Looking forward

This emergency will end sooner or later and, when it does, public libraries better be ready. This is both in terms of safety – we don’t want to infect anyone – and in terms of adjusting to the changes in society over the last few months. One imagines there will be a huge demand for visits to libraries at least initially but as well as that there will be a heightened expectation for our digital offering, which will need to be maintained. This is not going to be easy but it will be necessary.

On a more national scale, the post by Nick Poole below looks at the future of public libraries and how they should be positioned in the future. There is also an update on the much delayed Single Digital Presence – basically a national website for public libraries which would have been superb to have two months ago but looks like still being in pre-development, after at least ten years of research papers and discussion. I don’t blame the British Library for this – they’re doing their best in a systematic way to develop a top quality product – but rather the only people who could realistically pull it off, which is whoever happens to be the libraries minister. They’re the one who needs to bang heads and put money in to get it sorted and I’m not seeing much of that happening now or indeed during this last decade. Hopefully it will be different looking forward.

National news

• Bibliothèques publiques britanniques contemporaines – Enssib. In French. “This book aims to look back at the massive closures of public libraries in Britain since 2010. What was the timeline of the more than 300 site closures? How can we understand its history and logic? For the first time accessible to French readers, specialized documentation, translated and editorialized, allows us to understand the stakes of the debate on public reading in a country historically spearheaded for its network of libraries. Directed by Cécile Touitou, assisted by Karine Lespinasse, the book brings together a collective of expert authors, French and British”
• Capturing the Voice of CMLs – Community Libraries Network. ACE/DCMS surveying volunteer library response to Covid emergency.
• A new future for Public Libraries – Medium / Nick Poole. “ibraries before COVID-19 had been in a kind of limbo. Having left behind the Victorian era that shaped them, with its basic belief in emancipation and education, there was an implicit question hanging over our institutions — “what will you be for, now that I have the world’s knowledge at my fingertips?”” … libraries have never stopped being a place of refuge and empowerment … COVID-19 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our sector to correct this lingering sense of doubt. We must articulate — loudly and confidently — the role we intend to occupy in the daily lives of every citizen in our fast-moving, connected society. It is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.”

“It is incumbent on every generation to re-shape libraries to meet the emerging needs of their future society. For too long, we have been in thrall to a previous generation’s idea of what public libraries are for. COVID-19 is a tragedy on a global scale. But it might also just be the impetus we need to transform public libraries. Let’s not waste it.”

Nick Poole, CEO, CILIP

• National Shelf Service – YouTube. Views per video range from 100 to 400.
• A Single Digital Presence for UK libraries: the project and the platform – British Library. “he Single Digital Presence project turned two years old just over a month ago. We can’t really believe it either. During that time we may have published one report, but we have also consulted over 75 library authorities, spoken to hundreds of library users, and learnt from a staggering number of amazing library projects happening here and overseas.”. See also presentation at Building a ‘single digital presence’ for public libraries – SlideShare / British Library.

“I’d love to be able to fast-track our work. Build the website, develop the app and get library users discovering new titles, connecting with each other and taking part in library activities all in one space online. However as we outlined in our report, a future-proof, sustainable digital platform that increases public library use in the digital and physical world requires a future-proof, sustainable technical infrastructure, supported by ongoing resource, and a clear and accountable delivery model.”

Jacob Fredrickson project manager of the Single Digital Presence project at the British Library.

International news

• France – Media library in a landscape – Designing Libraries. “Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling window on the ground floor, users have the feeling of reading while being immersed in the surrounding landscape. The upper floor, on the other hand, offers a different experience. Through the curved glass window, the media reference spaces become part of the large crown of the plane tree.”
• Germany – We are opening the book bus on the Südermarkt for now – Stadt Bibliothek. In German. “With more than 30,000 media items to be returned, we expect a significant influx of visitors and want to reduce the risk of infection for everyone to a minimum. For this reason, we are currently only opening the book bus for picking up pre-ordered media and returns. We will quarantine all returned media for 72 hours.”
• Global – You can’t keep a good public library (locked) down – Eifl. A look at how libraries across all the world are coping with Covid.
• USA – Alaska school board removes ‘The Great Gatsby,’ other famous books from curriculum for ‘controversial’ content – NBC News. “”I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou, “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller, “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald and “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison were all taken off an approved list of works that teachers in the Mat-Su Borough School District may use for instruction”. Good grief.
  • 2020 Library Systems Report – American Libraries. “Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, acquired Innovative Interfaces and shifted the balance of power, strengthening Ex Libris’s position in technology for academic libraries and propelling it as a major player in public libraries.” … and other changes.
  • Five Unexpected Benefits of Eliminating Library Fines – Infospace. Librarians and staff can provide better service to patrons; Being fine-free is more aligned with the real mission of the library; Libraries seeing an increase in item returns; Libraries can use their resources better; Eliminating fines can lead to a renewed appreciation for the library (or at least provide some good PR)
  • Why You Shouldn’t Do Curbside During COVID-19 | Backtalk – Library Journal. “Part of libraries wanting to implement curbside is to demonstrate our value to our county boards, administrations, and managers, because budget cuts are here and more are coming. But we need to figure out new ways to demonstrate our value without putting peoples’ lives at risk.”

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Bolton Library’s At Home service keeps kids busy – Bolton News. “There are lots of resources available including art activities, quizzes, and interactive posts. Book readings are streamed every Friday at 11am on Facebook for babies and toddlers to enjoy. The storytime sessions are interactive with real time two way chats.”
• Brent – Brent Council extends measures on library returns and fines until July – This is Local London. “Library fines across Brent have been suspended for the duration of their closure. It comes as Brent Council announced that loans for items from the borough’s libraries have been extended until June 30.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire West: Stay at home party and mass sing song is planned to celebrate VE Day – Chester Standard. “West Cheshire museums, libraries, the record office, heritage and the arts teams will be sharing stories, photographs and wartime objects from their collections.”
• Edinburgh – Edinburgh libraries online – access free ebooks, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines – Edinburgh Live. “30,000 ebooks and 150,000 newspapers/magazines being downloaded in April alone. This compared with 116,000 newspapers/magazine downloads and 17,000 ebooks or audiobooks in January this year.”
• Fife – Fife library staff reach out to vulnerable readers – Courier. “Library staff have been phoning customers to keep them informed about what services are available and have a chat to prevent them from becoming isolated. So far more than 80 staff have volunteered to make the calls and the project aims to reach out to more than 2500 readers.”
• Gateshead – Libraries reach milestone for frontline staff – Gateshead Council. 2000 visors produced. “Libraries across Gateshead closed last month to help prevent the spread of coronavirus however, using some of the latest technology, library staff have been helping frontline staff by printing  and cutting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The visors continue to be delivered to care workers, care homes and others providing care to Gateshead residents.”
• GLL – Better’s online library views ‘through the roof’ during lockdown – Better. “A major success is the number of people now tuning in for library activities on Facebook and Twitter, which are normally provided in library buildings. In some cases, audiences have grown by 2,000%. Better’s Librarians have shown their creative sides, taking Producer/Director/Actor credits when turning their gardens, kitchens and living rooms into ad hoc broadcasting studios for story times, rhyme and sign, and craft sessions for children. Receiving up to 5,200 views per video, individuals are gaining a loyal fan base amongst viewers who are getting familiar with their local librarians on screen.”
• Glasgow – Woodside Library revamp gets go-ahead from Glasgow City Council – Glasgow Times. “Glasgow Life, which runs the library on behalf of the council, requested permission to refurbish the 115-year-old building.” … “The main objectives of the refurbishment are to address “multiple areas of water ingress, increase the number of sanitary facilities, improve fire escape routes within the library, repair stonework/windows/rooflights and to maximise the potential use of the building”.”
• Jersey – Soaring growth in demand for e-books and newspapers – Jersey Evening Post. 259% increase. “Online membership registration was a relatively new service last year and before lockdown, the vast majority of new members would have joined in one of our libraries but membership registrations have jumped from 24 in March/April 2019 to 345 in March/April 2020”
• Lancashire – Lancashire Libraries undertake pyjama-themed reading campaign – In Your Area. “Beginning on Friday May 1, participants across the UK can get involved by dressing in pyjamas and reading a book with their children.”
• Manchester – Creative Spaces – Creative Spaces MCR. “Longsight, North City and Wythenshawe Forum Libraries are Creative Spaces where you can get involved in arts and culture. Everything from film and music to poetry and storytelling. Be part of your local library this Autumn. Enjoy the arts and get creative, right on your doorstep.”
• Perth and Kinross – Culture Perth and Kinross smashes milestone in libraries fundraising target – Courier. £2000 received. “The campaign to support Perth and Kinross libraries during lockdown raised more than £1,000 in its first few hours with public donations continuing to come in. The Book Heroes campaign encourages people to donate around £7, the average cost of a book in efforts to save local libraries and museums from closing.”
• Renfrewshire – Renfrewshire Leisure cancels all overdue library fines – Gazette. “Bosses at RL have confirmed they have cancelled all existing fines and will not be applying any further overdue charges during the period libraries remain closed.” … “e-book and magazine loans from libraries had rocketed during the lockdown by more than 70 per cent.”
• Somerset – Use of online library services in Somerset soars by 544 per cent during lockdown – Burnham on Sea.
• Hundreds of Somerset families are getting involved in a brand-new library offer – run entirely through social media – Frome Times. “visit ‘Somerset Libraries UK’ on Facebook or find them on Twitter or Instagram”
• South Gloucestershire – Home Library Service supports older and vulnerable residents – South Gloucestershire Newsroom. “The initial phone call to the library users has proved very welcome, many of the people contacted haven’t spoken to anyone for several days so the libraries staff have been able to talk to them and where required refer them to local and Council support. Key contact information is also provided with the books, as many people they support don’t use any digital services.” … “South Gloucestershire Council’s library service is delivering books to Home Library Service users as part of our commitment to supporting older and more vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic.”
• South Lanarkshire – South Lanarkshire team ensure show goes on – Daily Record. Dedicated YouTube channel for children launched.
• Staffordshire – Libraries get ready for Staffordshire Day – Tamworth Informed. “An online Facebook Group ‘Staffordshire CreateSpace’ will also be launched with a series of online crafting videos involving local artists and a Q&A.  Library events will be available through the Staffs Libraries Facebook and Twitter pages.”
• Suffolk – Let’s Get Cultural and Creative in Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries. “A new online resource has been launched to make it easy for people to find quality online arts and culture experiences during the current lockdown.” … “The directory includes a wide choice of links to local and national activities to enjoy including dance exercises from Dance East, Time Out’s virtual gallery tours, free National Theatre pieces and Red Rose Chain’s short films about real life Suffolk experiences.”
  • Coronavirus: Library books rearranged in size order by cleaner – BBC. “A well-meaning cleaner who took the opportunity to give a locked-down library a thorough clean re-shelved all of its books – in size order. Staff at Newmarket Library, Suffolk, discovered the sloping tomes after the building underwent a deep clean.”
  • UK librarian’s worst nightmare as cleaner rearranges books by size – Newshub. Story hits New Zealand.
• Surrey – Use your library on lockdown -Surrey Matters.
• Warrington – LiveWire receives £1,000 grant to develop library service’s e-services during lockdown – Warrington Worldwide. “Since the closure of library sites LiveWire have seen a 194% increase in e book borrowing figures with the online offer attracting 246 new members to the service.”

• West Sussex – Why High Fidelity by Nick Hornby is librarian Tom’s favourite lockdown book – Littlehampton Gazette.
• Wokingham – Youngsters invited to join Wokingham’s virtual origami club – Wokingham Today. “The virtual club has received highly positive feedback, with children enjoying having a focused and calming activity to get stuck into.”
• Worcestershire – Worcestershire libraries see massive increase in online downloads since Coronavirus crisis started – Droitwich Standard. “Since libraries were closed across the county at the end of March, library members have downloaded 9,794 e-books and e-audiobooks – 111 per cent higher than the same period in 2019 – and 3,830 e-magazine, up 53.8 per cent on 2019 levels.”
  • Lockdown sees rise in digital borrowing – Worcester Observer.
• York – Library ‘massive help’ in crisis – Press. “York Explore has seen double the number of e-books checked out during the lockdown.” … “The library has seen 514 people join in the past month – four times more than the previous month. City of York Council put £17,000 towards subscribing to Press Reader, buying more audiobooks and e-books and help to get more people online to use the services.”