Archive for February, 2020

Editorial

Another week of, on aggregate, good news for libraries. The biggest of these is Bradford, that has gone from wanting to, basically, strip its library service to, rather, keep it all open but with more co-locations and other services coming in.

The last decade has been very much a period of co-locationing libraries with other services in order to both cut costs and maximise footfall, although this has been hidden by the darker news of other more serious cuts. Done right, these locations can be joyous things, with all partners benefitting and places abuzz. Done wrong and it’s hard to find the library in amongst the other services, with the core purpose (free, neutral, access to information, books, study space) being overwhelmed by partner services, some disturbingly commercial in nature.

Changes by local authority

• Bradford – Consultation. No library closures.
• Greenwich – Plumstead Centre Library reopens co-located with leisure centre (£16m development).
• North Tyneside – Tynemouth Library may co-locate with building society.
• Suffolk – Ipswich Library café opens.
• Thurrock – Aveley Library co-located into “community hub”

National news

• The Freckle Report 2020: An analysis of public libraries in the US, UK and Australia (Freckle library reports) – Tim Coates, £92. “This report analyses the historic performance of public library services in the US, UK and Australia. It contains a narrative of the past ten years, showing declines in use and how widely they have occurred. It looks at the performance of different library activities and of different categories of expenditure on libraries. It looks at the use of different reading formats that are available and how much they are used in public libraries compared to the wider reading public. It identifies the purpose of reading in libraries and what influences people to read their books. The report draws conclusions and makes recommendations for improvement. “
• “I’ve seen firsthand what we lose if we don’t invest in libraries” – Big Issue. “The impact of cuts to services like libraries, youth services, culture and sport spreads deep into communities and leaves lasting damage. Dr Emma Davidson has studied the fallout” … “During my research for the Leverhulme Trust on public libraries and austerity, I’ve seen firsthand all that we will lose if disinvestment in public libraries continues. So, what’s so special about a public library? Well, for starters they are a free and accessible community resource – something that is becoming ever more scarce. When working well, they can be a vibrant community hub for education, digital inclusion, workforce development, community engagement and more.”
• Making the Case For Tor Relays in Libraries – Medium. “We don’t pay by the byte, so all that time we are closed is time when library bandwidth is going to waste. So, what to do with all the extra bandwidth? If libraries believe they are public good then it should be utilized instead of being wasted. I advocate that all libraries install a Tor relay in their building.”
• New year, new culture secretary: Oliver Dowden arrives at the DCMS – Museums and Heritage Advisor.
• UK literacy campaign set for launch in city – JMU Journalism. “Liverpool Central Library has been chosen to host the launch of a national campaign to get adults reading. The Quick Reads initiative, established in 2006, enlists six popular authors each year to write an easily accessible book.”
• Saturdays in the library prepared me for Paxman – Big Issue. Bobby Seagull: “Libraries are more than just books, they represent what it means to be truly human. They contain the minds of our ancestors as well as the latest thinking of contemporary minds. We need our libraries, as they are shining beacons of knowledge, sharing and inclusive communities.”

International

• Australia – Playtime with puppies: the Australians reimagining what libraries can lend – Guardian. “Victorians can visit the Stonnington Toy Library, an organisation built and supported by the local community specifically for the entertainment of the inquisitive. Jane O’Connell, its manager, explains that the toy library serves more than 600 families, who can sign up to borrow anything from magnetic building blocks to much-cherished toys from the 1970s.”
  • How public libraries can help: bushfire recovery – Public Libraries Connect. “The ALIA team has been monitoring the situation over several weeks, reporting that libraries have been used as evacuation centres, as refuges for those avoiding smoke, as community hubs where people can access information, and as places families can gain respite. “
• Ireland – President donates 700 books across Dublin’s libraries – Belfast Telegraph. see also Atticus: President Michael D Higgins gifts book of rude poems to library – Times. “The most exciting inclusion, however, is Free Sex Chocolate, a collection of poems and songs by Julian Gough.”
• USA – American Library Association’s $2 Million Shortfall Prompts Demands for Transparency, Reform | ALA Midwinter 2020 – Library Journal. ” by far the biggest and most contentious issue dominating the latter two Council sessions was not the organization’s governance, but its finances: specifically, how and why a shortfall of approximately two million dollars in operating funds occurred; why this information had come as a surprise to councillors and other members; how the organization—and its divisions—can continue to operate without sufficient cash to cover the assets in their names on paper; why assets from the sale of the headquarters building were placed into the endowment despite the shortfall; …”
• New Zealand / Global – ‘Weed in the dead of night’: A librarian shares the secrets of book-culling – Spinoff. “Librarians, let’s stop creeping around in the dead of night, hiding discarded books in the bottom of the bin. We should trust our patrons to understand why weeding is a necessary part of maintaining a healthy collection. Library lovers, let’s agree to trust our librarians. Librarians are trained professionals working to protect, preserve, and enhance their library collections in order to best serve their communities.”

Local news by authority

• Bradford – Chance to have your say over future shape of district’s libraries service – Keighley News. “Bradford Council is seeking people’s views on how they want to see Keighley Library and others evolve in the years ahead. The council said a consultation exercise held over the past 12 months had been a huge success, with more than 3,000 responses received. But it added that the current model for libraries on its own was “not financially sustainable” in the long term. “
  • All 29 of Bradford’s libraries to remain open – but some could be in new buildings – Telegraph and Argus. “Some libraries may easily lend themselves to these uses, however for others it may be necessary to either make property alterations or consider alternative premises. “
  • Bradford libraries to remain in place after budget reprieve – Examiner Live. “All 29 library locations across Bradford are to keep their services, it has been announced.”
  • Libraries are “service – not building” says Council as consultation begins -Ilkley Gazette. “Bradford Council has started a public consultation into the future of its library service, and it says there will be no closures. However the future service in some areas of the district may look very different in the coming years. ” … “The Council says that as well as providing traditional library services, any future service should include “improving health outcomes, tackling poverty, addressing social isolation, assisting people back into employment and helping with school readiness.”
• Bromley – Deal on Libraries – Bromley Borough News. “This issue is no doubt set to rumble on for a while yet. Unite, among others, will continue to see a privately run library network as inherently dangerous, yet Bromley will point to big savings made by using GLL. The strike may have ended, but the debate certainly has not.”
  • Victory for workers in one of the ‘longest running strikes of recent times – Canary. “One of the longest all out, indefinite strikes of recent times” has come to an end. The result has been a victory for workers. This shows that, even against all the odds, an organised group of people can still win big.”
• Essex – Libraries turn a page for the 21st century – Gazette News. “After announcing there would be no closures, council leader David Finch told a meeting he was pleased the consultation had “reinvigorated” the public’s desire and love for libraries. As part of Essex 2020 – a year long, county wide celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) – the council is set to utilise this dual purpose of its libraries. “
• Greenwich – Plumstead Centre Library opens its doors today after multi-million refurbishment – News Shopper. “The Grade II listed building has undergone a 15-month refurbishment to renovate the old Plumstead Library and created a new, modernised one accompanied with a leisure centre, community rooms and a cafe. Described as a “brilliant unifying community space at the heart of Plumstead” with “fantastic new facilities,” a launch event was held to celebrate the official opening of the Plumstead Centre. “
• Hampshire – Number of users at Basingstoke’s closure-threatened libraries go up – Romsey Advertiser. “More than 120,000 people used Chineham or South Ham libraries between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019. This is up from 118,000 in 2015-16. This two per cent rise bucks a trend across the rest of the Hampshire, which saw an eight per cent decrease over four years and a 15 per cent decrease since 2017-18. Chineham saw more than 78,000 people use its library last year, making it the busiest of the ten at risk of closure and 21st in total. “
  • Campaigners make a stand against Gosport library closure threat – News. “Elson Library in Gosport held a drop-in session on Tuesday which saw dozens of residents discuss how they use the space and what a lifeline it is to this community. It comes as Hampshire County Council consults on plans to cut 10 libraries or reduce opening hours by a quarter to save money. Veronica Walker, who has lived in Elson all her life, said: ‘It’s not just about losing a library, it’s a community hub, not just for the elderly but for young and children. It would be a great loss.'”
  • Reader’s letter: ‘closing libraries is a retrograde act’ – Hampshire Chronicle. “It’s significant that the consultation (whether genuine or politically tactical) on the future of Hampshire’s library service states that the first of three options which are not being consulted on at this time is: “transfer(ring) Hampshire Libraries to a Trust Model. This is because Trust models are still in their infancy and the County Council would need to be convinced of their resilience and sustainability efore considering Trusts as a potential option.””
• Newham – Drag Queen Story Time event defended by Newham Council after Twitter attacks – Newham Recorder. “Newham Council’s Twitter account saw 1,600 messages in response to a tweet publicising the first of its Drag Queen Story Times in Canning Town Library on February 7. A majority of users attacked the plans, questioning how appropriate the event was, while a few signalled their support. Deputy Mayor and lead member for community neighbourhoods, Cllr Charlene McLean, said: “These special reading events are designed to be fun, capture the imagination of children and get them used to embracing differences in others and treating everyone as equal from an early age. “
• Northamptonshire – Earls Barton Library and Community Centre volunteers celebrate latest chapter – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “Supporters who fought for three years to save Earls Barton’s library cheered as the ribbon was cut marking the opening of the newly-refurbished centre. About 80 people raised their glasses of fizz to welcome the new era of volunteer-run provision which had been under threat after Northamptonshire County Council (NCC) budget cuts.”
• North Tyneside – Revealed: Massive scheme to transform Tynemouth’s tired library – Chronicle Live. “If the plans are approved, the building would be completely rebuilt as a modern hub that could accommodate library and financial services under one roof. The council will continue to operate the library and will partner with Newcastle Building Society to secure the creation of a community branch inside and private apartments could also be created above.”
• North Yorkshire – Malton library introduces read to dogs sessions – Minster FM. “Read2Dogs was launched at Selby library with two rescue dogs from Serbia, who act as therapy dogs with their owners. Malton library has decided to follow suit with Rosie the black Labrador, who is meeting budding readers at a taster session at 10.30am on Wednesday 19 February. “
• Oxfordshire – Banbury library part of new recycle scheme – Banbury Guardian. “Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) is to launch a new trial service to residents with a way to ensure their unwanted small electrical items can be repaired and reused, reducing what the county would otherwise send to waste.”
• Powys – Town libraries may begin to ‘feel the heat’, says councillor – County Times. “Possible cuts to library services in Powys is “a bit alarming” however it is “not a case for Llanidloes to panic,” said a local county councillor. Cllr Gareth Morgan (Liberal Democrat, Llanidloes) said at a town council meeting that other town libraries may begin to “feel the heat” from Powys County Council (PCC). He said: “I’m fairly calm about it at the moment because we are ahead of the game as far as contributing to the overheads are concerned. “
• St Helens – Residents’ views wanted on future of Gamble Building in St Helens town centre – St Helens Reporter. Central Library will move to World of Glass.
• Staffordshire – Volunteers back Staffordshire’s library service – Tamworth Informed. “A report to Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet says that more than 1,100 volunteers are giving the equivalent of £1.4m worth of time either helping in the 27 Community Managed Libraries, or in one of the 16 larger libraries still directly run by the local authority.”
• Suffolk – New coffee shop welcomes its first customers at Ipswich library – Ipswich Star. “Nikki Hulse, business development manager at Suffolk Libraries said: “We’re very excited to welcome Coffeelink to Ipswich County Library and are proud to be working with such a well-loved and ethical local business. We hope library customers will enjoy this new service and that it’ll also bring new people into the library.”
• Thurrock – Aveley Library set to reopen as part of the new Aveley Community Hub – Your Thurrock. “The hub which includes the library, a café and activities for local residents will open at 10am on Tuesday 18 February at its new home in New Maltings, High Street, Aveley, RM15 4BY after closing the doors on its Purfleet Road building for the last time on Saturday 1 February. It joins the new Aveley Community Hub which will initially open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 1pm.”
• Wiltshire – Wiltshire Police will use libraries as bases to work and speak to public – Swindon Advertiser. “Officers and staff will begin using town libraries as ‘touchdown points’ where they can engage with the public in their communities. “

Editorial

It’s good to see Arts Council England emphasising public libraries in its new strategy. As the major “extra” funder of the sector, its influence has been felt over the last decade too often in the form of promising but, ultimately, quickly forgotten one-offs and innumerable small theatre shows. Recently this has changed with longer term and larger scale funding. Whether the new focus will mean more of that or, simply, we get yet more such flashes in the pan remains to be seen.

It’s also pleasant to see Libraries Connected moving forward with new appointments. I was lucky enough to attend training at Broadcasting House on Wednesday, as part of an ACE funded partnership with the BBC. The main takeaways from me from it was in terms of social media (it’s engagements not follows that matter, Instagram is the third platform we need to get into) and that we need to, gosh, think of the target audience when promoting events. By the way, if you’re looking for good library Instagram accounts, a quick enquiry on Twitter told me that plymlibraries, Bolton_library, toonlibraries, manclib_archives, dokk1aarhus, greenwichlibs, Christchurchlib, Redbridgelibs, Eveshamlib and leedslibraries are worth a glance. And also you can’t go wrong with BookFaceFriday pictures.

Finally, possibly the longest library strike in recent times is now over, with the Unite union claiming victory in Bromley.

Changes by local authority

• Bromley – Strike ends.
• Northamptonshire – Volunteers take over Rothwell library, local academy pays lease. Volunteers take over Wollaston Library.
• Plymouth – St Budeaux new library opens.
• Portsmouth – Fines-free pilot extended after returns go up 12%.
• Solihull – Meriden Library refurbished for co-location with parish council.
• West Berkshire – Town Council reduces subsidy to Newbury Library.

National news

• Arts Council England commits to library investment boost in 10-year plan – BookSeller. “: “We believe that England’s network of public libraries provides a vital resource for the development of creativity and the promotion of culture across this country. They are the country’s most widespread and well-used cultural spaces, sitting at the heart of communities and often providing the first point of access to cultural activity. They help to build stronger, happier communities, support social prescribing, develop readers and promote digital literacy. They will be central to our delivery of this strategy, and over the next 10 years we will increase our investment in them.”
  • Arts Council England rebrands artists as ‘creative practitioners’ because people making art feel uncomfortable with the ‘non-inclusive’ label – Mail. “As part of the ten-year strategy for ‘inclusive economic growth’, there will also be more investment in libraries, as well as other more traditional places. Since 2010, public library funding has been cut by 25 per cent with almost 10 per cent closing.”
  • Arts Council England’s 10-year strategy (2020-30) in detail – The Stage.
  • Can libraries deliver culture for all? ACE’s new strategy unveiled – Arts Professional.
  • Please don’t turn our libraries into trendy arts hubs – Arts Professional. “It makes complete sense for libraries to now become a key priority for ACE. Investing in their revival can bring much-needed resources to an ecosystem that has been devalued and ignored in recent public policy. But this can’t be another culture-led regeneration mission, based on professionalised programming that leaves many alienated.” … ” Outside the professional arts sector, libraries have engendered a trust that has eluded many traditional arts venues – and this must not be lost.”
• CWA Dagger in the Library – Crime Writers Association. Your chance to nominate. “The Dagger in the Library is a prize for a body of work by a crime writer that users of libraries particularly admire. Only librarians can nominate authors for the award. It is one of the most prestigious crime writing awards in the UK …”
• Radiohead launched an online ‘public library’ with rare tracks and a printable library card – Verge. “… the clever touch emphasizes how much the Radiohead Public Library (henceforth RPL) does feel like browsing a particularly chaotic research archive. And just like a library, it can point you toward some of the band’s lesser-known work — including its debut album Drill.“
• We’re growing – Libraries Connected. “We’re delighted to announce the appointment of three new roles within the Libraries Connected team to help us to deliver these pieces of work. The new roles are all home-based, which has allowed us to attract talented people from around the country.”

International news

• Canada – Advocates stick up for libraries amid possible cuts – Chronicle Journal. “The Thunder Bay Public Library board, together with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3120 have responded to the city’s proposed cuts to the library budget, which may result in the elimination of an entire branch.  “Bad things happen when public libraries are closed,” said John Pateman, the city library’s chief executive officer and chief librarian, in a news release. Pateman says he has seen it before where “hundreds of public libraries have closed and thousands of library workers have lost their jobs” in the U.K.”

Local news by authority

• Bolton – 13 year old and TV chef among 28 Muslim named in the New Year’s Honours – Muslim News. “Greater Manchester Libraries’ Culture Lead, Subnum Hariff-Khan, from Bolton, has also picked up a BEM for her services to public libraries. Hariff-Khan has played a huge role in involving the community in the work of the region’s libraries, including campaigns to involve young people in their design and attract more volunteers. She has also devised and delivered training to Mosque teachers on the importance of creativity and leadership and was a driving force behind the UK’s first volunteer-led Islamic lending library in Bolton.”
• Bromley – Eight-month-long libraries strike ends – Arts Professional.
  • Eight-month Bromley library dispute ends with deal guaranteeing no compulsory redundancies, new posts and pay arrears – Unite the Union. “The 50 library staff, who started their strike at the borough’s 14 libraries on 6 June last year, will return to work on Wednesday (5 February). The agreement includes new staffing structures being introduced and no compulsory redundancies. Agreement has also been reached on pay progression and arrears’ payments.”
• Caerphilly – Caerphilly spent £2.8m on its libraries last year – South Wales Argus. ““Book issues (adult and children) have also fallen in 2018/19; while issues for adults are now well below the median level, performance per capita for children’s book issues is still notably high in comparison with other authorities.”
• Darlington – Fancy a challenge? Darlington Libraries launches a reading resolution scheme – Northern Echo. “From choosing a book with a red spine to one by an author you have never read before, there are a total of 48 challenges to complete on four different cards. “
• Essex – ‘We’ll keep on protesting’ – library campaigners line the streets – Braintree and Witham Times.
  • Campaigners continue to fight for the future of their library in Manningtree – Harwich and Manningtree Standard. Hundreds protest inc. local author Kate Worsley.
  • Protesters gather for prevent voluntary run libraries across Essex – Epping Forest Guardian.
• Hampshire – Save our libraries: Popley girl borrows her 1,700th library book – Basingstoke Gazette. “Olivia Brazier, a regular user of Chineham Library, this week withdrew her 1,700th library book – just weeks after the county council announced that two of Basingstoke’s three libraries were at risk of being shut down. ” … Chineham on list to be closed down.
  • Labour condemn plan to close libraries across Hampshire – Hampshire Chronicle. ” “It is an outrageous fiction worthy of a bookshelf to suggest that a country as wealthy as Britain cannot provide its local authorities with the money to run fundamental public services. These libraries are a particularly vital resource for students, pensioners and young families, not to mention those with no other access to computers or printers, essential for completing, for instance, Universal Credit applications. Their closure will leaving gaping holes in the community. “
• Havering – Vote for your favourite book with Havering libraries – Romford Recorder. “The top five nominations will be put to vote in libraries and on the Havering Library social media accounts before the winning book is celebrated with events in libraries throughout May.”
• Leeds – Don’t Put Your Finger in the Jelly author Nick Sharratt tours Leeds on city’s new Story Buses – Yorkshire Evening Post. “Leeds Libraries invited children to help name the vehicles, which will travel the city on a mission to encourage a love of books and reading from an early age.”
• Leicester – Last day to vote for your favourite book of the decade – Leicester City Council. “Voting slips will be available in libraries, and you can also send in your votes by email to booknews@leicester.gov.uk. All libraries will have displays up and a box for people to post their votes.”
• Lincolnshire – Horncastle Library still as busy after 50 years at wharf – Horncastle News. “it is still very much a community library and it is great to see it still running after 50 years at this site.”
• Liverpool – Lost treasure left crumbling for over a decade to be restored to former glory – Echo. “The Lister Drive Carnegie library in Tuebrook was forced to close in 2006 after the building became increasingly dilapidated. But now work is well under way to carefully restore the building and transform the library into a brand new community centre. “
• North Yorkshire – Library is going from strength to strength – Craven Herald. “South Craven Community Library was ‘born’ in April, 2017, when volunteers took over the day-to-day running of the Main Street, Cross Hills, premises from the county council. Last June the site won a coveted North Yorkshire Library of the Month accolade. And now it has received an award for its contribution to the 2019 children’s summer reading challenge. Figures show that 11,161 children across North Yorkshire took part in the challenge, an increase of 14 per cent on the previous year. “
• Northamptonshire – Hooray! Rothwell’s library given new lease of life as community hub – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “Rothwell Community Library Trust (RCLT) join forces with multi academy trust Creating Tomorrow to take over the running of the service and turn it onto a community hub.”
  • New chapter begins for Wollaston Library – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “If it wasn’t for the ‘friends of’ group that morphed into the fundraising thrift shop, we wouldn’t be here. All the volunteers have done a fantastic job.””
• Nottingham – What Nottingham Central Library will look like – Designing Libraries. “The library will be a network of connected spaces for meetings, collaboration and concentration, supported by multi-media resources. Split into zones to easily navigate the library, a spacious entrance area including a café leads to an extensive children’s section providing a wide array of books and spaces for story time, a play cave area for children to explore, a creative wall and a science and creativity zone.”
• Perth and Kinross – Book yourself a date with the local library – Daily Record. “Book lovers from across Perth and Kinross are being encouraged to donate their used novels to a local library. Many residents will have received a book as a Christmas present, and may already have read it and put it to the side.”
• Plymouth – New library in St Budeaux ‘is more than just books’ – Plymouth Herald. “Following the closure of the old building and the closure of libraries at Ernesettle and West Park, residents of those areas and Honicknowle are invited to use St Budeaux library as their local.” … “This new modern library build on the site of the old library offers flexible space for the wide selection of books, free computers, Wi-Fi access and a dedicated ‘something’ space. “Meeting rooms for hire and a garden and event space, and activities for all ages.”
• Portsmouth – Portsmouth libraries remain free of fines and fees for another year – The News. “book reservations have grown by 54 per cent and book returns have risen 12 per cent.” … ” ‘There’s been some really positive feedback about the removal of the reservation fees and fines.” … “‘I’ve heard stories of people coming back who had been holding on to books for years.’” … “Before the scheme the total income from library fines and reservation fees in Portsmouth was £20,000 a year. It is thought around £5,000 has now been saved due to more books being returned, meaning fewer replacements are needed. Parking permits sold in libraries also adds about £8,000 a year.”
• St Helens – St Helens Library Service launches Reading Well for Children collection – The Reporter. 3 collections plus some available via e-book.
  • Award-winning Arts in Libraries project returns to St Helens – Reporter. “Now in its 16th season, Cultural Hubs: Arts in Libraries – crowned the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded arts programme in 2016 – will run a packed programme of events between February and July, with something for everyone to enjoy.”
• Sheffield – “Abolish library fines in Sheffield” – The Star / Letters. “I have recently observed that a number of library services including many who have been hit by austerity cuts such as neighbouring Barnsley have abolished library fines in an attempt to boost library use.”
  • ‘Time is running out’ for Sheffield’s historic Central Library and Graves Gallery, says museums boss – Star.
• Solihull – Historic Solihull library to shut for up to two months for renovation work – Birmingham Live. “A village library in Solihull is to close for up to eight weeks to ensure the ageing building is sturdy enough to cope with increased use. Plans have been hatched for the first floor of the Grade II-listed Meriden Library to become the new home of the local parish council.”
• Staffordshire – Concerns that library volunteers may be asked to take on cleaning and maintenance – Express and Star. “… concerns have been raised by some councillors that the library volunteers may be asked to take on cleaning and grounds maintenance roles alongside lending books and helping visitors. As part of the future proposals for community-led libraries cleaners would not be replaced when they leave and grounds maintenance will be reviewed on an individual basis. “
• West Berkshire – Newbury Town Council to cut contribution to library service – Newbury Today. “Town Council has voted in favour of halving the amount it pays to West Berkshire Council towards the cost of running the library service – saying the money could be better spent elsewhere. For the past three years, the town council has been making an annual contribution of £31,250.”
• West Sussex – Crawley’s libraries to close for whole day as IT systems are upgraded – Crawley News 24.