Editorial

So the first battle announced in the ongoing war on public libraries is in Hampshire, with 10 out of 48 are under threat plus threats to opening hours and to the pre-existing volunteer libraries there. Local authors and residents have been quick to protest while the local, mainly Conservative, politicians acquiesce and the council itself blames central government while at the same time trying to blackmail locals into becoming volunteers. The critical thing now is if a strong group of local campaigners coalesce, as they did in Essex, or if the public let inaction decide for them.

It was also sad to see Stockport use a windfall from Greater Manchester to no improve its libraries but to pay for staffing cuts by introducing Open+. While the technology itself is not necessarilyy a bad thing, using the technology to pay for staffing cuts normally is. It was also a bit of a bang-the-head-on-the-desk moment to read that the local council is saying it’s looking for a different name than “library” for its, um, library service. “Library” is a brand-name known everywhere, councillors. Own it, don’t disown it. So not the best of starts for 2020 proper. Let’s hope it’s not a bad omen for the rest of the year.

Local news by authority

• Hampshire – 10 libraries under threat (of 48) plus 15% reduction in opening hours to survivors or all libraries to remain open with general 25% hours cut. 40 to 50 jobs at risk. At risk are Blackhurst, Lyndhurst, Fair Oak, Chineham, South Ham, Elson, Emsworth, Horndean, Lee-on-the-Solent and Odiham. Council support will be removed from Kingsclere, Lowford, Milford-on-Sea and North Baddesley volunteer libraries (£49k cut). Charges may increase.
• Manchester – Crumpsall Library to move into new co-location.
• Stockport – £232k money from Greater Manchester to be used to part pay for £250k p.a. cut via paying for Open+ so council can cut £160k from staffing.

Ideas

• Water fountains – Installed in Hackney to reduce use of plastic bottles.

National news

• Audiobooks: The rise and rise of the books you don’t read – BBC. “Audiobooks are in the midst of a boom, with Deloitte predicting that the global market will grow by 25 per cent in 2020 to US$3.5 billion (£2.6 billion). Compared with physical book sales, audio is the baby of the publishing world, but it is growing up fast.”
• Building Confidence in Digital Resources – Niche Academy. Friday Jan 17 at 1:30 pm GMT. “In this free 45-minute webinar Jared Oates, COO of Niche Academy, will explain the features and benefits of Niche Academy’s online training tutorials including how to make best use of video training and how to build your confidence answering enquiries about digital resources. “
• Public Libraries Forum May 2020 – Call for papers – National Acquisitions Group. “The next NAG public libraries forum will be held on 15th May 2020 at Friends House in London.  We hope this convenient venue close to Euston will encourage attendees from around the UK to attend for another informative and useful day with strong networking opportunities …”

International news

• Morocco – World’s oldest library reopens in Fez: ‘You can hurt us, but you can’t hurt the books’ – Guardian. “This, it is widely believed, is the oldest library in the world – and soon it will be open to the general public again.” … “In 2012, the ministry of culture, which manages the Qarawiyyin library and university, asked Chaouni to assess the library, and she was pleasantly surprised when her architecture firm was awarded the contract, in a field traditionally seen as a man’s province.”
• USA / Global – Public Libraries Reach Record-High Ebook and Audiobook Usage in 2019 – Rakuten Overdrive. “Due to their creative efforts in curation, managing multiple lending models and engaging patrons, librarians helped drive public library circulation of digital books to record highs in 2019. Libraries and schools around the world enabled their patrons and students to check out 326 million ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines in the past 12 months, a 20% increase over the previous year. “
  • County, city libraries eliminate all fines in joint effort for equity – Call Newspapers. “St. Louis’ two largest library systems are going fine-free starting this month with a “New Year, No Fines” initiative. St. Louis County Library and St. Louis Public Library announced Tuesday they will no longer charge fines on late materials beginning in the new year.”

“We are always looking for ways to remove barriers and increase access to library materials and services. Removing overdue fees helps make the library’s resources more accessible and supports literacy efforts for our entire community.”

County library Director Kristen Sorth

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Ian Rankin thriller at top of Aberdeen library list – Evening Express. “Ian Rankin’s detective tale In A House Of Lies was the book most borrowed from Aberdeen’s 18 libraries, according to new figures provided to The Evening Express by Aberdeen City Council. But the undisputed most popular author in the north-east is children’s writer Jeff Kinney, who wrote the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid series.”
• Aberdeenshire – Aberdeenshire Council seeking views on library services – Buchan Observer. “As part of the Aberdeenshire Council’s budget-setting process, savings were identified for the library service and the possibility of the closure of some facilities in smaller villages was outlined. Since then, Live Life Aberdeenshire has been working hard to look at alternative ways of achieving savings by taking a broader view of how library services are provided.”
  • New survey on future of libraries in Aberdeenshire – Press and Journal.
• Bolton – Secretary visits Bolton library and praises collection – Bolton News. Baroness Nicky Morgan: “The former MP tweeted: “Wonderful to visit @BoltonLMS this afternoon – they have an amazing collection of national & local treasures. “It is vital that we support our local museums & libraries up & down the county they offer such a sense of place & civic pride bringing local communities together.”
• Cumbria – Our changing libraries now host story telling, the internet and coffee mornings – North West Evening Mail. “Completion of £1.2m building project will be next stage in letting Barrow’s main books base adapt to the needs of a modern world “
• Essex – Manningtree library campaigners win award for action – Harwich and Manningtree Standard. “Manningtree Town Council has now decided to recognise the campaign group’s remarkable efforts by honouring members with the Community Engagement Award. Holly Turner, from Save Manningtree Library, said: “I’m delighted that the Save Manningtree Library group have been recognised and rewarded for all of their hard work and tireless campaigning. “
  • Days of action to save Essex library staff – Harwich and Manningtree Standard. “The events will be part of a countywide Save our Librarians – No Closures By Stealth day of action. “. Campaigner says “The events will be part of a countywide Save our Librarians – No Closures By Stealth day of action. “
• Glasgow – Attendance figures in decline across Glasgow’s public libraries – Glasgow Live. “A Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that 2015 saw 5,076,771 visits to the local library compared to 4,780,031 in 2019. This was however, a three per cent increase from the year before which saw 4,633,288 library visits with 5,088,418 and 5,045,552 visits in 2017 and 2016 respectively.”
• Hackney – Hackney Council takes on single-use plastics with new water fountains at leisure centres and libraries – Hackney Gazette. “Mayor Phil Glanville and environment and waste chief Cllr Jon Burke opened one of the fountains at London Fields Lido this week. The others are at Clapton Library, Homerton Library, Shoreditch Library, Clissold Leisure Centre and Hackney Marshes Centre. These join those installed last year at CLR James Library, Mabley Green, and Hackney Marshes Pavilion, with the equivalent of 7,500 plastic bottles saved by the fountain at the CLR James Library alone since it was installed in July.”
• Hampshire – Council to reveal proposed cuts to Hampshire library service – Advertiser and Times. “Plans for the future of Hampshire libraries – which could include proposals for closures and reductions in opening hours – will be revealed this week. A 10-week public consultation over a county-wide restructure of the service will be launched at midday on Thursday.”
  • Gaiman, Sparkes and Rowson sign letter against Hampshire library closures – BookSeller. “Scores of authors, including Neil Gaiman, Ali Sparkes, Pauline Rowson and Philip Hoare, have signed an open letter to Hampshire County Council calling for it to ditch its “shameful” proposal to close 10 libraries.”
  • Library closure plans see angry reaction from residents – Basingstoke Gazette. “A number of Basingstoke residents got involved in the debate on social media, including Stefan Powell, who said: “This sucks!” Another, Sarah Newman, said: “This is sad and such a shame when it is so important to get children into reading and it is not always easy for people to go and buy books hence why libraries are so important. “
  • Maria Miller and local councillors respond to plans that could see libraries close – Basingstoke Gazette. “Speaking to the Gazette on Friday, Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, said that it was “right” that Hampshire County Council were looking into the proposals.” … “Meanwhile, Laura Edwards, who is a ward councillor in Chineham, said she understands the need said she was “disappointed”. “I’m a big fan of Chineham library, I went there when I was little,” Cllr Edwards said. “I appreciate the need for it, but it is a very disappointing decision. “
  • Neil Gaiman leads Hampshire writers protesting library cuts – Guardian. “Local authors including Neil Gaiman – who grew up in Hampshire and has a road named after him in Portsmouth – Philip Hoare, Jon Courtenay Grimwood, Ali Sparkes and Claire Fuller wrote to the council on Friday to “reverse this shameful decision”. The writers described the two options in the public consultation as disastrous for Hampshire’s communities”

“An open library is proof that we value community and culture. A closed library is a sign of a society – and a county council – that is turning its back on both.”

Neil Gaiman and others in open letter

• Ten Hampshire libraries face axe – Southern Daily Echo. “The number of libraries across the county could drop from 48 to 38 and the remaining ones could see a 15% reduction in their opening hours as Hampshire County Council is aiming to save £1.76m by 2021. “

“If the community does not wish to transition to a new delivery model then it is possible that these libraries may close” … “If the government were making no reduction in terms of public funding to councils then we wouldn’t have to make decisions that are as difficult as those that we have to make. We would be reviewing the service anyway but we probably wouldn’t be looking at the possibility of closing ten libraries”

Hampshire Council

• Ten Hampshire libraries earmarked for closure – BBC. “Recreation councillor Sean Woodward said: “We’ve seen in the last 10 years something like two million fewer books being issued per year so it’s a huge change but we want to make sure that the libraries which are open are thriving, well run, well attended and well used by our residents.””
• Hillingdon – Bookworms Online started by Hillingdon Libraries – Hillingdon and Uxbridge Times. “The monthly virtual book club will encourage residents to borrow or download books in advance of the scheduled social media discussion, which will take place on Twitter from 6- 7pm on the third Thursday of each month. “
• Lancashire – Literary lovers asked to have some pun and name Lancashire’s new mobile libraries – Lancashire Post. “People are being asked to choose from a shortlist of 11, with the top three names set to adorn the first three vehicles. Everyone has until 5pm on Friday 17 January to get involved, with the winning names due to be announced the following week. The list of names are available at http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries, then follow the link to vote.”
  • Staff Transferred From County To City In Harris Shake-Up – Preston Hub. “The Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library have welcomed Harris library staff who have transferred over from Lancashire County Council to Preston City Council to create one Harris team. The Harris is managed by Preston City Council working in partnership with Lancashire County Council and is in a transformative point in its history to create the UK’s first blended museum, art gallery and library. Bringing the museum and library together as a single service will help the Harris to move forward with its unique and exciting vision to reimagine the Harris and ensure the Grade 1 listed building remains a cultural, civic and community hub for the city and county.”
• Leicester – Library fines waived during January amnesty – Leicester Council. “The amnesty on fines applies to all and any Leicester library books – no matter how long you might have had them. Historical charges which may be listed against books you have already returned will also be wiped. The initiative is part of the council’s anti-poverty work, and is aimed at ensuring everyone has the opportunity to access to free library services in Leicester. It is one of a number of ways in which the city council is working to reduce the impact of poverty, improve lives and help children to reach their full potential.”
  • Vote for your favourite book of the decade with Leicester libraries – Leicester City Council. “Throughout the month of January, anyone aged 12 and over can vote for up to three titles of any genre. You can vote for any adult or junior book, either fiction or non-fiction – they just need to have been published between 2010 and 2019.”
• Manchester – Crumpsall is getting a new multi-million pound library and leisure centre – this is how it will look – Manchester Evening News. “Coun Luthfur Rahman, Manchester City Council’s executive member for skills, culture and leisure, said: “The majority of the city’s leisure centres and libraries have undergone major transformation over the last decade to ensure we can offer our residents modern, attractive facilities that are a real asset to their local community.”
• North Yorkshire – Scarborough and Filey libraries host 64 Million Artists challenge – North Yorkshire County Council. “Each day in January the libraries will set a creative challenge, which will take only five to ten minutes. These range from creative writing to drawing, reading, crafting, poetry and music.”
  • Dogs drop in to library to lend an ear to young readers – North Yorkshire County Council. “Read2Dogs sessions are to be launched at Selby library to help children improve their confidence as readers by sharing books with Dora and Morgan, two Pets as Therapy dogs that will visit the library with their owners, Rachael and Tony Wilson, of Selby.”
• Northamptonshire – Wollaston library volunteers ready to lend a hand – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “More than 20 members of the community have volunteered to staff the service after Northamptonshire County Council’s decision to close 17 libraries unless groups stepped-in. “

“It’s good that we have been given the opportunity to run it but it should never have happened. “

Soon to be library volunteer

• Northumberland – Seahouses councillors stress the value of library service – Northumberland Gazette. “Parish councillors have bemoaned the lack of a permanent library in Seahouses … Members of North Sunderland Parish Council were responding to a public consultation on the future shape of library services in Northumberland.”
• Reading – Caversham Library to temporarily close – Reading Chronicle. “The work will cover improvements to the library’s energy efficiency, alongside upgrades to heating systems, wiring and electrics.”
• Stockport – Council to plough £6m cash windfall into Stockport’s libraries, parks and roads – Manchester Evening News. “The funding comes from money returned from Greater Manchester Combined Authority following its negotiation of a new waste contract for the region” … “The council is looking to save £250k from its libraries budget next year via a range of measures, including outsourcing Stockport Advice Service to the Citizens Advice Bureau and reducing opening hours at some sites. The Open+ scheme – which allows people to access selected libraries while they are unstaffed – is also expected to save the council around £160,000. However, the implementation of Open+ technology requires capital investment of up to £150,000, and the £232 one off-monies will contribute towards this. Coun Kate Butler, cabinet member for citizen focus and engagement, said:  “I would really welcome some spending on libraries given the increased reliance we are having as a local authority on libraries.”
• Suffolk – Bid to honour ‘much-loved’ librarian with memorial garden – Eastern Daily Press. “Ali Hopkins lost her battle with cancer on January 7, 2019, having worked in libraries in Suffolk since 1980.”
• Swindon – Swindon Central library coffee shop consultation begins – Swindon Advertiser. Previous cafe not making enough money.
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire libraries close their Overdrive eBook and eAudiobook services – Redditch Standard. “Warwickshire have closed their Overdrive eBook and eAudiobook service to move completely over to Borrowbox.”

Well, I was going to do a review of the year this post but that will have to wait as it’s just so great to see so many people connected with public libraries receiving a mention in the New Year’s Honours List. All in all, I count fifteen such people – all mentioned below, don’t worry – on the list. Whatever one may think of the honours system, it is lovely to see so many deserving people mentioned. It can only help those people push for libraries and be an aid to the sector generally. For more on this, see this post I did back in March for Libraries Connected on the subject.

Changes by local authority

• Bradford – £700k for health and wellbeing / help ease £1m cut to library budget.
• Cardiff – Rhydypennau and Whitchurch libraries to be turned into “wellbeing hubs”
• Croydon – Joins London Libraries Consortium.
• Essex – Plan to close libraries cancelled. £1.9m to convert libraries into more commercial/community spaces. Other funding to update IT inc. possibly as a consortium.
• Neath Port Talbot – Neath Library to close: to be relocated into leisure centre.
• Somerset – Shepton Mallet Library to remain open, rather than being co-located, due to town council and community donations.
• St Helens – Central Library to move into World of Glass, opening hours reviews.

New Year’s Honours

The following figures connected with public libraries received a mention in the New Year’s Honours List:

• Carol Boswarthack MBE – Head of Barbican and Community Libraries in the City of London. Here’s an article on how her libraries reduce loneliness.
• Catherine Cooke BEM – Support Officer for the TriBorough shared library service (Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster) and the current Chair of the BIC Libraries Committee. Here’s an article she wrote on catalogue discoverability.
• Jane Ellison BEM – Head of Creative Partnerships at the BBC. Trustee of Libraries Connected, used to be on Libraries Taskforce.
• Angela Forster BEM – Service Manager, Community Hubs, Libraries and Parks, Newcastle City Council. Recently retired.
• Subnum Hariff-Khan BEM – Library and Information Manager for Oldham Libraries. Culture Lead for Greater Manchester Libraries and Chair and Reading Lead for Libraries Connected North West. . Here’s an article show wrote on the sensory room at Oldham Library.
• Amy Hearn BEM – Digital Inclusion Coordinator at Leeds City Council. Lead for 100% Digital Leeds.
• Anthony Hopkins BEM – Head of Library, Heritage and Adult Education Services for the London Borough of Merton. Former President of the Association of London Chief Librarians. Here’s a few articles he has written for the Libraries Taskforce.
• Elizabeth Hutchinson BEM – For services to school libraries. Very active campaigning for, and supporting, school libraries.
• Denise Jones BEM – Development Manager: Liverpool Libraries and Information Services – Here’s an article on the MakeFest she wrote.
• Mark McCree BEM – Head of libraries for Blackpool.
• Philip McLaughlin OBE, recently retired from Northern Ireland Libraries. He was branch manager at Strathfoyle Library.
• Isabel Oswell BEM – British Library – Head of Business Audience. Leads on the Business and Intellectual Centres in public libraries.
• Maria Reguera BEM – Redbridge Libraries. Leads on Makerspace programme, involved in LibraryLab programme.
• Jacqueline Thompson BEM – ICT Learning Officer for Gateshead Libraries.
• Sue Wilkinson OBE. Recently retired as CEO for the Reading Agency, previously an MBE.

National news

• ‘An early Christmas present’: NPOs get 1.84% funding boost – Arts Professional. “More than 800 arts and cultural organisations across England will receive a 1.84% increase to their funding in 2020. Arts Council England (ACE) CEO Darren Henley said DCMS has confirmed it will receive an extra £7.5m in the next financial year, giving National Portfolio Organisations (NPOs) an above-inflation funding boost rather than the planned 0.4% reduction on 2019/20 levels of grant-in-aid.”
• Christmas appeal: ‘School librarian cuts are a catastrophe for young readers’ – I. Tom Palmer: “Around 8,000 jobs have disappeared in UK libraries since 2010, some replaced by volunteers. One in eight schools do not have a designated library space, with a higher proportion of poorer children more likely not to have one.”
• CILIP says libraries need £250m in demand to Johnson government – BookSeller. “Recent figures released by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) showed funding for the service has fallen almost 30% during a decade of austerity, with analysis demonstrating library loans have plunged by 43% over the same period. CILIP called on political parties to make a commitment to libraries during the election campaign. It said the government’s planned £25m investment, through its Cultural Investment Fund, was “roughly one-tenth of the capital investment we need to deliver a world-class library sector over the lifetime of this Parliament”. An extra £250m would bring the funding close to its 2009/10 level of £1bn. The CIPFA figures show the sum is currently £744m, a slight improvement on the previous year.”
• CILIPS in 2019 – Year in Review – CILIPS.
• Jack Monroe: My manifesto for rebuilding a truly broken Britain – I. “Thousands of preventable deaths. 11,000 fewer firefighters. A 40 per cent cut in the number of Police Community Support Officers. 800 libraries closed. “
• Library loans down 43% in 10 years, new analysis shows – BookSeller. “Analysing the full figures, which are not made freely available by CIPFA, together with past results, Coates said loans of printed books in English libraries stood at 150 million in the past year, adding to a total drop of 43% in the last decade and 59% since the turn of the millennium. There were also 371 libraries run by volunteers in 2018/19, up from 272 the previous year.”
• New programme to help libraries to raise income – Libraries Connected. “Libraries Connected has been awarded £150,000 by Arts Council England to plan a programme of training and mentoring to help library services to develop strategic approaches to income generation. The Future Funding programme will be designed and delivered by Libraries Connected in partnership with expert partners from the public, third and commercial sectors. The programme will help libraries to generate income in new ways by using the skills and resources they’ve built up as centres of knowledge and information.”
• Libraries Connected to launch income-generation funding scheme – BookSeller.
• Rakuten OverDrive in buyout deal with KKR investment firm – BookSeller. “Investment firm KKR has signed a deal to buy digital reading platform OverDrive from Rakuten for an undisclosed sum. OverDrive is known in the UK for providing e-books to public libraries and has a worldwide network of 43,000 schools and libraries spanning 75 countries. KKR has a string of investments in related companies including audiobook firm RBMedia, which it bought in 2018, and Nielsen.”

International news

• Canada – Radon gas detector kit wait list growing at P.E.I. libraries – Journal Pioneer. “Despite only being made available starting in late November, there is already a 74-person waiting list to access one of the devices. Each of the 15 units available can be signed out for a maximum of six weeks. Which means some people could be facing a wait of up to eight months. “
• USA – Ten Stories That Shaped 2019 – LIS News. “1. Whither Late Fees? The movement to end library late fees seemed to reach the start of a tipping point this year. Whether or not your library continues this practice, it should at least justify the current policy in place.”
  • Island libraries eliminate late fines – MV Times. “Joining a movement across the country, all Martha’s Vineyard libraries will eliminate overdue fines for materials starting Jan. 1, 2020 for a fresh start to the New Year.”
  • Looking at Libraries – The Atlantic. A long look at the best US public libraries and activities. “Continuing the photo essay about public libraries, which showed many examples of children’s rooms and adult spaces, this collection shows some of the multitude of activities happening at public libraries. It also includes some of the kinds of collections besides books, and some of the public places where books are available to borrow besides at traditional libraries.”
  • Make Way For Books At Your Library – Princh. “As of right now, we have established a wonderful partnership with the Pima County Public Library in Tucson, AZ, focused around the Make Way for Books App. As an early literacy non-profit organization, we value libraries as one of our most important resources, providing support and equitable access to information for the community.”

Local news by authority

• Blackpool – Plans unveiled for future of Blackpool’s libraries – Blackpool Gazette. “The Libraries Ambition Plan 2019-2024 is considering priorities including using the facilities to help with children’s readiness for school, to improve literacy levels, encourage more people to read, provide access to digital services and to support residents’ mental wellbeing.”
• Bradford – Cash to boost plans for reshaping district’s libraries – Keighley News. “… the council has issued a pledge to commit £700,000 ongoing funding into its library service budget for 2020/21 as part of a wider health and wellbeing initiative. “
  • £700k health boost for district’s libraries – despite cuts overall – Telegraph & Argus. “The Council Executive will discuss funding for the library service budget for 2020/21 as part of a wider health and wellbeing initiative. The Council is in the process of making over £1m cuts to the library service budget, but says the new funding will help to “inform plans to re-shape library services in order to sustain a viable and accessible network into the future.” … “The Council Executive will discuss funding for the library service budget for 2020/21 as part of a wider health and wellbeing initiative. “
  • Community engagement held at Manningham Library to discuss proposed cuts – Telegraph and Argus. “”The Council’s commitment is still to retain all 29 libraries and we’re trying to make that happen. We are looking at more innovative solutions than closures.We may see reduced opening times – there are a range of options, but we need to make sure the public are informed.”
• Cardiff – Two Cardiff libraries will close for six months so they can be refurbished – Wales Online. “Rhydypennau Library, on Llandennis Road, Cyncoed , and Whitchurch Library, on Park Road, will close at 7pm on Tuesday, January 7, to allow the internal and external work to take place. They are due to reopen as community hubs in the summer of 2020.”
• Croydon – Millions more books on offer through Croydon’s libraries – Your Croydon. “Croydon’s libraries have joined The Libraries Consortium offering members free access to millions of books from more than 200 libraries as well as audiobooks, ebooks and IT facilities.” … “Since bringing the service back in house Croydon Council has embarked on an investment programme to improve and refurbish all 13 of the borough’s libraries.”
• Devon – Rise in children borrowing from libraries – Radio Exe. “More children than before took part in the Summer Reading Challenge in Devon this year, while Children’s borrowing number from July to September 2019 are up nearly four per cent on 2018 figures.”
  • Libraries connecting communities and getting active this January – Devon Live. “50 libraries across Devon and four libraries in Torbay will be hosting events and activities designed to get people of all ages exercising their mind, body and soul.”
  • Smash and grab by ‘hooded men’ leaves Exeter library staff gutted – Devon Live. “Vital donations have been stolen from one of the busiest libraries in the country during a break-in to target its large charity box. Thieves used a rock to smash a window and gain entry into Exeter Central Library via Rougemont Gardens last Sunday, December 15, at around 11.30pm.”
• Essex – Anger at behind closed doors talks over libraries – Harwich and Manningtree Standard. SOLE campaign group hands out leaflets in front of secret / unpublicised talks council is having with groups hoping to take over libraries.
  • £3m investment will improve ‘clunky’ system, says head of Essex libraries – BookSeller. “The changes are due to be made as part of a £3million investment to make Essex’s library service “fit for the 21st century”, announced by county council leader David Finch in July. “
  • Council warned against ‘small cabal’ deciding future library IT system – Yellow Advertiser. “Cllr Stephen Hillier said it was important the system overhaul was run with proper oversight. He said: “What is the platform the library management system is currently running on? Are we looking for something that is off the shelf or are we building it to specification? Who is going to develop it? Are we looking for packages that need to fit together?”
  • Essex libraries campaigners hit out at ‘commercialisation’ of service – BookSeller. Council talking about “changing shelving but also allowing space for theatre workshops, meetings, community wellbeing sessions and co-locating partner organisations in the buildings.” … “A spokesman for Save Our Libraries Essex, said: “The alarm bells are most certainly ringing, as it is clear the county council is investing in a far more commercialised service. Traditional free library services are being binned, with more emphasis on services that will bring in money.”
  • More clubs come to Wickham Bishops library following community group boost – Halstead Gazette. Friends group celebrate start of Warhammer and coding clubs.
  • Wivenhoe children join SOLE’s Love Your Librarian event – Gazette News. “Hundreds of schoolchildren signed Christmas cards for their local librarian to show them how valued trained staff are to communities. Members of Save Our Libraries Essex (Sole) organised and presented the cards during special Love Your Librarian days at Wivenhoe and Galleywood facilities on Saturday. “
• Fife – Challenging perceptions of the menopause in Fife project – Fife Today. Library service wins funding from Engaging Libraries programme.
• Hampshire – Libraries set junior bookworms a winter reading challenge – Advertiser and Times. “The county council’s library service is encouraging young children to read four books and earn stickers to pick up the commendation.”
  • 37 libraries in Hampshire won’t face the axe, says council, ahead of library consultation – Daily Echo. “County bosses have confirmed that details over the future of libraries across the county will be released on January 9 when a ten-week consultation will be launched. It comes after last month county councillor Peter Chegwyn  claimed that 37 of the 52 libraries in Hampshire could face axe. At the time the county council said  it “would not be appropriate to speculate”. But now the authority has said that it is not and never has been considering closing 37 libraries.”
• Hull – The reasons people were banned from Hull libraries and leisure centres – Hull Live. “Viewing inappropriate images, theft and antisocial behaviour are just some of the reasons people have been banned from leisure centres and libraries in Hull. Over the past two years, 13 people have been banned from leisure centres and libraries across the city.” … “Hull’s list of library ban reasons include two people who were kicked out for viewing inappropriate images and five for antisocial behaviour.”
• Leicester / Leicestershire – Flasher among 28 people banned from Leicestershire’s libraries for inappropriate behaviour – Leicester Mercury. “Some 28 people have been banned from Leicester and Leicestershire’s libraries in the past two years, including one person barred for indecent exposure.”
• Manchester – Man called in a bomb hoax at Central Library just days after the first anniversary of the Arena attack – Manchester Evening News. “A father who called in a bomb hoax at Central Library days after the first anniversary of the Arena bombing has been spared jail. Abdinasir Hashi, 46, left a Tesco bag for life in a booth at the city centre library. He then walked out and called 999 from a phone box, saying that there was a bomb. Manchester Crown Court heard that in a bid to avert mass panic, the fire alarm was triggered so the public did not hear of the threat.”
• Merton -Young Harry Potter enthusiast makes rare find on Wimbledon Library book shelves – Wimbledon Guardian. “The book is in remarkably good condition considering it has spent 22 years in circulation. The lack of wear and tear has been helped by the fact that the copy had been part of the Schools Library Service and hadn’t been available on the open shelves until transferred to Wimbledon Library in February this year. Since the transfer, it has been borrowed three times. “
• Neath Port Talbot – Neath Library set to move into new multi-million pound leisure and retail development – Wales Online. “Neath Library is set to be relocated to the new £12m leisure centre and retail development in the town once it’s built, a new council report shows. Neath Port Talbot Council said the existing library had become very expensive to maintain and usage had fallen by more than 30% in the past 10 years.”
• North Yorkshire – Three local libraries receive awards for participation in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Scraborough News. “Final figures show that 11,161 children took part, an increase of 14 per cent on last year. Thirty-three libraries met or exceeded the number taking part the previous year, with 12 seeing an increase of more than 10 per cent.”
  • Drop-in to brush up language skills at Scarborough library – North Yorkshire County Council. “People who do not have English as their first language are invited to drop-in sessions at Scarborough library to improve language skills, build confidence and socialise.”
• Northern Ireland – Offenders make Braille children’s books for Northern Ireland libraries – Belfast Telegraph. “Offenders completing community service have converted a range of children’s books into Braille for libraries across Northern Ireland. “
• Reading – Caversham Library to temporarily close in new year – Reading Chronicle. “The work, taking place on Monday, January 13 and Wednesday, January 29, will cover improvements to the library’s energy efficiency, alongside upgrades to heating systems, wiring and electrics. “
• Somerset – Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis helps secure future of Shepton Mallet Library – Somerset County Gazette. Library to stay where is it is due to funding from outside of council. “The decision includes an agreement which would allow the building to be open outside of library opening hours to help develop its community role, and to accept contributions totalling £23,000 for each of the next five years from the town council and Mr Eavis. “
• South Lanarkshire – Scots library opens doors for homeless to watch a movie on Christmas Day – Daily Record. “Rutherglen Library in South Lanarkshire will be open between 11am and 2pm on December 25, with staff planning a festive film screening. It is the second year the library has opened up on Christmas Day, with Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop hailing the initiative.”
• St Helens – St Helens Council to conduct review into library opening hours – St Helens Reporter. “A review of library opening hours will be undertaken across the borough in preparation for the opening of a library at the World of Glass. St Helens Central Library, based in the Gamble Building, closed for urgent repairs in March 2017 and has never reopened. In April, St Helens Council announced plans to establish a temporary library at The World of Glass, which has long been the preferred destination for a new town centre library. The move is expected to take place in early 2020.”
• Swindon – Cafe return down to public – Swindon Advertiser. Curreent cafe will close. Consultation on what will replace it in the space. “Coun Keith Williams, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: “We know the cafe is a popular facility for some visitors to the library but the current provision is not paying its way at a time where we need to ensure we provide sustainable, cost-effective services. “
• West Sussex – Community hub plans for Worthing Library hit delays – Worthing Herald. “Problems with lifts and heating and cooling systems mean the Worthing Community Hub will not open as planned in the summer. West Sussex County Council plans to transform the town’s library, in Richmond Road, into a one-stop centre which would also house children and family services and registration services.”
• Warrington – Revealed: Warrington’s most books borrowed from LiveWire libraries – Warrington Guardian. “Topping the fiction list for adults is The Second Child by Caroline Bond, which was a designated Book of the Month during 2019 – showing how popular the initiative is with encouraging library users to try new books. “
• West Lothian – West Lothian library hours to change – Linlithgow Gazette. “The changes to opening hours at libraries will save the council £50,000 by reducing staffing levels, and the council has sought feedback from library users. The changes include a reduction in opening hours overall and more reliance on customer self-service. Self-service checkouts already account for 67 per cent of library transactions. “
• Wokingham – Wokingham libraries encourage youngsters to join reading challenge – Maidenhead Advertiser. Winter Mini Challenge.
• Worcestershire – A new strategy for libraries in Worcestershire – Tewkesbury Admag. Basically a reprinted council press release. “Ambitions for the service include; finding new ways to sustain all of our library provision, doing more to support our county’s businesses and supporting people into work. “. It’s hard to tell from the PR-speak but it looks like libraries will lose space to community groups and self-service machines expected.
  • Rubery Library will not close says Sajid Javid – Stourbridge News. Council says no aim to close any libraries.

Editorial

The timing of the CIPFA figures for libraries is normally embarrassing for something supposedly from the information sector. The figures are published, in this age of instant communication, a full eight months after the period they cover and have a hight cost attached, despite councils giving their information for free.

However, the timing this year, a week before the general election, looks inspired. The figures clearly show the damage that has been done to the sector since 2010: a huge cut to budget which, even leaving aside inflation, is almost a third down; big decreases to staffing, issues and visits. It’s an awful record for any government and there is nothing to credibly show that Mr Johnson would change tack if given, gulp, another five years.

But I’ve looked at the latest opinion polls and it looks like the electorate will give him another five years. So keep putting on the body armour, library sector, the bumpy ride is set to continue.

Changes by local authority

• Bexley – Sidcup High Street to have combined library and cinema.
• Glasgow – Woodside Library closed for repairs. Partick Library reopens after £1.5m refurbishment.
• Nottinghamshire – Worksop Library may not open unti Summer 2020 due to flood damage.
• West Sussex – £175k cut confirmed for 2020/21. Mobile service confirmed withdrawn. Opening hours cut.

Cipfa reaction

• Britain has closed almost 800 libraries since 2010, figures show – Guardian. “Cipfa chief executive Rob Whiteman said that while spending had increased slightly in the last year, the figures showed a sustained trend where local councils on tight budgets had been forced to redirect funding to priority services such as social care.”

“We are encouraged to see that local authority spending on libraries rose slightly this year even though levels have fallen significantly over the past decade. We know we must do more to demonstrate to national and local decision makers how much libraries contribute to a range of outcomes from literacy, to health and social mobility. We are particularly concerned about the fall in book loans, which is why we’re determined to fundraise for more projects such as our BBC novels campaign that specifically targets people who are less engaged with books and reading”

Libraries Connected.

• Latest CIPFA stats reveal library numbers still falling – BookSeller. “Laura Swaffield, chair of The Library Campaign, said the newly released statistics were already “way out of date” and only highlighted the gloomier news about libraries. She said: “As always, the headlines highlight national decline – hardly surprising, with funding slashed, and hundreds of libraries gutted, closed or dumped on to volunteers. As always, there’s nothing to highlight the scores of services that still thrive despite it all, and nothing to analyse how they manage it. What a waste of essential data.””
• ‘Libraries are the universities of the streets’: authors call for a stop to further closures – I. 35 closed 2018/19.
• Libraries in the archive: snapshots of reading in Britain 1930s-1990s – Guardian. “The news that Britain has closed almost 800 libraries since 2010 has prompted us to look back at images of libraries in the Guardian and Observer archives. These are a few highlights, with snippets from their original captions and related headlines.”
• Nearly 800 public libraries closed since austerity launched in 2010 – Independent. “Spending has fallen by 30 per cent over past decade, figures reveal. Currently there are 3,583 libraries open in the UK – 35 fewer than last year and 773 fewer than in 2010, a survey from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (Cipfa) has found. The closure of nearly a fifth of the UK’s libraries comes after spending has declined by 29.6 per cent over the past decade, figures from Cipfa reveal. National spending on libraries topped £1bn in 2009-10 before austerity began, but then dropped to less than £750m in 2018-19, the annual survey shows.”
• These are the busiest libraries in Yorkshire after a decade of austerity cuts hit their budgets – Yorkshire Post. “The busiest libraries in Yorkshire were Harrogate, with 274,471 items issued, York with 263,082 and Sheffield Central with 235,886. The three most visited libraries – Central Manchester, Wembley Library in Brent, and Woolwich Library in Greenwich – continue to receive well in excess of one million visitors a year. The data released today also reveals how local authorities have redesigned library services in response to tightening budgets and changing consumer habits. “
• The slow extinction of our public libraries is a quiet tragedy – Telegraph (behind paywall). “in collections, leisure centre upkeep, park hedge pruning: council tax-funded contributions for which I am grateful but cannot credit with bringing much joy to my life. The library rises above, then, as the great outlier – a place where you can read the latest bestseller for nothing or rent a film; use a photocopier, should you need one, or download an audiobook from the comfort of your own home. …”
• Thousands of Welsh children took on the challenge to read during the summer holidays – Wales 247. ““Libraries in Wales are under more and more pressure, so it’s wonderful to see that over 37,000 children in Wales have taken part in the challenge at their local library this year, and this is a testament to the hard work of library staff across Wales.””

National news

• All of Boris Johnson’s claims in BBC Andrew Marr interview, from London Bridge to Brexit to social care – I.
• Books on prescription: the role of public libraries in supporting mental health and wellbeing – Academia.
• Children who own books six times more likely to read above expected level, survey finds – Independent. “The findings come as hundreds of libraries across the country have been forced to close amid spending cuts. “
• CILIP criticises Boris Johnson library claims on Marr show – BookSeller. “Library association CILIP has criticised Boris Johnson following his comments on library services, following an Andrew Marr interview where the Tory leader suggested library closures were solely down to councils’ financial mismanagement.” … “In response, CILIP c.e.o. Nick Poole said though he was “delighted” libraries were forming part of the national debate, Johnson’s comments included three key “misconceptions”.”
• Damning figures show devastating impact of a decade of Tory cuts across UK – Mirror. “A damning audit shows how thousands of children’s and youth centres, libraries, council-subsidised bus routes and public toilets have been shut since the Conservatives came to power.” The Unison analysis, from freedom of information requests to 330 councils, reveals that 859 children’s centres and 940 youth centres have been closed since 2010. More than a fifth of public toilets, 835, have been shut, while council-subsidised bus routes have fallen by almost a third – a reduction of 1,224 services, many in isolated rural services. More than one in five libraries have either closed, been privatised or are now staffed by volunteers – a decrease of 738 council-run libraries.”
• General Election 2019 – Manifesto Special – CILIP. “Our campaign to encourage all candidates to #VoteLibraries has resulted in messages of solidarity and support from across the political spectrum. So how has this support translated into the Party Manifestos?”
• Hard Times: One UK town’s struggle in the age of austerity – Al Jazeera. Chatham. “The social safety net has been badly damaged by drastic cuts to local authorities’ budgets, which have eliminated many social services, reduced policing services, closed libraries in record numbers, shrunk community and youth centres and sold off public spaces and buildings,”
• Transcript: Boris Johnson on Andrew Marr – Spectator. “I accept that and I love libraries and I want to see them properly used. They perform a fantastic variety of services for the community and they’re wonderful, wonderful places. I want to invest in libraries, but we can only do that when we get the economy really motoring.”
• Why books matter: More than 380,000 UK kids don’t own a book – Big Issue. “However, while the gap may be closing when it comes to book ownership, libraries remain under threat of closure across the country, closing off another avenue for hard-up kids to get reading.”

International news

• Australia – An ode to the public library, the gateway to an educated society – The Mandarian.
  • The Importance of Library Partnerships – Princh. “Paula Kelly Paull, Manager Learning Communities – Hobsons Bay City Council, Churchill Fellow and Board Director – Australian Library and Information Association, shares her perspective on if she believes library partnerships are worth it and if so, why.”
• USA – What Are the Larger Implications of Ex Libris Buying Innovative? – Ithanka S R. “Innovative provides a number of library systems, currently marketing both Sierra and Polaris. Its strengths have been with public, special, and smaller academic libraries. This sale represents an exit for its private equity owners. “

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Council marks International Volunteer Day by highlighting opportunities – Bath Echo. “Staff from Bath Central Library showcased their volunteering opportunities at the library and championed the existing volunteers by publishing their book reviews on the Bath & North East Somerset Libraries Facebook page.”
• Bexley – DRDH wins green light for cinema and library scheme in Bexley – Architect’s Journal. “The London Borough of Bexley has granted DRDH Architects planning permission for a  £6 million library and cinema for which the council is the client. The 1,923m² mixed-use building will sit on a thin strip fronting Sidcup High Street and contain a suite of rooms with a double-height café and public library.”
• Bradford – Latest wave of library strikes to take place next week – Telegraph and Argus. “For several weeks staff have been taking part in industrial action over planned cuts to the service by Bradford Council of over £1.05m in 2020/21. A number of strikes and pickets have been organised for next week by the Unite Union. Around 70 members are expected to take part. “
  • Fight to save Ilkley Library – Wharfedale Observer. Concern expressed about suggestion library moves into town hall. “Cllr Peter Mate told the meeting the suggestion came from an options paper looking at the future of libraries. He said it was “extremely unlikely” that the library would move into the town hall.”
  • More strike action in Keighley over cuts to libraries and museums service – Keighley News.
• Bromley – Libraries threatened by incorporation into leisure facilities – Arts Professional. “A company responsible for running more than 100 libraries across the UK has been condemned for allegedly exploiting its staff and closing services against the public’s wishes. The Unite union says the operating practice of Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), which trades as Better gyms and leisure centres, “makes a mockery of the term ‘social enterprise’.”
• Bury – Saved library venue will provide new courses for Radcliffe people – Bury Times. Dumers Lane Library closed, reopens for adult learning.
• Glasgow – Councillors give green light to Woodside Library revamp – Evening Times. “One of the city’s Carnegie libraries will be repaired to ensure public safety after councillors gave plans the green light. Work can begin on the B-listed Woodside Library, which has “deteriorated significantly” over the years, following Glasgow City Council’s decision. Permission has been granted to Glasgow Life, which runs the library on behalf of the council, to restore the building, which will include replacing its glazed dome.”
  • First look inside Partick Library which reopens after £1.5 million investment – Evening Times.
  • Refurbished Partick Library to reopen to the public today – Glasgow Live. “The revamped library has been closed for nearly a year while £1.5 million of works took place.” … “The building’s new lease of life comes as part of Glasgow City Council’s Community Asset Fund investment of £10 million into community buildings across the city, with some additional funding from the Community Revenue Fund. Before its revamp, the library had not been renovated since the 1960s and was in need of repair.”
• Hertfordshire – Andrew Bignell retires from Hertfordshire Libraries after 42 years – Hertfordshire Libraries. Youtube video showing the changes over the time. Congratulations to Andrew on his long service and retirement.
• Kent – Gravesend library in Windmill Street closed for two weeks for ‘urgent building repairs’ – Kent Online. “he site, in Windmill Street, Gravesend, will be shut for around two weeks as Kent County Council works on “urgent repairs”.”

“You may remember we took the decision to move from the old Carnegie building to the Children’s Sure Start Centre back in June 2019. In doing so, we were able to use the Dementia Friendly principles in design and layout. I have just done some evaluation six months on and it continues to be a great success. Visitor figures are up 21%, book issues up 47%, reservations up 87% (we consciously invested in a large number of new books), new membership is up 140%, we have delivered 61% more events as the space is more flexible and attendance as a consequence is up 95%.

We have been able to work with some partners in the new location because of the great facilities at the new site such as Barnardo’s. We delivered sessions to young carers, to prepare meals and network in a safe environment.  We were funded to deliver a six week Read and Feed program which was part of the Kirklees Youth Alliance “Holiday hunger” project. These sessions were to help families on low incomes prepare, cook and eat together, who could then reproduce the recipes at home.”

Kirklees Libraries via email

• Leicester – Leicester libraries put on special events this Christmas – Leicester City Council.
• Manchester – 27,000 children in Manchester don’t own a single book – Manchester Evening News. “The statistics come as libraries across the country continue to have budgets cut, with many services having to close completely. Last year, the M.E.N revealed that Manchester city council was spending nearly £8.5 million less on libraries than it did in the financial year of 2010 to 2011. At the time, the council said it was committed to providing an ‘excellent’ library service and used the refurbished Central Library as an example of investment.”
• Moray – Moray libraries offering fun adult computer sessions – Northern Scot.
• Newham – Opinion: Visit library and get lost in a book – Newham Recorder. “when I go into our libraries these days, the scene is very different; here, a small group of sixth form students chat over a project they’re working on, there, some carers talk as their toddlers play together. Libraries always were places of learning from books but now there are groups learning Yoga and crafts and meeting new friends too. Schools have regular visits to our libraries and encourage children, who, like most of us, automatically resort to a search engine to find out facts, to use books instead to stretch their minds in a different way.”

• Nottinghamshire – Worksop Library will not be fully operational again until next summer – Worksop Guardian. “Worksop Library may not be back to full working order until next summer as the clean-up from last months devastating flooding continues. Flooding affected the whole of the building recovery specialists are currently clearing and cleansing the building, whilst Nottinghamshire County Council and its property partnership ARC develop a programme of works to restore the building for use again.”
• Oldham – Children’s poet and author Joseph Coelho signs up to Oldham Library service – Oldham Council. “Oldham recently celebrated more than 1,000,000 people coming through the doors of Oldham Libraries between 2018 and 2019.”
• Perth and Kinross – More people are visiting libraries in Perth and Kinross – Daily Record. “Presenting a quarterly report to Perth and Kinross Council’s scrutiny committee on Wednesday, November 26, Culture Perth and Kinross chief executive Helen Smout announced a 1.8 per cent increase in footfall for 2018/19. She said 11 out of the 13 libraries across the local authority were seeing a “continued increase.”
• Redbridge – Is the decline of libraries affecting our society? By Shanzay Yousaf, Oaks Park High School – This is Local London. “I spoke to local resident and librarian, Fozia Jan, on just how the closure of libraries will affect future generations. She spoke to me about how the internet and social media is having a “negative impact on the amount of children coming to read as they would much rather just relax on Instagram”.”
• Suffolk – Lavenham Library confirms introduction of extended opening hours at start of 2020 – Suffolk Free Press. “Lavenham Library is set to extend its opening hours beginning in the new year, following a public consultation. Under the changes, the library in Church Street will open on Mondays, between 10am and 1pm, and increase its current hours on Fridays, opening from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm.” … “The changes will result in a total increase in opening hours per week, at no cost to Suffolk Libraries, due to small changes to staffing patterns.”
• West Sussex – Cuts to West Sussex’s library service budget approved – Chichester Observer. “Following a public consultation, members of the cabinet approved the plans, which will save the county council £175,000 and come into effect in April.” … “The loss of the mobile service did not go down well with everyone but Duncan Crow, cabinet member for fire & rescue and communities, said some of the alternatives – hinting at the risk of closure for some of the smaller branches – were ‘quite unpalatable’.”

Editorial

It’s that joyful time of year in the election period when all the manifestos have been published and librarians can again play the game of pressing CTRL and F with the search term “libr” on them and see if it comes up with any results. So what does such a tactic show this year?

As normal, all of the party manifestos largely treat libraries as an afterthought but there are some interesting differences between them. The Conservative manifesto only mentions the already announced £250 million to be shared between museums and libraries and anything else cultural. That sounds nice but this amount is over five years and the amount for libraries will be far less per year than recent cuts in it overseen by the same party.

So, not much joy there then, but more than with the Liberal Democrats who mention libraries only as a location for the collection of free sanitary products. Let that sink in for a while before we move on.

The Greens, who I would have thought would have been right behind libraries, mention the word once for tool/equipment collection points and once to point out that they’ll keep libraries thriving. Labour, on the other hand, have clearly been alerted to the sector as they promise £1 billion – not just £250 million – for libraries, galleries and museums but also specifically mention updated IT for public libraries and the reintroduction of library standards.

Well, OK, I am probably being unfair on the Lib Dems who doubtless will spend more on local services than the Conservatives, who have shown a deep desire to cut them more andmore over the last decade. And libraries under the Greens would likely see a renaissance of the sort they have not seen since Carnegie more than a century ago. But the clear gold star goes to Labour who actually appear to show some understanding of the sector beyond that of the typical person polled at a street corner.

A shame then that, if current polling is to be believed, none of these parties stand a chance and the Conservatives will get in with a comfortable majority. Their track record has been demonstrably negative for the sector since 2010 and there is nothing in their manifesto or demeanour that suggests this will change. It suggests that, nationally, libraries should expect, best case scenario, another five more years of only slightly better conditions than now and, worse case, a continued deep decline in funding by a government continuing its policy of neglect for libraries. Library services and librarians should make their long term plans with that in mind.

NB It’s purdah time so I need to reiterate again and specially that this editorial reflects entirely my own views outside of work – and not that of my employer or anyone else in the library sector.

Changes by authority

• Bromley – £320k refurbishment for Bromley Central Library.
• Hertfordshire – Hatfield Library to move to new site.
• Hounslow – Joins London Libraries Consortium.
• Surrey – Cuts expected: some to turn volunteer and some to be co-located.
• West Dunbartonshire – One Stop Shops to co-locate into several libraries.

Party Manifestos

“We will ensure libraries are preserved for future generations and updated with Wi-Fi and computers. We will reintroduce library standards so that government can assess and guide councils in delivering the best possible service.”

“We will invest in the towns and communities neglected for too long, with a £1 billion Cultural Capital Fund to transform libraries, museums and galleries across the country”

Labour Party Manifesto 2019

“£250 million to support local libraries and museums ”

Conservative Party Manifesto 2019

“End period poverty by removing VAT on sanitary products and providing them for free in schools, hospitals, hostels, shelters, libraries, leisure centres, stadiums, GP surgeries, food banks, colleges and universities. “

Liberal Democratic Party Manifesto 2019

” Encourage a shift from models of ownership to usership, such as with car-sharing platforms and neighbourhood libraries for tools and equipment “

” We will support councils to also use this funding to nurture arts and culture in their areas, keeping local museums, theatres, libraries and art galleries open and thriving. “

Green Party Manifesto 2019

National news

• Complaint concerning CCHQ misrepresentation on social media – CILIP. “I am writing on behalf of CILIP, the UK’s library and information association, to complain in the strongest possible terms about the action taken last night by the Conservative Party in re-branding the @CCHQPress twitter account as ‘fact checking UK’ alongside the televised Leaders Debate.” … “We are therefore submitting this formal complaint on the basis that in taking this action, your Communications Team and any Party Leadership that sanctioned this action are in clear and material breach of your own Conservative Party Code of Conduct.”
• Ken Follett: Author makes plea to save our libraries – Daily Express. “My family was not poor, but a book was either two and six, or five shillings, and young families like ours did not have much disposable income. So I would only get books for my birthday and at Christmas. Then, one glorious day, I discovered libraries and their promise of unlimited free books for ever. Suddenly, it was Christmas every day. In fact, I would say the first big thrill of my life was joining Canton Library in Cardiff, aged seven”
• Libraries leading the way in exploring challenging issues – Carnegie UK Trust. “The £500k programme will support 14 projects across 16 library services to partner with universities to engage their local communities with research. Projects will cover a wide variety of topics from fake news and air quality to the menopause and multilingualism.”
• McDonnell: Labour’s broadband plan is just like a public library – Wired. ““The development of free libraries – the ability to access information, and at the same time to engage culturally with the rest of the community has always been a principle that we’re trying to advocate,” says McDonnell when asked why Labour would make its proposed national broadband service free of charge – a world first, if actually implemented. “It’s the same principle of the NHS.””
• Mozfest 2019 – Libraries Connected. “The Mozilla Festival (also known as MozFest) covers a range of topics focusing on creating a better internet. The theme for this year’s Mozilla Festival was healthy AI. The sessions were organised in broad topics as in previous years – web literacy, openness, digital inclusion, decentralisation, privacy and security, youth zone, queering, neurodiversity, dialogues and debates. Libraries Connected gave bursaries to six library workers to attend the festival.”
• Participation in Summer Reading Challenge up 2.6% – BookSeller. “The Reading Agency has reported 722,731 children took part in public libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge this summer, representing a 2.64% increase on last year’s participation.” … “Following an 8% fall last year,” …”Next year the theme of the 2020 Summer Reading Challenge will be “Silly Squad”, celebrating funny books with bespoke artwork from Laura Ellen Anderson, children’s book author and illustrator behind the Amelia Fang series published by Egmont.”
• Public Library Champion of the Year 2019: Remarkable Community Support at Carrickfergus Library – Lorensbergs. “The ways in which Jillian McFrederick and her team at Carrickfergus Library engage and serve their community are truly inspirational. Particularly noteworthy is the wide range of demographics that are supported through the many library programmes and activities.”
• The Summer Reading Challenge encourages 722,731 children to read this summer – Reading Agency. “This year’s overall figure includes 37,177 children under 4 taking part with special pre-school materials – an increase of 32% on last year.” … “95% of library authorities across England, Scotland and Wales took part this summer.”

International news

• Australia – Can you dig through spaghetti to save a ribbon? @UTSLibrary – Mechanical Dolphin. “At a time when we recognise the need to preserve digital as well as physical heritage, it would ensure that the Library Spectogram doesn’t just become “a nice thing one library had once”, yet another great innovation which is celebrated on social media and shown off at conferences, but ends up on the scrapheap when steps aren’t taking to nurture and sustain it.”
• European Union – Streaming provider AVA Library launches VOD platform with European Festival films – free streaming for library users in Serbia, England, Czechia, Finland, Portugal and Ireland – AVA (press release). “AVA Library presents eu.ava.watch, a streaming platform that provides library users across Europe with access to a variety of festival films, very rarely available on other VoD (video on demand) platforms.” … “To start streaming films on AVA EU platform, users should have a membership in one of the libraries that are participating in the project or ask a local library to join AVA. “. The English one is Sheffield.
• Global – Why The Library Intimidates Me – Interview with a non-user – Princh. “I would say that not being a strong reader definitely plays a part in it. I wouldn’t say the library intimidates me, but it makes me feel out of place because I am not an avid book reader or currently studying.” … “In my experience, I would say many libraries appear to be old and kind of dungy. I believe that they need a “face lift” to more modern times.”
• India – 2 Kerala men, who started a library in forest, face ostracisation – News Minute. “It was in July that a small library set in a remote tribal settlement in Kerala received special mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address. Now four months on, the promoters of Akshara Arts and Sports Library in Idukki’s Edamalakkudy, located in the Anamudi reserve forest, have been ostracised from the hamlet, allegedly over a 2014 book authored by one of them”
• USA – Pizza Hut’s ‘Little Free Libraries’ Look Exactly Like Mini Pizza Huts – Atlas Obscura. “When I called Pizza Hut, I was informed that this was a franchisee project, rather than a national endeavor. “We were looking at ways to become involved in our markets locally,” says Lynda Carrier-Metz, the chief marketing manager of Restaurant Management Company of Wichita.”
  • Three loaded guns found inside Phoenix’s Burton Barr library – ABC 15. ” City Librarian Rita Hamilton told ABC15 the city is now “ready to move forward with a serious discussion” about implementing metal detectors.”

Local news by authority

• Bradford – Bradford Libraries staff on strike this week – Yorkshire Post. “Unite members are taking industrial action at Keighley Library today, at Shipley Library tomorrow and Baildon Library on Wednesday over Bradford Council proposals to cut services.On Thursday, staff will strike at all 14 sites and there will be a picket and demonstration at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.”
  • Our libraries should be treated as a national asset – Yorkshire Post Letters – Yorkshire Post.
  • Fight against ‘damaging’ cuts in Bradford goes on – Unite Live. “Unite threw down the gauntlet as more than 70 of its library and museums’ members were gearing up for four more days of targeted strike action, starting on Monday (November 18), over the cuts. Staff have already taken five days of strike action this autumn.”
  • Bradford library workers stage fourth round of action – Socialist Worker.
• Bristol – Why this Fishponds Library will be closed for a week – Bristol Live. “It follows community library conversations which took place at the start of the year, where local people mentioned they would like to see a better layout and more space within the library”
• Bromley – Bromley central library set for major £320,000 upgrade – News Shopper. “The work will include a ‘dynamic creative play area’ for younger library users and improved spaces for study and relaxation.” … “Under the new plans, books will sit alongside PCs and tablets offering age appropriate content for browsing, entertainment and games.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Sandiway Library reopening pushed back to February after repair delays – Northwich Guardian. “The library on Mere Lane closed in September and has since undergone construction work involving complex internal and external piling. Once this is complete, the entire building will be re-carpeted, ceiling lights will be replaced and internal redecoration will be completed.
• Devon – How Learning to Share Again Cuts Waste, and Makes more Resilient Communities – Resilience.
• Dorset – Welcome to Dorset’s smallest library in the form of a converted phone box – Dorset Echo. “The Share Shed is a library of things in the town of Totnes in the southwest of the UK (also home to the Transition Town network). People can donate useful items to the library – like ladders, drills, carpet cleaners, camping, cooking and gardening equipment, and sewing machines – and others can borrow them for an affordable fee”
• Dudley – Dudley Library closed due to heating failure – Dudley News. “The library on St James Road has suffered a ‘complete failure of the heating system’ and the date of its reopening is not yet known”
• Dundee – Short-staffing leads to fall in Dundee literacy sessions for vulnerable people – Courier. “A Leisure and Culture document, passed to the Courier by an anonymous source, states there has been a 31% reduction in attendance of activities promoting reading between April 2018 and June 2019. There has also been a 20% fall in playgroup, nursery and class visits to libraries.”

Pitshanger Library has been repossessed. pic.twitter.com/2SoLa7Pi3C

— Save Ealing Libraries Campaign (@EalingSave) November 23, 2019

• Essex – Run your library? Only if you meet 14 criteria – Gazette Standard. “he document said: “We have set some minimum standards for all community-run libraries that we support and we will work closely and in partnership with you to achieve and agree them. “At this early stage, groups interested in running libraries are not expected have all the answers. “
  • Essex County Council’s new library info pack slammed by campaigners – This is Local London. ““These charity shop libraries will not work,” continued the S.O.L.E spokesperson. “Libraries need dedicated library buildings and paid and trained staff. “
  • Do general election candidates want to save our libraries? – Gazette Standard. “Save our Libraries Essex has spoken to candidates in Colchester, Harwich and North Essex and Witham constituencies. ” … “Sir Bernard Jenkin (Con), and Independent candidates Richard Browning-Smith and Tony Francis were approached but did not respond to the group.”
  • Essex library campaign group question MP candidates ahead of General Election – This is Local London.
• Hampshire – Fears raised that the axe hangs over 37 out of 52 libraries in Hampshire as part of council cost-cutting drive – The News. “The news was revealed earlier this month at the full council meeting where councillor Peter Chegwyn criticised the proposals for the library sector and said 37 libraries in Hampshire are now under threat of closure.
  Cllr Sean Woodward, executive member for recreation and heritage at the county council, hit back saying: ‘I don’t think it’s appropriate to start saying 37 libraries are under threat.’”
  • Hampshire libraries could face closure says councillor Peter Chegwyn – Salisbury Journal.
• Hertfordshire – Hatfield library to reopen at new location after plans to turn site into sexual health clinic – Welwyn Hatfield Times. “The new space for the library will be at White Lion Square – on the former Poundworld site – and will give the library more space for events and children’s activities, including a CreatorSpace to help people of all ages come together to learn and practice new skills and experience new technologies.”
• Hillingdon – Episode 69 Lara Marshall – Hillingdon Branch – London Calling – Library Pros. “Lara Marshall, Manager of the Hillingdon Borough of the London Public Library joined the podcast via Google Hangouts to talk about Hillingdon and the exciting things happening with coding and the Culture Bite Festival which is now a monthly occurrence. We had lots of laughs talking about all the wonderful things happening at Hillingdon”
• Hounslow – Hounslow joins the London Libraries Consortium – SirsiDynix. “The London Borough of Hounslow is the latest borough to join the London Libraries Consortium. Following Croydon Council’s successful go live, Hounslow has now called off the London Libraries Consortium framework, increasing the total number of authorities to 18. We are delighted to provide the underlying technology solution for the Consortium’s framework and look forward to expanding SirsiDynix solutions across London and beyond.”
• Manchester – University partners with Council to map diversity of Manchester’s languages – University of Manchester. “The city is home to over 150 languages including Urdu, Arabic, Chinese and Polish. This remarkable diversity is to be highlighted in a wide-ranging new research partnership between The University of Manchester and Manchester City Council, after the council’s library service won funding from the Engaging Libraries Programme.”
• Northumberland – People in Northumberland will have say on the future of library services – Northumberland Gazette. “In September, the local authority’s cabinet agreed that a 12-week consultation should take place to gather people’s opinions on the future of the service.” … “The cabinet has already agreed to spend up to £100,000 from reserves ‘to support the accelerated transformation of the service over the next 12 months’, by buying additional books and enhancing the range of digital resources. However, the report also noted that the service is required to make savings of £100,000 in 2020-21 and the same again the following year, as agreed in the medium-term financial plan back in February.”
• Suffolk – Libraries day attracts 4,000 extra visitors – East Anglian Daily Matters. “A day created especially to celebrate Suffolk’s libraries brought an extra 4,000 visitors through their doors – and raised £16,400.”
• Surrey – Surrey County Council will work with communities across the county to ensure library services are modernised and remain open – Surrey News. “Surrey County Council is planning to work closely with communities across the county to ensure their library services remain open with an updated library service that works for them. There are 52 libraries across Surrey now and the Council want to keep library services in each of the communities that they serve. Over a period of around 12-18 months, the Council will shape proposals in collaboration with local communities, partners and users of the library service.
  • Modernising Surrey libraries to be more accessible for all – Surrey Matters.
• Swindon – Roundabout Reading scheme promotes adult literacy – This is Wiltshire. “Available through Swindon’s libraries, Roundabout Reading encourages people to pick three reading activities from a list including online content like blogs or a webpage, magazines or newspapers, graphic novels, e-books or audio books among other things”
• West Dunbartonshire – West Dunbartonshire residents to access council services at libraries – Daily Record. “Residents are set to get access to council services through their local libraries in a bid to save £150,000 a year. As has been piloted in Alexandria for the last 18 months, the One Stop Shop services will be available at library branches across West Dunbartonshire.”
  • One Stop Shop to merge with libraries to save £150,000 – Dunbarton Reporter.
• West Lothian – West Lothian libraries to be used for new programme of activities – Daily Record. “A new partnership between Heriot Watt University and West Lothian Council will highlight the importance of listening to the community, and bringing research to those impacted by it. The council has won a £25,000 grant from the highly competitive Engaging Libraries Programme.”
• West Sussex – Crawley election candidates call for library opening hours plans to be dropped – Crawley Observer. “General Election candidates in Crawley have all called on West Sussex County Council to drop plans to reduce library opening hours. A consultation into plans to close Crawley, Chichester, Horsham and Worthing libraries at 6pm rather than 7pm and cut the mobile library service from April 2020 ended last week. Iain Dickson (Green), Peter Lamb (Labour), Henry Smith (Conservative) and Khalil Yousuf (Liberal Democrat) all spoke out against the idea, which the council said would save £175,000.”

Editorial

Good to see three new, but very different, national campaigns for libraries. The first is the VoteLibraries campaign by LibrariesDeliver which aims to raise the profile of libraries in time for the general election. The second is the library aspect of the 100 Novels That Shaped the World BBC series. Finally, the poet laureate Simon Armitage, has announced a ten year campaign to visit a library for every letter of the alphabet from A to Z. This should make for some very creative entries towards the end. Hmm, does Zennor have a library?

Changes by authority

• Bromley – Beckenham Library proposed to move into leisure centre.
• Cornwall – St Just Library passed to town council. Town council offices will be co-located into the library.
• Lancashire – Over 500 new public computers to be installed, plus other other upgrades.
• Nottinghamshire – Retford Library closed for refurbishment.

Ideas

• Lightboxes – To combat Seasonal Affective Disorder.

National news

• BBC panel reveal the 100 novels that have shaped their world – Reading Agency. “We are excited to be working with BBC Arts and Libraries Connected on their year-long celebration of literature, as an expert panel reveal the 100 English language titles that have shaped their world. From January until the culmination of festival during Libraries Week in October 2020, resources will be available for readers and reading groups around the 100 novels, divided into ten categories. These resources will provide information about the chosen themes, questions to spark discussion and further suggestions to widen your reading. “
  • From Austen to Zadie, the English language’s 100 best books are chosen by BBC panel… so how many have you read?– Mail.
• The Economic Case for Supporting Libraries – Book Riot.
• CILIP pushes for library support in election campaign – BookSeller. “VoteLibraries.uk, library supporters across the UK can sign a “#VoteLibraries” pledge, download social media elements, posters and campaign materials to use in their local area, and email their local candidates to encourage them to show their support. It is part of Libraries Deliver, an advocacy project from CILIP with the EveryLibrary Institute and follows on from research published last month, “Public Libraries: The case for support”, highlighting the positive impact of libraries and calling for investment.
  • Campaigners want you to vote for libraries in this general election – Big Issue.
  • Vote Libraries – Libraries Deliver. “Do you #LoveLibraries? Show your support for your libraries this December with our #VoteLibraries toolkit. We’ve made it easy for you to help spread the word using the resources below. The more of us that commit to voting for libraries, the more power we’ll have in the fight to keep them open.”
• Head of Engagement (Adults) – Reading Agency. Max £42k, London based. “The Reading Agency is looking for an experienced strategic manager, to shape and lead an exciting new phase of its work with adult readers, particularly those less confident readers aged 16 and above.”
• Libraries Taskforce: six-monthly progress report (April to September 2019) – Gov.uk. A summary of what is going on nationally in the sector including: ACE; LibrariesDeliver; DCMS digital access; data; building the case for public libraries; national guidelines on subjects like volunteer libraries, outsourcing libraries, benchmarking; peer reviews; skills strategy; leadership fund; innovation and BAME networks; BIPC Network; continued work on the single digital presence; living knowledge network; universal offer review; etc.

Medici (YouTube) – More information on this service is available via this (sponsored) link.

• NAG Public Libraries Forum Manchester – National Acquisitions Group. 20 November. “NAG Forum events are informal discussion days with a range of lightning talks and longer papers with plenty of time for group discussion following each presentation. Feedback from previous forum events has confirmed that the opportunity to network with other professionals from across the country is the most valued part of the day. The events provide a friendly, supportive atmosphere where people feel confident they can speak freely amongst their peers.”
• Ten year library tour for Poet Laureate Simon Armitage – BookSeller. “Over a week in each spring for the next decade, Armitage will give readings in libraries across the UK, in a tour  supported by the T S Eliot Estate and his long-time publishers Faber & Faber. Using the alphabet as a guide, his Laureate’s Library Tour will involve local communities, poets and students at each stop on the journey, to celebrate libraries. ”
  • The Laureate’s Library Tour – Simon Armitage. “So, if your library’s name or location begins with the letters A or B, do get in touch if you would like him to help celebrate your library during the A-B Libraries Tour in 2020. This will take place during the week Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20 inclusive. “

International news

• Australia – BVN design innovative new library for Darling Square – BVN. “Replacing the current Haymarket library, the 2150m² space is four times the size of its predecessor and hosts a collection of over 30,000 items, meeting rooms, a children’s area and makerspace.”
• Finland – How Libraries Can Turn Energy Into Action – Princh. “In this week’s blog we talk with the Director of the Finnish Library Association, Rauha Maarno to have her discuss her perspective on how libraries’ and library associations can turn the love of libraries into actionable energy”
• Global – Moving stories: inside the book buses changing children’s live – Guardian. “Around the world, mobile library programmes are taking books, educational support and even counselling to communities in serious and urgent need”. Looks at Afghanistan, Mexico, Israel.
• Ireland – New library ‘magic tables’ helping people with dementia, autism – RTE “”The Tovertafel or ‘magic table’ is a box on the ceiling. It projects light animation onto a table surface and by interacting with your hands or any other tools, depending on mobility issues, the censors then interact with your movements creating the games,” dlr LexIcon library assistant Erika Csibi said.”
• South Africa – R62 000 worth of items stolen as criminals loot, vandalise Cape Town library – News 24. “As a result, the City has decided to close the library until further notice”
• USA – Female security guard is suspended after her boss ran a background check and found out she had a warrant for her arrest – for failing to return two library books – Mail. “‘This is kind of extreme for two library books. I work full-time and I’m a mom. I’m the head of my household. I can’t afford to take off work for two library books.’ “
  • A library wanted a New York Times subscription. Officials refused, citing Trump and ‘fake news.’ – Washington Post. “The librarians of Citrus County, Fla., had what seemed like a modest wish: A digital subscription to the New York Times. For about $2,700 annually, they reasoned, they could offer their roughly 70,000 patrons an easy way to research and catch up on the news. But when their request came before the Citrus County commission last month, local officials literally laughed out loud. One commissioner, Scott Carnahan, declared the paper to be “fake news.” “I agree with President Trump,” he said. “I will not be voting for this. I don’t want the New York Times in this county.”
  • Fashionable fete: Diane Sawyer and many other notable New Yorkers attend stylish gala at public library – Mail. “Over 500 attendees, including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and television journalist Diane Sawyer, gathered at the library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building for dinner and a program. “

Local news by authority

• Bristol – Librarians are left stunned after book was returned 42 years past its due date – with £10 and an apology – Mail. “A library book has been returned 42 years late along with two £5 notes and an apology. The children’s title was taken out from a library in Henleaze, Bristol before Christmas in 1976 and was due back on January 5, 1977. But it was never returned and began racking up overdue fines – while missing for a staggering 15,644 days.”
• Bromley – Plans to relocate Beckenham Library met with opposition – News in Beckenham. “More than 2,000 local residents have strongly opposed plans by the council to move Beckenham Library from its current location by the Spa Leisure Centre to Beckenham Public Hall in an effort to make way for new housing. Labour councillor for Clock House ward, Ian Dunn, set up a petition opposing the move which was signed by more than 1,000 people in just 24 hours. Bromley Council estimate that 46 housing units could be accommodated on the site with “no net loss of the surrounding green space” and it is anticipated that the development would consist of 50% affordable housing. However, it is unclear whether there will be any social housing made available as part of the move. “
• Cornwall – St Just Library has been devolved to town council – Falmouth Packet. “Under the agreement the library transferred to the town council on Friday after alterations were completed. The changeover will also include the relocation of the town council office into part of the library building in January so visitors will have access to a range of services in one place. Completed improvement work included re-roofing the central flat roof, replacing the entrance porch, remodelling the library space and creating new office space for the town council. ”
• Devon – Library offers books and much more – Tavistock Today. A look at Okehampton Library. “Wren is just starting out on Book Track, a popular scheme at the library in which children are challenged to work towards reading 100 books, with incentives of badges and a £5 book token from the Friends of Okehampton Library on completion.”
• Inverclyde – Comic creators hone their skills in special library sessions – Greenock Telegraph. “The new comic club is called Splash Panel and it’s open to 11 to 15-year-olds. Paul Bristow, of local heritage group Magic Torch, is leading the project. Paul, a digital storyteller in residence at the library, says interest in the group is high.”
• Lambeth – New library scheme to lend smart clothes to jobseekers for interviews – The Extra Mile. “To support our local community, ihateironing has been in collaboration with the Brixton Library, to help unemployed residents and ex-offenders look and feel their best for their job interviews. We have been cleaning and donating formal attire for them to wear, which we hope may contribute to a life-changing moment for someone in need.”

“It’s as easy as borrowing a book. Just show us confirmation of your job interview, and the outfit is yours for up to four days. Then, when you’ve landed your dream, pop back in to drop the clothes off, and give someone else the chance to change their life too.”

• Lancashire – Lancashire libraries invest in digital for the future – Lancashire County Council. “Starting in November and continuing during the next few months the rollout of over 500 new public access computers with the latest Windows 10 software will be installed in some libraries to replace the current equipment, whilst the remainder will have their software upgraded.”
• North Lanarkshire – Monklands libraries to start closing earlier on two weekdays – Daily Record. “Airdrie and Coatbridge libraries will be closing two hours earlier on Mondays and Wednesdays from later this month. It follows a public consultation during the summer, asking users to choose when the current hours of opening until 7pm four days per week should be retained and which two evenings should be cut as part of a savings package.”
• North Yorkshire – Pick up a free comic at the library – North Yorkshire County Council. “The giveaway is in conjunction with Thought Bubble, the Yorkshire Comic Art Festival, which this year is taking place in Harrogate for the first time, with a two-day event at Harrogate Convention Centre on Saturday and Sunday (9 and 10 November).”
• Northern Ireland – Tackle the winter blues in your library – Banbridge Leader. “Libraries NI is inviting all members of the community to come and relax in front of a light therapy box, designed to help ease the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is now in place in Banbridge and Rathfriland libraries.”
• Nottinghamshire – Retford library to close next month ahead of major refurbishment works – Worksop Guardian. “The library will close on Saturday, December 4, to undergo a total transformation which is expected to be complete in spring 2020. Nottinghamshire County Council, its cultural charity Inspire, and contractor ARC Partnership plan to make the library more visible and accessible to the local community.”
• Rochdale – Read all about it as free library scheme launches – Rochdale News. “All four and five-year-olds will receive a free card, which can be used to borrow books at the borough’s 17 libraries”
• Somerset – Late Library Hangouts – Somerset Libraries. “Libraries in West Somerset now offer a regular ‘after hours’ club where you can sit in comfort, meet with friends, blitz that homework or just relax”
• Suffolk – Changing the library narrative – Libraries Connected. “As real incomes, statutory services and community-based support are reduced, these events, activities and experiences have become increasingly important, even as libraries suffer from the same spending cuts. Talking about how we provide social value through statistics and real-life examples of socio-recreation will help us change the library story. “

2018/19 Visits = c. 5000,000 ; Loans = 586,767
2017/18 Visits = 592.313  ;  Loans = 645,118
2012/13 Visits = 1,091484  ;   Loans = 1,070,181
2007/08  Visits = 1.008.071  ; Loans = 982,04

Swindon – Usage statistics, sent in via Shirley Burnham.

• Wrexham – Have your say on the future of Wrexham’s libraries – The Leader. “Wrexham Council is inviting anyone who has not yet put their views forward to have their say – either via an online consultation survey or at one of the forthcoming roadshows where questions can be asked to council officers. So far the authority’s roadshows – held at the public libraries and other community venues, have seen more than 350 people attend. Andrew Atkinson, lead member for libraries, said: “Wrexham Council is facing its toughest financial challenges in living memory and we have some difficult decisions to make. “