Not a good time to be down by two-thirds? Kent and Stockport

Editorial

The BookSeller have published an interesting article on library usage, pointing out that it is only at one-fifth to one-third of pre-covid levels. There are many reasons for this situation, some of which are listed below, but it’s still a worrying statistic to be made public at a time when councils are looking for ways to save money:

• much usage has moved online. On the other hand, while such usage is often larger than any single physical library branch, it won’t account for a significant amount of the fall. There were 157m book loans in 2018, while the article states that ebook loans March to August were 3.5m. The “600% increase” figure often quoted as an e-lending rise is not an overall accurate figure for the whole period.
• many libraries are still closed, on reduced hours or click and collect only.
• unlike shops, libraries are not promoting themselves or encouraging visitors. The focus is on safety, not income. Libraries need to be models of safety for their councils, and being risk averse, unlike retail.
• the unique returns aspect of libraries means quarantining of books unlike in shops. This may have a knock-on effect in highlighting risk to users and in keeping popular titles outside of circulation.
• A significant user base for libraries is amongst the old: a demographic most at risk and thus less likely to go out.

An example of an authority trying to save money is Kent, which has the largest number of library buildings of any UK authority, has announced that it will 66 of its 99 branches closed until 1st April 2021. Those normally working in the closed branches have been moved to open ones. Also, reading between the lines, the closure of Stockport Central Library and its moving some time next year to a co-location in an old Argos shop is as likely to be as much about saving money as modernising the service, although it is true that sometimes both can be achieved.

Changes by local authority

• Kent – 66 out of 99 libraries to stay closed until 1 April to save money. Staff redeployed to open libraries.
• Stockport – Central Library to remain closed – will move to old Argos site in shopping centre.

National news

• Collaborations For Libraries: How To Create New Things With Partners – Princh. Includes room hire, using a wedding dress designer to come up with a new staff uniform, and jazz … plus a please to not hurt reputation of library.
• How Yorkshire towns can lead UK fightback – The Yorkshire Post says – Yorkshire Post. North and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership says lack of broadband holding back region.
• It Took Covid Closures to Reveal Just How Much Libraries Do Beyond Lending Books – Observer. A look at York Explore, Tacoma, New York, Suffolk, with increase in online usage. “Its many proposals also include the use libraries – many of which are fighting for their futures – as centres to teach new digital skills to the less computer-savvy.”

The American Library Association’s Games and Gaming Round Table (GameRT) is proud to announce that despite COVID-19, International Games Week (IGW) will take place from November 8 to November 14, 2020.  Libraries of all stripes around the world are encouraged to sign up between now and October 24 to be eligible for a drawing for one of three special GameRT Loot Boxes. While GameRT encourages participants to hold a gaming event at their Library during IGW, due to the pandemic, any event held during the month of November can be counted.  This year, GameRT will be spotlighting freely available print-and-play games and listing resources available for libraries to use to set up gaming events online at games.ala.org. 

Darren Edwards, Lis-Pub-Libs

• Levelling Up Our Communities – UK Government. Report by Danny Kruger MP (Conservative) to the Prime Minister on improving community. “The local Library is or should be a crucial element of the social model we need to create, or re-create. Libraries are no longer dusty book depositories. Increasingly they serve as digital hubs and information centres for communities, and places for classes and sessions of all kinds. The British Library’s Business and IP Centre network is supporting local libraries to assist people in starting their own businesses. Even more is possible: siting BBC local radio stations in libraries, spreading the Library of Things network, using libraries for cultural events and exhibitions, and working with Historic England to establish new libraries in old buildings.” … “Government should make a major commitment to support the local library as the hub of the 21st century community”

• Library footfall down 80% on last year – BookSeller. Libraries Connected “… collects weekly figures and, up to the week ending 13th September, they show a very gradual uptick in the number of physical users since lockdown ended for libraries from early July, with footfall still at only around 20% of last year’s level.” … many libraries still closed so those open more at 35% … “the figure is still far lower than for the commercial high street, where more shops have opened fully and footfall has peaked at close to 70% of previous levels.”
• Public Library Apparel – KickStarter. “Apparel to raise awareness and funds for public libraries in the UK.”. Check out these literary themed t-shirts to support ailing libraries – Big Issue.
• Public Library Reopening Poll – Summer 2020 – Lorensbergs. “The results provide a snapshot of the services available at late August/early September and libraries’ plans for the months ahead. A total of 96 library authorities have taken part, with participation stretching across the UK. The findings represent how it’s been necessary for library authorities to respond according to the guidelines and different circumstances of their local areas.”

• Transforming the digital offer for public libraries – BookSeller. “Our goal was not just to conceptualise what a website for public libraries might look like, but rather to think more deeply and strategically about how to improve the use of digital technology throughout the whole public library sector. ” … “We believe that a national digital presence should help everyone discover the power of the public library by making access to knowledge easier and more enjoyable, and supporting every public library to deliver digital services of the highest quality.” … “to build a national digital channel for public libraries” and “develop patterns and designs that local libraries can use and re-work”

International news

• Canada – Book vending machine outside Vancouver Mall library revives pleasure of browsing the stacks – The Columbian.
• EU – News from the NAPLE sistership between Iisalmi City Library and Edinburgh Libraries – NAPLE Sister Libraries. “correspondence between libraries has been active and we have been keeping in touch with emails and Skype meetings. We have also done some small projects together. These have included country specific book exhibitions, sharing content in social media and joint activities of our book clubs. The exchange of ideas has been fruitful and we have very similar opinions concerning the development of our cooperation.”
• Global – Occupy Library – Occupy Library. 3 day online conference. “Occupy Library brings together the innovating ideas that are implemented in libraries in the Central, Eastern European, Black Sea, Caucasus, and Caspian regions. The conference will provide a virtual space for sharing good practices and support best ways to make libraries more involved in their communities.”. Happened last week.
• Ireland – Shhh! Downloads prove a big noise for Ireland’s libraries in lockdown – Times. “Figures show that due to the restrictions imposed because of the pandemic, downloads of ebooks via the app in Ireland have increased to 529,416 in 2020 to date, compared with 345,877 over all 12 months of last year.”
• Maldives – ‘Barefoot bookseller’ sought to run island bookshop in Maldives – Guardian. ““Last time we had everybody from the White House press corps to film directors, lawyers, IT managers, beach poets, retired librarians,” said Blackwell, who is a member of the British bookselling family that sold their chain in 2006. “What works best is somebody with bookselling experience. “
• USA – Passenger Pigeon Manifesto – Peta Pixel. A call for all libraries to preserve and make public historical records.

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Chance to share memories as Bath Central Library marks 30th anniversary – Bath Echo. “The libraries team will be posting on social media throughout the ‘birthday’ with photos through the ages, memories of staff past and present and activities for all ages to enjoy including 30 years of books, a quiz and downloadable bookmarks.”
  • Libraries across Bath & North East Somerset set to reopen for browsing – Bath Echo. “Bath Central, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Libraries will reopen for browsing and collection of reservations from Tuesday 22nd September, from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.”
• Bradford – Activities planned in district to celebrate Libraries Week – Keighley News. “Top authors from a range of genres are involved in the initiative, which includes free theatre sessions, small-animal workshops and interactive story times for under-fives.”
• Cumbria – Step up in Covid safety measures as more libraries prepare to open – The Mail. “after careful preparation plans are in place to reopen an additional 12 branch libraries across the county on Wednesday, October 21.”
• Hackney – Hackney librarian Jack Houston shortlisted for prestigious short story award – Hackney Gazette. “Come Down Heavy is a moving tale of a friendship between two women living chaotic lives and has been nominated for the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University”
• Hertfordshire – Get Creative with Fun Palaces – Hertfordshire County Council. “Look out for suggestions of creativity for adults and children and simple ideas for community engagement on the libraries social media pages – both the Hertfordshire Libraries pages and those of many local libraries. Join in – it’s fun and it’s free and it will create essential new community connections. #FunPalaces”
• Highlands – High Life Highland announces it will reopen eight further libraries which were forced to close during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic earlier this year; the sites set to reopen in the next week include ones in Ross-shire, on the Black Isle, on Skye, in Sutherland, Badenoch and Strathspey – Ross-Shire Journal.
• Kent – KCC acts to tackle financial impact of Covid pandemic – Kent County Council. ““As far as libraries, children’s centres and community learning services are concerned, our decision was not an easy one. We know that these are popular service and residents may be disappointed by our decision, as will those staff who will not be able to work at their usual building.”
• Lancashire – Bamber Bridge Library Will Reopen Next Week – Preston Hub. “Libraries at Bamber Bridge, Barrowford, Burnley, Burscough, Cleveleys, Halton, Haslingden, Kingsfold, Kirkham, Mellor and Sharoe Green will reopen from Wednesday 30 September. And libraries at Earby, Ingol, Knott End, and Rishton will reopen from Thursday 1 October.”
• Lincolnshire – Libraries in the Donington, Spalding and Long Sutton area are back open – Spalding Today.
• Liverpool – ‘My First Library Card’ launched for under 10’s across Liverpool – In Your Area. “Parents across Liverpool are being encouraged to pick up a special card for their under 10’s to develop their child’s love of reading. Week beginning September 28, Liverpool City Council’s Libraries and Information Services, in partnership with Edge Hill University, will launch the ‘My First Library Card’ for youngsters up to the age of 10. The library card features a friendly liver bird design, created to appeal to little readers.”
• Norfolk – One of Norfolk’s smallest libraries reopens for first time in six months – Fakenham and Wells Times. “Reepham Library is set to reopen next week after being closed for more than six months.”. Mobile library service to replace Hingham Library for time being because it is too small.
• North Yorkshire – Libraries in Craven prepare to celebrate national poetry day – Keighley News. Virtual poet reading.
• Nottinghamshire – Read all about it: the mobile library is back out on Nottinghamshire roads – Newark Advertiser. “Mobile libraries are back on the roads of Nottinghamshire ­— but offering a click-and-collect service only.”
• Pembrokeshire – Customers set for safe return to Pembrokeshire’s libraries – Pembroke Observer. “Libraries in Tenby, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Fishguard will welcome customers back to browse their shelves in person for the first time since March.”
• Portsmouth – Beddow Library Set to Re-Open and Saturday Hours Returning – About My Area. “The re-opening of Beddow library follows after the successful re-opening of Central, Southsea, North End and Cosham libraries in July and August.”
• Southend – Leigh: New chapter for Southend libraries as doors reopen to the public – Leigh Times. “Residents can now visit their local libraries to browse for their favourite novels and books.”
• Stockport – Stockport’s historic Central Library set for move to new ‘cultural hub’ at Merseyway – Manchester Evening News. “Stockport Central Library is to move to the Merseyway Shopping Centre as part of plans to create a new cultural hub in the town centre. It has remained closed since March when the council shut all libraries and museums in the borough as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.”
• Thurrock – Five more libraries to reopen in Thurrock – Your Thurrock. “A further five libraries will open in Thurrock over the next two weeks, following the successful reopening of Grays, Belhus and Corringham in July.”
• Warwickshire – Council urges Warwickshire residents to download NHS test and trace app – Solihull Observer. “The mobile phone application lets users ‘check in’ to any venue or business with areas open to the public – such as pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, cinemas, places of worship, or community facilities such as libraries – by scanning a QR code displayed on a poster at the venue. It will automatically alert users if they have visited a venue where they may have come into contact with the virus”
  • Book lovers can now visit Shipston-on- Stour Library again – Cotswold Journal.
• York – World Turned Upside Down 2020 #haiflu edition – Explore York. ” We are asking people in York to send us poems and drawings that we will use to create a lasting record of what has happened in our lives. The project is called World Turned Upside Down 2020 #haiflu edition.”