A month of public libraries news, much of it good

Editorial

One of the advantages of not having done a post for a month is you can clearly see the themes of what is going on.

Nationally, there are two initiatives – a roadmap and library support schemes – that, if they happen as suggested, will be very useful in aiding local library problems and lead to a better service. Due to there being at the moment both a massively distracted and a hugely disinterested national government, this is probably the best that can be hoped for. It’s interesting that there is “little appetite” reported at any level for changing how libraries are delivered, when the last ten years have seen huge piecemeal moves towards just that.

On the good side locally, there are a surprisingly large number of refurbishments and – gosh – actual new libraries in the news, although sometimes it is hard to tell from reports whether such things are co-locations (a bit of a double-edge sword for libraries) or something more genuinely purely beneficial. A huge well done, though, to the people behind Kensal Rise, who have pushed for nearly a decade for a functioning reopened library, which finally happened this weekend.

On the bad side locally, w we have a big problem starting in Bradford – never exactly a shining star when it comes to public libraries – who want to cut their service even more while hypocritically spending money on claiming, presumably with a straight face, that it is a city of culture. Strike action there means there are two library services currently facing that last resort – the other is Bromley. The cuts in Essex continue to be faced up to with tremendous verve and fortitude and quite a lot of savvy about the need not to be fooled by seeming council concessions.

Finally, I need to say that there have been major problems with the Public Libraries News website causing such a long delay between posts. This appears to have been caused by both a problem with the website host – now changed – and some fairly huge and certainly numerous hack attacks. Heaven knows what such people aim to gain from hacking a public libraries website – perhaps it’s because it comes high on many google search rankings – but it certainly irritates me. Things appear fixed for now but there has been a loss of some data.

Correction

The piece in the last post on the new Transforming Leadership grant says that 15 people will benefit from the programme,  Actually the programme will involve 4 people from each authority – the “Emerging Leader” is the catalyst and in addition there will be a development programme for their  head of service, and a third programme involving two other members of staff in each participating service who are identified as having leadership potential. So 60 members of the workforce will be involved – not 15. The funding will also provide for a new online learning course on leadership for public library staff.

Changes by authority

• Bradford – £2m (65%) cut to libraries and museums service over 2 years
• Brent – Kensal Rise Library reopens as volunteer.
• Buckinghamshire – £160k cut.
• Calderdale – £1.75m refurbishment Elland Library, £250k repairs at Todmorden. Mixenden library to be co-located. Staff restructure, bookfund cut. Bailiff Bridge and Walsden libraries under threat. Mytholmroyd and Beechwood Libraries may become volunteer or other model.
• Croydon – £5m refurbishment programme for all 13 libraries.
• Glasgow – Parkhead Library may move into co-location.
• Haringey – £5.5m extra inc. £3.77m to refurbish Hornsey Library.
• Lancashire – Mobile libraries reviewed: visit fewer times but for longer.
• Leeds – Kirkgate Community Hub and Library opens.
• North Ayrshire – Largs, West Kilbride and Fairlie libraries may be under threat.
• Northumberland – £100k cut. 12 week consultation. Closures and volunteers proposed.
• North Yorkshire – Newcastle Building Society supports Stokesley Library financially and in other ways.
• Reading – £400k refurbishment of Battle Library.
• Redbridge – Gants Hill to become part of community hub.
• Stoke on Trent – New co-located volunteer Trentham Library replaces library closed in 2013.
• West Sussex – Mobile library service may end, opening hours may be cut, more co-locations suggested.

National news

• A to Z of Library Digital Services – Lorensbergs. Excellent infographic for all to share. “So roll on Libraries Week, and the opportunity it gives to celebrate all our libraries have to offer in the digital sphere. With our libraries and their staff there to support us, we all have the chance to develop and progress our digital skills and knowledge. Whatever your circumstances, digital inclusion is in reach simply by dropping into your local branch. In addition to the A-Z, further information and ideas on how libraries facilitate digital participation and skills attainment will be available on this blog each day in the week ahead. “

• Community Business Trade Up Programme – School for Social Entrepreneurs. Funding for volunteer libraries etc. “Do you run an organisation or project that exists to improve your local neighbourhood, village or town? Do you run it like a business, but re-invest profits to benefit your local community?”

• Cressida Cowell: Dragon author breathing fire over library cuts – Express. ““That’s why I’m so passionate about libraries because nobody has been able to answer me the question: If a child doesn’t have a public library and they don’t have a library in their primary school, how on earth are they going to be able to read for pleasure? “It is a social mobility timebomb. How can a kid compete with another kid who has got access to all these words?” 

• Eight of England’s Most Magnificent Libraries – Heritage Calling. Includes Jesmond Library, Lillington Library, Dulwich Library and Hove Library.

• Libraries and open data – DCMS. ” On 5 August the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) hosted (in a rather dreary windowless room!) a workshop for Taskforce members, front-line library practitioners and data experts to reflect on what had already been achieved and what the next steps should be.  “

• Libraries Connected and CILIP publish new roadmap for future library development – Libraries Connected. “The report details seven key strands of work that will lead to long-term and co-ordinated improvements in the structural support for the sector. Work on some of these has already begun (as indicated) … The study found little appetite in library leadership, local or central government for a radical change to how public libraries are delivered. “
  • Nationally organised and funded infrastructure and creative programmes
  • National standards and accreditation to help define a quality service (currently being explored by Libraries Connected)
  • Nationally co-ordinated monitoring and evaluation (currently being explored by DCMS)
  • National digital public library service (led by British Library)
  • Regional development and support programme (led by Libraries Connected)
  • Nationally co-ordinated workforce development (led by Libraries Connected and CILIP)
  • Support for local authorities to explore new governance and delivery models for public libraries.”

• Libraries Connected to trial new library support schemes – BookSeller. “The projects will see a national programme manager and regional engagement team to broker support and improve collaboration between library services. A national subject expertise bank to provide specialist advice on things like income generation, mentoring and service reconfiguration. Both pilots will be funded by the Libraries Taskforce and run until March 2020. It comes after a report commissioned by Libraries Connected from Activist Group suggested a new support model with five ways to help safeguard the service’s future.” … “In its entirety, the scheme would require £1.7m investment over three years, mainly through reallocation of existing investment”
  • A national programme manager and regional engagement team to broker support and improve collaboration between services
  • A national subject expertise bank to provide specialist advice on topics such as service transformation, income generation and mentoring
  • An online ‘Library library’ that shares evidence and advice and has tools to help manage transformation and innovation locally
  • An ‘engine for evidence’ to pilot standards for new library standards and commission research on the impact of services
  • An advocacy campaign to highlight the contribution of libraries to local priorities and communities.

• PMLG & ILG National Conference 2019: Information Literacy in Public Libraries – PMLG. “Often overlooked, information literacy stands at the core of a public library’s purpose. Whether it is teaching children how to answer their own questions or supporting retirees to get online, public libraries daily contribute to the development of information literacy skills within their communities, Safeguarding, signposting and navigating information sources requires highly-developed multi-platform, critical awareness. This conference delivers a diverse portfolio of the necessary information literacy skills for the job.”
• World Book Day 2020 Launch – World Book Day. Lists the titles for next year.

International news

• Australia – One for the books: the unlikely renaissance of libraries in the digital age – Sydney Morning Herald. “With the rise of the internet, public libraries were supposed to be on borrowed time. But they’re thriving – their renaissance as much about community as the literary riches they contain.” … “So relaxed is the atmosphere that when someone produced a foot spa, plugged it in and started using it, others presumed this was a new service the library was offering. According to Dullard, a queue quickly formed at the counter. “People were saying, ‘Where’s my foot spa?’ ””

• Canada – ‘Canine library’ offers chance to check out therapy dogs – MSN. “Patrons can “take out” one of eight dogs at the “canine library” this Saturday for a 15-minute session at Emery Barnes Park downtown. The dogs are specially trained therapy dogs that regularly participate in a children’s reading program. “
  • How Canadian libraries are handling the opioid crisis – Rabble. “”We realized really early on that it’s not really a library issue, it’s a community issue,” she says. “We’re that front door, that community living room so any issues that our community is experiencing, we’re on the frontline of that in the public library.”
  • Guelph council approves $67.1M budget for new library – Guelph Mercury Tribune. “The vote does not commit hard dollars to the project, instead approving a hard dollar figure city staff can use for detailed planning of the project, as well as for grant applications from upper levels of government. ”
  • The Library of Tomorrow, Today – Calgary Central Public Library – Princh. “Calgary Central Public library is generating massive global awareness, which helps emphasize the benefits and importance of libraries. Calgary’s Central Library opened on November 1^st, 2018 and has gained continued praise and recognition from day one.”
• New Zealand – Reconfiguration and Automation of the Ōamaru Public Library – Princh. “Improved Customer Service has been our major goal and the library has indeed become the public face of the Council.  We might have an outdated building footprint, without all of the ‘frills,’ but we are proud of all that was achieved on the smell of an oily rag and a ‘can do’ philosophy.  “
• Sweden – Swedish Libraries Hotbeds For Drug Dealing, Violence, Sexual Harassment – Info Wars Europe. [Notable for the unusual coverage of libraries from this USA based far rightwing website – Ed.]
• Tonga – Tonga to open first public library system with thousands of books donated from NZ – RNZ. “Thousands of books have been donated by more than 50 Auckland Council libraries among the hundreds of other items given by generous New Zealanders including bikes, laptops and more.” … “While it may be a surprise for some that Tonga has never had a proper public library before, the little South Pacific kingdom is full of avid readers and has a 99 percent literacy rate. “
• USA – September is Library Card Sign-up Month – ALA. “September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide join together to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning. Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep and friends are joining ALA on an adventure to promote the value of a library card. “
  • 10 Things the Movie, The Public Got Right About Libraries – Literacious. Ten very true observations including “Librarians aren’t in it for the money, so many are librarians trying to make a positive difference in their communities”
  • For the Love of Libraries: Four Authors on What Makes Libraries – Writers Digest.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Funding confirmed for Aberdeenshire library funding project – Press and Journal. “Highland’s Mind Hubs: Mental agility, physical dexterity was awarded £5,400 and Comic Con Hebrides in the Western Isles received £3,815. Aberdeenshire library services have been awarded £70,000 to further their One System, One Card, One Step Closer project. The project will enhance the existing One Card pilot, with a view to moving to a single library card covering fifty per cent of public library services. Eleven public library projects across Scotland are sharing a combined fund of £201,269 from Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) which supports the transformation and modernisation of public libraries through the enhancement of creative projects.”

• Bath and North East Somerset – Plans to scrap library fines for late books across B&NES being considered – Bath Echo. “Libraries across Bath & North East Somerset could scrap late book fines, under proposals being considered by the council’s cabinet member responsible for the service.”

• Bolton – Bolton Library to host ‘Wikipedia Editathon’ – Bolton News. “On Saturday, September 21, from 2-4pm Bolton Central Library will host an expert from the encyclopedia-themed website. The volunteers will create submissions referencing the LGBT community and the exhibition at Bolton Museum, which is celebrating a year since reopening. Organisers have asked for anyone interested to get involved”

• Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole – Letter to the editor: Libraries are no longer about peace and quiet – Daily Echo. “Why are public libraries so neglectful of those who yearn for a civilised, non-threatening atmosphere and wish only to make beneficial use of their limited resources? The thoughtless and ruthless decimation of book stocks in recent years to make space for personal computers and concomitant disappearance of most book cases has reduced their interiors to mere shells of what they once were, the resulting open plan layouts crying out for reallocation with new meeting rooms, work tables or private booths. “

• Bradford – Angry residents told Bradford library cuts are an ‘act of cultural vandalism’ – Unite the Union. “A packed public meeting has been told that plans by Bradford council to cut the libraries and museum services by two thirds (65 per cent) is an ‘act of cultural vandalism’. Over 160 members of the public yesterday, (Wednesday 18 September) crammed into Keighley Civic Centre to listen to concerns about the future of the service. They heard how the planned cuts of 65 per cent from the libraries, galleries and museums service, will lead to job cuts and the closure of public assets.” … “The council’s proposed cuts to the library and museums services which will see two million pounds cuts from the service over the next two years, coincides with Bradford council earmarking £1.4 million to prepare a bid for city of culture in 2025.”
  • Calls to safeguard Keighley Library provision as new fears are voiced over future of historic building – Keighley News. “Last month, claims were made that library bosses had been in talks about bringing together a range of community health and wellbeing services in the historic North Street building”
  • Council ‘aim’s to retain all libraries’ despite cuts – committee told – Telegraph and Argus. Council aiming at volunteers to run libraries. “We are looking at more innovative solutions than closures. It may be that the community libraries are more sustainable. We’re looking at perhaps partnering with other organisations, possibly getting support form public health to make libraries hubs for the community. “
  • Strike action on the horizon – Telegraph and Argus. “Unite said it will hold a ballot for strike action and industrial action short of a strike of its approximately 50 library and museum members in defence of the library and museum service. The ballot opens on Friday, September 13, and closes on Friday, September, 27. ”
  • Strike action looms over ‘swingeing cuts’ to Bradford library and museum service – Yorkshire Post.

• Brent – Celebrations with celebrity sparkle as Kensal Rise Library re-opens after lengthy battle – Brent and Kilburn Times. “Kensal Rise Community Library, in Bathurst Gardens, is launching with a Grand Opening Ceremony this Saturday at 2pm on the anniversary of its opening by Mark Twain in 1900. The library was closed along with five others by Brent Council in 2011 to save £1million. Since then the community has relentlessly campaigned, fundraised and finally, refurbished the replaced space. “
  • Kensal Rise Library to reopen after epic community battle – BookSeller. “The library was shut down by Brent Council in 2011, sparking a huge campaign supported by writers including Alan Bennett, Philip Pullman, Jacqueline Wilson and Zadie Smith. Following a fight that included a judicial review at the high court, the building is being redeveloped into flats but with space on the ground floor for a community facility, run by the Friends of Kensal Rise Library. Thousands of pounds have been raised to refurbish the space and campaigners have promised an “emotional celebration” from 2pm on 28th September with a reading from Grieg and the unveiling of the library’s original Mark Twain plaque.”

• Bromley – Local government round up: Picket at Bromley libraries ahead of talks – Socialist Worker. “Talks between bosses and striking library workers in south east London were set to take place as Socialist Worker went to press on Tuesday. Unite union members working in Bromley libraries have been on all-out strike since 6 June. They returned to the picket line last week in their long-running dispute with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).”
  • Beg, steal or borrow: A united front in the battle to save our libraries – Independent. Behind partial paywall. Covers strikes in Bromley and Bradford including a survey of general cuts. “If there’s one thing the council and the unions agree on, it’s that austerity has been the biggest driver of local authority budget cuts that have led to library funding being curtailed so much.”
  • Bromley library strikers – fighting on to save our libraries – Socialist Worker.

• Buckinghamshire – Changes at Buckingham Library as part of council cutbacks – Buckingham Today. £160k cut. “The review of library services will save more than £160,000 but inevitably it has not been easy, particularly on our staff. “However, what this has managed to do is protect any changes to our library opening hours, which is good news for the thousands of local people who use our libraries each week. “We tried hard to match our existing staff to new posts and, out of more than 100 staff countywide, we have managed to keep compulsory redundancies down to three, with just one from Buckingham.”

• Calderdale – Investment of £2m in Calderdale libraries but some are facing the axe – Halifax Courier. “although efforts are being made to keep two local services, if not in the buildings they have been housed in, users may have to switch to the nearest alternatives … The council is investing £1.75 million at Elland Library, which would also turn the building into a community hub housing other services, and around £250,000 to complete vital repairs at Todmorden Library.”

• Cambridgeshire – Help choose the arts events in your local Cambridgeshire library for Spring 2020 – Fenland Citizen. “The Library Presents’ invites members of the public to help choose which performances and workshops they would like to see in their next season”

• Cheshire West and Chester – The Storyhouse, Chester, England – Once upon a time there lived a library… – Library Planet. “he cookbook section covers the restaurant walls, old card catalogue cabinets repurposed as tables sit in the study areas and quotes from poet Lemn Sissay are quite literally writ large on the walls in playful, bold typefaces.” … “he cookbook section covers the restaurant walls, old card catalogue cabinets repurposed as tables sit in the study areas and quotes from poet Lemn Sissay are quite literally writ large on the walls in playful, bold typefaces.”
  • Cheshire library to close for 10 weeks for building repairs – Cheshire Live. Sandiway Library.

• Croydon – Croydon’s Selsdon library looks incredible after a massive refurb – My London. “After being closed for two months for a major refurbishment, Selsdon Library has reopened with a completely new look, and it does look fantastic! Soon residents will even be able to use the library after hours, when new technology is trialled. The library in Addington Road was officially reopened to the public on Saturday, August 10. And its new modern look is how all 13 Croydon libraries are expected to look within the next three years. The council is set to spend a total of £5 million upgrading all of the borough’s libraries.”

• Cumbria – Cumbria County Council phone lines problem affecting libraries and services – Westmorland Gazette.
  • Well-being group is just the tonic – Times and Star. “Tea and Tonic will offer a safe, welcoming space to socialise, meet new people and increase social confidence through tea, cake, conversation and a range of art activities. “

• Dundee – New chapter for Coldside Library after major refurbishment – Courier. “The refurbished Coldside Community Library opened its doors on to the community after six months of work. Improvements include a new lift, accessible toilets, hospitality facilities and new interior decorations. Funded by Dundee City Council, the new features in the listed building also include new lighting, meeting rooms, library counter, flooring, refurbished windows and painted railings outside.”

• Durham – Bishop Auckland Town Hall closes to become cultural hub – Northern Echo. “Durham County Council is investing £1.5m into refurbishing Bishop Auckland Town Hall, in an effort to improve its layout and facilities. To allow the work to take place, the market place venue will close from Saturday, August 31, until next Spring. Other meeting places have been secured for groups that meet in the hall and arrangements have been made to ensure residents can access library services during the closure. “

• Essex – War of words erupts over Manningtree Library’s future in leaked email – Gazette News. “Campaigners have criticised a veteran Tory councillor who said he is “sick and tired” of a debate on the future of a town’s library. In a leaked email, Tendring councillor for Manningtree Carlo Guglielmi referred to some Save Our Libraries Essex campaigners as “left wing extremists”. He said campaigners for Manningtree Library could “wrap the thing in aspic and be done with it”. “
  • Day of protests announced over Essex Council ‘plot to close libraries by stealth’ – Yellow Advertiser.
  • Essex libraries row: Councillor’s ‘sick and tired’ comment criticised – BBC.
  • Hullbridge Library: Group withdraws offer to run – Echo series. “Friends of Hullbridge Library (FOHL) had submitted an interest in running the library in a bid to stop it being closed under initial plans put forward by Essex County Council. But with concerns that volunteers will be left to run the libraries with no professional support – which campaigners have branded “closure by stealth” – the community group has withdrawn their offer. “
  • Library campaigners plan protest march – Yellow Advertiser. “A ‘Save Our Library’ protest march is planned for this Saturday, September 28, meeting at Broomfield Church Green at 4pm, as part of SOLE’s countywide day of action.”
  • New website launched to answer questions on the future of Essex libraries – Gazette Standard. “… the new website will answer the frequently asked questions which have come forward since the summer. Susan Barker, libraries boss at the county council, said: “The new webpage will be updated regularly with answers to key questions and concerns as well as providing any new information and updates. “We recognise there are challenges in setting up a community-run library, and our team will be there every step of the way helping these individuals and groups to make a real difference in their local communities. “

• Glasgow – Young Glaswegians borrowed thousands of books during holidays thanks to Summer Reading Challenge – Extra. “Across Glasgow 4,085 children headed to their local library during the summer holidays to borrow a whopping 41,436 books, as the annual Summer Reading Challenge took the city’s 0-12 year olds by storm.”
  • Langside library now has a tranquil space – Evening Times. “Volunteer gardeners have helped turn derelict land outside Langside Library into a tranquil space in the heart of the South Side community. A team of more than 30 volunteers volunteers, supported by Glasgow Life and Langside, Battlefield and Camphill Community Council, developed their inner city oasis to celebrate the rich diversity of the local area. “
  • Plans for £2.5m library move could lead to Parkhead revamp – Evening Times. “Parkhead Library could move into a new East End healthcare hub as part of a £2.5million scheme which would pave the way for the regeneration of Parkhead Cross. The plan would see one of the city’s Carnegie-funded libraries moved from its Grade B-listed building at the corner of Tollcross Road and Helenvale Street to the proposed East End Health and Social Care Partnership Hub (HSCP) building. “

• Guernsey – Not everything needs to be a debate – Medium. “A local library hosts a free, inclusive reading session for children. It’s completely optional to attend, co-organised by two charities, and hosted by an experienced, DBS-checked entertainer, who just so happens to be a drag queen. Amid accusations of ‘creepiness’ and, at worst, ‘indoctrination’, I ask: how did it get to this?” … “LGBT+ people exist. And I’m tired of people using stories like this as a chance to scapegoat their homophobia.”

• Haringey – Millions of pounds to be invested to improve Haringey libraries – Enfield Independent. “Despite losing £1,000 per house hold, the council decided to keep all of its libraries open and will invest £5.5 million to update them. Earlier this summer Haringey Labour agreed to invest £3.77million into Hornsey Library to further enhance it. The library is set to be remodelled with new interiors, carpets, decoration and lighting, while there will be improved provision for young people, including the children’s area. “

• Hertfordshire – Swap your old slippers for free – Hertfordshire County Council. “Old worn out slippers are often responsible for trips and falls, which can lead to an unnecessary hospital stay and loss of independence. As we head into winter we organise ‘Slipper Swap’ events where older people and less mobile residents can swap their old slippers for a brand new free pair of anti-slip ones and find out more about keeping themselves safe and well “

• Lancashire – What role should Lancashire’s libraries, museums and archives play in the life of the county? – Lancashire Evening Post. “Lancashire’s libraries, museums and archives should aim to “enrich the lives” of the county’s residents. That is the main ambition laid out in a new strategy setting the direction for Lancashire County Council’s cultural services over the next five years.”
  • Lancashire’s mobile libraries to visit more places, but less often – LEP. “Lancashire’s mobile library service is set to be overhauled so that visits are introduced in areas which are currently bypassed by the vehicles and each stop-off lasts at least fifteen minutes. But communities which currently receive a fortnightly visit will see the frequency fall to once every three weeks when the changes are made next year.”

• Leeds – People have been banned from Leeds libraries and leisure centres for racism and making threats to kill – Leeds Live. “The reasons for the bans were not broken down by type of offence but the response added: “We are however able to give you a general breakdown of the reasons why people were banned.””
  • New library and community hub to open at Leeds Kirkgate Market – Yorkshire Evening Post. “The library will open on Monday, October 7 on row two of the indoor market, just up from the Market Kitchen. Leeds Libraries made the “exciting” announcement on Twitter and encouraged customers to “pick up your meat and 2 veg and a book at the same time”

• Lincolnshire – Villagers near Grantham are furious that their mobile libraries are to be downsized to vans – Grantham Journal. “Villagers have protested against the downsizing of their library buses. The library bus which regularly visits smaller communities throughout the county will soon be replaced by a smaller van. Lincolnshire County Council says the vans are more environmentally-friendly.”

• Northamptonshire – Bid to save under-threat Northampton library progressing well – but more volunteers needed to ensure longevity – Northampton Chronicle.
  • Desborough town councillors who did not declare library interest in time apologise – Northants Telegraph. “Chair Cllr Jean Read, Cllr Gil Holmes, Cllr Linda Burnham, Cllr Steve Draycott and former councillor Bill McElhinney all said their sorries at the town council meeting last week (Sept 19) for failing to declare on time that they were trustees of the Desborough Community and Library Hub.”

• North Ayrshire – Final chance to have your say on community centres and libraries – Largs and Millport News. “The public have the opportunity to have theri say on the future of the running of Largs Library which could be on the move to Vikingar, Brisbane Centre, Skelmorlie Community Centre, West Kilbride Library, and Fairlie Village Hall and library by going here to fill out an online consultation. “

• North Yorkshire – Newcastle Building Society provides much-needed support to volunteer-run library in Stokesley – Business Up North. “Newcastle Building Society will provide financial support for at least the next three years for Stokesley Library to use towards any funding gaps, and further enhance the library facility and community activities. As part of the support, the Society will also provide an ongoing series of talks which will focus on a range of community needs, including: talks on Dementia Awareness, retirement planning, internet security, buying a house and investment and estate planning.”
  • Eyes down for Book Bingo at North Yorkshire libraries – North Yorkshire County Council. “To take part, players need to read any library book that fits the various challenges on the card until they complete a line. The 24 challenges range from “read a book that was made into a film” and “read a book with a number in the title”. After completing their challenges, players can hand the card to the library to be entered into a prize draw to win a book token. Readers can pick up another card and play again.”
  • New Garden for Newby & Scalby Library – Scarborough News. “Over 2,300 people voted to turn the patch of scrub land behind the library into a community garden with access for all and on Saturday many of them turned out to see Barbara cut a ribbon and declare the garden open”

• Northumberland – Northumberland library shake-up in store as consultation on future launched – Chronicle. “The future of Northumberland’s library service is under scrutiny as the council announced the services must make £100,000 in savings. A report to councillors reveals discussions on consolidating the library estate and the potential of opening hub libraries in core areas to help make savings.”

• Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire County Library to close temporarily for works – Oxford Mail. “The library’s goods lift at the back of the library will be replaced from next month. “

• Reading – Multi-use Community Hub To Open At Battle Library – Reading.co.uk. “Battle Library will reopen to the public as a multi-use community hub for west Reading on Tuesday 17th September, following major building improvement work over the summer … Work on the £400K project, funded through developer contributions from nearby housing schemes, got underway in May. The transformation has created a new single storey rear extension alongside internal reorganisation and improvements. The extension has an office space and houses the adult library, which opens up to an outside deck area. An eco-friendly green roof of hardy alpines plants has been installed on the extension.”

• Redbridge – Gants Hill Library – They Work For You. Conservative asks Sadiq Khan: “Having previously promised that residents would be able to choose between keeping Gants Hill Library as a library or replacing it with a Hub, the Leader of Redbridge Council is now seeking to renege on his promise to hold a Consultation which gives residents a real choice as to whether they want the hub or retain the library, by not including the option to retain the library in the ongoing consultation. “
  • Redbridge Council makes £336,000 in library fines in four years: Is your library the worst offender? – Ilford Recorder. “In the same period, according to figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request, the council’s spending on its libraries fell by £152,556 from £2.73million to £2.58m.” … “That library has received £95,205 in late fines in the last four financial years – 28pc of the entire borough’s library takings.”

• Stoke on Trent – ‘This is a fantastic new space’ – £380,000 library opens for pupils and residents – Stoke Sentinel. “The community learning centre at Trentham Academy will be used by the school and the wider community, replacing the old Trentham Library which closed in 2013. Stoke-on-Trent City Council provided the capital funds for the facility, but its ongoing running costs will be met by the academy. And volunteer group Trentham Reads will run a book hire service for the general public in the building, with stock loaned from the council’s library service.”

• Suffolk – Suffolk’s new free film streaming service – East Anglian Daily Times. “Suffolk Libraries has expanded its eLibrary service with a new digitial streaming service called Kanopy.” [Lambeth, Slough and Southwark have also taken out memberships – Ed.]

• Surrey – Surrey’s libraries to take global inspiration in bid to improve – County Border News. “How its library service is going to change is still in the planning stages, but officers said they hope to have more details for cabinet members in November. The transformation of the library service is part of SCC’s £250m savings by 2021. Changes are running slightly behind schedule.”

• Swindon – New Roundabout Reading scheme to promote adult reading launches in Swindon Libraries – Swindon Advertising. “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. “

• Warrington – Warrington Museum & Library to become a ‘Fun Palace’ – Warrington Worldwide. “On Saturday October 5, organisations across the country will be taking part in the national “Fun Palace” campaign aimed at putting culture at the heart of communities, and communities at the heart of culture.”
  • Museum & Library reopens following revamp – Warrington Worldwide. “The venue underwent the revamp in a bid to re-energise the building and transform it into a creative hub – with increased links between the museum and library services.” The project, which has been a joint venture between Culture Warrington and LiveWire, has seen a number of cosmetic changes to the building, in addition to a more integrated approach to activities and opening hours – including Sunday opening for the first time.”
  • Stockton Heath Library reopens following £195,000 redevelopment – Warrington Borough Council. “Stockton Heath Library, on Alexandra Road, is the first of the town’s libraries to benefit from Warrington Borough Council’s £1m library investment programme.”

• West Sussex – West Sussex libraries safe from closures ‐ but there may still be changes – Chichester Observer. “One of the options was to save up to £500,000 by making some changes to the library services – such as closing several branch libraries, reducing opening hours and removing the mobile library service …. But several months later Mrs Russell said: “I know how important they [libraries] are to the people who use them and I want to reassure residents across West Sussex that I want to protect services not shut them down.” However the authority is looking at areas of the service where it thinks it can make savings while preserving the core of the service. These include looking at stopping the mobile library service and reducing late evening library opening times.

• Worcestershire – Redditch’s award-winning library reveals its most read books – Redditch Standard.