – A silver key has been donated to North Lincolnshire Museum that was used for the official opening of Ashby Free Library in March 1906. – Gi Media. “where there is also a commemorative trowel used to lay the first stone for Scunthorpe Free Library in 1903.”
• Northamptonshire – Permanently closed Northampton community library could become pregnancy clinic – Northampton Chronicle. ” Far Cotton Library was permanently closed this year after the county council ruled there was ‘no viable business plan’ in place for volunteers to run it. Instead, a proposal has been put to the local planning board to refit the library – on the first floor of the Far Cotton Recreational Centre in Towcester Road – into an antenatal clinic.”
  • Northampton museum acquires 33-piece art collection via country-wide donation scheme – Northampton Chronicle. “Northampton Museum and Art Gallery has obtained the collection from the Derbyshire County Council Schools Library Service”
• North Ayrshire – Councillors decide on future of 40 libraries and community buildings in North Ayrshire – Daily Record. After a backlash, council “dramatically abandoned moves to relocate Beith, Dreghorn, West Kilbride and Saltcoats libraries to community centres.” … “However, a number of libraries still face closure. Irvine Library is to shut and the service will be shifted to Bridgegate House. Ardrossan’s library service is earmarked for relocation to the town’s new secondary school. The ownership of Bourtreehill Library is set to be handed to a community organisation. Springside Library space will be used for another function and books are to be delivered through click-and-collect services instead.”
• Northern Ireland – Government Response to a Consultation on the proposal to extend the Public Lending Right to include remote e-lending from public libraries in Northern Ireland. – Gov.uk. Minister agrees, going to parliament.

• Richmond – Richmond Library closes to repair lasting bomb damage – SW Londoner. “London’s oldest public library still in use – will temporarily close from today (June 11) at 6pm until September 2021 to complete major renovation works. ” Unrepaired WW2 damage (!) has “gradually worsened, and we need to fix it to protect the building that holds so much history.””
• Shropshire – Late book charges suspended as Whitchurch Library welcomes back visitors – Whitchurch Herald. “Overdue fines currently remain suspended so there will be no charges for library stock that is brought back late.”
• Southend – Southend: Libraries help support mental wellbeing through the power of reading – Leigh Times. “The ‘Read, Talk, Share’ campaign will see every library in Southend provided with books from the Reading Well collections to support mental health for children, young people, and adults. “
• Staffordshire – Search is on for new Staffordshire Young Poet Laureate – Lichfield Live. “The role is open to young people aged 14 to 18 and is a one year position.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries upgrades to become a Premium Employer Partner – CILIP. “n addition to being able to access an amazing spread of webinars, courses and conferences for colleagues, this partnership gives five frontline colleagues paid membership for a year so they can explore the sector further.”
• Torbay – Torbay libraries host domestic violence project – In Your Area. “Libraries Unlimited is launching a resource centre at Torquay library, where visitors will be able to access books and information, and benefit from a safe space where staff will be available to provide support and guidance. A grant of £300 for the project has been awarded “
• Windsor and Maidenhead – Council to rethink library closures following resident objections – Maidenhead Advertiser. Boyn Grove Library may be “saved”.
• York – Queen’s birthday honours for people carrying out heritage work in York – Planet Radio. Barbara Swinn of Explore York received BEM. “Barbara joined Explore in 2015 as manager of city centre library York Explore and has worked in the libraries sector for over 40 years. The team there said: “She is a passionate advocate for public libraries and a gifted leader. In particular her work with the award winning Explore Labs project shows Barbara’s exceptional talent for development and innovation.”

Editorial

Potentially big news from Essex, with the new leader of the council saying that no libraries will close. This comes after the council announced that up to 25 branches could close or go volunteer back in 2018 and a substantial, and very well-organised, campaign movement being formed in reaction. The new announcement doesn’t rule out volunteers so campaigners there are still very much on the alert. Meanwhile, being two or three years earlier in their cuts cycle, St Helens council has launched a library review, noting a reduction in usage in the last decade and is actively looking for thoughts on/from alternatives such volunteers and parish councils to bridge the gap. Finally, Northamptonshire, has announced – reportedly with four days notice – that Kettering Library is being closed while it is having a GLAM makeover, with no substitute being as yet in place.

Away from service-related news, it’s great to host a short interview with Fiona Evans of the National Literacy Trust about their call for evidence on primary school libraries. Public libraries have very close links to primary schools and so I would encourage you all to consider responding by giving the Trust your thoughts. And also, the Trust are obviously on our side so we should be on theirs too. Time to reach out.

Changes by local authority

• Essex – No libraries will close.
• Gloucestershire – Dursley Library co-located with visitor information centre.
• Northamptonshire – Kettering Library closed for long-term building work, with no alternative as yet in place.
• St Helens – Library review focuses on reducing cost and on alternative service provision.

An interview with Fiona Evans, Director of School Programmes, National Literacy Trust

Who are you and what is this thing you’re doing? 

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity dedicated to raising literacy levels in the UK. Our mission is to give disadvantaged children and young people the literacy skills to succeed in life. This year, we are working with Penguin Random House to look into the provision of primary school libraries through a Primary School Library Review. This project is looking into the role of primary school libraries before, during and post COVID-19 and will imagine what the future of primary school libraries could look like.  

To understand the current provision within primary school libraries and make recommendations to government, the Primary School Library Review is holding a call for evidence to gather views on this important topic from across the sector. The design of the consultation has been supported by a steering group from across the sector of; The Open University, BookTrust, CILIP, The Reading Agency, CLPE, School Libraries Group, and the School Library Association. The final report will be launched in the Autumn at an Literacy All-Party Parliamentary Group event.  

How important do you think reading is for children? 

We know that reading for pleasure is incredibly important for children; research has shown that children who enjoy reading don’t just do better at school, but have increased mental wellbeing among other benefits. In fact, OFSTED has recognised the vital role that reading for pleasure plays in improving literacy levels. School libraries are an essential tool in this. National Literacy Trust and Nottingham Trent University research found that children using their school library were more likely to read for pleasure and had better reading and writing attitudes – this difference was especially marked for those eligible for free school meals. 

Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success, more so than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or income. Libraries are an important place to foster this lifetime love of reading, and will be crucial in the post COVID-19 academic recovery.  

Are primary school libraries totally paid for just by schools at the moment? Any other sources of funding? 

At the moment, there is no ring-fenced funding for primary school libraries, which means many struggle with adequate funding. One in eight primary schools don’t have a library, with this doubling in schools with a higher proportion of children on free school meals. 

There are a number of initiatives that support primary school libraries, including Puffin World of Stories which is a collaboration between the National Literacy Trust and Penguin Random House. The project has supported over 200 primary schools so far, giving them 300 new books, bespoke training, audiobook downloads and colourful resources.  

How can public librarians get involved in the Review? 

We would love to hear from the public library sector about the ways that they currently work with primary school libraries, and any ideas they have about what the future of this provision could look like. So far in our call for evidence, we have heard from primary schools that work closely with their local public libraries, organising class visits and joint projects and would like to hear more about other initiatives and ways of working together.  

We currently have an open call for evidence, you can see the full scope here and either fill out this form or email your response to Policy@LiteracyTrust.org.uk.   

Is there anything else apart from this that public librarians should be aware of from the National Literacy Trust? 

If you want to hear more about our projects and resources then you can sign up to our mailing list here. You can also visit our website to find out more about our other research reports and work.   

National news

• Building cultural infrastructure across England – Arts Council England. £5m Libraries Improvement Fund. “Libraries sit at the heart of our communities, providing a safe space for residents while offering services such as reading groups and back to work programmes. The Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF)  has a budget of £5 million  for 2021/22 which will help libraries to deliver these services and reach their local communities.  A grant could be used to refurbish a library to make it more suitable for delivering cultural events like plays and writing workshops, or health and wellbeing classes. Or it could support the improvement of library buildings by increasing baby-changing facilities or purchasing furniture or equipment.”
• Building excellence in the cultural sector – Arts Council England. Bids for the Library Improvement Fund may benefit from taking into account this document on how to develop a capital project.
• Library Campaign Zooms in on a Publicity Campaign for Libraries – Library Campaign. “Hear Nick Poole (Chief Exec of CILIP) talk about their advocacy work and National Libraries Week (4-10 October 2021) and then a general discussion about how friends groups can advocate / publicise libraries.”
• Plea to save libraries as pandemic sparks new round of cuts – Express. “The crucial community hubs have been hit hard by a year of building shutdowns on top of slashed funding and staff cuts. Pressure groups last night said the situation is critical, with further council cutbacks of around 14 percent in the pipeline. Laura Swaffield, chairwoman of the Library Campaign charity – which fights to save the institutions – said libraries were more important than ever and battled to offer crucial services during lockdown.”
• Public Library Work in a Pandemic – #uklibchat. Monday, 7 June 2021, 7.00 – 8.30 pm. Twitter conversation to discuss the impact of Covid, including reopening, anxiety, digital and the retention of new services when libraries reopen.
• Quarter of libraries shut despite lockdown easing – BBC. “More than a quarter of Scotland’s libraries are still closed a month after they were allowed to reopen. And there is concern that some of the 123 public libraries across the country that remain locked will not return. Some have not opened their doors in more than a year, and many areas are only offering reduced or remote services such as click and collect.”

International news

• China / UK – Push in UK to turn page on books ban – The Standard. “Hongkongers in Britain have launched a campaign calling for people to donate “banned books” in Hong Kong, which will be stored in libraries in the United Kingdom. The UK-based expatriate association group said many books can no longer be kept in Hong Kong public libraries after the passing of the national security law.”
• USA – To patrons who place holds (and don’t pick them up) – Book Riot. “Even if a patron has lost interest in a subject after placing a hold on it, it still gives staff information about what people in the community are thinking about. “

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – More libraries in Aberdeen to reopen doors to readers – Evening Express. “Kincorth and Woodside Libraries will be welcoming readers back for browsing, borrowing and computer access from Monday.”
• Aberdeenshire – More Aberdeenshire library services become available following easing of restrictions – Grampian Online. “A Book to Browse service has been introduced at a number of larger libraries, which will allow customers to book to go into the facility for up to 30 minutes to browse and borrow resources.”
• Borders – ‘Long overdue’: Live Borders brought to book over closure of region’s libraries – Planet Radio. Service one of last in Scotland to reopen. “The charity which operates them has previously indicated a phased reopening will begin on August the 16th – although it states earlier opening may be possible in certain circumstances. Euan Jardine, who’s Executive Member for Wellbeing, Sport and Culture at Scottish Borders Council, says it’s long overdue.”
• Bradford – Clayton and Wyke libraries open to the public in Bradford – Telegraph and Argus. “Clayton and Wyke libraries have now joined the ever growing list in opening for essential IT use, bookable study space, browsing and self-service issue and return, as well as continuing the Order and Collect service.”
• Devon – Jobs – Libraries Unlimited. Includes Reading Development Manager £32k full-time.
• Essex – Essex County Council leader: ‘We will not close the county’s libraries’ – Basildon Echo. “The new leader of Essex County Council says there will be no library closures –a stark U-turn after years of turmoil and one of the council’s most controversial plans. ” … “The council’s new leader, Kevin Bentley, has now announced no libraries will close at all. Save Our Libraries Essex – the main campaign group against library closures – believe that the threat of many libraries morphing into community hubs manned by volunteers remains.”
• Gloucestershire – New visitor information centre launched in Dursley Library – Gazette. “The Visitor Information Centre will be run by the library under a partnership agreement with Dursley Town Council for an initial trial period to the end of October this year, which could be made permanent if it is a success.”
• Gwynedd – Click and collect library link to launch in Harlech – North Wales Chronicle. “Click and Collect Library Links have been set-up by Gwynedd Libraries to make it easy for the county’s people to order and collect books from the Library at a location close to them, without having to travel to their usual Library.”
• Inverclyde – All six libraries in Inverclyde have now re-opened – Greenock Telegraph.
  • Villagers Mark A Decade Of Kilmacolm Library – Inverclyde Now. “The facility opened on 31 May 2011 as part of the new Kilmacolm Community Centre, also known as The Cargill Centre, following a £2.2million restoration of the former Victorian school building which was part-funded by Inverclyde Council. Over the past decade, the library has welcomed on average of 25,500 visitors each year and issued more than 160,000 books.”
• Kirklees – Nostalgia with Margaret Watson: Full of character and charm – Batley and Birstall News. “the man who was to become Dewsbury’s first borough librarian in 1889, was also called W H Smith” … “he was allowed to stay in his position until the ripe old age of 83”. Children’s library: “It was a special place where children could go into their own library without an adult to accompany them, and choose any book they wished. We moved around in silence.”
• Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries announces Children’s Book Festival and other events for June 2021 – Brixton Buzz. “we have something for everyone whether you’re celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride, the Windrush generation, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, Refugee week or are a lover of authors and great writing.”
• Northern Ireland – Covid-19: Looking forward to hugs, pints and a trip to the library – BBC. “Orla McKeating cannot wait to get back to books and to her children’s story telling groups. The Belfast-based entrepreneur takes her eight-year-old son Elliot to the library regularly. “My son is really into reading and we go a lot with him,” she told BBC News NI. She said she is looking forward to seeing how libraries will reflect issues which lockdown has brought to the fore, such as “more mental health awareness and diversity”.”
• North Yorkshire – The ‘six weeks’ volunteer who has clocked up 21 years’ service – North Yorkshire County Council.
  • Filey school gets set to convert double decker bus into library – Scarborough News.
  • Harrogate library turns back the clock on historic landmarks – North Yorkshire County Council. Then and now photos of local area.
• Northamptonshire – Kettering Library to shut as £3.9 million GLaM building works set to start next week – Northants Telegraph. “With no new temporary home for the library yet found, users of the facility face a trek to the nearest alternative lending outlet – all community-run libraries.”
• Rochdale – Virtual Lego club keeps budding architects entertained during lockdown – Rochdale Online. ““The plan is to go back to our in-person Lego clubs once social distancing rules have been removed, so the virtual club is a great way to keep it going on at the moment.””
• Sandwell – Browsing back at libraries in Blackheath and Oldbury – Halesowen News. “Blackheath Library and Bleakhouse library in Oldbury are open for people to browse – there is no need to make an appointment – but people won’t be allowed in unless they can show their library card.”
• St Helens – St Helens Libraries service faces review – and public urged to have their say – St Helens Star. “St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet this afternoon approved a draft strategy which sets out plans to “create a modern, inclusive library service over the next five years”.” … “”Some areas in the UK, such as Essex and Doncaster, have changed to a community-led management model, and the council keen to hear from individuals, community groups, parish councils and businesses to explore the idea of introducing this approach in St Helens borough.””
• Staffordshire – Protest over controversial library proposals in Burton town centre – Staffordshire Live. “Protests took place this weekend in Burton town centre amidst controversial plans to move the library into the indoor market.” … “Thousands use the library every week and it is one of the most popular libraries in the county. The council wants to move it into the market hall. We want them to reconsider.”
• Surrey – Surrey Libraries’ Summer of reading – Surrey Matters. Lists SRC activities.
  • Surrey becomes the first county in England to provide free period products – Surrey News. “Donation bins and collection boxes where residents can help themselves to pads if needed, can be found in selected libraries across Surrey.”
• Sutton – Sutton Council’s Cultural Services launches a video game for children, to raise awareness about misinformation – London Post. “The game has been launched with supporting educational resources for parents, carers and teachers. Both the game and resources aim to enhance digital literacy and introduce children to the skills needed to critically think about misinformation. NewsFlash! will enable pre-teens to analyse their research habits, develop skills for assessing the legitimacy of information consumed, and support better understanding of the impact of misinformation.”
• Wandsworth – Spine Festival Returns To Wandsworth Libraries – Better. “Wandsworth Libraries has special funding from Apples and Snakes (England’s leading spoken word poetry organization) to host SPINE arts festival, a series of workshops aimed at children, families, and schools in the borough. Throughout the month of June, a series of online events will be taking place– from artist-led workshops on Zoom, to theatre showings on the library website. Wandsworth Libraries are teaming up with Merton Libraries this year to programme events for children aged from 5 to 12 years.”
• Warrington – New Pop-up Museum and Library open for business in Golden Square – Warrington Worldwide.”These much-loved services have temporarily upped-sticks and moved over to the shopping centre to allow for essential maintenance work to be carried out on the historic Museum Street building and is free to enter and open seven days a week.”
• West Dunbartonshire – West Dunbartonshire libraries to reopen alongside council services – Dunbarton Reporter. “The local authority will soon re-open its libraries in Clydebank and Alexandria, and will also complete the integration of “one stop shops”, which provide a range of council services under one roof, with libraries.”
• West Lothian – West Lothian libraries buck national trend to fully re-open – Linlithgow Gazette. ” all 14 libraries in the county were now open- along with community museums. A library browsing appointment allows people to visit community museums housed in libraries or housed in the same buildings as libraries.”
• Windsor and Maidenhead – Libraries in Maidenhead and Sunninghill facing closure – Greatest Hits Radio. Library review said that “This could involve closing four libraries, including Boyn Grove, Old Windsor, Datchet, and Sunninghill.” … “Respondents were asked to prioritise their top 10 library services from a list of 20. A total of 914 people responded to this question. The results show that an online digital offer alone cannot meet the reading and learning, health and wellbeing, or creativity needs of communities and cabinet will consider these outcomes.”
• Wirral – Four Wirral libraries reopen as Covid-19 cases fall in borough – Liverpool Echo. ” people will be allowed to enter four of the borough’s council-run libraries to browse once again.”
• Worcestershire – Worcestershire libraries offer digital lifeline and support to adults with learning difficulties – Bromsgrove Standard. “30 adults with learning disabilities have been given a ‘Digital Lifeline’ by Worcestershire Libraries after receiving free Internet-ready tablets, connection and ongoing digital support”. 20 places on Digital Unite‘s Aspire programme.
  • Kidderminster Library no longer a rapid Covid test site – Shuttle. “The last tests will be available at the library on May 29, but the library will still be used as a collection point for self-test kits”

Editorial

Things feel slightly less certain this week than last, what with the Indian variant causing headlines, but public libraries are continuing the slow task of reopening. This is happening at different paces in different places – this is the UK public library service after all – but some problems are becoming obvious. The first, mentioned in the BookSeller, is that quarantining books is a bit of a problem now and will get to be a bigger and bigger problem as more people come in. And then of course there is the issue of physical regular groups and events. Some services are already tipping their toes into this water but if the Summer Holidays are as busy as normal (and it’s even possible, just about, that they may be busier – after all, foreign holidays are going to take a dip) then it’s going to be, at the least, a bit of a shock for the quarantining shelves just two months away. The rush to open on the High Street outside of library doors is also a concern for those library chiefs not wanting to look overly cautious. So, this summer is already presenting all sort of challenges, and not just the one that normally ends with certificates and medals.

National news

• CILIP NW Libraries Day and AGM 2021 – CILIP. 28 May 10am to 4pm. “This free event is open to all, both CILIP members and non-members. This event will showcase the creative ways that libraries in the North West have adapted during the last extraordinary 12 months.”
• Cynhadledd CILIP Cymru Wales Conference 2021 – CILIP. 20-21 May. “oin us as we embark on our very first virtual conference to recognise and celebrate information professionals in Wales. This last year has been a strange one for everyone. We want to help demonstrate confidence as a sector, commitment to diversity, and impact and influence across communities, Wales and beyond. Our 2021 conference is packed with an exciting list of speakers to help inspire you to make a bigger impact. Thanks to the Welsh Government, CILIP Cymru Wales is delighted to offer bursaries to public librarians to join us at CILIP Cymru Wales Conference 2021.”
• Freckle Report 2021: Digital or Diverse? The future of public libraries – Tim Coates. “The Freckle report 2021 includes survey results from the studies ‘Where did you get your book’ of April 2019 and April 2021. These show the picture of reading both before and late on in the period of the Covid 19 pandemic”. Covers USA, Australia and UK, £63.
• I’ve been to the library – A Sense of Place. “I’ve been to the library, that’s my big news for today and it’s more than enough to be getting on with. I’ve been to the library.”
• Library Campaign Zooms in on a publicity campaign for libraries Monday 24 May 2021 19:30 -21:00 – Library Campaign. “We’ll focus on following up the ideas that came up in April for a campaign to publicise libraries. The meeting will include a chance to discuss with Nick Poole, the Chief Executive of CILIP (the librarians’ professional body) what they are doing to advocate for libraries, and their plans for this year’s National Libraries Week”
• Many libraries now open but 72-hour quarantine rule causing ‘huge pressure’ – BookSeller. “Library authorities say more than 90% of their facilities have reopened since lockdown eased, with nearly half offering browsing, though many have suffered “huge pressure” from a 72-hour book quarantine rule.” … “93% of libraries are offering PC access and have browsing at some or all sites while 45% have opened for browsing at all their buildings.”

“Libraries have operated this quarantine for a year now, and it is slowing down the rate at which materials can be lent as well as placing huge pressure on available space. Libraries Connected and DCMS have both been working with government contacts and PHE to explore whether this guidance can be revised or relaxed while maintaining the safety of library users.”

Nick Poole, CILIP

• Shelf Love: Several Fascinating Facts About Libraries – BBC Radio Four. “To mark the documentary Late Returns, in which writer Nicholas Royle returns three library books – three decades after he borrowed them, we’ve collated some interesting facts using our own version of the Dewey Decimal System…”
• Townscapes: The Value of Social Infrastructure – Bennett Institute for Public Policy. Mentions public libraries seventy nine times.
• Universal Library Offers Project Manager – Libraries Connected. “The postholder will work with the Universal Offer Leads, supporting them to implement the plans, and will also oversee the creation of the annual plan. The postholder will also ensure engagement between Libraries Connected and the public library sector on the delivery of the plans.”. 14 hours per week.

International news

• EU – 2021 NAPLE Forum annual meeting – NAPLE Sister Libraries. 20 May, 12 noon to 2. “Please join us for the NAPLE Forum 2021 where we will be discussing the impact of public libraries as we emerge from the pandemic period, and looking over the horizon to see what’s next for the public library sector in the next 12 months.”
• Ireland – Firm sues over computer system contract for public libraries – Irish Times. “An unsuccessful tenderer for a multimillion-euro computer system for the country’s public libraries has sued over the awarding of the contract. Innovative Interfaces Incorporated, which was unsuccessful in tendering for part of the contract, has also obtained an automatic suspension of the awarding of part of the contract pending the outcome of its legal proceedings which were entered into the Commercial Court on Monday.”
• USA – Why librarians are natural born detectives – Crime Reads. “Whether you’re looking for information about an uncle’s will or a homemade poison, the reference desk is the place to go.”

Local news by authority

• Angus – Home library deliveries resume for elderly and vulnerable Angus bookworms – Angus. “Residents can sign up for the monthly service where books are delivered straight to homes and collected when they are ready to return.”
• Bradford – Free books and activities available as part of pyjamarama event – Telegraph and Argus. ” working with BookTrust to help gift 2,000 copies of the picture book My Pet Star by Corinne Averiss in celebration of this year’s Pyjamarama Day which takes place on Friday.”
• Bridgend – Porthcawl Library Officially Reopened Following Refurbishment – Awen Libraries. “A grant from the Local Government Cultural Service Fund (Welsh Government Culture and Sport Division) was used to reconfigure and redecorate the front half of the library, to increase the size of the children’s library and move the public computers to a space with more privacy and closer to the printing facilities.”
• Caerphilly – Caerphilly Library Service introduces pre-appointment browsing sessions – Wales 247.
• Carmarthenshire – Life in lockdown launched by Carmarthenshire libraries – South Wales Guardian. “By gathering photographs, stories, experiences, poems, diary entries, social media screenshots, drawings, or anything else people wish to contribute, the libraries will be able to record how local people adapted.”
• Devon – Libraries Unlimited launches Arts Award Discover at Home – In Your Area. “Discover at Home enables children to be rewarded for the creative activities they enjoy. If young people would like to apply for an official Arts Award Discover certificate, they will need to complete one of the activities and submit evidence to Libraries Unlimited via the website. There is a small charge to cover the cost of the certificate and postage.”
• East Riding – Chance to join East Riding Libraries’ friendly Facebook book club – Bridlington Free Press. “East Riding Libraries Face in a Book Club on Facebook now has over 220 members who have been enjoying the books selected each month by the Libraries team. The club started back in February 2020, just before the first lockdown and has gradually grown since then.”
• Havering – New rapid testing sites open in Romford and Upminster – Romford Recorder. ” these replace former testing sites in Collier Row and Elm Park libraries, which Havering Council said will shortly return to normal library service.  People can now also collect rapid home testing kits from any of the borough’s libraries, and 30 Havering pharmacies. “
• Hertfordshire – Open call for Hertfordshire Libraries – Hitchin Library – Hertfordshire Council. “We are excited to offer the opportunity to work with Hertfordshire Libraries and partners at Nysa Projects on a key strand of our Culture and Creativity Offer, My Story Artist-in-Residence.”
• Manchester – Manchester’s first ever Festival of Libraries programme revealed – The Manc. Full programme.
• Amnesty for overdue Manchester library books out on loan during Covid pandemic – Manchester Evening News. “More than 12,200 people have visited Manchester Central Library and branch libraries since mid-April, prompting bosses to remind people to return their overdue items. Around 90,000 books and other library materials are currently unaccounted for, a third of which were out on loan before the first national lockdown.”
• Norfollk – Plans for Hunstanton library move announced – Lynn News. Library to be closed while new one built, temporary site. “The move is part of a multi-million pound West Norfolk Council project to redevelop the town’s bus station, which was given planning permission last year.”
• Northern Ireland – North Belfast Carnegie library being transformed into “palace of learning” – Belfast Live. “The Falls Road Carnegie Library is still a functioning public library, the Donegall Road library was restored 25 years ago and is now let out to small businesses. The plans for the Oldpark Carnegie Library, however, bridge the gap. The Northern Ireland Foundation – the group leading its restoration – want to see it flourish in the third sector as a community hub.”
• North Yorkshire – Ground-breaking Ripon author’s love of books starts in library – North Yorkshire County Council. “North Yorkshire author Christina Shingler, who features in one of a series of Black British Stories films commissioned by the BBC, has spoken about the importance of libraries and, in particular, what Ripon library has meant to her.” … “Ripon library provides a backdrop for part of the short film, in which Christina speaks to her ten-year-old grandson, Felix, about growing up in the city in the 1960s.”
• Perth and Kinross – Perthshire author backs region’s libraries as facilities start to reopen – Daily Record. Browsing.
• Sandwell – More libraries set to reopen across Sandwell – Express and Star. Click and collect, PCs.
• Shropshire – Oswestry library ‘delighted’ to launch Dementia Awareness Week – Advertizer. “… a new and wide-ranging collection of loanable objects for people living with memory loss. The initiative has been largely funded by Oswestry Town Council, with an additional donation from Coverage Care’s New Fairholme”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries announces new virtual author events – EADT. “Suffolk Libraries has been at the forefront of hosting online events with more than 3,000 people taking part since October 2020.”
• Suffolk Libraries providing free fitness sessions as part of Mental Health Awareness week – EADT.
• Rushmere pop-up library to return in May – Ipswich Star. “Visitors will be able to browse the shelves for books and use the Suffolk Libraries Local computers from Wednesday, May 19,”
• Wakefield – Here is what will be allowed to open and what you can do in Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford from next week – Wakefield Express. “Children’s activities will restart in libraries, contact your local library for details”
• West Lothian – Libraries and community museums set to re-open in West Lothian – Linlithgow Gazette. “All 14 local libraries and the Local History reference library will accept appointments for browsing from Monday. A library appointment will allow you to visit community museums housed in libraries or in the same buildings as libraries. PC access, photocopying, printing and hearing aid services will also resume by appointment at all libraries on this date.”
• Worcestershire – Tenbury library offers more as it returns to something like normal service – Ludlow Advertiser. “The new guidance that allows up to 6 people to meet indoors will mean small social connecting groups such as reading groups and Knit and Natter can once again meet in library spaces. One to one sessions that provide valuable support with digital skills, employability and job seeking, and provide business advice and information will also be introduced over coming weeks.”