News

  • Americans Still Love Libraries – Galleycat (USA).  Infographic shows how many people in USA use libraries and what for.
  • New thinking on reading: Reading Agency experts at London Book Fair – Booktrade Info. “Senior Reading Agency team members will be speaking at the London Book Fair 2013 (15-17 April, Earls Court), sharing their expertise in helping people discover the life-changing benefits of reading.  The latest developments in reading, health and wellbeing will be discussed by a panel including The Reading Agency’s director of research Debbie Hicks … Meanwhile Sandeep Mahal – who leads The Reading Agency’s work linking publishers and libraries to create innovative and exciting events, promotions and experiences for readers – will take part in a London Book Fair panel discussion on the changing face of reading groups”
  • Rebranding CILIP – CILIP. £35k to be spent on rebranding, including (probably) a new name, logo, font. Article by Annie Mauger explains that it is intended to make the organisation more media friendly, to appeal to potential new members and to reflect changes that have taken place over the last few years,

Changes

Local news

  • Angus – Historic library to be restored in Edzell – Brechin Advertiser. “The restoration of Edzell’s Inglis Memorial Hall’s historic library looks to have taken a step forward thanks to the offer of a Leader grant towards the cost of the project, however work will not include a modern lending library.” … ““In any event, no funding is available to reintroduce a lending library in Edzell and indeed Angus Council significantly reduced the opening hours of the seven burgh libraries from April 2012 due to the need for further budget savings.”
  • Barnsley – Council Criticised For Handling Of Monk Bretton Library – We Are Barnsley.  Library announced for closure but then Council decided to wait until relocation to Redfearns later in the year. “Despite the news, some clubs and groups that use the library as its location have already disbanded, and even leaving parties have been staged.”

 “The successful applicant will be expected to operate the Library of Birmingham (LoB) including but not limited to the City’s archive collection, support services for Community Libraries, the Mobile Library, Library Service at Home and management of the Council’s book fund.” Birmingham – UK-Birmingham: Library of Birmingham support services – Tenders Direct (reported in Stop the Privatisation of Public Libraries).

  • Brent – Kilburn Library – Brent Council.  Photographs of the refurbished interior of this library.
  • Bury – Twist in the tale: Bury Council consider plan to save town’s libraries from closure with ‘community hubs’ – Mancunian Matters.  “the town’s council cabinet decides tomorrow whether to retain all the area’s libraries by creating a series of community hubs. The proposals are informed by a council-backed review into library provision – 75% of respondents felt combining libraries and other services into one place would be good for the community.” … “The proposed community hubs will aim to offer a range of easily accessible services including education, health and cultural activities as well as a place for community gatherings.”
  • East Sussex – Little Common library open day – Bexhill Observer. “The library came into being in 2002 when the late Percy Pearson decided to purchase it because it was going to be closed down by East Sussex County Council. He and wife Yvonne worked with a group of supporters to keep a service going for the benefit of local people. It became a registered charity and is now run by 34 volunteers, receiving support from the ‘Friends of Little Common Library’ and donations from the public”
  • Harrow and Ealing – Harrow and Ealing; an update – Stop the Privatisation of Public Libraries. “t seems that Harrow and Ealing have put of the decision to privatise their library services for another month, the decision was due in April but now wont be made untill May 2013.”
  • Isles of Scilly – Conflicting Views Over Cost Of New Library Bookcases – Scilly Today. “The controversy over the Council’s decision to spend almost £24,000 on bookcases for the new library continues, with conflicting views from within the authority over whether or not the units exceeded the original budget.”
  • Lancashire – Burnley and Pendle libraries extend their opening hours – Citizen.  Extension of hours achieved at “virtually no extra cost” after consultations.  “Pike Hill library will be open from 9.30am-12.30pm on Saturdays, with Coal Clough open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 12.30pm-1.30pm. In Colne the library will now be open from noon-1pm on Tuesdays and Brierfield from noon-1pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.”
  • Suffolk – Meeting to create a friends’ group for town’s main library – Bury Free Press. “A spokesman for Suffolk Libraries said: “Developing a friends’ group will mean building on ideas like this and finding volunteers with some key skills and experience with fundraising or organising events. We’re looking for people who can make a positive contribution.” … “The library already has a customer group, which was formed last year from regular customers. It has suggested changes to the fiction section’s layout which have been implemented.”
  • Suffolk – Wake up to reading on World Book Night! – Suffolk Libraries (press release). “Great Cornard Library are holding a book market event on 23 April where people who have chosen to ‘gift’ a World Book Night book will each be talking about the book that they are gifting and around 200 people from local organisations will have the chance to choose books to take away. The library will then organise another event in May when people can meet up and swap their books.” … “Ipswich Library will be holding a ‘Forty Winks’ storytelling event from 7pm to 9pm. People can come along to the library to enjoy a special night time event in their pyjamas and relax with a hot chocolate or glass of wine listening to a storyteller.” … pirate event and bingo also on offer.
  • Thurrock – Booktime Story Club at Thurrock libraries – Thurrock Gazette. “Thurrock Council’s libraries will be starting the Booktime Story Clubs for four and five-year-olds at five local libraries … The Booktime Story Club is part of a national project supported by the Government and the Arts Council aimed at encouraging young children to join their library and read for pleasure.”