Well, thank goodness 2020 is almost done
Editorial
Well done everyone, you’ve almost survived what is doubtless a contender for one of the worst, or at least most memorable, years of your life. Make sure you’re ready for the holidays, stay safe and try to ignore the all-but-certain likelihood of a third Covid wave combined this time with – fun! – Brexit chaos in some shape or another. Libraries survived 2020 and I am sure they will 2021 as well.
There’s a couple of good news stories below as well as, sadly, a could of cases of libraries closed down due to positive Covid tests. My favourite story is the absolutely hilarious response from Walsall councillors in response to people reporting the words of their leader who, you’ll remember, closed down all his libraries and then questioned whether he should reopen them being no-one was using them. The councillors are shocked that such words were seen as suggesting that they may be considering closing a library or three. They also accuse reporters of twisting words. Alas for such an accusation, reporters quoted the leader verbatim. Merry Christmas to you Walsall councillors, you’re hilarious.
Changes by local authority
- Norfolk – Hunstanton Library may be replaced in property deal.
- Sheffield – £700k to set up BIPC.
National news
- Delivering Public Engagement Digitally – Carnegie UK Trust. “The Engaging Libraries programme supports public library services across the UK to run public engagement activities on research within the themes of health, society and culture. It is funded by Wellcome Trust and Wolfson Foundation, and delivered by the Carnegie UK Trust. This digital learning leaflet shares what has been gleaned from the delivery of digital public engagement activities by two Engaging Libraries projects during the height of the coronavirus pandemic and first national lockdown.”
- Libraries are vital to tackling loneliness – Municipal Journal. “Research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in Manchester found more than 80% of library users who experience feelings of loneliness or isolation felt the library helped combat these feelings. The survey also indicated that respondents felt the library served as an information hub and community centre, providing visitors with an opportunity to meet others and engage in social activities.” … “Engaging Libraries Phase 2 is supporting 16 public library services across the UK to run public engagement activities on research within the themes of health, society and culture. It is designed to help facilitate partnerships between public library services and researchers, and spark people’s curiosity around topics that are relevant or interesting to them.”
International news
- Japan – Libraries in Japan install machines that would disinfect books using UV light – International Business Times. “A number of libraries in Japan have now installed machines that will sterilise books using ultraviolet light. This would give their visitors that peace of mind knowing that a book that they would take out from the library would be free of viruses and they can avoid the risk of bringing the virus with them to their homes and families. Many libraries across the country are already installing the machine, which would take half-a-minute to sterilise a book. Aside from sterilising the book, it also flutters the pages to ensure that dust is cleared.”
- USA – Why Some Libraries Are Ending Fines – Atlantic. “The last five years have been very busy in the world of overdue fines. In what has been the “Fine-Free Movement,” many librarians have begun to question the traditional policy of overdue fines, and attitudes have begun to change. Are fines consistent with a fundamental mission of libraries: to serve the public with information and knowledge? And to address that mission equitably across the diverse population of rich and poor library users?”. Comprehensive guide to the USA progress towards going fines-free.
- Bookish: Natalie Portman to chair National Library Week – Yahoo Sport. “The Oscar-winning actress will serve as honorary chair of National Library Week, the American Library Association announced Monday. National Library Week runs next April 4-10. Portman will help promote the role libraries have played in their communities during the pandemic.”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeenshire – Activities for all the family offered as part of Aberdeenshire Winter Words initiative – Evening Express. “The Winter Words initiative is known as being purely a libraries-based event. However this year physical and cultural activities are included, widening the offer.” … “Activities include requesting a Book Bundle from your local Click and Collect library, and downloading eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers, eMagazines and music.”
- Buckinghamshire – Marlow Library £300k refurb revealed – Maidenhead Advertiser. “The £330,000 investment in Institute Road includes a bigger children’s space plus comfortable seating and new books. The computer facilities have also been upgraded and there is a new meeting room, self-service technology and loanable tablets to use.”
- Cambridgeshire – New scheme to support SMEs through Covid-19 launched by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough libraries and the British Library – Cambridge Network. “Open to all UK business owners, Reset. Restart offers practical, jargon-free training and advice through a free, tailored programme. The scheme is delivered nationally by the British Library with local support from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough BIPC.”
- East Riding – East Riding Libraries free ‘At Home’ service for customers within the community who are unable to get to the library because of disability, illness or transport – Bridlington Free Press. “The libraries have also partnered with Tigers Trust to expand this popular service by offering a free delivery and collection service for those who are isolating, shielding or affected by Covid-19 and unable to get to their local library.”
- Glasgow – The Green View: Campaigning to help the people in our city works – Glasgow Times. “Greens have also been campaigning since the spring for the re-opening of our beloved libraries, community centres, gyms and swimming pools. There have been incredible community campaigns like the weekly ‘read-ins’ outside Pollokshields Library, where local residents put out banners, and when they were taken down came back with even more creative protest methods.” … ” Glasgow Life announced at last that 12 more libraries will open by the end of March, assuming restrictions allow. “
- Glasgow Life announced at last that 12 more libraries will open by the end of March, assuming restrictions allow – The Extra. “The charity, which runs culture and sports facilities for the council, will reopen the libraries between January and the end of March. Those selected include Govanhill, Langside, Pollok and Pollokshields. Others opening are in Anniesland, Cardonald, Castlemilk, Dennistoun, Hillhead, Knightswood, Riddrie and Springburn.”
- Gloucestershire – Christmas Delivery: Every Gloucestershire School and Library Receives ‘AnimalKind’ – Peta. ” over 100 copies of PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk and Gene Stone’s book AnimalKind have been delivered to secondary schools and public libraries in Gloucestershire.”
- Inverclyde – Youngsters can pick up Christmas ‘crafternoon’ packs at Inverclyde libraries – Greenock Telegraph. “Festive craft kits are available through the Connect and Collect service. The packs, aimed at youngsters aged three to 12, are full of materials to make Christmas creations, and also contain a selection of festive books.”
- Inverclyde Libraries to run two festive Bookbug sessions – Greenock Telegraph. Zoom.
- Lambeth – Libraries open for gift donations as council plays Santa for Covid-hit families – Brixton Blog. “All Lambeth libraries are open until 19 December for donations of toys and books for local children who might otherwise not get a Christmas present. Council staff will deliver the presents.”
- Leeds – Leeds Libraries give help to small businesses – Ilkley Gazette. “Leeds Libraries has received funding to develop and extend its existing regional service to support partner library services across West Yorkshire in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.”
- Norfolk – Bus station to make way for flats, library and shop space – EDP. “King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council had put forward a proposal to repurpose the existing bus station and demolish the library on St Edmund’s Terrace in Hunstanton. ” … “Their scheme included 47 flats in two blocks, a new, larger library and space for retail or service units. “
- Portsmouth – Carnegie, Paulsgrove and Alderman Lacey libraries reopening – About My Area. “Cosham Library is currently closed for major refurbishment and will reopen in April.”
- Powys – Lockdown reading inspires Llanidloes children – Powys County Times. ““Just tell us what sort of books you like, or who your favourite writers are, and we’ll find something that you want to read. We’ll pack them, and have a bag of books ready for collection.””
- Team of the year prize for Newtown Library staff – Powys County Times. “Newtown Library has won joint first place for the Welsh Library Team of the Year Award.”
- Sheffield – British Library gives cash to help South Yorkshire businesses – The Star. “The historic London library is giving more than £700,000 to Sheffield Council so it can expand its Business and Intellectual Property Centre.”
- South Gloucestershire – Bradley Stoke Library closed following positive coronavirus case – Bristol Post. “The council said the staff shortage was down to the fact staff were having to self-isolate because of the potential contact with a colleague who tested positive”
- Staffordshire – Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson to join events at Staffordshire libraries – Staffordshire Live. “… online sessions with the author of classic children’s books such as The Gruffalo and Stick Man Julia Donaldson will be part of the series of online Christmas activities. Also on the activities line-up will be fellow former Children’s Laureate and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt author Michael Rosen.”
- Stockport – Stockport libraries to reintroduce book browsing service – In Your Area. “The book browsing service which allows visitors to borrow books in person via the self service machine will resume in libraries from across Stockport, Greater Manchester.”
- Suffolk – Ipswich County Library closes after staff member gets coronavirus – Ipswich Star. “A member of staff at Ipswich County Library has tested positive for coronavirus, forcing the service to close until next week.”
- Walsall – Library closure claims dismissed by Walsall Council bosses – Birmingham Mail. “Councillor Garry Perry, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture, dismissed reports they won’t reopen adding there is no “closure list” and that the review was looking at extending the offer.” … “The focus next year will not be on buildings, it will be on offering a library service that extends its outreach into our communities beyond the physical building.”
- ‘Do we really need it?’ Council leader questions library service after months of closure – Guardian. “Walsall’s council leader has been asked to retract comments he made about the region’s libraries, closed for much of the year due to the coronavirus, of which he said: “I’m a firm believer that if we haven’t used something for the past four or five months, do we really need it?”” … “Nick Poole, the chief executive of librarian body Cilip, said he was “concerned and disappointed” and called on Bird to retract the comments publicly.” … “Kit de Waal, an award-winning author who grew up in Birmingham, also slammed Bird’s comments. “If they’re going on recent months’ activity then clearly that’s a travesty. They could be using the pandemic as an excuse,” she said.” … “The charity Libraries Connected also stressed the importance of professionally run libraries for Walsall.”
- Warrington – Youngsters urged to take part in winter reading challenge with LiveWire – Warrington Guardian.
- West Dunbartonshire – Dalmuir library offering Christmas craft packs for children – Clydebank Post. “The packs include all materials and instructions needed for a Christmas craft, as well as a festive library book for some holiday reading.”
- Worcestershire – Normal service resumes at city libraries – Worcester Observer. “Customers will be able to browse shelves and borrow books using self-service kiosks, return books in person, pre-book public computers and pre-book a desk in the library for study and/or wi-fi access. The mobile library service will also resume and county council chiefs hope to bring further services back into libraries in early 2021.”
- Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: coffee table books for lighter reading – The Leader. Regular weekly article promoting services.
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