‘Without any changes to the 1964 Act we could find the principle of free access to public library services becoming a thing of the past’. Ebook Acquisition and Lending Briefing: Public, Academic and Research Libraries – CILIP

News

  • Ageing sociably – Demos.  “Older people are particularly likely to admit to feeling lonely, and social isolation is known to have a significant impact on older people’s physical and mental wellbeing. Many older people particularly value local services that provide them with opportunities for regular social contact. However, we are currently witnessing a significant decline in many of these local services such as libraries, post offices and lunch clubs….” … “Ageing Sociably explores how we can unlock existing community resources to increase the opportunities for older people to make social connections in their local area.”

 

Build Partnerships – Superb Danish video on library collaboration.  Public libraries at Rock Festivals anyone?  via Finding Heroes.

 

  • 10 reasons public libraries rock -Play through the day (USA).  “The first thing I do when I move to a new area? Find the public library, of course! Ahead of even finding the grocery store or nearest gas station, I scope out the locale of the public library. Why? Because public libraries ROCK! Let me tell you all about it!…”
  • Booking in for an overnight stay: fans celebrate library’s 100th anniversary – Independent.  “Its landmark Fifth Avenue building has nurtured generations of scholars and boasts such treasures as a Gutenberg Bible and an early copy of the Declaration of Independence.” … “The flagship is the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, which opened on 23 May 23, 1911. Guarded by stone lions Patience and Fortitude, it is one of the city’s most recognisable structures. A $50m (£30m) restoration undertaken to prepare for the centennial has removed decades of grime from the gleaming marble facade.”

Centenary birthday festivities over the weekend included the unveiling of Lego replicas of Patience and Fortitude and an overnight scavenger hunt partially inspired by the film A Night at the Museum. Five hundred people spent the night at the library searching for artifacts.

  • Library returns – Envisioning the Library of the Future (Arts Council England).  “For those who missed it or want to listen again, the BBC has republished its Radio 4 documentary The Library Returns, which explores many of the themes that have come through in our research for Envisioning the library of the future. Presenter Jonathan Glancey looks at changes to the function and design of libraries in Seattle, Delft, Stuttgart, Canada Water and Birmingham. The programme looks at how libraries across the world are reviewing their services and evolving to adapt to meet the needs of their 21st century users.” [See also Public Libraries News article on this documentary here].
  • New library will be specially conditioned to hold rare books – ITV News.  “The world’s most valuable book is one of a collection of rare works being moved to Birmingham’s new library. This book is worth more than seven million pounds and contains life size illustrations of more than 400 North American birds. For decades it’s been kept behind closed doors but once at the new library it will be go on public display.” Includes short TV interview.
  • Three essential features of any ebook business model for your library – District Dispatch.  Simple explanation of ALA’s recent report on Ebooks.

Local News

  • Brent – No turn-around – BookSeller.  Councillor’s claim that campaigners have decided to end their attempts to run the library. “However, Margaret Bailey from the Friends denied Powney’s claim, asserting that they were continuing in plans to set up a community facility. She said: “No such letter has been written to the council. We are still preparing our proposal for running a community library to send to All Souls College.””
  • Cambridgeshire – New system has library users owing £380,000 – Cambridge News. Nearly four times amount of 2011 “… it was partly due to a new system which allows people to borrow items on credit” of up to £14 per person.  Introduction of self-service has also meant no staff have been asking for payment. ““Hours have been reduced, and we’re reduced to single staffing, which is a serious problem, as it makes if difficult to assist everyone.”
  • Wakefield – Ed Balls throws his weight behind campaign to save Outwood Library – Save Outwood Library.  Ed Balls, MP for the consituency writes to local Council to ask how it can help volunteers keep the library going.
  • Worcestershire – Kidderminster galley campaigners feel “sense of deja vu” – Shuttle.  “Kidderminster Gallery Friends has released a draft constitution and will hold its inaugural general meeting on Monday, September 3, to elect an official committee. Its aim is to meet Worcestershire County Council as a collective body to make sure plans to move the top floor gallery space and piano elsewhere in Kidderminster Library are not put forward again.”