Petition damp squib, Devon theft and an inspired funny name

Editorial

The CILIP/Big Issue petition to boost public libraries prior to Budget Day barely managed seven thousand signatures, far fewer than the membership just of CILIP itself. There are several reasons for this including there being no huge coverage of it and, connected to this, no actual energising major crises at the moment outside of Essex, Hampshire and arguably Bradford. The petition also came at a hopefully short-term low point for the organisation with anger at the Cummings article leading to sour grapes and apathy at least on Twitter. But, still, getting that few a number has to hurt and is likely to send completely the wrong message – so get signing it to make it look less embarrassing, you only have until 11 March.

The story of Libraries Unlimited having £38,000 stolen from them by their own finance manager made the news this week. It looks like she was relatively quickly caught but the theft may raise some eyebrows about the dangers inherent in a small charity – for such LU is – running a library service. However, such thefts are of course common in councils, human nature being what it is and it’s common to see larger amounts stolen over longer periods there. So LU gets a pass on this. But there are only three library trusts and with one already hit – well – losing one may well be regarded as a misfortune, to lose two …. we’ll see.

Finally, two good news stories. World Book Day is a lovely annual event for libraries and there will be tons of pro-book things going on nationally, including in many libraries. But the story that pleases me most is the naming of mobile libraries in Lancashire. Not because it’s (excuse me) novel – Orkney got there years ago – but because the names are so amusing. Whoever came up with “The Hardbacks of Notre Van”, for instance, deserves some sort of honour. Perhaps we should start a petition.

Changes by local authority

• Angus – Cuts expected (Angus Alive trust £458k cut).
• Blackpool – 9% increase in new members since going fine-free: 5k new members expected in first year at cost of £6k.
• Devon – £38 stolen from Libraries Unlimited by finance manager.
• Lancashire – £800k on new mobile libraries with names like “Chitty Chitty Book Book” and “The Hardbacks of Notre Van”.
• Stockton on Tees – Central Library may be co-located to save money.
• West Lothian – £80k cuts (opening hours) on top of £50k reduced staffing.
• Western Isles – Cuts expected.
• Wokingham – £720k new Twyford Library.

National news

• Book lovers across Wales set to celebrate World Book Day 2020 – Wales 247. “The Books Council of Wales is inviting schools, bookshops, colleges, libraries, businesses and households to join the largest annual celebration of books and reading in the United Kingdom and Ireland, by taking part in activities and events across Wales and by simply sharing in the pleasure of reading.”
• Libraries play crucial role in communities – Guardian / Letters. “… surely councils should not have to raid other parts of their budget to stop library closures, however “lateral thinking” this might be. In The Case for Support, we called for funding for libraries to be restored to pre-austerity levels, and we are delighted that Libraries Deliver is orchestrating an End Libraries Austerity petition to be delivered to No 10 later this month – we urge people to visit the Libraries Deliver website and add their names.”
• Library crusader Bobby Seagull deliver funding demands to Downing Street – Big Issue. “Bobby Seagull led the way to 10 Downing Street with the library-saving petition signed by more than 7,000 people – and it’s still open”
• Meet Northern writers at libraries in Read Regional campaign – North Yorkshire Council. “Founded by New Writing North in 2008, the campaign is funded by Arts Council England and is produced in partnership by New Writing North, North Yorkshire County Council and 21 other library authorities.”
• Mhairi Black’s drag queen stunt has backfired spectacularly – Spectator. “In the hands of ideologically-inspired teachers and librarians, nothing is off limits in the drive to shock children out of their heteronormative assumptions. “
• Scottish Government pledges £100,000 to new memory group project – Press and Journal. “The Scottish Government has announced a £100,000 award from the public library improvement fund for the creation of “memory groups”. Its is the largest grant the improvement fund has ever paid out and the first time library services have collaborated on a single venture. With an emphasis on social history, the idea behind the innovative wellbeing project is that group members will stir up conversation and build a stronger sense of community.”
• Scottish library cuts: six councils to make savings – Herald. “Edinburgh’s savings plan of more than £300,000 is up in the air as councillors this week dropped plans to cut library opening hours and are to reconsider their long-term plans for staffless libraries. ” … “West Lothian Council plans to reduce hours at libraries from April in a savings package of £130,000. The changes to opening hours will save the council £50,000 by reducing staffing. ” … “A shake-up of Angus Alive, which runs the region’s libraries, is expected to make a £458,000 saving. It is said to have led to the departure of senior figures already.” … “Inverclyde’s £246,000 package of planned savings for next year includes cutting library headquarters support, and removing evening opening of all branch libraries. ” … “Western Isles is the other local authority looking to save on libraries. “

International news

• Denmark/Global – 5 things that will affect The Public Library towards 2030 – Christian Lauersen. Co-locations, meeting places, collections still core, need to measure things not on footfall and issues, need national development.
• Iran – Recreation and Leisure time in Iranian Public Libraries – IFLA.
• Ireland – Libraries: Remarkable places we should cherish – Irish Times. “Less than 20% of Irish people describe themselves as regular users ” … “By almost every single measure we can think of, Irish libraries are remarkable places and something we should cherish and support in every convievable sense.”
• USA – Legislator proposes library oversight panels to prevent drag queen story time events – Jackson Sun. Christian zealots hiding reduction of freedom and increasing bigotry under veil of local choice.
  • Playbrary: A new vision of the neighborhood library – Brookings. ” Across projects, the scientific evidence is mounting: Meeting families in their communities and changing everyday spaces like libraries, bus stops, and supermarkets into learning zones impacts all who visit these spaces. By inviting conversation and playful interaction, “playbraries” transform the “shhhhs” of children’s libraries into vibrant neighborhood hubs infused with the science of learning frequented by an engaged community.”
  • Tibetan New Yorkers Claim Queens Library Exhibit About Tibet Is Chinese Propaganda – Gothamist. “The photo exhibit at the Elmhurst Library is part of an ongoing series called “China Today” organized by an affiliate of the Chinese consulate. The current display, which was installed near the circulation desk on Saturday, shows portraits of everyday Tibetans and sites, including a refurbished monastery and children in a classroom.”

Local news by authority

• Bracknell Forest – Bracknell Forest Libraries host fun activities around World Book Day – Bracknell News.
• Blackpool – Scrapping fines has boosted Blackpool’s libraries – Gazette. “Since the charges were abolished in April last year, there has been a nine per cent increase in the number of people joining libraries. The service is hoping to notch up 5,000 new members by the end of March this year. It is proposed to continue the policy, which was introduced to encourage more people to use the town’s eight libraries, for the next financial year. The loss of income of around £6,000 per year has been covered by the general council budget.”
• Bradford – World Book Day to be celebrated at Silsden Library – Keighley News.
• Devon – Devon finance manager admits £47k charity fraud – BBC. “After moving to Libraries Unlimited, she stole increasing sums of money including £4,688 in January 2019, £12,178 on 11 March and a final sum of £26,659 on 25 March.”
• Durham – Sale of library books at Durham Town Hall – Northern Echo. Withdrawn books.
• Edinburgh – Edinburgh Central Library praised after handing out free sanitary products – Edinburgh Live. “Central Library on George IV Bridge in Edinburgh has partnered with Hey Girls in a bid to end period poverty, earning praise online after they posted a photo showing a display stacked with free tampons and pads on Facebook.”
• Essex – Show of love for beloved Walton Library and staff – Clacton and Frinton Gazette. “The Hands Off Walton Library campaign group was launched after Essex County Council unveiled controversial plans last year to close 25 libraries across the county, while 19 could have been staffed by community groups. “
• Hampshire – Campaigners gather petition to save Blackfield library from cuts – Advertiser and Times. “More than 260 people have signed a petition launched by campaigners hoping to save Blackfield library from closure.”
• Lancashire – Chitty Chitty Book Book – Lancashire mobile library vans get wacky new names – Lancashire Post. “… the book-borrowing public showed their love of a pun when it came to totting up more than 2,000 votes for the winning names. The first three of six new mobile libraries will be called The Borrowers, Chitty Chitty Book Book and the Hardbacks of Notre Van.” … “We’ve invested over £800,000 in these new vehicles which clearly demonstrates our commitment to this service. “
• North Tyneside – Temporary library facilities for Tynemouth – News Guardian. “If plans are approved, the building would be completely rebuilt as a modern hub for the community that could accommodate library and financial services under one roof.”
• North Yorkshire – New Reading Well scheme supports children’s health and wellbeing – Gazette Herald. 16 collections. Library books offer support for South Craven children – Keighley News.
  • Consultation On Future Of North Yorkshire Libraries – Yorkshire Coast Radio. “The new strategy recognises the changes of the past decade and has been developed with partners, volunteers and other stakeholders. It demonstrates the council’s commitment to continue investing in libraries as a community resource able to support its ambitions for North Yorkshire”
  • Young reading volunteers celebrate awards shortlist success – Harrogate News. “The Hacks have also created their own activities, including two successful Lego events enjoyed by more than 50 children. They created a children’s writing competition and overhauled the library shop. This month, they helped to run a day of Harry Potter activities at the library.”
  • Author Sarah Coyle in library visit for World Book Day – Gazette Herald.
• Portsmouth – Hopes that Portsmouth libraries could become ‘welcoming’ community hubs as Southsea site is praised – News. “The work of the ‘modern’ Southsea Library in Palmerston Road was praised by members of the public during a culture scrutiny panel where politicians resolved to use it as a benchmark to enhance less popular sites.”
• Salford – Discover how turning the leaf of a book can boost your health and wellbeing – In Your Area. Book recommendations.
• Stockton – Plans unveiled for Stockton town centre after “massive response” to public consultation – Stockton on Tees Borough Council. “The Council is also proposing to build a new central library, customer service centre and council office on the site, kick-starting its regeneration and saving money as part of plans to consolidate its 10 existing council offices into two.”
• Warrington – LiveWire nominated at the double in Community Leisure UK Awards – Warrington Worldwide. “… redeveloped Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub and Stockton Heath Library operated by LiveWire have both been nominated for top industry awards. The two facilities, which LiveWire operate on behalf of Warrington Borough Council, are nominated in the ‘Capital Investment’ category at the 2020 Community Leisure UK Awards.” … “Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub was last month named the first public building in the world to receive the University of Stirling’s Gold Award for Dementia Design”
  • Library exhibitions to raise awareness of LGBT communities – Warrington Guardian. “The exhibitions have been organised as part of a partnership between LiveWire’s community librarians team, Body Positive, a Cheshire-based sexual health charity, and Silver Rainbows, a social network for older LGBT people in the area.”
• West Sussex – March is Wellbeing Month at West Sussex Libraries – District Post.
  • Mid Sussex Reading Challenge 2020 launches – Mid Sussex Times. “People are invited to read 12 books in 2020 following a different theme each month including a banned book, a book under 200 pages long and a prize winning book.”
  • Award nominated author to talk running and swimming at Burgess Hill library – Mid Sussex Times. Alexandra Heminsley.
• Wokingham – Council approves £720,000 for development of new Twyford Library – Maidenhead Advertiser. Behind paywall.
• Worcestershire – Schools, street lights and libraries in Worcestershire to be powered by ‘green energy’ – Droitwich Standard. “The green electricity will be purchased through West Mercia Energy which uses renewable energy sources.”