Dependent on volunteers

Editorial

A few of the items this week show how dependent some public library services are on volunteers. North Yorkshire says “acknowledges that without the support of more than 2,000 volunteers and others the service as it exists today would not be possible.”, Oxfordshire open a new branch but say that they will need volunteers to actually run it, and Staffordshire report that they have 1,000 volunteers doing the work that would otherwise keep staff employed to the tune of £1.4m. When library services depend on the unpaid in their thousands to do the work it’s clear to see how things have changed since 2010 when less than ten branches nationwide relied on such generosity.

It’s therefore a suitable week to see that the Community Libraries Network have a new website instead of their blog site they had to do with previously. The site has some useful resources, including on crowdfunding and paying for leases, for volunteer libraries who are facing the hard tough world. The network itself, supported by Upper Norwood Library Trust, Libraries Connected, Locality, the Libraries Taskforce and funding from Power to Change, is looking to rely on member subscriptions, presumably from volunteers already working for free. We will see how that goes.

Changes by local authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Mobile library changes.
• Hillingdon – Ruislip Manor Library refurbished. £3m 2-year boroughwide refurbishment programme.
• Islington – Part of Central Library to be used by theatre company, including small theatre.
• North Yorkshire – Consultation.
• Oxfordshire – Barton Library opens in neighbourhood centre, dependent on volunteers.
• Staffordshire – Service dependent on 1,000 volunteers. 41% budget since since 2013. 149 out of of 280 full time equivalent staff lost in same period.

Hi VIS Fortnight 1-14 June 2020 : celebrating the word in all its formats

“Following feedback from partners, we are changing the name of ‘Make A Noise in Libraries’ Fortnight to ‘Hi VIS’ – The emphasis of this initiative has shifted over the years, from being originally forged largely as a campaigning vehicle, to something that latterly has predominantly sought to highlight the excellent work that is going on in libraries, for visually and print impaired people. We thought that the title should change to reflect this shift, and ‘Hi VIS’ seemed to be a good fit.”

The core aim of the Fortnight is still to raise the profile of the various services and activities that exist re. accessible libraries and reading – to highlight and celebrate them; and to connect visually and print impaired people with libraries, reading and other readers.

With developments such as the BBC’s Novels That Shaped The World and the theme for this year’s Libraries Week, there is a welcome (re-)emphasis on books and reading in 2020, and we are looking to build on this. The provision and availability of alternative and accessible formats is critical to visually and print impaired people being able to access reading and literature, and the general theme of this year’s Fortnight will be celebrating the word in all its forms and formats

We would like, during Hi VIS Fortnight, for libraries across the UK to highlight and celebrate all that you do to help people access and connect to the reading services and formats that best suit them, and to engage with reading and related activities

Share the Vision are specifically hoping that Libraries will:

· Promote accessible reading formats and services (their own and other organisation’s); and related local activities;

· Organise their own events, ideally (but not necessarily) building on this year’s theme; and

· Actively post on social media about these services, activities and event

Actions and available resources

· As in previous years, Share the Vision are in the process of producing some promotional materials and will share these nearer to the time. · Resources will be available via Reading Sight ( www.readingsight.org.uk ).

· RNIB are going to be leading on the social media side of things – establishing the hashtag #HiVIS2020 on Twitter, and we would like all involved to use this to help spread the word.

· Alerts will be sent out to Six Steps Champions across the UK, and Heads of Service will be made aware through Libraries Connected.

Ideas for activities

· Promote the accessible stock that you have – spoken work/talking books, Braille, tactile, e-book/audio/magazine collections

· Highlight ‘Novels That Shaped The World’ in alternative formats

· Feature accessible libraries, such as Calibre, Clearvision, RNIB Library – making local staff and volunteers aware of the wider provision that is available

· Run or raise awareness of an accessible book group

· Invite local ‘sight loss’ or disability groups and partner organisations to visit the library to discuss and demonstrate all that you offer/could offer

· Offer accessible or sensory activity sessions – maybe poetry, or craft or singing… using/celebrating words in different ways

· Deliver an ICT/digital session introducing people to online/e-services and/or new equipment that makes reading and information more accessible

Visit www.readingsight.org.uk for more information

Join in and engage on Twitter – @readingsight / #HiVIS2020

Mark McCree, Chair, Share The Vision

National news

• 2019 sees rapid increase in libraries dropping fines – BookSeller. “The number of libraries dropping penalty fines for the late return of books has more than quadrupled in the past year, with those that have changed their policy citing an uptick in membership as a result. Only a couple of libraries had a fines-free policy in the UK before 2018 (Rutland and Shetland), according to Public Libraries News, on top of which Trafford and Portsmouth similarly updated their policy in 2018. However in the past year, eight libraries followed suit in instigating the step-change (Halton, Kirklees, Blackpool, Bridgend, Bath and North East Somerset, Oldham, eeds and Borders) Blackburn’s Darwen  Library [sic – it’s actually Blackburn With Darwen library service – Ed.] has followed suit in 2020″

“For me it was all about making sure we were a relevant, modern and inclusive service. From working with schools and various consultations we had done over the years, we knew that fines were a deterrent for people, especially families, using our libraries… There were some worries expressed that people would take advantage and not return books, but that hasn’t happened. Our rate of non-returned books has not increased in the time since we abolished fines. “In addition, we have had many instances of people telling us they are now using the libraries because we no longer charge fines.”

Sarah Curran of Trafford Libraries

• The community asset transfer of libraries: considerations in community managed libraries taking a lease – University of Sheffield / Newcastle University. “This report covers the considerations involved in community managed libraries taking a lease with their Council. This is related to the long-term sustainability of community managed libraries. “
• Community Managed Libraries National Peer Network – (Ultimately) Lottery funded website for volunteer libraries, including presentations and other resources. Presentations include establishing a volunteer library and crowdfunding.
• Top 100 Changemakers 2020: Literacy and education – Drag Queen Story Time – Big Issue. ” Being able to walk into schools, libraries and religious festivals and do what they do and hopefully impact some of the kids so that they never have to feel how they did as a child – or the British Library, where LGBTQ authors once weren’t even allowed to be on the shelf – that means a lot.”

International news

• Australia – Next Library Brisbane: Interview with Vicki McDonald – Matt Finch. “This year, the international Next Library conference holds its satellite event at the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) in Brisbane. Information professionals and librarians from around the world are invited to Australia’s ‘Sunshine State’ to explore questions of innovation, risk, and resilience”
• Canada – New Brunswick library use rose 19 per cent in last decade – CBC. “Three big changes coincided with the increase in library use, said Daigle. Overdue fines were eliminated for children aged 12 and under, limited circulation cards were introduced for people who don’t have a permanent residence in the province, such as summer visitors, and libraries started opening on weekends.”
• Ireland – Building work on multi-million euro new Portlaoise library to start next week – Leinster Express. “The project has a budget of in excess of €5 million. The cost will be covered entirely from public funds via the council’s reserves and central Government. The 16,000 sq ft facility was designed by Portlaoise architects McCarthy O’Hora. Apart from traditional library services it will have with an exhibition area, study, IT section and a community meeting room.”
• USA – Missouri bill proposes ‘parental library review boards’ that could land librarians in jail – The Hill. “A new bill proposed in Missouri aims to prevent inappropriate sexual content from getting into the hands of kids, but critics are warning it amounts to censoring and could land public librarians in jail. The bill was introduced earlier this month by Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker (R), who has argued that the measure is meant to protect children when they visit their public libraries.”
  • A library found it was missing $8 million of its rarest items. Nearly three years later, a man on the inside admitted to selling the items to a local bookstore – CNN. “Two men have pleaded guilty to theft and receiving stolen property charges after an alleged $8 million worth of rare books, plates and maps were taken from a Pittsburgh library and sold to a rare book store owner, court documents show.”
  • How One Librarian Tried to Squash Goodnight Moon – Slate. A look back on the days when librarians could make or break a book. Sometime, not for the better.
  • OverDrive’s New Owners: What It Means – American Libraries. “… the pending business transition sets the stage for the next phase of the library digital lending environment. As library investments in digital content continue to rise and spending on print stagnates or falls, the dynamics of this sector bring high-stakes ramifications for public libraries. At this point, the takeover cannot be characterized either positively or negatively.”
  • What Happened When Denver Public Library Eliminated Overdue Fines? – 5280. ” In the past year, 35 percent of people who were impacted have returned to use library services. “We want welcoming spaces for all of Denver,” says Jennifer Hoffman, DPL’s manager of books and borrowing. “Going fine free really removed those barriers.””

“The biggest thing we’ve seen is improvement in the overall atmosphere and tone”

Jennifer Hoffman, Denver Public Libraries manager of books on borrowing on impact of removal on fines one year ago.

• Workers at Cleveland Public Library cast near-unanimous vote to authorize strike action – World Socialist Web Site. “On January 8, roughly 400 librarians, assistants and custodians at the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) cast “an overwhelming, and nearly unanimous vote” to authorize a strike, according to a statement sent out by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 1199. ” .. “. A central focus in SEIU’s statements is the proposed 1.5 percent raise for library workers—many of whom are still impacted by a five-year wage freeze implemented in 2009, failure to adequately increase staffing and concerns over library security.”

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Mobile library route review – what it will mean for you – Journal. “The route review has been designed to encourage greater use of the mobile library by focusing on areas with no community library provision and removing dangerous stops. Every fortnight, one day will be set aside for the mobile library to take part in outreach events, such as visiting schools to promote the Summer Reading Challenge or delivering a pop-up service at themed events. As a result of the new timetable, all stops will be a minimum of thirty minutes…”
  • Mobile library routes across B&NES set to change in bid to extend reach – Bath Echo.
• Bradford – Rhyme time as challenge is launched at Keighley Library – Keighley News. “… parents and their children are invited to learn five rhymes together. Those completing the challenge, which is open to under-fives, will receive a certificate from Bookstart Bear. “
  • £700,000 of public health cash to reduce pain of library cuts – Keighley News. “the authority revealed it would be moving £700,000 from its public health budget to the library service. Officers argued that libraries provided vital public health services such as preventing loneliness. “
• Cheshire West and Chester – Huge activity list to enjoy at Northwich libraries during Health and Wellbeing Week – Northwich Guardian.
• Cumbria – Libraries address food poverty in school holidays with ‘Feed and Read’ sessions – Times and Star. “When schools close for a week from February 17-21, nine Allerdale libraries are taking up Feed and Read sessions. This offers a free healthy lunch to children in libraries, whilst also giving them access to books. The scheme proved a roaring success in summer with over 900 packed lunches reaching children in Workington and Maryport. “
• Essex – Campaigners blast council for falling library book stock – Epping Forest Guardian. “Between 2007/08 and 2017/18 nearly half a million books were cut in Essex, around a third of the overall total – 1,292,431 books last year, down from 1,765,358 ten years prior. “
• Hampshire – Test Valley councillor hits out at plans to axe North Baddesley Community library – Southern Daily Echo. “Cllr Alan Dowden, who represents Valley Park on the borough council, branded the plans to chop the number of libraries across the county from 48 to 38 a “kick in the teeth”, as Hampshire County Council (HCC) aims to save £1.76m by 2021. Now the councillor has revealed he plans to put a motion forward to the county council in a bid to save North Baddesley Community Library, Willis Avenue, from being run entirely by volunteers, with no support from HCC.”
  • Authors slam ‘shameful’ Hampshire library closures – BBC.
  • Coraline author Neil Gaiman joins fellow authors in calls against library closures – Romsey Advertiser. ““Now that one in eight schools does not have a library at all, public libraries are all the more vital. And libraries are about far more than books and literacy. They are havens, refuges and gateways, the vibrant hearts of the towns and villages they serve,” the letter reads. “
  • Community library joins list of branches at risk of the axe – Advertiser and Times. Milford Library is “currently operated on limited hours by volunteers, with running costs paid by local people, aided by HCC providing books, broadband and public computers. Villagers stepped forward in 2014 after HCC ended funding for staff there.”
  • Hampshire Authors launch campaign to save libraries – Hampshire Chronicle.
• Hillingdon – Ruislip Manor library transformed in £3m borough programme – This is Local London. “The library was transformed in 12 weeks as part of a £3m two-year programme for the borough’s libraries. The new-look interior, predominantly open plan, now has distinct zones, highlighting that each area has a different use. “
• Islington – Tall Stories Theatre Company Will Open A Rehearsal and Performance Space In Central Library, Islington – Broadway World. “Tall Stories, the internationally recognised storytelling theatre company, is partnering with Islington Council to transform a currently unused section of Central Library into a storytelling hub for the company. The project will create an administrative base for the company, alongside a large studio space suitable for rehearsals and performances for an audience of up to 80. “
• Norfolk – Revealed: Why people were banned from Norfolk libraries last year – Eastern Daily Press. “In 2019, 16 people were banned from entering libraries across the county after breaking the rules … Norfolk’s list of reasons for library bans includes one person being kicked out for viewing inappropriate images and four for antisocial behaviour. Other reasons include incorrect details being provided and breaching the acceptable use agreement.”
  • UK’s only public war memorial library based in Norwich set for exciting redevelopment – Norfolk County Council. “The library, which first opened in 1963, is set to close on Monday 10 February, reopening on Monday 30 March under a new name: American Library. The transformation will bring stories of the servicemen alive for a new generation through engaging new graphics and digital displays that cover both life on the ground and in the air.”
• Northern Ireland – Shhhhhh: Fujitsu bags another £12m from Libraries NI as bosses fail to bookmark replacement – Register. “Libraries Northern Ireland – the public sector organ which, erm, runs libraries in Northern Ireland – has renewed an IT services contract with Fujitsu worth £12m after running out of time to run a tender process.”
  • Libraries Northern Ireland extends Fujitsu deal – UK Authority. “Its extension reflects the need to keep services running as LNI works out how to handle the transition of these services, and reflects the complexity of an existing arrangement that includes all the software licensing and ICT infrastructure that was developed by Fujitsu, based on the original contract agreed in 2013 and so far worth £33.6 million.”
• Northumberland – Library consultation needs you – Rambler. “A 12 week consultation to shape the future of Northumberland Library Service is underway until 16^th March 2020. Do you want your library to join the 600+ throughout the country which have been affected  variously by reduced opening hours, staff losses, farmed out to other services or volunteers, or closed down.”
• North Yorkshire – Have your say on future direction of county’s libraries – Craven Herald and Pioneer. “Since 2012, there has been a shift to partnerships with communities and volunteers in delivering library services and an expansion of the activities and facilities libraries offer, says the county council. ” … “Now, residents are being urged to take part in a consultation to agree a strategy, ‘Your library, your place’, to guide libraries into the future. “. Council says it cannot deliver its library services without current 2,000 unpaid workers.
  • Have your say on future direction of county’s libraries – North Yorkshire County Council.
  • Out-of-this-world success for reading challenge at Filey library – North Yorkshire County Council. “More than 200 children signed up to the Space Chase challenge at the library, inspired by the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. Around 85 per cent completed the challenge and received certificates and medals. Filey library was one of several to receive an award from the County Council’s library service for its hard work to ensure the challenge was a success.”
• Oxfordshire – New Oxford library finally opens at Barton – Oxford Mail. “The new Barton Community Library has been opened as part of a project between the county and city councils as well as Barton Community Association – which will run the hub and put on activities. The library, at Underhill Circus, is now part of a network of 44 libraries and home libraries in Oxfordshire. “

“We will need volunteers to help run the library and the Community Association is very supportive in this.”

Library manager Stephanie Tee on new Barton Library

• Powys – More library cuts in Powys ‘cannot be ruled out’ – Powys County Times. “Cllr Rachel Powell (Independent – Beguildy)  blamed “austerity” and “politics,” for the issues. ” … “Last year a proposal to cut £200,000 from the services in the 2019/20 budget was postponed for a year so that ideas and views from residents about future options could be collected. “
• Richmond – Richmond most prolific borough for reading after topping London library survey – Sutton and Croydon Guardian. ““Despite huge cuts in Government funding and with libraries across the country being closed to help save the public purse, we are investing in our local library network, ensuring our libraries provide a wide range of relevant services and that they remain a vital part of each local community’ “
• Staffordshire – 1,000 volunteers at 27 Staffordshire libraries are now doing £1.4 million of work for free – Stoke on Trent Live. “At Werrington community library and well-being centre, volunteers are even planning to install log cabins for ‘garden therapy’ sessions” … ” Staff numbers have also been reduced from 280 to 131 full-time equivalent posts over a decade.”