Fewer than one-fifth of English services announce reopening plans so far … and Leeds bow to the mob over drag queens

If you want news on what your public library service is planning for reopening, please click here.

Editorial

As of writing this, and after a couple of months of warning, fewer than one-fifth (only 28 out of 150) English library services have announced their reopening plans from Saturday, 4 July. Almost all of the plans so far are different in some way to all of the others, repeating the lack of unified service that is so familiar to users of English services. I use specifically English in this context because Wales have all gone for click and collect, Northern Ireland are reopening with click and collect in mid July, as are probably Scotland. More than two-thirds of English service are going with some form of click and collect but, my goodness, they can’t even agree on a common name for it. For more info, see here.

In other news, Leeds are in the headlines for two weeks running (after threatening to close all its libraries last time) by bowing down to social media pressure and cancelling an online drag queen story-time. Below are comments that I have noticed on Twitter against their decision in the hope that the council, after having proved themselves cowards with one group, will bend down to pressure again and re-instate it. How about it Leeds?

Leeds City Council bowing to the mob. A dangerous precedent and an ugly example of ongoing prejudice during #Pride month. How would any #LGBTQ person ever have had an open role in public life if institutions caved to bigots as easily as this?”

@WHussey

“I love my city but as a gay librarian living in Leeds I feel quite ashamed of my city right now. Also, this just shows how we are still living with the effects of the 80s because parents still think that children can be taught to be gay. F*** everyone who complained about this”

@magictreehouse

“This is a total misunderstanding of what drag is. I’m so sad when drag events with kids are cancelled, they are a beautiful thing and should be fostered. And who gets to decide what the right type of woman is? Let children learn from all types of humans … The performer is amazing as well, it’s a real loss to Leeds Library not to have them there.”

@drawinglibrary

Bad decision, saw this through Gloucestershire libraries and really enjoyed it. Will Leeds be cancelling the panto because of the way it portrays women? Think not.

@Ridgwayheather

Shame on you, Leeds.

@dawnafinch

“We would love children to hear stories from all the city’s cultures, just not that one,” has a very 1980s feel about it.

@Stevenheywood

Finally, in a first for Public Libraries News, I’ve talked to DCA, the creators of the survey on using e-resources during lockdown (and also advertisers on this blog), and have agreed to sponsor the donation to the Library Campaign, and – yes – the tea. So please fill in the survey below, thank you.

National news

• A business library during coronavirus and beyond: City Business Library – Public Libraries News. The experience of Wendy Foster during lockdown and how a business librarian has changed the way services have been delivered. ““The most dangerous assumption for businesses is that sufficient market intelligence will be available through a quick Google search”“

“Libraries have been planning for weeks for this moment – by working on our recovery toolkit and taking part in a series of webinars we hosted with staff, partners and users on reopening. Our central concern is keeping staff and users safe, so the library environment will look and feel different initially. Libraries will have a phased reopening that begins with things like order and collect and delivering books to local homes and a cautious reintroduction of browsing and IT services with a focus on moving in and out the library quickly and minimising face to face contact.”

Isobel Hunter, CEO, Libraries Connected

• Library Campaign calls for government action over post-lockdown ‘danger’ to service – BookSeller. “he Library Campaign has called for the government to do more to secure the facilities’ future after the Covid-19 crisis. Campaigner Tim Coates has also highlighted new threats to the service, and called for fresh measures.”

“Government needs to grasp the nettle. Libraries are not funded sufficiently to make up the deficit in all the other public services…..The government has (rightly) spent many billions on supporting individual workers and businesses. A tiny fraction of this sum would safeguard public libraries. Their loss would be a social and educational catastrophe.”

Library Campaign

• Reopening Public Libraries; stories from Denmark, with Marie Oestergaard Library Director of Aarhus Public Libraries – Loving Knowledge Network. Wednesday 1 July 11am. “There is much we can learn from our international colleagues as plans take shape for re-opening public libraries across the UK. Join Marie Oestergaard to glean insights as well as advice from her experiences as Director as Public Libraries in Aarhus, Denmak. Marie will share practical and strategic challenges experienced, as well as some of the long term strategic choices this new reality for library business might call for.”
• Slough high street one of ‘unhealthiest’ in the UK – Get Reading. “Also taken into consideration were the opportunities for socialising (the index was done pre-lockdown) and for promoting mental well-being, for example, libraries and green spaces.” … “Rotherham is the second lowest due to lack of leisure centres and libraries and the fact that it has a higher than average number of vape shops and pawn brokers too.”

• This must stop: The Campaign on Covid-19 responses – Library Campaign. “The COVID-19 lockdown has proved yet again that public libraries are flexible, quick to adapt – and very, very cheap to run. Despite the closure of all buildings, service use has rocketed – often by 600%. Library staff have devised countless new free services, on top of their already massive online offer. All on a shoe-string budget. Meanwhile, library users are making it clear they miss their local physical branches.” … “Government must protect libraries. It would cost only a tiny fraction of the multi-billions it is spending on lockdown support.”
• When will libraries reopen? The rules around borrowing books in England explained – and the phase of lockdown will see libraries open – Yorkshire Evening Post.

International news

• Global – Homelessness and Public Libraries – Princh. “Public libraries are places for everyone, regardless their background, and this is the main reason why they are visited every day by many homeless people who are looking to have access to reliable information resources, technology or just a safe place to spend their day and escape from their everyday reality”
• USA – People are microwaving library books and masks to kill COVID-19 — and that’s bad – Detroit Free Press. [Good holy grief – ed]
• Coronavirus Tests the Limits of America’s Public Libraries – Bloomberg. “as states begin to reopen, libraries are figuring out how to safely serve their communities again, amid the threat of an ongoing pandemic in which person-to-person transmission is riskiest in indoor spaces where people linger for a long time. Some smaller libraries have started allowing the public back inside their buildings in a limited capacity, which worries Bignoli”. A look at the range of library responses.
• OverDrive to acquire RBmedia library business – BookSeller. “The deal sees OverDrive acquire all the assets of the library business, including the RBdigital platform in the UK, US and Australia. Terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed. Audiobook producer RBMedia has a catalogue of more than 45,000 titles through brands that include W F Howes in the UK. The deal will make those audiobooks available to OverDrive’s platform. It will also explore adding RBdigital services such as digital magazines but there will be no change to RBmedia’s publishing businesses.”
• Research Shows Virus Undetectable on Five Highly Circulated Library Materials After Three Days – IMLS. “Materials tested in phase one included the cover of hardcover books (buckram cloth), the cover of softback books, plain paper pages inside a closed book, mylar protective book cover jackets, and plastic DVD cases. Battelle tests found the virus undetectable after one day on the covers of hardback and softback books as well as the DVD case. The virus was undetectable on the paper inside of a book and mylar book jackets after three days.”

Local news by authority

• Bromley – Libraries set to reopen across Bromley from July – News Shopper. “Bromley Council confirmed six libraries are set to reopen with limited hours on Monday July 6. According to the authority, each library was carefully assessed to judge its suitability for reopening, with criteria including the size of the building and the ease at which social distancing measures could be implemented.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Chester and Ellesmere Port public toilets to reopen – Standard. “Storyhouse library will reopen July 4, followed by Ellesmere Port, Neston, Northwich and Winsford libraries on July 13, with revised temporary opening hours. A further five libraries will be reviewed two weeks later.”
• Conwy – Conwy libraries open up drop offs ahead of Call and Collect service launch – North Wales Pioneer. “Conwy’s Libraries team have arranged for drop boxes to be placed at a number of locations for library members to return their books ahead of the launch of a Call and Collect service for new loans in the coming weeks.” … ““In the next few weeks, we’ll be providing a call and collect service at all our libraries. To prepare for that, please return your books so we are ready to go.””
• Cornwall – Summer Reading Challenge goes electronic – Cornish Times. “Every primary school child isn the county is being issued with an electronic library card in what it thought to be the first scheme of its kind in the UK.”
• Dorset – Dorset libraries busy during lockdown – Mags 4 Dorset. ““Although Dorset libraries had a good online membership, we’ve gained a lot more members since lockdown started. There has been a 48 per cent increase in people joining Dorset’s online library service, with almost 27,000 e-books, e-audio and e-zines accessed.””
• Essex – Our libraries deserve better – Clacton and Frinton Gazette / Letters. “County Council may talk the talk, but they don’t back it up with support or investment.” No plastic screens in Maldon and a shortage of hand gel reported.
• Hampshire – New book collection scheme launches across Hampshire libraries – Hampshire Chronicle. “The “We Select You Collect” service means that residents can collect books from their local library, selected by library staff according to everyone’s individual preferences.”
• Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire libraries offer packs of pre-selected books for readers to collect – In Your Area. “Ready Reads will allow users to collect a pre-selected book pack to read at home. Customers will be notified when their books are ready for collection from the door or lobby of the library while observing social distancing guidelines.”
  • Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage libraries first to reopen for collection only – Herts Advertiser.
• Leeds – Children’s Drag Queen Story Hour UK event cancelled after ‘concerns’ raised – Yorkshire Evening Post. “Sab Samuel, who performs as Aida H Dee, was set to read to children via Leeds Libraries’ Facebook page on Monday”. Backlash from a councillor and “some women’s groups” … ““As it was being hosted in a new, online format and because these concerns were expressed shortly before it was due to take place, the decision was made to cancel this event so the service has the opportunity to properly consider the concerns which have been raised.” … “I feel I feel so upset for anybody who is LGBT+ in Leeds. “This is such a kick in the face, to be honest.” said Sab Samuel … “”As a pro-women group, we want to make sure the council was in line with the public sector equality duty to foster good relationships between protected groups, and the rest of the population.” said Leeds ReSisters
  • Children’s Drag Queen Story Hour UK event cancelled over ‘hate comments’ – BBC.
• Manchester – Manchester’s libraries are reopening next week – but there will be some changes – Manchester Evening News. “Eight of the city’s libraries will be open to everyone from Saturday July 4 as public services continue to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown. A phased approach by Manchester council will see facilities open to all users on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm.”
• Northern Ireland – Ní Chuilín praises libraries for their work during lockdown – Causeway Coast Community. “The Executive yesterday confirmed the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (NI) Regulations 2020 will be lifted to allow libraries to reopen from mid-July.” … “Libraries NI has stated that it has plans in place to reopen libraries with a ‘book and collect’ service alongside a phased programme of reintroducing browsing and limited IT services.”
• Norfolk – Question marks remain over when or how libraries in Norfolk will reopen – Great Yarmouth Mercury. “Plans to get Norfolk’s libraries re-opened again are being worked on – but council bosses are tight-lipped about how they would run when they do.”
• Nottinghamshire – Newark and Southwell libraries to re-open on July 13, Inspire confirms – Newark Advertiser. “Inspire, which manages the libraries on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, will initially open six libraries in the county on July 6.”
• Reopening Nottinghamshire Libraries and Archives safely – Nottinghamshire County Council.
• Oldham – Book a slot in your diary – Oldham Library to re-open on July 6 – Oldham Evening Post. “From Monday, July 6 you’ll be able to access a limited range of facilities, such as checking out books and using the computers. Due to the 2m social distancing rules visitors won’t be able to browse the bookshelves. Instead, you’ll be able to choose from one of the genre packs staff have prepared, each containing three books.”
• Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire’s public libraries to reopen gradually in July – Oxford Mail.
• Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire libraries to launch ‘click and collect’ service – Observer series. “Order and collect” … “From Thursday, July 2, libraries in Tenby, Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, Fishguard and Haverfordwest, will begin accepting orders for the new service”
• Portsmouth – Portsmouth libraries are reopening – Gi Media. “Residents will once again be able to return, browse and borrow items and use enquiry services.”. Some computers available.
• Sheffield – Campaigners call for changes in Sheffield’s libraries – Star. 127 name signature to end volunteer libraries, asking for more investment and “Abolishing library fines would encourage more users who may currently be put off by large library fines, especially those in poverty. Expanded professional library provision would enhance digital inclusion and ensure people are not left isolated by not being able to access services online especially in poorer areas.”
• Shetland – Library extends home delivery service – Shetland Times. “Shetland Library is to extend its home delivery service for books and also introduce “customer collection” at its premises in Lerwick. A delivery system has been established that covers former housebound and mobile library routes, and there is now some capacity to include more households.”
• Somerset – The changes that will be in place for Somerset’s reopening libraries – Somerset Live. “Somerset’s libraries could begin reopening in July – but it won’t quite be a return to business as usual. Somerset County Council closed all its libraries in March in respite to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. The council has now published details of the kind of measures which will be in place when the facilities once again open their doors to the public. However, it has not confirmed the precise dates for reopening or the precise order in which they will reopen.”
• St Helens – Form a Silly Squad for this year’s St Helens Summer Reading Challenge – The Reporter. “To celebrate this year’s launch on Wednesday July 1, St Helens Library Service is hosting a special online performance of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Twits’ via YouTube at 2pm – while many more silly sessions will be held throughout the day through the Library Service’s Facebook page.”
• Surrey – Surrey to reopen libraries from 6 July – Surrey News. “The priority will be staff and customer safety, which means the libraries will have to operate in a different way with a reduced service, limited capacity in buildings, additional cleaning measures and guidelines in place for social distancing. Customers will be able to visit open libraries to browse and borrow books, but they won’t be able to use public computers and printing services, nor will they be able to read newspapers, use study spaces or seating areas.”
• Tameside – Four libraries across Tameside to reopen as lockdown lifts but returned books will have to be ‘quarantined’ – Manchester Evening News. “a ‘click and collect’ service being introduced for people to access books. Four of the borough’s libraries – Ashton, Stalybridge, Droylsden and Dukinfield – are to open back up to the public on Monday, July 6 with additional coronavirus safety measures.”
• Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: more than just books – Leader. Suggested books, digital resources and a brief interview with a member of staff.
• York – We’re Back – Explore York. 5 libraries, including mobile, open from 7 July. Plus also café for takeaway. Click and collect.