Libraries Connected calls for all public libraries to close

Please note a list of UK public library responses to the emergency can be found here.

Editorial

In a statement that would be have been undreamt of mere days ago, Libraries Connected is calling on the British Government to close all public libraries. The statement reads in part that “in light of the recent escalation of the COVID-19 crisis and the latest government advice, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that library buildings should close to protect communities and staff from infection” and point out that as well as the users “it is equally important that library staff are safeguarded during this period.”. The organisation is now working hard to work out ways to improve remote library services.

Eleswhere, the lack of clear guidance from Government has led to a wide range of responses, from immediate closure to waiving fines to ending events. Closures are ultimately the decision of individual councils, not chief librarians. However, up and down the country, senior library managers are having to make decisions for their service because the Government has avoided doing so. They should all be supported as it is the most difficult time in their careers, as well as ours.

More positively, there seems to be a serious effort to promote and improve the digital options that libraries provide, varying from video’d storytimes to buying more e-books. There are also moves by digital suppliers, although currently largely in the USA, to improve their offers.

Library changes noted before posting

• Barnet – Childs Hill opening reduced.
• Bristol – All events suspended.
• Cheshire West and Chester – Storyhouse closed from 17 March.
• Cornwall – All scheduled events cancelled.
• Darlington – All libraries closed from 17 March due to volunteers cancelling.
• Derbyshire – Chaddesdon Library closed.
• East Sussex – Old Town volunteer and Pevensey volunteer libraries from 20 March.
• Edinburgh – All library events cancelled.
• Fife – Library events cancelled.
• Greenwich – All child and adult activities cancelled.
• Hammersmith and Fulham – All events cancelled.
• Hampshire – Some libraries closed due to staff shortages.
• Herefordshire – Fines suspended, increase in loan numbers and terms.
• Havering – Suspending late fees.
• Kent – Teynham Library closed due to staff shortage.
• Kirklees – Kirkheaton Library from 18 March.
• Leeds – All events cancelled.
• Lewisham – Downham and Lewisham libraries closed, plus eight volunteer libraries.
• Manchester – Eased online
• National Library of Scotland – Closed from end 18 March.
• Reading – All libraries closed form 17 March. Loans extended and associated fines removed.
• Shetland – Library and mobile closed.
• Shropshire – Loans extended, fines cancelled.
• Stirling – All libraries closed.
• West Sussex – All libraries closed from 17 March.
• Situation in New Zealand.
• Australia – State Library of South Australia face-to-face services closed.
• USA – ALA calls for all libraries to close.
• USA – With COVID-19, Library Staff Should Not Be Required to Report to Work – BookRiot.

Ideas

• Extend loan and renewals – Malta Libraries.
• Purchase more ebooks and allow remote joining – Manchester.
• Livestreaming storytime – Kingston Libraries.
• Facebook book groups – Bristol.

Coronavirus

• Arts Council England announces coronavirus crisis plan to compensate out-of-pocket artists and institutions – Art Newspaper. “The national arts-funding body will refocus some grant programmes to help individual artists and freelancers withstand lost earnings”
• How to Combat COVID-19 Related Misinformation – EveryLibrary.
• Laureate’s Library Tour – Simon Armitage. Cancelled for now. Letter ends with a sad face and the word “sorry”.

Totally agree. I was chatting to a librarian who said people are currently going to the library in increased numbers saying they’re “sent home from work”. No one is going to confuse closing libraries to prevent infection spreading with closing libraries permanently.

— Dawn Finch has sore hands. (@dawnafinch) March 17, 2020

• Statement on COVID-19 and public libraries – Libraries Connected. “…in light of the recent escalation of the COVID-19 crisis and the latest government advice, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that library buildings should close to protect communities and staff from infection. We are calling on government to make a clear decision about closing libraries, along with other public buildings.”

Some good news!

Don’t have a Manchester Libraries card but want to borrow our ebooks?

You can now sign up to borrowbox without needing to visit the library – just register on the link below and use the number you are given when opening up their site.https://t.co/Y06faUS2U1 pic.twitter.com/oxJirpV8lq

— Manchester Libraries (@MancLibraries) March 17, 2020

• East Sussex – Coronavirus forces Eastbourne libraries to close – but ‘phone befriending service’ is set up – Eatsbourne Herald. “Old Town and Pevensey community libraries will close on Friday (March 20) for four weeks due to the pandemic. A spokesperson for the libraries said in a statement, “We all fought hard to reopen our libraries so have not taken this decision lightly, however we want to protect our volunteers and service users, many of whom are in the ‘at risk’ category.”

National news

• Foyles launches first library in retirement home – BookSeller. “Curated by Foyles, the library offers a number of sections covering biographies, novels, classics, gardening, travel, sports and children’s books for the homeowners’ children with more than 750 books. The library will be updated according to the interested of residents, with Foyles’ Barbara Berezowska, Helen Vines & Hannah Hallard, continually curating the offer. New books can be ordered from Foyles via the Landsby’s concierge.”
• Fun Palaces – Registration for October now open.
• Introduction to Scenario Planning – CILIP. Online registration for tomorrow (Wednesday) 12.30. Could be very relevant at the moment. The presenter, Matt Finch, also does online video coaching and facilitation.
• Librarians from across North Wales are encouraging the public to read something different with their ‘Fantastic! Happier Together’ challenge – The Leader. “As part of their ‘Fantastic! Happier Together With North Wales Libraries’, each month throughout the year, will see four of the 36 specially chosen books (two English language and two Welsh language) will be revealed, creating a calendar of captivating and uplifting reads. ” Coronavirus forces Eastbourne libraries to close – but ‘phone befriending service’ is set up – Eastbourne Herald.
• Library Management Systems Showcase – Now online only.

Local news by authority

• Cheshire West and Chester – Malpas Library to benefit from improvement works – So Cheshire. “Malpas Library will be closed temporarily for two weeks over the Easter holidays to improve the layout of the library and school reception area.”
• Essex – Colchester Library loses 19,000 books in just four years – Clacton Gazette. “Data released by Essex County Council shows between 2016/17 and February 2020 Colchester library’s book stock went from 111,494 to 92,190. It equates to a reduction of 19,304 books. Last year, Essex County Council backtracked on its plan to close 25 of the county’s libraries after a fierce backlash from campaigners. “
• Hampshire – 20,000 voice views on Hampshire libraries closure plan – News. “‘This has been a robust process, encouraging views from the widest possible range of people – as seen from the strong public response to the consultation.’ The county council is looking to save £80m by April 2021. Its consultation closes on Wednesday, March 18. A decision will then be taken in summer.”
  • MP piles on pressure to stop councillor from closing Odiham library – Basingstoke Gazette. “Schoolchildren have presented a petition to stop their library closing to the councillor making the decision. Youngsters Nina and Robert handed over their campaign on behalf of pupils at Buryfields Infant School and Mayhill Junior School. “
• Hillingdon – Top Trumps-style cards are key to Summer Reading Challenge – This is Local London. “The cards, the council’s answer to Top Trumps, feature animal characters and are a hugely popular reward for borrowing books. Each year, libraries give away thousands of these unique collectible items to children as part of the initiative. The Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep children reading throughout the school summer holidays and will start on Saturday, July 11. The theme for 2020 is Silly Squad, a celebration of funny books.”