Lincolnshire Judicial Review Day 1, school libraries parliamentary group report , Staffordshire

Changes

• Derbyshire – Staffing and opening hours may be cut.  £250k cut 2015/16. £400k cut 2017/18 in addition to a £362k stock budget cut.
• Wrexham – Cultural services including libraries may be transferred into community trust with other services inc. museums and Arts.

Ideas

• Battle of the books: online contest to find best/funniest book.

News

• A Good Man Who Can’t Get A Job – Huffington Post. ” there are libraries who can give online access – but it is a limited access – very often only one or two computers for a large population. “
• Public Libraries Festival Crowdfunder is Down But Not Out – Library Dust. “the Crowdfunder has officially flopped and the public library festival is temporary postponed. That’s postponed, not shelved. Because public libraries are still worth celebrating not just saving. It’s time to change the tone of the conversation about the future of libraries. If all you hear is ‘save libraries’ it’s no suprise when you think libraries are dying” … “Let’s stop begging and start empowering”
• Public take to library e-books – UK Authority. “Newcastle City Council is one of four authorities picked to carry out research into which sort of books readers want electronically – and if schemes are commercially viable.” … “Now the cuts-stricken council, which has been forced to close many of its libraries, says e-book loans have soared by 78% from last year.” … “However the neighbouring council to Newcastle – Durham County Council – refuses to make e-books available, arguing it does not make practical or commercial success.”
• Reading Agency librarian competition winner meets author Neil Gaiman – Reading Agency. “Surrey librarian Annalisa Timbrell got to meet award winning novelist Neil Gaiman on Friday (7 July), after winning a special competition organised by national charity The Reading Agency and Headline, his publishers … Neil Gaiman reiterated his firm belief in the importance of investment in libraries, and said: “I thought Annalisa’s introduction to the guide was great. In a lot of ways I am a librarian’s worst nightmare, because my books don’t fit into one single section of the library, and I have readers of all ages. So anything written by a librarian explaining my work to other librarians and which makes me less of a nightmare in terms of them helping readers know where they can find me, is wonderful.” “
• School libraries must be ‘fit for purpose’ says cross-party report from MPs – Guardian. “Libraries All Party Parliamentary Group says ‘it is vital that all schools have a good library to ensure children develop essential literacy and digital literacy skills’ ” … “A cross-party group of MPs and peers has called for there to be a good library in every school in the UK in a new report which says that libraries make “a huge contribution to young people’s educational attainment”.” … “Although there are no new figures about the number of school libraries in the UK, the report says recent surveys show that 40% of primary schools with designated library space have seen their budgets reduced, and that almost a third of libraries have insufficient space. It also pointed to “one of the most concerning trends”: the fall in the number of librarians in English schools, with data from the Department for Education showing a reduction of 280 librarians in two years.”. See also Beating heart of the school – CILIP / All Party Parlamentary Group and Parliamentary group calls for school libraries data – BookSeller.  “Currently schools have no statutory duty to provide a library service, and the new report does not include that move in its recommendations. However, it recommends that the DoE starts collecting figures on school libraries and libraries, examines the contribution made my school libraries to children’s education, that Ofsted should proactively inspect libraries, and that the DoE should have a lead staff-member for school libraries.” see also Poll: Are libraries still important for education in this day and age? – Express and Star. “What do you think? Are libraries still important for education? Vote in our poll and have your say in the comment box below.” [Currently 131 votes yes, 16 votes no – Ed.]

“We live in a world awash with digital information, where literacy skills are essential for most jobs and our daily lives, yet one in six adults in the UK struggle with literacy. We must make sure that children in our schools are encouraged to read, have access to exciting books and reading materials, and are taught research and digital literacy skills. If every school has a well-resourced, properly staffed, fit for purpose library that is a key part of their strategies it will make a huge contribution to young people’s educational attainment.” Lord Tope

“if a school library is the beating heart of a school, why do councils not view libraries as the beating heart of a community?” @WilfordNottm

• School libraries ‘should be counted’, say MPs and peers – BBC. “The APPG said that as a minimum, it was calling for all secondary schools in the UK to have a good library. It is urging the Department for Education (DfE) to start collecting figures on the number of schools in England that have a library and librarian. The department should also look at the contribution libraries make to a child’s education and development, the report says, while Ofsted should look at the facilities as part of school inspections.”

International

• Four librarians gagged and threatened with prison time under the Patriot Act – Police State USA. ” “Imagine the government came to you with an order demanding that you compromise your professional and personal principles. Imagine then being permanently gagged from speaking to your friends, your family or your colleagues about this wrenching experience… Under the Patriot Act, the FBI demanded internet and library records without showing any evidence or suspicion of wrongdoing to a court of law. We were barred from speaking to anyone about the matter and we were even taking a risk by consulting with lawyers.”” [As incredible as Germany beating Argentina 7-1 in a World Cup semi-final – Ed.]
• Library movement takes root in Bangladesh – Al Jazeera (Bangladesh). “A non-profit platform in Bangladesh is aiding in the setup and sustenance of libraries in remote districts and villages of the country. The efforts of the Village Library Movement, initiated in 2006, have already benefited at least 3,000 readers through nearly 30 libraries.”
• Vancouver Public Library launches Battle of the Funny Books – CBC News (Canada). “The Vancouver Public Library is launching a Survivor-style Battle of the Funny Books to keeps kids interested in reading over the summer holidays. The competition is part of the library’s 2014 summer reading club.”

‘Can Captain Underpants defeat the Stinky Cheese Man?’– VPL Battle of the Books

UK Local news by authority

• Brighton and Hove – Brighton and Hove children’s centres may start charging for some activities – Brighton and Hove News. “These include stay and play, dads’ stay and play, toddler and you, jump for joy and children’s centre drop-in groups run in libraries.”
• Derbyshire – Derbyshire faces cuts to library service – BookSeller. “Council leader Anne Western said in a statement: “We need to be absolutely clear – we do not want to make these unrelenting cuts which will affect services local people rely on. The Government has left us no choice and we are having to think the unthinkable. Its budget reductions mean we have to cut our spending on local services by more than a third.” One of the suggested cuts is to reduce staffing and opening hours at libraries in the council, as well as allocating less money for book purchases. The change would save an estimated £250,000 in 2015/16 on the council’s libraries and heritage expenditure. A further £400,000 would be slashed in 2017/18, along with a cut to the library stock budget of £362,000.” see also Derbyshire County Council announces ‘toughest cuts in history’ – BBC.
• Devon – Still no clear ideas to save library – Exmouth Journal. “Budleigh’s civic leaders say they do not yet have any workable ideas to safeguard the future of the town’s library.” … “Councillor Chris Kitson said: “When [Devon libraries chief] Councillor Roger Croad came here it was quite clear £35,000 was the figure we are looking for to sustain the library service. If I look at these suggestions I don’t see a lot of money coming in.”
• Leicestershire – No genuine consultation on future of our libraries – Leicester Mercury. “Like many people, I expected a genuine consultation which would include a number of alternative proposals to achieve the savings. However, the ruling Tory Cabinet has decided to consult on one option only. This option would see well- trained, knowledgeable library staff removed from 36 “community” libraries, including my local one in Anstey.”
• Lincolnshire – Judicial review opens into Lincolnshire’s libraries’ plan – BBC. “Barrister David Lawson said the county council plans would hit the disabled, young people and the unemployed” … “Mr Hill, leader of the Conservative-led authority, said: “We took great care over this process and I believe we have done it as well as we could have done and hopefully the judge will agree with us.”
• Lincolnshire – Judicial review into Lincolnshire library cuts to begin – Rutland and Stamford Mercury. “Ten members of the Save Lincolnshire Libraries campaign will be attending the hearing and say the result of the case could prove key for similar groups throughout the country.”
• Lincolnshire – Lincolnshire County Council rejected external offer to show how to run county libraries – Lincolnshire Echo.
• Lincolnshire – Lincolnshire libraries campaigners conclude first day of judicial review – Lincolnite. “Campaigners against Lincolnshire County Council’s decision to cut library services attended the High Court on Tuesday, July 8, for the first of a two-day judicial review of the case. Some 10 members of the Save Lincolnshire Libraries campaign group attended the hearing, as Lincoln resident Simon Draper, and his wife Timber, challenged the County Council over their decision to hand over more than 30 libraries to volunteers.” see also #LibraryJudicialReview Tweets from the High Court, Day 1 – Save Lincolnshire Echo (includes pictures).

“The particular issue that seems to be in our favour at the moment is the application by Greenwich Leisure which was not given any consideration by the council, this clearly did get the judge’s attention. Earlier on the judge seemed to think only having Tier 1 and Tier 2 libraries classed as ‘statutory’ was also an issue.”

• Lincolnshire – Save Lincolnshire Libraries: protest heads to the High Court in London – Lincolnshire Echo. “Campaigners feel libraries must be professionally-led, a sustainable service cannot be guaranteed by using volunteers and that consultation on the libraries shake-up was flawed.”
• Lincolnshire – Sir Peter Tapsell urged Lincolnshire County Council not to close libraries – Lincolnshire Echo. “Sir Peter last month wrote in a letter to Sutton and Alford Conservative-turned independent councillor Steve Palmer: “When I attended a meeting of all the Lincolnshire County Councillors on November 1 last year, I particularly urged them not to close libraries.”
• Lincolnshire – ‘Thunderclap’ for Lincolnshire Libraries – BookSeller.  “To coincide with the judicial review, the campaign is also calling on Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, “to intervene to halt the decimation of the British public library service”.The group has set up a Thunderclap to ask Javid to make sure the Lincolnshire libraries judicial review is the last.”
• Liverpool – Liverpool Biennial: Misery on the Mersey – Independent. “In March this year, cuts of £156m to Liverpool’s public services were announced, which means that half of the city’s 19 libraries are expected to close, as well as the majority of children’s  centres. Against this backdrop of social injustice, the 8th Liverpool art Biennial has just opened.”
• Shetland – Librarian wins award – Shetland News. “Catherine Jeromson has scooped the Ian Johnson Alumnus Award given to a former student who, within five years of graduating, has made a “significant contribution to her library service, and/or demonstrated significant personal and professional development”.
• Staffordshire – Councillors sceptical over library volunteers plan – Burton Mail. “It was announced last month that Barton under Needwood’s library was to be one of 24 run completely by communities as part of a shake-up of services. But councillors have now raised doubts about whether people will be willing to give up their time to ensure libraries keep going.”
• Staffordshire – Future of Staffordshire’s 24 libraries under threat unless volunteers can be found – Stoke Sentinel. “Members of the opposition Labour Group triggered yesterday’s meeting of the Corporate Review Committee after objecting to the library plans.” … “Labour leader and Talke Councillor John Taylor said: “If we have got just one person volunteering then they won’t do one day and they won’t do half a day because they have got lives outside the services we are asking them to provide. “I have heard a councillor saying he was going to help get volunteers in Talke Library – good luck with that. They haven’t been able to get them and they live there. If we haven’t got staff and volunteers then the libraries will close.” … “Councillor Mike Lawrence, cabinet member for communities, told the meeting: “This review will not close libraries. If we can’t get volunteers we will have to look at that particular library. This is a review that will take three years. We have got three years to develop the confidence in that community to manage that library.”
• Staffordshire – Campaigners feel libraries must be professionally-led, a sustainable service cannot be guaranteed by using volunteers and that consultation on the libraries shake-up was flawed – Lincolnshire Echo. “Community organisations would be given the chance to manage their library, including maintaining current services or introducing new ones. They would be supported by the council but it would not be directly involved in management or staffing.” [“given the chance” sounds particularly bad public relations speak – Ed.].  see also Staffordshire – Stafford residents to have their say on the future of libraries – Staffordshire Newsletter.
• Wrexham – Community Trust Could Take Over Wrexham’s Cultural Services – Wrexham.com. “In a report due to go before the Executive Board tomorrow, it is proposed a non profit distributing organisation (NPDO) or trust is established for the management of designated cultural services.”…”All libraries currently operated by the Library Service but excluding any closed or transferred premises”.