For the first time since 23 March, public library buildings are open for business

Looking for the latest information on libraries reopening in the UK? Click here.

Editorial

For the first time since March 23rd there are public libraries open again in England. It’s been a surreal few months and there was a lot of worry about getting the buildings open again properly but first indications from around the country is that things went smoothly.

More and more library services are announcing their plans (see this page) with the majority going for (variously named versions of) click and collect. A few councils (Milton Keynes, Newcastle and Wokingham), though, have warned that they will not be open for considerably longer for various reasons.

Libraries have, at last minute notice, been advised to take contact details of those who need them for track and trace. There were some complaints and surprise expressed at the time and further mentions, notably from CILIP, about whether libraries should actually do it.

This video, produced by Nottinghamshire Inspire is a 30 second animation on basic measures I think all libraries are doing. They have graciously allowed all other services to use it.

Finally, I’m sorry to see China wasting no time in censoring public libraries in Hong Kong. We hear a lot about the heroism of librarians on social media etc but, when it comes down to it, library workers aren’t saints and should not be martyrs. People, including us of course, need to try to make sure that society doesn’t get that way in the first place.

National news

• England’s libraries begin to reopen but grave fears remain over long-term futures – Guardian. “experts are warning that local authority shortfalls could be the “canary in the coalmine” for a fresh wave of cuts to libraries across the country.” … “According to Libraries Connected, 34 library authorities in England are planning to open on either 4 or 6 July.” … “Across the whole of the UK, libraries in Scotland are set to reopen from 15 July, and in Northern Ireland from 20 July. In Wales, some libraries are already offering a click and collect service, but there are no plans to open before the next review of lockdown measures on 13 July.”

Reopening Libraries: stories from Denmark part II, 15^th July, 11am: With Christian Lauersen Director of libraries and citizens services, Roskilde Municipality, Denmark: sign up here. Christian believes that libraries are crucial institution in every community, public as academic to create and open, more diverse, inclusive and equal world and that the key to lift this is skilled library workers – the most important asset of any library. Christian is co-founder of Library Planet – the crowdsourced travel guide to libraries of the world – and the first library bossa nova song in the world. He is based in Copenhagen and loves socks and Lego. Recording Available:  Part 1 of the “stories from Denmark” series: Reopening Public Libraries; stories from Denmark, with Marie Oestergaard Library Director of Aarhus Public Libraries. Resilience for Library Professionals 23^rd July, 11am sign up here. Ss libraries embark on the process of reopening, library staff will face inevitable challenges navigating the “new unknown”. This webinar will explore strategies for maintaining personal and professional resilience. Back by popular demand, Creative Consultant, Lawrence Becko will lead the session, which will include plenty of opportunity for interaction and reflection. This is a chance to take a step back and consider how to approach the ever-changing landscape that lies ahead with a resilient mind set. “

Free Webinars from the Living Knowledge Network [Not the Loving Knowledge Network which I called it last week, oh dear – Ed.]

• Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace – Gov.uk. “Trace and trace” information for public libraries, released less than 2 days before first library reopened.
• New guide to help libraries to reopen – Libraries Connected. “Today Libraries Connected publishes its toolkit to help libraries to reopen in July and to reintroduce their services gradually, in line with the latest public health advice. Placing the safety and health of staff, volunteers and users at the forefront, the toolkit was developed in partnership with heads of library services and their teams. The set of resources will support their planning for service recovery as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.”

• UK libraries are set to reopen – but not as we know them – Guardian. Archibald Corbett volunteer library in London described, open from 4 July, with “space marshall”. Leeds, who recently threatened to close all their libraries, also interviewed.
• Your libraries are open – London Review of Books. Mainly academic libraries but says “Many public library staff have had to be redeployed to other services by local authorities struggling to cope after years of austerity-driven cuts, highlighting other problems in the gaps exposed by the pandemic. In November 2018, the United Nations special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights pointed out that ‘public libraries are on the frontline of helping the digitally excluded and digitally illiterate who wish to claim their right to Universal Credit.’ Who has been providing that support during lockdown? As public libraries slowly reopen to walk-in users, some hope for those who depend on them is returning.”

International news

• China / Hong Kong – Democracy books disappear from Hong Kong libraries – Yahoo News. “Books written by prominent Hong Kong democracy activists have started to disappear from the city’s libraries, online records show, days after Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on the finance hub.” … “The city’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which runs libraries, said books had been removed while it is determined whether they violate the national security law.”
• USA – Millions of Americans Depend on Libraries for Internet. Now They’re Closed – Markup. “Kids sit scattered in the library’s parking lot with phones or video game devices, catching some of the Wi-Fi outside that’s now left on 24/7.  And Hahn spends his days trying to help some older patrons get online by shouting instructions to them through the library’s windows. “

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Quarantining books and drop boxes: How Bolton’s libraries are being reopened – Bolton News. “Readers can borrow a bundle of books which can be collected at Breightmet, Central, Farnworth, Harwood, Horwich, and Westhoughton libraries from Monday (July 6).”
• Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole – Bournemouth libraries to reopen next week in ‘phased approach’ – Daily Echo. “The four largest libraries will initially provide book loans and quick choice browsing, with all stock will go into 72 hours quarantine on return.”
• Bracknell Forest – Bracknell Forest libraries reopen with lockdown rules – Bracknell News. From 6 July, ” libraries in Bracknell, Crowthorne and Whitegrove have been adjusted in order to ensure the safety of residents, including only remaining open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm (Bracknell library closed on Wednesday), a select and collect service, as well as limiting browsing options and ensuring social distancing is adhered to.”

• Buckinghamshire – Libraries will re-open in Bucks on Monday – Bucks Herald. 22 libraries reopen to browse from 6 July.
• Calderdale – New sixth form centre heralds new era for learning and regeneration – News Centre. “The Central Library which previously occupied the town centre site has been completely reimagined into the stunning, modern Trinity Sixth Form Academy, whilst conserving and restoring some original features.” [Campaigner says by email: “No plans for a Sixth Form College were ever mentioned during the whole of the five year controversy about the site. The former Library had one-third more floor area than its replacement.” – Ed.]
• Cambridgeshire/Peterborough – Libraries set to reopen in Cambridgeshire but not yet in Peterborough – Peterborough Telegraph. “Cambridgeshire County Council is starting a phased re-opening of library services from Monday, July 6, in line with the latest health and safety guidelines. The council’s nine major libraries – Cambridge Central, Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots, Bar Hill, Cambourne, Ely, March and Wisbech will be re-opening.”
• Cheshire East – Wilmslow library set to reopen – Wilmslow.co.uk. “reparing to reopen its 16 libraries and library services on a phased basis.” from 6 July.
• Cheshire West and Chester – Council confirms reopening dates for Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston libraries – Standard. “Chester Library at Storyhouse will welcome back visitors again from tomorrow (Saturday, July 4) with its usual opening hours in operation. Libraries in Ellesmere Port and Neston will then open their doors from Monday, July 13 but with reduced hours in place.”
  • How Northwich Library visitors will be kept safe from coronavirus – Northwich Guardian.
  • Love Reading? Join the Online Adults Read Two Challenge – AboutMyArea. ” Choose from an eBook, eAudio book, a library book or one of your own, to be in with a chance to win £50 of book vouchers through a prize draw. A winner will be chosen at random.”
• Derbyshire – County libraries to roll out reopening with safety a priority – Derbyshire Councty Council. “We now plan to reopen 7 libraries initially, with 3 opening on Monday 6 July, followed by 1 on Tuesday, 1 on Wednesday and 2 on Thursday. Residents must book an appointment to visit their library if it is one of the 7 set to reopen first, and people are being urged not to turn up without having arranged their appointment first.”
• Devon – Reopening of libraries – Devon Libraries. “We are planning a phased reopening of our libraries from w/c 6th July, with mobile libraries returning from 13th July (Timetable Week 1) offering a contactless Choose and Collect service.”
• Dorset – Dorset Council libraries to reopen – Mags 4 Dorset. Click and collect from 8 July. Return items through letterboxes.
• Durham – Pick and Collect Library Service will Launch 6th July – Durham Magazine. From 6 July, “The Pick and Collect service will initially be available at libraries in Barnard Castle, Chester-le- Street, Consett, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee and Seaham as well as Belmont, in Durham, and Woodhouse Close, in Bishop Auckland”.
• East Riding of Yorkshire – More East Riding Services To Re-Open – Yokrshire Coast Radio. Click and collect.
• East Sussex – Here’s when Hastings Library is reopening – Observer series. Click and collect from 13 July.
• Essex – Leigh author Claire Freedman champions the importance of libraries – Echo series. “best-selling south Essex author – whose books are checked out more times every year than Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton – believes the lockdown has shown us we need our libraries more than ever. Figures show that during the first three week of the lockdown, when libraries were closed, there was a titanic 358 per cent increase in the number of people borrowing e-books from online sites.”
• Glasgow – Communities urge Glasgow Life to re-open ‘lifeline’ libraries and sports centres – Glasgow Evening Times. Two-thirds of libraries to be closed indefinitely, with dates mentioned in October. “Glasgow Life is facing major losses, estimated to run into the tens of millions of pounds, as a result of Covid-19 and nearly 1000 staff have been furloughed during the pandemic”.
• Gloucestershire – New ‘reserve and collect’ library service set for Stroud – Stroud News. “The new service, available at Stroud Library from July 13, will ensure customers can request books, DVDs and other available materials that they would like to borrow and book a slot for collection.”
• Hampshire – Libraries to open next week – but don’t browse too long – Advertiser and Times. 30 minute maximum. Book computers in advance.

• Hillingdon – Temporary library services – Hillingdon Council. “We are offering a reserve and collect service at 6 of our libraries – Manor Farm, Oak Farm, Hayes End, Northwood Hills, West Drayton and Uxbridge.”
• Isle of Wight – Libraries to re-open but no late fees for overdue books – Island Echo. Click and collect from 6 July, reduced opening hours.
• Kent – Plans for gradual reopening of Kent libraries announced – Media Hub. “Kent County Council will start a phased reopening of its libraries from Monday, 13 July, with a new ‘Select and Collect’ service that will temporarily replace bookshelf browsing.”
• Lancashire – Coronavirus: Libraries, archives and museums – Lancashire County Council. Closed until further notice. “Our phased approach will involve initially reopening at least one library in each district across the county, so that you can return your books and we can quarantine them.”
• Leeds – Fantastic support for library appeal – Ilkley Gazette. “The gofundme appeal for Rawdon Community Library was launched by Janet Leeks on June 11 with the aim of reaching £300 – but it has already raised more than seven times that amount, with the figure now standing at £2,155.”

• Manchester – Phased reopening of Manchester’s libraries to begin on 4 July – Manchester Libraries Blog. “The eight libraries which are reopening at this stage are Chorlton Library, City Library (at Central Library), Didsbury Library, Gorton Library, Longsight Library, Newton Heath Library, Withington Library and Forum Library, Wythenshawe.”

• Milton Keynes – Libraries won’t be open ‘for some time’ in Milton Keynes, says council – MK Citizen. ““We’ve seen an outbreak at a nursery in MK recently where 23 people caught the virus while all sensible precautions were being followed on site. Facilities such as libraries and children’s centres are rightly much loved by residents and we’re proud to deliver them – but we won’t reopen them at the wrong time if the risk is too great. We all have a part to play to help MK control Covid-19, and we’re taking that seriously.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk libraries to begin reopening next week – Norfolk County Council. “There will be a total 12 sites reopening on 6 and 7 July with the rest to follow in the coming weeks and months.”
• North Somerset – This is when libraries across North Somerset will start to re-open – Bristol Post. Phased from 6 July.
• North Yorkshire – Phased Return For North Yorkshire Libraries – Yorkshire Coast Radio. “To begin with, visits will be by appointment only. From Monday 6th July, customers will be able to take advantage of a free Select and Collect service.”
• Northamptonshire – Northamptonshire libraries to introduce phased reopening – Northamptonshire County Council. “From Monday, 6 July, seven of the county’s libraries will reopen to ensure accessibility for the maximum number of customers. The libraries to reopen are Wellingborough, Irthlingborough, Brackley, Kettering, Weston Favell, Daventry and Oundle, with initial opening times being Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10- 4pm, and Saturdays from 10 – 2pm.”
• Northern Ireland – Libraries to have ‘phased reopening’ in July – Larne Times. “Libraries NI has announced plans to reopen its branches with a “phased programme of return” from 20 July onwards” … “As part of the programme for reopening branches, Libraries NI will provide a new Book and Collect service which will begin on Monday, July 20 and will remain in operation until a branch reopens”
• Northumberland – Northumberland libraries to reopen with some offering order and collect service – Berwick Advertiser. “It is expected that a number of libraries across the county will be able to offer an order and collect service in the first few weeks of opening. Collections will only be available by appointment and it is expected that there will only be limited numbers of visitors who may access library buildings at any one time.”
• Pembrokeshire – MS welcomes extended ‘click and collect’ system for libraries – Brecon and Radnor Express. click and collect: “delighted to hear libraries in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire will be offering this service from July 1 and 2 respectively.”
• St Helens – St Helens libraries won’t be opening this weekend – St Helens Star. No indication as to when they will reopen.
  • Calling all young bookworms to join this summer’s reading challenge – St Helens Star. “St Helens Library Service is hosting a very special online performance of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Twits’ via YouTube at 2pm today – while many more silly sessions will be held throughout the day through the Library Service’s Facebook page.”
• Sheffield – Libraries working hard to welcome you back soon – Sheffield Newsroom. “On a phased basis during July, some libraries will be offering an Order and Collect service, where library users will be able to phone or email in and ask for a selection of books to be prepared for them.”
• Shropshire – Ludlow Library prepares to launch contactless service – Shropshire Star. “The service, Ready Reads, enables customers to pre-order books and collect them from the library foyer and will be available at Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow from July 6.”
• Somerset – Somerset libraries to introduce new ‘personal shopper service’ on re-opening – Burnham on Sea. Click and collect called “personal shopper” here.
  • Can you help Somerset Libraries by being part of a focus group? – Glassbox Taunton. “Somerset Libraries would like to invite people to help shape the library service of today and the future, by evaluating of their diverse range of services (both physical and online). Feedback from frequent, occasional and non-users will be sought through informal focus groups and/or one-to-one conversations”
• South Tyneside – Phased Reopening of Libraries – South Tyneside Council. “From this Saturday (4 July), library users will be able to pre-order books over the phone for collection from Monday 6 July on a strict appointment-only basis. Libraries will operate with reduced operating hours, from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with normal hours on weekends.”

• Surrey – A new chapter: Thirteen Surrey libraries to reopen on Monday – Liphook Herald. Some reopening “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.” No computers.
• Swindon – Swindon’s museums and libraries staying shut for now – Swindon Advertiser. Not opening this week but will announce on social media soon.
  • Swindon libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge going online next week – Swindon Advertiser. “new videos with demonstrations and live story-telling will be put up on the Swindon Libraries YouTube channel throughout the summer holidays.”
• Telford and Wrekin – Public libraries in Telford and Wrekin re-opening under social distancing conditions – Shropshire Star. Some librarie reopening but with 15 minute limit.
• Vale of Glamorgan – Vale of Glamorgan libraries offer click and collect service – Penarth Times. Though they remain closed for browsing or use of ICT facilities, libraries in Barry, Penarth, and Cowbridge will be open for” click and collect.

• Warrington – 7 Warrington libraries to reopen next week – but 5 remain closed – Warrington Guardian. “libraries will open in Great Sankey, Orford Jubilee and Woolston Neighbourhood Hubs, Stockton Heath, Lymm, Burtonwood and Warrington Museum and Library.”
• West Berkshire – Coronavirus West Berkshire: Libraries to pilot click-and-collect scheme – Newbury Today. “the district’s libraries would not be opening in the week of July 4, but a click and collect service would be trialed instead.  “
• West Sussex – West Sussex libraries to offer ‘select and collect’ service – Littlehampton Gazette. “This will allow residents to collect books from the front doors of all 36 West Sussex County Council owned libraries without the need to enter the building. Starting on Monday (July 6) …”
• Westminster – Coronavirus information – libraries reopening – City of Westminster. “Four sites – Charing Cross, Church Street, Paddington and Victoria – will reopen on Saturday 4 July. The remaining sites will be opening as soon as possible next week, “
• Wiltshire –  Consultation on Wiltshire Council reopening libraries safely during the COVID-19 pandemic – Wiltshire County Council. “Wiltshire’s public libraries want your views as they look to reopen some library services safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have to manage their resources carefully and ensure you the public, staff and library volunteers are safe, so they’ve put forward three options for how the service might operate while social distancing is required.”
• Wokingham – Libraries to stay shut as quarantining books is too ‘labour-intensive’ – Wokingham Today. ““We won’t be reopening libraries because quarantining books is a labour-intensive exercise. But now our electronic offering is huge.””
• Worcestershire – More people than ever before are using Worcestershire County Council’s online services – Bromsgrove Standard. “Nearly 50,000 e-books, audio books and e-magazines (47,703) have been downloaded from the council’s digital library service in the last three months – double the amount in the same period last year.”