Being thankful for having to wait until 4 July

Editorial

The governmental advice on responding to Coronavirus is changing rapidly, as is to some extent the scientific evidence and – certainly – my understanding of what is going on. Much of the science I have seen lately – contrary to what I was seeing at the start – says that, while the virus can stay on surfaces for a long time, the chances of actually being infected by it is far smaller than that caused by airborne/human contact. This is good news for those of us working out how to quarantine returned books as it’s interesting to note that several foreign libraries – including from tomorrow the not-so-foreign Isle of Man – won’t be quarantining books at all.

They may be taking a big chance with this but not as big as those in England would be if we had to be open. The Isle of Man for example hasn’t had a new case in ten days and no Western European country comes close to the current British infection/death figures. While looking at the pictures of people happily mingling on British beaches this weekend (damn you Cummings and Johnson) and hearing stories of crowded shops not far away from where I live, it’s clear that there’s a danger this thing is not over yet. Hopefully, by the time English libraries are allowed to reopen on 4 July, the figures will have gone down enough for us to be far more confident than we would be if were reopening this week. On the other, far more pessimistic hand, if a second wave does result from the (what would be in this scenario) the reckless premature reopening of the country, then libraries will hopefully be able to take that into account.

Either way, English libraries should see the next month as a gift. As a chance to make sure that their procedures are robust, that frontline staff are consulted (for it is they who will risk their lives) and that there are well-planned options for the various infection scenarios. After all, it is an option that our schools, to their horror, have not had. Let’s be grateful. And make sure we get it right.

National news

• First Ambassadors Announced for 2020 Summer Reading Challenge – Reading Agency. “Jacqueline Wilson, Paul O’Grady, Cressida Cowell, Charlie Condou, Philip Ardagh, David Baddiel, Rob Biddulph, Sam and Mark, Hacker T Dog, Ben Fogle, Joseph Coehlo, Katie Thistleton, Harry Baker and Konnie Huq confirmed to support Summer Reading Challenge 2020.” … “he launch will feature special super silly readings, family activities and draw-a-longs from guest celebrities and authors. Over the summer, libraries will continue to run the Challenge in partnership with The Reading Agency, delivering it via virtual services and e-lending platforms, and adapting their delivery if social distancing measures develop and change.”
• Libraries Hub – Libraries Week. 5-10 October. “Library staff can register now to take part in Libraries Week 2020 and follow @librariesweek to keep informed about this year’s campaign. Follow the links below to discover posters, editable templates and social media graphics in five eye-catching designs, available in English and Welsh.”

This time tomorrow (7pm UK time) we'll be running our next #uklibchat on library services after lockdown. There's still time to take a look at the agenda and add your own ideas: https://t.co/lLquvxeygZ

Until then, enjoy the nice weather but most importantly – stay safe! pic.twitter.com/6WRVul13p7

— #uklibchat (@uklibchat) May 31, 2020

• Libraries of Sanctuary – “Following on from earlier work, such as Welcome To Your Library, public libraries are now working with City of Sanctuary to develop their provision. Thimblemill Library has been recognised as the UK’s first Library of Sanctuary, and we are now building on this experience to support other libraries that also want to become Libraries of Sanctuary. Our resource pack has been produced to support public libraries in this process. It includes detailed information on how a library can meet the requirements to learn about offering sanctuary, embed this learning in their institution, and to share their learning and opportunities with the wider community.”
• When will libraries open? The latest UK lockdown news on public libraries reopening – and how new rules could work – I. Useful summary of the current situation.

International news

• Canada – Quebec’s museums, libraries and drive-ins can reopen May 29 – CBC. “Libraries across the province will also operate differently when they reopen. The public will only be permitted to access a designated area around service counters, and will not be able to browse the library’s book aisles. Visitors will also not be able to use library computers. The CNESST recommends, if possible, that returned books are not touched for 24 hours.”
  • Covid-19: Vancouver libraries getting ready to safely reopen to the public, gradually – Vancouver Sun. “De Castell said it will likely be weeks before people will be allowed inside and she doesn’t foresee any return to in-person services until fall. Any activities normally held at libraries will be the last service to be brought back, maybe not until after a vaccine is available.”
• Denmark – Official guidelines for reopening of the Danish libraries – Christian Lauersen. “The guidelines should be seen in context of the general situation in Denmark which is, that the country is reopening rapidly these days; libraries, museums, schools, institutions of education and research, bars, restaurants and a lot of other institutions are opening up again.” No quarantine of books.

• “The directors of Utrecht, Cologne, and Aarhus public libraries, share their experiences of re-opening their library services under different constraints and regulations prompted by questions from Storyhouse in Chester and Manchester public libraries as the UK anticipates opening their libraries”
• Finland – Covid-19 and Finnish public libraries – Libraries.Fi. “on 4 May the government allowed all public libraries to restart their lending services immediately. The decision allowed libraries to offer limited services whilst the library premises remain largely closed until 1 June.” … “Turku City Library started daily morning coffee sessions on Instagram Live from the very first closure day.” … “Helsinki City Library started streaming regular literature programmes with guest authors as of 20 March.” … “An agreement between the Finnish Consortium of Public Libraries and the publishers’ association was reached on 22 April. This allowed all public libraries to produce videos containing copyrighted literature and images for periods of two months”. Initially, “all seating and tables may have been removed from library premises, and all areas except for collection areas are locked or fenced off so people do not stay and spend excess time in the library.”

“The experiences from the first week of gradual restricted opening of libraries’ lending services show that, even though the feedback from library users has been overwhelmingly delighted and excited, libraries have not experienced a rush of booklovers crowding the partly-opened libraries.”

• Global – You can’t keep a good public library (locked) down – Princh. “This week’s great blog post was written by EIFL team, who put together valuable information about how libraries around the world are supporting their communities during COVID-19. As they mention in their website “COVID-19 has closed doors but it hasn’t stopped public libraries from serving their communities.””

• New Zealand – Budget 2020 announcement: Libraries to help with jobs and community recovery – Libaries Aotearoa / Lianza. “A major funding package for libraries will allow them to play a far greater role in supporting their communities and people seeking jobs as part of the economic recovery from COVID-19. Budget 2020 contains over $60 million of funding to protect library services and to protect jobs,” says Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin. This package provides for free internet access in all public libraries to ensure that anyone can access the online services and information they need. “It also recognises the role that librarians play in providing this support. Half of this funding, $30 million, will ensure around 170 librarian jobs are directly protected” (resulting in at least one “upskilled” librarian in every local authority across the country).” [This would be £390 million if scaled up to UK size and converted into pounds. Extra resources for English libraries currently stands at £151k, 2582 times smaller – Ed.]

• Singapore – Performing venues, galleries and libraries will remain closed in Phase 1 of circuit breaker reopening – Singapore Times.
• USA – Science-Based Reopening Plans in Everyday English – Library Journal. No one size fits all. Excellent step by step guide explaining options. Probably the most approachable article yet for those wanting an introduction to current thinking.
  • Chicago Librarians Asking No One Come to Newly Opened Libraries, “Top Administrators are Forcing an Unsafe Plan” – Scapi. ““Hi friends, I hate to say this, but please do not come to the Chicago Public Library when we reopen,” the post said. “Returning things to the bookdrop is fine, but the top administrators are forcing us to implement an unsafe plan and refusing to allow us to provide safer services like curbside pickup.””
  • Connections Summit: Directors Edition 2020 – SirsiDynix. Free videos from this year’s conference including a very interesting session on a US system that has been fine-free for fifty years.
  • Libraries Must Change – New York Times. “To remain true to their mission, all libraries must undergo radical change … ” [Need to register to read full article].
  • Toledo library announces personnel cuts amid coronavirus pandemic – Toledo Blade. “The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library board on Thursday cut staff hours to help fill a budget shortfall caused by the coronavirus pandemic. While all staff will see their hours reduced effective Monday, the move should, for now, stave off layoffs.”

Local news by authority

• Cheshire West and Chester – Libraries and museums in west Cheshire to remain closed throughout June – Northwich Guardian.
• Dorset – Use of eBooks skyrockets in Dorset (and hundreds more are being made available) – Dorset Echo. “eBooks and audio books issued by Dorset Libraries peaked at almost 26,000 in April, an increase of 75 per cent on same period last year.” … “the council has invested in the service to increase the number of available titles with more than 800 new eBooks and 1,400 new audio books.”
• Edinburgh – Libraries deliver hundreds of books to vulnerable Edinburgh families in isolation – Sunday Post. “Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) – which supports the Royal Hospital for Sick Children – has teamed up with Edinburgh City Libraries to help children and their siblings feed their imaginations while shielding for 12 weeks. Thanks to volunteer delivery drivers, around 1,800 books for children and young people from a city Book Bus are being distributed.””
• Gloucestershire – Drag Queen Story Hour coming to Gloucestershire Libraries – Gloucestershire Live. “The popular Drag Queen Story Hour UK is coming to Gloucestershire Libraries and will be live streamed on their social media pages.

• Isle of Man – Facebook post above – The island has had ten days of no new cases.
• Norfolk – Norfolk Library services see lockdown rise – Diss Express. “Tens of thousands more eBooks were downloaded this April than last year – up by 63 per cent, while the number of people using the eBook service jumped 80 per cent.”
• Nottinghamshire – Nottinghamshire County Council’s libraries, including Newark Library, set to reopen from July 6 – Newark Advertiser.
• Somerset – Somerset Libraries Presents – Frome Times. Social media videos include “regular story times, health and wellbeing videos, top tips on cooking and gardening and of course some useful book reviews.”. All videos are here.
  • Phased re-opening of Somerset’s libraries planned from July – Bridgwater Mercury. “Somerset Libraries confirmed it is looking to implement a phased return during July, with a reduced service in line with government guidance.”
• South Gloucestershire – South Gloucestershire Council’s libraries extend online services – Gazette. Have added access to newspapers.
• Staffordshire – Libraries continue to see rise in demand for e-books – Tamworth Informed. “e-book downloads have increased by over 100 per cent and e-audio by around 80 per cent with over 10,000 titles now available. Over 27,000 e-magazines and 145 e-comics have also been borrowed over a similar period.”
• Tower Hamlets – Tower Hamlets – Libraries in Lockdown: Keeping Us Connected – YouTube. “Celebrating the excellent work of UK local government library staff supporting their communities in creative ways during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020.”

• Warrington – Use of library e-books up by more than 200 per cent – Warrington Guardian. “Livewire says that it has seen an enormous 229 per cent rise in the use of its virtual reads since the coronavirus measures came into force,”
• Wiltshire – Out [sic] guest reviewer examines the George Orwell classic – Gazette and Herald. Librarian reviews books, with detail of library services at end of review.