Reopening libraries going well so far

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Editorial

As more and more public libraries reopen, the feedback is that the public are returning in manageable numbers, understand the need for the anti-covid measures in place and are grateful to see the service starting slowly to come back to normal. England is a bit further ahead in opening up more than “click and collect” (or a hundred variations thereof) in 20 or so services.

The other thing happening is the Summer Reading Challenge being promoted more in several library services due to the start of the school holidays. Early indications from the Reading Agency is that its online offer is proving very popular but it would need to go some to beat the normal promotion, which is by far the most successful campaign libraries conduct each year.

National news

• 1000 Tiny Fun Places Library Webinar with Stella Duffy 4th August 2020 3pm-4pm – Fun Palaces. “This year Fun Palaces weekend on 3rd and 4th October 2020 will be different – sometimes smaller, always safer, but as ever remarkable. To help libraries prepare Libraries Connected will be hosting a webinar on 4th August 2020 3pm-4pm led by Fun Palaces’ amazing and inspirational co-director Stella Duffy. “
• ACE and British Library to feature in Reading Together Day – BookSeller. 16 July “Co-ordinated by the Reading Agency, the day will showcase a day of events across social media, delivering a programme of activities for families and young adults. The events are designed to support families with changes in education, home learning and wellbeing, caused by the pandemic. ”
• CILIP warns librarians over contact tracing – BookSeller. “CILIP was responding to calls from the government for public libraries to assist in collecting personal information about their users to help track people who get coronavirus and their contacts. However, the organisation said it was concerned about the lack of appropriate planning and preparation for the implementation of the measures and says key criteria need to be met before libraries take part.”
• Conversation: Using technology to safely reopen and strategically pivot during COVID-19 – Bibliotheca. “Join us for a new weekly conversation series. Learn how technology can help ensure library users and staff continually feel safe as the pandemic shifts. From holds pickup lockers and real-time occupancy monitoring to touchless self-service and mobile checkout, learn how our connected ecosystem of solutions deliver strategic long-term value for your library.” Webinars.
• Coronavirus: How libraries provided a lifeline in lockdown – BBC. Suffolk: “BBC News went to Ipswich Library to hear how people have been finding solace in more than just the pages of a favourite book.” … “Strict hygiene and social distancing rules mean customers cannot walk in and browse but librarians can do it for them. Jemima Smith, protected by a face mask and gloves, is surrounded by books being placed in bundles ready for collection.” … “Soon after lockdown, staff were given online training from Suffolk Mind to ensure they looked after their mental health, and began checking in over the phone with the most vulnerable.”

• Free public library membership – National Acquisitions Group. ” NAG is pleased to announce that membership for public libraries in the UK will be free from 1st July 2020 – 30th June 2021.  We are also working on expanding the “Learn” resources we offer for public libraries within the Members area of the website by commissioning new content.”
• Libraries: An essential part of local recovery – Libraries Connected. “Library services are far more than their buildings. During lockdown, libraries expanded their digital and remote offer to continue to provide services to their communities. They’ve seen a 600% increase in digital membership as well as fourfold increase in the number of ebooks borrowed. These activities support children learning at home, reduce isolation and include exciting new events created in partnership with local artists and arts organisations. While libraries have rapidly adapted to this new normal, we know that our communities need our buildings and the range of services that we provide in them … “
• National Poetry Day announces new book trade promotion for 2020 – National Poetry Day. “A bumper crop of citizen poet-performers will be the stars of this year’s National Poetry Day, after four months of lockdown prompted the public to seek out and share poems on an unprecedented scale.”
• New Chair appointed to support a new public library strategy for Scotland – SLIC. “Jeanette Castle, University Librarian at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), has been appointed Chair of the newly established Public Library Strategy Advisory Group. The group has been formed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) to support the vision and implementation of a new public library strategy for Scotland from 2021, building on the work of Ambition and Opportunity: A Strategy for Public Libraries in Scotland 2015-2020.”
• Public libraries have been vital in times of crisis – from conflict to Covid-19 – Apollo. A look at the history of public libraries in the UK in dark times before. “The coronavirus pandemic may prove to be a challenge that dwarfs the many episodes of anxiety and crisis through which the public library has lived in the past. In a post-Covid world, however, the public library’s resilience will stand it in good stead, especially if its potential to support policies for regeneration, levelling up and the promotion of well-being is meaningfully acknowledged through adequate resourcing.”
• A virtual exploration of public libraries now and in the future – Living Library. “This virtual space is a response to the disruption – caused by Covid-19 – of Seadog Theatre’s plans to create an interactive physical art installation that would tour public libraries in Spring 2020. Instead, the theatre makers and live artists involved worked with web developer, Matt Stevens, and emerging computer game platform Sinespace, to create a virtual take on a physical exhibition.”
• Welcome back libraries – Time To Read. A look at how public libraries are reopening in the North West. “During lockdown, library teams across the North West have been dedicated to keeping in touch with residents as much as possible and putting out loads of virtual content including story reading, crafts and advice on using digital technology. It’s good to be back. See you soon!”
• When are libraries open? When libraries in England are confirmed to reopen as eases lockdown rules ease – Yorkshire Evening Post.

International news

• Canada – Head of public library service resigns after controversy over qualifications – CBC. “The job posting listed “essential qualifications” as a master’s degree in library and/or information studies from an American Library Association-accredited program, as well as a minimum of eight years of related work experience.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Aberdeenshire click and collect doorstep deliveries bring libraries closer – Buchan Observer. ” from July 15 in line with the Government’s routemap out of lockdown, services will initially recommence with Click and Collect and Doorstep Delivery.”
• Bath and North East Somerset – Bath and North East Somerset libraries reopen for ‘grab and go’ service – Bath Echo. ” ‘grab and go’ self-service borrowing for people to choose from a range of pre-selected books and a contactless return facility outside each library. Three books can be borrowed at a time and a drop-box for returning books will be available at each library entrance. All three libraries will be open between 10am and 4pm each weekday.”
• Bradford – A new chapter for Keighley Library as ‘order and collect’ service is launched – Keighley News. “A new ‘order and collect’ system is being set-up. People will be able to reserve books from the Bradford Libraries online catalogue, or by email or phone.”
• Brent – Brent Council reopening libraries in Wembley and Willesden – Times series. “Wembley Library, in Brent Civic Centre, Engineers Way, and The Library at Willesden Green, in High Road, are the first council libraries to reopen since they were closed as the start of the lockdown period. To begin with, they will be on reduced hours of 10.30am to 2.30pm, will be closed at weekends and there will be limits to the number of people allowed in at any one time.”
• Buckinghamshire – Bucks libraries reopening tomorrow – Mix 96. “Book borrowing, computer hire, printing and information services will be available – but libraries will be unable to provide newspapers, study areas or group activities.”
• Bury – Phased reopening plans drawn up for Bury libraries – Bury Times. “Currently two of the borough’s libraries – Radcliffe and Ramsbottom – are being used as community hubs for the coronavirus pandemic and will remain so.” … “Currently two of the borough’s libraries – Radcliffe and Ramsbottom – are being used as community hubs for the coronavirus pandemic and will remain so.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – How Northwich Library visitors will be kept safe from coronavirus – Northwich Guardian. “A limited number of people will be allowed inside at any one time, while a one-way system and floor markings will be in place to aid social distancing”

• Devon – Devon libraries invite young bookworms to joint The Silly Squad Summer Challenge – Devon Live.
• Dorset – Phased reopening planned for Dorset libraries – Lyme Online. “People will be able to order their preferred categories of books and other items to collect at an allocated time from 22 of Dorset’s 23 libraries.”
• Durham – Readers can again borrow books from County Durham libraries – Northern Echo. “From today, the council’s pick and collect service will enable people to borrow books for the first time since lockdown restrictions were introduced.”
• Falkirk – Dollar and Carnegie’s library legacy lives on in Falkirk – Falkirk Herald. History of libraries from 1800s. “Hopefully the doors will open again soon.”
• Fife – Connect and Collect Service – On Fife. “The Home Delivery service for housebound library members resumed this week but the big step is Connect & Collect, which starts on Wednesday, 15 July, and will allow library members to return books and pick up a bag of books selected for them by library staff based on their preferences. “
• Flintshire – Select and collect library service to launch in Flintshire – Leader. “Whilst all Aura Libraries will remain closed until further notice, the company has launched a ‘select and collect’ service in line with Welsh Government guidance.”
• Gloucestershire – Libraries offering collection services announced – Punchline Gloucester. Click and collect: “2 libraries in each district offering the service from the week commencing Monday 13 July. “
• Hertfordshire – New book lending service begins today in Bishop’s Stortford – Independent series. “The roll-out of Ready Reads is going quicker than forecast. Since the online ordering went live last Wednesday (July 1) by midday on Thursday the library service had received 120 orders.”
• Highlands – Phased reopening of libraries, galleries and museums as High Life Highland reveals plans to ‘bounce back’ from coronavirus crisis – Ross-Shire Journal. Libraries reopening from 23 Journal.
• Hull – We’re Back: Hull Libraries Re-opening – Hull City Council. Six “select and collect from 9 July.

• Leicestershire – Readers will now be able to order their favourite books from three public libraries across the Harborough district – Harborough Mail. “The county council’s click and collect service is now available at libraries in Market Harborough, Broughton Astley and Lutterworth.”
• Lincolnshire – Two South Holland libraries will reopen next week – Spalding Voice. “The South Holland sites are two of 14 across Lincolnshire that will open in line with government guidance, and will have a number of safety measures in place, including entry on a one-in-one-out system, more frequent cleaning, stock quarantining and hand sanitising stations.”
• Liverpool – The Zip-wire: an in=depth analysis – Engage Liverpool. A look at the amount of space that will be taken up by the zip-wire proposal in Liverpool Central Library. “I believe that the harm is substantial and that therefore the application should have been rejected for that reason. Finer discussions of the balance of harm and benefit, which only apply when harm is “less than substantial”, are interesting but irrelevant from that broader perspective.”

• Norfolk – Norfolk libraries start to re-open – KL FM. ” the County Council will re-open 12 sites today and tomorrow (6 and 7 July), with the rest following in the coming weeks and months.”
• North Ayrshire – North Ayrshire libraries and museums will remain closed this summer so staff can help out at hubs – Daily Record. “This means that libraries and museums will be unable to re-open at the moment and users are being urged to take advantage of a wide range of alternative heritage and cultural services.”
• North Somerset – Libraries to reopen – Weston Mercury. “A contact-free click and collect service will be installed in most libraries and more services are likely to follow when Government guidance allows it.”
• North Yorkshire – Phased return continues at North Yorkshire libraries – Stray FM. “Libraries in North Yorkshire will continue the phased return of services next week, with sessions on public computers being bookable at some branches and the restart of the Home Library Service. This follows the successful launch this week of a Select and Collect service”
  • Computers And Home Delivery At North Yorkshire Libraries – Yorkshire Coast Radio. “From Monday 13th July, libraries managed by North Yorkshire County Council at Scarborough, Whitby and Filey will offer limited access to public computers.”
• Northern Ireland – Phased reopening of libraries across NI later this month – Belfast Live. “Libraries NI has announced that, as part of the pilot scheme for reopening libraries, 90 libraries will start to provide customers with a “Book and Collect” service from Monday July 20.”
• Nottingham – Some Nottingham City Libraries reopen from 6 July – Nottingham City Council. “The Libraries below will have temporary new opening times so that we can follow Government guidelines on how to run safely.”
• Oxfordshire – Expect queues when Oxfordshire’s libraries start to reopen on Monday – Witney Gazette. Several libraries reopening from 13 July “”With controlled numbers being able to enter buildings customers may sometimes need to queue to get in. Customers will be requested to limit their enjoyment of browsing, borrowing and returning their library materials to 30 minutes.””
• Libraries and registration staff look forward to returning as the heartbeat of their communities – Oxfordshire County Council.
• Reading – Reading Council Working to Reopen Libraries and Museums Safely – Reading. “The plan is to open Central Library in the town centre first, towards the end of July, initially with a reduced service and opening hours.”
• Redcar and Cleveland – Redcar and Cleveland libraries reopening – but there’s no browsing allowed – Gazette Live. “Instead libraries in Redcar, Guisborough, South Bank and Loftus will offer a ‘select and collect’ service”

• Shropshire – Library open for book collections – Advertiser series. “Ludlow Library is launching Ready Reads – a service that enables customers to pre-order books and collect them from the library foyer. Books can be ordered by email, over the phone or via the Shropshire Libraries website “
• Solihull – Libraries extend time slots for returning books – Solihull Observer. “Solihull Library Service has started issuing books through its new click and collect scheme at The Core. This will be followed by similar schemes at Chelmsley Wood Library and Shirley Library on July 20.”
• Somerset – Bridgwater and Minehead libraries to open for order and collect from Monday – Bridgwater Mercury. “Library buildings in Bridgwater, Minehead, Yeovil and Frome will open for the order-and-collect service from Monday July, 13 with members able to choose up to 10 books for collection.”
• Southend – Southend summer reading challenge goes digital – Yellow Advertiser. ““Our new Click and Collect service will enable parents and children to pick out their own books, or even have some suggested by our expert librarians. I wish everyone involved all the best throughout the challenge, and hope the children continue to foster a lifelong love of reading.”
• Stoke – These two Stoke-on-Trent libraries reopen today – and here’s what you’ll be able to do – Stoke Sentinel. “Longton and Tunstall libraries are opening on a ‘click, call and collect’ basis”
• Torfaen – Torfaen Libraries request and collect service proves popular – South Wales Argus. “4,000 books have been loaned to residents since the launch of Torfaen Libraries ‘Request and Collect’ service at the beginning of June.”
• West Dunbartonshire – Bankie bookworms encouraged to join online council reading group – Clydebank Post. “Library users can now ask to join a private Facebook group set up by the local authority, West Dunbartonshire Libraries Online Reading Group”
• West Lothian – West Lothian libraries due to re-open – Linlithgow Gazette. ” an appointment based, click and collect/phone and collect system will be in place across six West Lothian libraries including Linlithgow. Library customers will be able to book an appointment from Monday (July 13).”
• Wiltshire – Coronavirus: Wiltshire Council library services to reopen – Salisbury Journal. “From an order and collect service to computer access, the authority has put forward the following options for residents to consider during a four-week consultation”
• Wokingham – Wokingham libraries announce annual summer reading challenge to be online – Bracknell News.
• Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: order and collect available – Leader. “A new order and collect service is now being piloted at Wrexham Library, with the aim of gradually rolling out the service across the county. The rollout of the new order and collect service will mean our libraries will remain closed for regular use at the moment. As of July 1 you will only be able to return and collect stock from Wrexham Library.”