Cummings controversy and good news

Editorial

CILIP has got in trouble over the last few days due to an article it published on Dominic Cummings and his views on libraries. To be honest, I did not really take much note of it myself other than thinking it was a quite interesting piece on the viewpoint of a very important advisor. But, wow, Library Twitter took a different view, with even what I consider moderates laying in to the professional association for the piece, and several saying they will cease their membership because of it. See the links below and make up your own mind.

I do completely like the joint CILIP and Big Issue campaign to help public libraries, though, and I don’t see any one else out there who could feasibly have done it. Other than that, it’s been another good week for libraries, with Bradford reducing its proposed cuts even further by spending £200k on putting its shelves on wheels and Edinburgh getting rid of a £300k cut.

Changes by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Consultation.
• Bradford – £200k for moveable shelves.
• Camden – Kentish Town refurbished (study space, partitioning children’s library etc).
• Edinburgh – Proposed £300k cut dropped. £1million cut stays for 2022/3 expected be due to co-location, not move to staffless libraries as first planned.
• North Somerset – Consultation.
• Staffordshire – Financial support for volunteer libraries to continue. Staffless pilot at Stafford Library.

National news

• Bobby Seagull is taking a petition fighting for library funding to Number 10 – Big Issue. “The Libraries Champion is working with CILIP and The Big Issue to return library funding to 2010 levels – and the petition has already attracted more than 1,000 signatures in just two days”
• “Do People Even Go To Libraries Any More?” – The Public (Film Review) – Vulturehound. “There’s talk about “Johnny Steinbeck” being staff member Jena Malone’s “tenth grade crush” and a clueless patron querying why she can’t find a “life-size globe of the Earth” to study. Estevez’s script is at its strongest in these scenes, sketching a sort of mundane stupidity that brings the laughs in a cosy way.”
• Dominic Cummings: Libraries are “desperately needed” – CILIP. “… special adviser, Dominic Cummings, has no such conditions attached to his support for libraries. He sees them as fundamental to the survival of the country – as one of the few things that should permanently survive in institutions that manage complexity, government departments in particular. “
  • CILIP response to discussion surrounding Dominic Cummings article – CILIP. “In this instance, we considered the article, its tone and approach very critically and carefully prior to publication. Nothing in the article – including the fact of its publication – endorses Cummings or his views, or the Government’s policy on libraries.”
• End library austerity – secure revenue funding for public libraries in the Chancellor’s Budget – Libraries Deliver. “CILIP and The Big Issue call on the Secretaries of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Communities, Housing and Local Government (MCHLG) to bring an end to 10 years of library austerity and to work together to invest in the future of our towns and communities by reinstating revenue funding for libraries to its pre-austerity level in the forthcoming Budget.” 4155 signatures at time of accessing on Sunday 23 February 9.25am.
• How ebooks and libraries help bring people together – Big Issue. Pro ebook article by ebook provider Overdrive.
• Make Google work for you – Koios UK Library Webinar. “In this 45-minute webinar, Trey from Koios will explain the basics of how your library can qualify for up to £7,500 a month worth of free online advertising from Google.”. Includes 50% discount on how to apply.
• Picture books on prescription – Guardian. “Rosen’s book depicts his grief at the death of his son Eddie from meningitis at the age of 18. “These books will start conversations with children about how they’re feeling and show them that others have felt the same way,” he says. “Public libraries have long been places where people have sought answers and comfort; this scheme combines the safe space of the library with inspiring children and families to read for pleasure and wellbeing.””
• S&S strikes partnership with Library Link – BookSeller. “Library Link is a dedicated resource for public libraries and librarians, enabling them to communicate directly with Simon & Schuster’s fiction editorial team about books, authors and events. The service will include suggestions about how best to serve and engage libraries’ local communities, a monthly newsletter and dedicated Twitter feed.”

International news

• Canada – Staffless Libraries cloud “I’m Library People Day” – Newswire. “t is hypocritical of Mayor Tory to claim he is an advocate of TPL. In reality, he is working hard to get rid of “Library People,” by creating libraries with no staff, no programs, no people to guide, support, and safeguard the wonderful patrons who rely on our service,” says Brendan Haley, President of the Toronto Public Library Workers Union (TPLWU). “
• South Korea – Coronavirus shock: South Korean ‘super-spreader’ infects near 40 in church service horror – Express. Public libraries shut to stem outbreak.
• USA – Adult Film Shot At Santa Monica Public Library During Business Hours Sparks Outrage – CBS. Porn film shot in library without consent.
  • Patrons at Maine’s rural libraries still look for books the old-fashioned way – Homestead. “25 of Maine’s 265 public libraries have not automated their collections and still rely on card catalogues. “

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Consultation on future Aberdeenshire library services continues – Buchan Observer. “An online survey seeking views on future library provision runs until the end of the month and has already attracted more than 5,000 responses.”
• Bradford – Parks, libraries and lowest paid Council staff to get boost in 2020/21 budget – Telegraph and Argus. “In yesterday’s announcements it was revealed that a further £200,000 would be invested in the library service this year to purchase “flexible shelving facilities.” “
• Camden – Kentish Town Library reopens its doors after transformation – Camden Council. “The upgrades to Kentish Town Library are part of the Council’s £1.5m investment to ensure Camden’s libraries continue to thrive in the future. The refurbishment will also offer more space to enable community groups to work together following the success of the Think and Do community space for climate and eco action.”
• Cornwall – Climate Change section added to Cornwall’s Library collection -Cornish Times. “From the weighty report published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the publication that in 2018 highlighted how we have ’12 years to act’ to prevent runaway climate effects) to new bestsellers such as Wilding by Isabella Tree, describing her family’s project to renew the eco-system on their farm in Sussex, there are currently 150 titles in the collection.”
• Derbyshire – Poet Laureate to visit Belper’s new library – Belper News. “Simon Armitage, 56, who is professor of poetry at Leeds University, will visit the library on Derwent Street in a ticket-only event on Monday, March 16 (2.30 pm to 4 pm). The library, which will replace the current one on Bridge Street, is set to officially open later in the year. It is part of a wider development by Derbyshire County Council that will also include a new care centre for older people, the Ada Belfield Centre, next door.”
• Edinburgh – Edinburgh council budget agreed as plans to cut library opening hours dropped – Edinburgh Evening News. “The SNP-Labour administration had proposed to close libraries on Saturday afternoons, which would have meant job losses, saving £300,000. But ahead of yesterday’s full council meeting to pass the budget, the coalition decided to use £300,000 of unallocated money to maintain the existing opening hours.”
• Essex – Basildon libraries get 700 new books with £5k fund boost – Echo. Basildon District Council give £5k for library books.
• Essex libraries’ book numbers drop by 470,000 over 10 years – BBC. “The number of books in Essex declined from 1.76 million to 1.29 million between 2007-08 and 2017-18 – a drop of 27%. Save Our Libraries Essex, which obtained the statistics, said Essex County Council was “setting the library service up to fail”. The council said the book stock was updated in response to demand.”
• Flintshire – Aura Libraries celebrate the Big Welsh Rhyme Time – Leader Live. “an annual celebration of songs and rhymes for children aged 0-5 across Wales, organised by Book Trust Cymru. “
• Hampshire – Campaign launched by Alan Mak MP and Emsworth councillors to keep Emsworth Library open – The News. “Residents are being urged by Havant MP Alan Mak and their local councillors to sign up for a campaign to stop Emsworth Library being closed under the current Hampshire County Council consultation.”
  • Chineham library may escape closure – as council face choice between elderly care and library hours – Basingstoke Gazette. “We spend £1 million per day looking after our older residents in adult social care. If you say to somebody where would you put your priority – would it be say knocking an hour off the library or getting your grandmother out of bed in the morning so she can live a normal life, where would you choose? “
• Lincolnshire – Share your memories and photographs of area at reminiscence roadshows – Grimsby Telegraph. Lottery funding includes creative writing.
  • Grantham Library team leader reveals what it’s like to be a librarian in 2020 – Grantham Journal. Behind partial paywall.
• Manchester – Crumpsall’s new state-of-the-art library and leisure centre to cost £20m – Manchester Evening News. “Abraham Moss will be the last of the city’s leisure centres to be upgraded as part of a ‘major transformation’ strategy. First built in 1973, the existing building will be knocked down to make way for the new complex after it was found to be outdated when compared to other facilities. The new site will boast a sports hall, six-lane swimming pool, learner pool, steam room and sauna, two squash courts, a gym, dance studio and changing rooms. A temporary sports hall and library will be built while work, which is expected to take 18 months, is being carried out.”
• Midlothian – Free sanitary products rolled out to all Midlothian public buildings including libraries – Edinburgh Live. “Funded by the Scottish Government, the sanitary products will now also be available in 12 council buildings.”

“We are delighted that Simon Armitage has agreed to include Abington in his library tour this year. It is a real coup for our library to have been selected and we will be using the occasion as a ‘thank you’ event to our loyal supporters and helpers who have come along to meetings, coffee mornings and other events and encouraged us to keep going during the very uncertain period since autumn 2017 when Northamptonshire County Council first announced its major library review plans and indicated that Abington Library was at risk of closure. We are now in the process of transferring to being a volunteer-run community library in partnership with Abington Community Centre. There is a clear need for this much-loved local library to continue to serve people of all ages in Abington and the surrounding neighbourhoods and to have recognition of our library by this well known literary figure is a real boost for us.”

Northamptonshire – Jan Anderson, Chair of the Friends of Abington Library (Quote received via email)

• North Somerset – Have your say on future of sports centres, libraries and other public services – North Somerset Times. “he Your Neighbourhood consultation will look at libraries, leisure and sports centres, street cleansing, parks and open spaces and garden waste. “
• St Helens – Digital exhibition to showcase past and present St Helens – The Reporter. ACE funded local VR film.
• Sandwell – Love of library led to medal: What it’s like to be a librarian – Express and Star. “It’s about making friends and making the community stronger. We’re here for the community and we make sure we provide what the community wants and needs,” said Julie McKirdy, who has been working in libraries for more than 40 years.”
• Sheffield – Save Sheffield Libraries – Sheffield Council petitions webpage. “We the undersigned petition the council to – Abolish volunteer libraries, bring back all 28 City Libraries back under the management of Sheffield Libraries and run them with council library staff. – Immediately implement the funding allocated to central library for essential repairs. – Abolish library fines. – Study options to apply for external funding to renovate and in the cases of the last two reopen and re-staff Central, Tinsley Carnegie and Walkley Libraries.”
• Staffordshire – County Council reveal its five-year plan for libraries – Tamworth Informed. “A report on the service’s successes and development between now and 2025 says there no plans to create more Community Managed Libraries, but support will continue for the existing 27, whose five-year leases begin to come up for renewal from 2021.” … “Other plans include asking the community libraries to reclaim 80 per cent business rate relief if they are eligible to do so and the scheduled introduction of a self-service pilot outside core hours at Stafford library.”
• Suffolk – See this inspiring artwork from young Suffolk artists tackling sustainability – Ipswich Star. ACE funded. “The exhibition is being held in the Ipswich Library and is a collaboration between the college and the Suffolk Libraries arts programme Building Libraries on Creativity (BLOC).
• West Berkshire – Library ‘closed until further notice’ after Storm Dennis damages building – Newbury Today. “West Berks Libraries tweeted earlier today (Monday): “Due to the heavy rain at the weekend #Theale Library is closed for repair until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.””
• Windsor and Maidenhead – Clowning around at circus skills workshop at Maidenhead Library – Maidenhead Advertiser. Charity and Friends funded.
• Wirral – Birkenhead shopping centre throws focus on early reading – Wirral Globe. BookStart bags being given out.