Crisis? What Crisis? Libraries Minister Sees No Crisis

Can you help…?

• Attend the Speak Up for Libraries lobbying event on 2.30pm 13th March at Central Hall, Westminster, London.  #librarieslobby hashtag. Beforehand there will be a rally from 12 – 2pm at Central Methodist Hall featuring keynote speakers, films and entertainment. There will also be a ‘pop up’ library on display to demonstrate the range of services offered in a modern library.
• National Libraries Day, 4th February 2012 – Attend or publicise an event on the excellent NLD website or check your local libraries website.
• Contact The Guardian newspaper with details of your campaign, before noon on Thursday 2nd February

“Next Saturday February 4 at 12:00, in line with the international day of advocacy and support for libraries inspired by Britain’s National Libraries Day, the Campaign Against Charging for Libraries invites all people who love libraries to show it by embracing the central library of our system: the National Library. Of course, we also invite you to embrace any library in any town outside Madrid on the same date, same time.”

• Ayub Khan: Where next for libraries? – Book Trust.  Libraries are important as – online usage rocketing, vital for children, social glue.  Keep libraries open by sharing resources and costs and buildings and also concentrate on online material….. “let’s big them up!”. 
• Campaign for the book: Meeting the Minister – Alan Gibbons.  Description of meeting with Ed Vaizey, including summaries of what was said by participants including Julia Donaldson, Alan Gibbons, John Holland (Glos – FoGL), Gary Green (Voices).  “There was clear disagreement over many issues, but it was a blunt, purposeful exchange of views. The campaign to save the public library service will continue.”
• Day we took 60 books out of the library – Books & the City.  “No – we  didn’t end up reading them all. But we read ones we might not have even brought home otherwise. And no, we didn’t end up with huge fines as 60 books went overdue! Because it got us back into the habit. After a week, we took back the ones we were less keen on (and borrowed an equivalent number). And after another week, the same. And we’re still using our local library so much more – and so differently – due to that one day’s activity.”

@Ed_Miliband Ed Miliband Just had best meeting of the week: with Julia Donaldson of Gruffalo fame. Talked about protecting libraries.https://twitter.com/#!/Ed_Miliband/status/165116643163381760/photo/1

• Library fit for the future – Channel Four News.   “Gone are the days when they were just for borrowing books or reading. These days, libraries have to provide CDs and DVDs, computer terminals with internet access, and communal spaces for all types of social groups – from storytelling clubs for parents and toddlers to book clubs for the elderly. Arguably, they’re more important now than ever before.”.  Looks at the new Birmingham Central Library, to be opened in 2013.  Five minute video including brief interview with John Dolan (CILIP) is here.

“So I don’t think libraries will have any problem adapting to whatever might come their way in the future. Having said that, there’s no doubt that this is a crucial turning point for libraries not just in Birmingham but across the UK. And with their future hanging in the balance, this could be the most important National Libraries Day ever.”

• Put your library on the map this weekend –  Collections Trust.  “Using the cross-platform ‘Find a Library’ app (http://www.findalibrary.org.uk), people go to their local library with their mobile, click ‘Use my Location’, select their library and then ‘Put Library on the Map’. This will ensure that their library is included in the national database of public libraries, which is freely available to all Internet users and includes information provided by the BBC and the national UK Online initiative.”.  Even Ed Vaizey is doing it.
• Stephen Fry features in the Library Book for charity – Look to the Stars.   “Miranda McKearney, Director of the Reading Agency says, “What a brilliant way to celebrate National Library Day! The publication of The Library Book proves in the words of our country’s great writers that local libraries have a transformative role which resonates into adulthood. At the Reading Agency we feel seriously privileged to be benefiting from Profile’s publication and the support of the contributing authors.”  See also Stephen Fry backs Library Day in Norfolk – Norwich Evening News.

Changes

Arbroath – Two replacement mobile libraries costing £269k, following consultation (partnership with Police and Fire services) showing need for service.
Brighton and Hove – To remove RNIB talking books (cut of £22k).
East Sussex – New Seaford Library will be built (inc. day care centre and flats for people with learning difficulties), old library closed with temporary one for next year or so.
Sefton – Mobile library to close, £100k bookfund cut, local history service to close. 

Local News

• Angus – New mobile libraries to serve rural areas – Abroath Herald. 
• Brent – Bumbling Brent councillors may delay decision on Willesden Green Library – Times series.  “A council meeting descended into pandemonium last night after bumbling councillors missed a vote which could delay the demolition of Willesden Green Library Centre. Confused Labour councillors tried to get the vote taken again when they suddenly realised that by not voting it could jeopardise Brent Council’s plans to knock down the building in High Road, Willesden.”
• Carmarthenshire – “Libraries review needed to decide future direction” – This is South Wales.   Libraries review to be held in 2012 due to suspicions that computers have changed their use.  “”The way forward in my view is certainly the PCs.””

“The discussion came as the education and children’s services committee met to discuss a report on the library service’s performance in the last financial year. The report showed the council had met 10 of 14 standards required by the Welsh Government. Other councils achieved between six and 14 standards, with the average being nine. Carmarthenshire took 12 years to replace books, against a target of 7.6 years, but the committee heard the county had a wider range of material than many other authorities.”

• Dorset – Library to close as no agreement can be reached – View Online.  Confirmed that Portland Underhill will close in April.
• Durham – Cuts “to help keep all county libraries open” – Peterlee Mail.  Council abinet to discuss proposed library cuts and to agree on the dates of consultation.
• East Sussex – Seaford: after 11 years of waiting, library plan approved – Eastbourne Herald.  “The project, which includes the new facility, along with a day care centre and supported living flats for adults with learning difficulties was last week given the thumbs up by East Sussex County Council’s (ESCC) planning committee.”
• Gloucestershire – Voices of Gloucestershire – FoGL.  Excellent collection of video interviews and verbal testimony of library users.
• GCC respond to criticisms of consultation survey – FoGL.  “While the survey does require respondents to consider some challenging issues, I do ’not accept that the survey itself is very complex. It is a comprehensive survey that seeks to understand both people’s usage of libraries and their views on the Council’s proposals. For that reason, it is relatively long” … etc.

“@publiclibnews #WI are hugging Towcester library on Sat 11am #NLD2012”  Save Stony Library @SaveSSlibrary

• Northamptonshire – Libraries look to Sunday opening to lift visitor numbers – Evening Telegraph.  “Although the total number of opening hours countywide remains the same under the new proposals, 12 libraries in the north of the county will have reduced hours, while six will gain hours or stay the same.”
• Sefton –  Council budget cuts: mobile library service faces axe – Southport Visiter.  “Readers reacted in fury at the proposal to shut down the borough-wide mobile service on March 31, 2012.”
• Council: Stark 483 page report reveals true cost of cuts – Southport Visiter.   
• Sheffield – Phone box finds new use in modern Green Moor – Look Local.  Yet another phone box library. 
• Somerset – Wiveliscombe Library users to celebrate – This is the West Country.  ” to get children to read, Friends of Wiveliscombe Libraries have organised a ‘bear theme’ for the occasion.”.
• Suffolk – National Libraries Day – Suffolk County Council.  List of events being held.  
• Sussex – High Court battle over who should run Lingfield Library – This is Sussex.    “The committee wants to set up a new charitable trust to take over the running of the library. It is considered a special case because the Grade II listed building that houses it – the Guest House – was left by benefactor Arthur Hayward to be used as a library.”