And then there was one

Editorial

Recovery continues, although the latest Libraries Connected figures showing a far slower return to libraries than to shops. This is, however, honestly to be expected as still only a small fraction of branches are fully open, with most only offering partial services and many still closed, although Sandwell is now the only library service not to have any form of physical service at all.

In other news – now there is other news – it’s been reassuring to see the huge fight put up in Glasgow over possible closures, resulting in the assurance this week that all branches are safe. Like most book readers, I do like a happy ending and the Scottish have apparently managed to get one there.

Changes by local authority

• North Yorkshire – Malton Library to be refurbished.
• St Helens – Central Library will reopen inside Heart of Glass museum on 14 September.

National news

• Boris Johnson and the revenge of the school librarian – TES. “Lining the shelf just behind Mr Johnson’s head were titles with rather unflattering associations for any political leader, including “The Twits”, “The Subtle Knife”, “The Resistance”, and “Betrayed”. And sticking out like a sore thumb was “Fahrenheit 451”, a dystopian novel about a society where books are banned.
• Burning the books by Richard Ovenden – BBC Radio 4. 14 minutes, first episode of five. “Richard Ovenden, director of the Bodleian Library, explains how attacks on libraries and archives have been a feature of history since ancient times, but have increased in frequency and intensity during the modern era. Libraries are far more than stores of literature, through preserving the legal documents such as Magna Carta and records of citizenship they also support the rule of law and the rights of citizens.”
  • Leicestershire librarian ‘feels sorry’ for PM over book backdrop – BBC. “A former school librarian has said she “feels sorry” for Boris Johnson after a book display intended as a message to her former employers ended up making waves on social media.”
• Lesley Pearse launches Libraries Connected #LibrariesFromHomeLIVE virtual event series – Libraries Connected. “Hosted via Zoom, Facebook Live and Live Webinar the series will kick-off with Bristol Libraries on the 10th September and conclude with a special Friday Fizz! Event with Manchester Libraries on the 25th September.”
• Libraries: helping local communities find work – Arts Council England. “As the country tries to recover economically from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, libraries are extremely well-placed to help people looking for work and support their communities.” … “Data provided by Norfolk Library Service, Somerset Library Service and Wandsworth Library Service to Libraries Connected for the weeks immediately following lockdown indicate that …”

“Libraries have always supported their local communities by offering resources and facilities throughout people’s lives – from toddler rhyme times to supporting the elderly, the isolated and the vulnerable. However, as the economy begins to recover from Covid-19, libraries are extremely well-placed to help those people who are looking for work. I know that up and down the country, library staff will be doing everything they can to support those in their community who need to get back to work or change career path.”

Sue Williamson, Director, Libraries, Arts Council England

• Reading Challenge aims to support pupils returning to school – Grampian Online. “he challenge is available to all primary and secondary schools as well as community groups and libraries in Scotland, and aims to build positive reading cultures and improve literacy for young people. Now in its fifth year, the programme is run by national charity Scottish Book Trust and over a third of all schools in Scotland took part in the challenge last year. The First Minister’s Reading Challenge aims to support teachers and pupils returning to school after lockdown with additional resources and funding.”
• Troubled Capita to Sell Another Software Business – CBR. “Capita’s Education Software Solutions business also includes “Reading Cloud”, a library and resource management system that is used by some 15,000 schools, and AGILIT-e: management software for universities that is used by 30 higher education institutions in the UK and Ireland, according to Capita.”
• Webinar: Phased Reopening of Libraries :Warwickshire Libraries and IF_DO Architects  – Bibliotheca. Tuesday 1 September 2pm.
• We’re back! How public libraries have been reopening their doors – Libraries Connected. “We have just a snapshot of around 1 in 3 public libraries at the moment, but we’ll be collecting this data over the coming months to build up a more detailed picture of how library services are recovering. ” … “In the first week of opening, libraries saw 8% of their usual visitor numbers, and over the 6 weeks to mid- august this rose to 15%. However, this comparison is based on footfall numbers last year when all library sites were open, so with the 15% figure is more likely to be between 20 and 40% of usual footfall for those sites that are open. “
• What Does Quality Mean for a Modern Library Service? – Libraries Connected. Recording of video chat, virtual consultation.

International news

• Kenya – Stevenage charity appeals for hands-on help with delayed library project – Comet. “A charity is appealing for volunteers to help load tens of thousands of donated books into a shipping container, which will then be sent to Kenya and converted into a library for a deprived community.”
• USA – You CAN Run a Successful Library Card Sign-up Month Campaign in the Age of COVID-19! Try These Six Ideas for Recruiting New Cardholders – Super Library Marketing. “we won’t let a pandemic stop us from bringing new cardholders into our library family”

• To-Go Library Services – ALSC Blog. “…  as the months wear on, we’ve come to realize that patrons (much like their hard-working librarians) are pretty burnt out on technology. So last month when we reopened to the public, the Youth Services Team rolled out a few fresh ideas for engaging with our community.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – More libraries join Aberdeenshire wide click and collect scheme – Grampian Online. “Click and Collect and doorstep deliveries will be available from both Inverurie and Peterhead libraries from next Tuesday (September 1), offering a safe way to access resources.”
• Blackpool – Blackpool’s main library is to reopen and here’s what you need to know – Gazette. “Blackpool Council will be opening the library on September 1 as the start of a phased steps towards a full reopening.”
• Caerphilly – Caerphilly Libraries Launch ‘Order And Collect’ Service – Wales 247. “From Monday 24th August, residents can request items of stock which they can collect at a convenient time from one of seven libraries operating the scheme.”
• Cheshire East – Alderley Edge Library prepares to re-open – Alderley Edge .com. “The library has been closed since the early stages of the pandemic and was unable to reopen along with other libraries in Cheshire East due to its size and ability to respect social distancing. The library will initially open on Tuesdays only …”
• Conwy – Conwy libraries resume computer access after coronavirus lockdown – Journal series. “Conwy County Borough Council said its library members at Abergele, Colwyn Bay, Conwy, Llandudno and Llanrwst must pre-book before arrival as there is limited access to computers to ensure a safe environment. The free call and collect service is also in action at the county’s libraries, in which books can be ordered online or by phone.”
• Cumbria – Cumbria County Council reports surge in use of online library services since Covid-19 lockdown – Westmorland Gazette. “Figures released by Cumbria County Council reveal that the number of people using eBooks and eAudiobooks more than doubled in the 19 weeks since libraries were forced to close, compared to the previous 19-week period, with 2,042 people using the service for the first time compared to 861.”
• Dumfries and Galloway – Stewartry libraries and galleries back open in latest round of lockdown easing – Daily Record. “The sites in Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie and Kirkcudbright are open on a limited basis due to current guidelines with the facilities in Dalry and Gatehouse remaining closed for the time being.”
• East Riding of Yorkshire – Council delivers appy news for library customers – Pocklington Post. “Using the same app that Library members already access free eMagazines and eAudiobooks – RB Digital – users will now notice that eNewspapers are also available to download. “
• Essex – Anthony Roberts Column: Here we come! The cavalry on our bikes – Clacton Gazette. “The little party we joined are walking from branch library to branch library this week. They duly set off for Stanway Library – now don’t get me started on tiny little Stanway Library, even by branch library standards it’s an absolute little peach of a library.”
  • SOLE to host protest through Essex to protect future of libraries – Clacton Gazette. “The seven day march, which started at Manningtree Library last Saturday, is set to stop at libraries across Great Wakering, Hullbridge, Hockley and Rochford, before ending outside County Hall in Chelmsford on Saturday.”
• Glasgow – Susan Aitken: Closing Glasgow’s libraries would not help us rebuild communities – Glasgow Evening Times. “Despite what some Glasgow Times readers may have heard in the past week, there are no plans to close any of Glasgow’s libraries. And no libraries will remain closed for any longer than is absolutely necessary. I say that as leader of the City Council on whose behalf Glasgow Life delivers its services.”
  • Greens Patrick Harvie launches campaign at Govanhill Library to ‘save Glasgow Life’ – Glasgow Times. Harvie’s £38m bailout plea to save libraries and leisure centres – Herald Scotland.
  • SNP leader Susan Aitken promises no Glasgow Life libraries will close amid Covid fears – Glasgow Times.
• Hampshire – Reduced opening hours for Hampshire libraries to be revealed in September – The News. ” a county council document revealed that the opening hours of some libraries could increase or decrease by up to 39 per cent ‘to achieve a standardised approach’.”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries continue click and collect service – Greenock Telegraph. “The service runs at Greenock Central, Port Glasgow and Gourock and books can be picked up between 10am and 2pm.”
• Kent – Library to reopen at Dover Discovery Centre and browsing at Deal is expected to follow – Kent Online. “In the meantime, KCC has also re-opened the archive search room at the Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone.” … “The first 12 libraries that opened across Kent in July will continue to offer a “select and collect” service for the time being.”
• Leicester – Five more city libraries to reopen next week – Leicester City Council. “From Tuesday 1 September, the Brite Centre Library, Belgrave Library, Hamilton Library, Highfields Library and New Parks Centre Library will reopen to the public”
• North Lanarkshire – Opening date announced for one local library only – Cumbernauld News. “… readers in Kilsyth and Condorrat will not be able to visit their own branches as yet – because the only other local authority library to re-open at this stage is is in Coatbridge.”
• Northumberland – Time-limited browsing now offered in some Northumberland libraries – News Post Leader. “The service to Northumberland Library members has been introduced at Rothbury, Wooler and Bellingham. Other libraries are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks. Customers will have 15 minutes to browse and make their own selection.”
• North Yorkshire – Dogs Trust online workshop courtesy of Northallerton library – North Yorkshire County Council. “The Dogs Trust Education Team has teamed up with Northallerton library to host the online workshop “
  • Malton library to close for major refurbishment – Gazette Herald. “The improvements by North Yorkshire County Council will include a new-look children’s library, an IT and study area and new books for all ages.”
• Nottingham – Nottingham’s Central Library will not reopen as council prepares to sell building – Nottingham Post. “Central Library on Angel Row has been declared ‘surplus to requirements’ prior to its sale, it has been confirmed today. It is set to be replaced by the new Central Library in the Broadmarsh Bus Station and Car Park.”
• Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire libraries celebrate 150 years of education for children with events – Herald series. “School – Best Days of Your Life? will run from September 2-16 on Oxfordshire Libraries Facebook page.”
• St Helens – The new St Helens library will open next month inside The World of Glass – St Helens Star. “… new St Helens library is set to open to the public next month after being created inside The World of Glass. St Helens town centre has been without a library since the closure of Central Library, based in the Gamble Building, in March 2017.” … “on Monday, September 14, the new library site will be unveiled inside The World of Glass.”
• Surrey – More Surrey libraries to open their doors – Surrey News. “In all, 38 libraries will be open for public access and will also offer limited use of PCs in the library buildings. Customers can continue to make use of the new Ready Reads service where the library team selects books based on individual preferences.”
• Vale of Glamorgan – Bestselling author Lesley Pearse launches Libraries Connected – Barry and District News. “A much-loved author in libraries, Ms Pearse will speak at six events across the UK during September co-ordinated to lead up to National Libraries Week which runs from October 5 to October 10, 2020.”
• Wiltshire – Wootton Bassett Library to reopen as students return to school – Swindon Advertiser. “The library in Borough Fields will only be offering an order and collect service, with computers available for advance booking online.”
• Wokingham – Library stays closed for now – Henley Standard. Wargrave: “Wokingham Borough Council has re-opened the bigger Woodley and Wokingham libraries with new safety measures due to the coronavirus outbreak. But librarian Ros Fernley says she doesn’t know when Wargrave will follow suit. She said: “I guess we need to see how the big two get on first and monitor how safely we can work.””
• York – York Explore libraries all set to re-open again – The Press. “Smaller libraries, as well as the larger Explore centres which opened in July, will be open and customers will be able to drop-in to browse the books for the first time since March. Opening times will vary, with shorter than normal hours at some places and all libraries closing by 5pm. The Reading Cafes at York, Acomb and Tang Hall libraries will re-open too and there will be books to borrow again at the cafes in Rowntree Park and Hungate.”