Tower Hamlets reprieve

Editorial

Tower Hamlets have reversed their decision to impose deep cuts on their library service. This will come as a relief not just to their library users but also to many in the library community, where the Idea Stores model from the borough is well-known and respected. The councillors of Croydon, however, whose library budget have rarely been envied at the best of times, are still going through with deep cuts there, although there is some impressive campaigning work going on to try and stop it. Elsewhere, library services are gearing up for their plans for when they are allowed to open on 12 April, with some services which had been completely closed, sticking a toe in the water with click and collect before then.

Changes by local authority

• Bedford – Increase in staffless technology.
• Northamptonshire – Far Cotton Library closes permanently.
• Tower Hamlets – Cuts stopped after protests.

National news

• CILIP’s Library and Information Supplier Showcase – CILIP. 25 March, online. “Attendance for delegates is free of charge and you will need to register so that you can gain access to the virtual event platform.”
• CIPFA Speaks: Budget 2021 and World Book Day – CIPFA. “his week’s packed episode featured CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman with his reflections on the 2021 Budget, Libraries Connected on the impact of COVID-19 on libraries, and CIPFA student Faye Revely joined us for our recurring segment on working from home in public finance.”
• Dr Seuss: Six books withdrawn over ‘hurtful and wrong’ imagery – BBC. “Among the six children’s titles being withdrawn are If I Ran the Zoo, Scrambled Eggs Super, McElligot’s Pool and On Beyond Zebra” … “Babar’s Travels was removed from the shelves of libraries in East Sussex in the UK after complaints of racism from words used such as “savage cannibals”. Similar complaints have led to some of Herge’s Tintin adventures being removed from libraries, or moved to the adult section.”

• Libraries are a safety net, what happens when they are pulled away? – Big News. “Libraries are often referred to as “the last safety net”. When someone slips through the cracks of social care, they come to us. What happens when that “last safety net” is pulled away?”
• Libraries are lifelines – BookSeller. “Whatever the future holds, the pandemic has made it clear that we need to rethink how essential services are made available to those who need them the most. Libraries are not expendable, and I hope that the way they are cared for in the coming years reflects the value that they hold for their communities.”
• ‘Library job stopped me from suicide, they’re a sanctuary we can’t afford to lose’ – Mirror. “The library where Allie Morgan works became a sanctuary for gaunt, poverty stricken men and women, including an ex-heroin addict who said boredom was the killer that could make him use again.” … “After experiencing the magic of libraries first hand, Allie has written a book, The Librarian, telling the story of how she went from rock bottom to community activist and spokeswoman for library workers”

“The Library Communication Framework (LCF) is set to transform how library suppliers share information with each other in the future, building on the work that the SIP2 protocol has delivered in the past.  LCF will allow vendors to share not only basic transactional information (like SIP2), but additionally manage libraries’ users and stock better.  For libraries planning on upgrading any of their systems from 2021 onwards, LCF should form part of your understanding and be a (possibly mandatory) part of your specification or tender requirements.” BIC Webinar, 29 April.

• Pandemic shows how ‘digital by default’ government services exclude those who need them most – Conversation. “And with libraries closed many are more cut off than ever before. Indeed, people rely on libraries for online access – a place to search for jobs, answer emails, access educational resources and stay in touch with the outside world.”
• Working Internationally for Libraries Conference 2021 – CILIP. 25 June, 10 to 5pm, webinar. ” A unique programme of panel sessions, presentations and hands-on workshops draws on speakers from a diverse range of countries – from UK, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East – to share best practice, spotlight new ideas and showcase successful examples of international working projects.”
• World Book Day: Is Covid lockdown giving reading a boost? – BBC. “Gone are the children’s dressing up competitions, reading extracts in school assemblies, the book reports and the festivities at the local library.” … “During lockdown, the Welsh government provided £250,000 towards digital library resources and one provider saw a 110% increase in borrowing of e-books compared to 2019.” … “It is not clear yet, but it is safe to assume bookworms cannot wait to return to bookshops and libraries again once restrictions end.”

International news

• Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s Libraries Authority signs deal to digitize manuscripts – Arab News. “o make original manuscripts available online through a unified digital platform.”
• USA – The Internet Archive’s National Emergency Library Controversy – Hackernoon. “The row over the Internet Archive’s National Emergency Library, which aims to fill the learning gap in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, has now reached government.”
  • A Disproportionate Pandemic – American Libraries. “Library patrons with disabilities face compounded challenges”
  • Libraries oppose censorship. So they’re getting creative when it comes to offensive kids’ books – CNN. “”It doesn’t mean that people should stop reading the books or not have them in their collection, but they should be thinking critically about the books and how they are shared with young people.””

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Aberdeen City Libraries to host virtual author event – Evening Express. “The council’s library service will mark the day with the event Wild Women: Magi Gibson and Gerda Stevenson in ‘virtual’ conversation.”
• Bedford – Consultation to extend LibraryPlus to Kempston and Putnoe Libraries begins – Bedford Independent. “Extended opening hours and greater flexibility for users of Putnoe and Kempston Libraries are being cited as benefits of the LibraryPlus scheme that Bedford Borough Council is consulting on.”
• Blackpool – Fines not needed to ensure books returned on time at Blackpool libraries – Gazette. “There are no plans to reintroduce library fines in Blackpool after the removal of the charges in 2019 has been judged to have had “a universally positive effect.””
• Calderdale – Library events focus on air quality in Sowerby Bridge – Calderdale Council. “Between March and September this year, there will be a series of free events that anyone can attend, to hear from specialists and to ask questions about all sorts of issues around air quality and health.”
• Cheshire East – Reading friends libraries project to combat loneliness – Cheshire East Council. “library staff are on hand to contact anyone requesting a weekly call to discuss their favourite authors and books, something they’ve heard on the radio or read in a newspaper. “
• Croydon – Responding to Croydon’s Libraries consultation – Helpful tips before you respond – Save Croydon Libraries. See also Save Croydon Libraries want to amplify the voice of children and young people and The stats tell a very different story to Croydon Council’s “we are proud to have invested in our libraries” narrative.
  • Five Croydon libraries identified for potential cuts – Sutton and Croydon Guardian. “An unused brand new library could soon be sold off by Croydon Council as it looks to save money amid its financial crisis. South Norwood Library is one of five earmarked for closure by the local authority. The others affected are Broad Green, Bradmore Green, Sanderstead and Shirley.”
  • Libraries are our long-term investment. Don’t squander it – Inside Croydon. ” because our council is bankrupt and is desperate to save money, it is now suggesting that as many as five local libraries should be closed. This is a terrible idea.”
• Devon – Libraries across Devon play vital role with 2021 census – In Your Area. “Staff at the libraries will be given special training and information to help answer questions and take people step by step through filling in the form”
  • Library postcard project helps tackle isolation – Midweek Herald. “Staff are spreading some friendship by giving out locally-designed postcards to library users so they can send messages of support to others.”
• East Sussex – Six books withdrawn over ‘hurtful and wrong’ imagery – Report Door. “Babar’s Travels was removed from the shelves of libraries in East Sussex in the UK after complaints of racism from words used such as “savage cannibals”.”
• Edinburgh – International Women’s Day – sign up for event with Edinburgh City Libraries – Edinburgh Reporter. “They invite readers to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day with award-winning author Monique Roffey who will be in conversation with Sarah Howells of the Central Library.”
• Fife – Janey Godley launches new menopause initiative in Fife with online gig – Fife Today. “The renowned stand-up, who teamed up with OnFife library staff to kickstart the’ Pause…not Full Stop’ initiative, said the launch event had been eye-opening and enjoyable.”
• Highland – Highland Libraries go online to mark World Book Day – John O’Groat Journal. ” We have a full day planned around World Book Day with live Bookbug sessions on Facebook at 11am and themed Lego challenges throughout the day concluding with a World Book Day themed family Quiz at 4pm.””
• Kent – Plans revealed for reopening of Kent libraries – In Your Area. “It has been announced that the phased recovery programme will begin with essential library computer use from Monday, March 15. It is then anticipated that April will see 35 libraries being fully open for browsing and study space:”
  • Half of Kent’s libraries set to reopen their doors over next two months – Kent Online.
• Newcastle – Newcastle schools, libraries and theatre to get eco-upgrade – BBC. “Newcastle City Council has been awarded £27.25m from a government fund to improve energy efficiency in public buildings across the city. Projects will include the installation of solar panels and heat pumps and improvement of insulation.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk libraries to reopen with click and collect services – Lynn News. “In the first week, starting on Monday, there will be 25 libraries offering ‘at the door’ services, with a further 22 libraries reopening the following week. Each library will allow users to pick up selected books, return items and access toiletries or period products through the Tricky Period scheme”
• Northamptonshire – Maternity services to take over Northampton neighbourhood library formerly used as a community hub – Northampton Chronicle. “Northamptonshire County Council and Northampton General Hospital have now confirmed the library will be used as a community maternity hub and any stock and furniture from the library will be used for a refurbishment of Weston Favell library.”
• North Yorkshire – Libraries help bring business ideas to life at this challenging time – North Yorkshire County Council. “To access COBRA or Universal Skills from home or work, you need to be a North Yorkshire library member …”
• St Helens – St Helens Library to reopen for essential computer use and click and collect – The Reporter. “Based in the World of Glass Museum, St Helens Library – which opened in September 2020 – joins Chester Lane Library in offering IT support, available to book by appointment for up to 45 minutes at a time during opening hours to assist with essential tasks such as study, access to benefits, searches for work and training opportunities.”
  • Virtual events planned for World Book Day from St Helens Library Service – The Reporter.
• Somerset – Burnham-On-Sea Library to re-open from Monday 8th March with limited service – Burnham on Sea. “borrowers will be able to return library items, collect reservations that have been placed via the LibrariesWest website,”
• Suffolk – Visits need to be booked at some Suffolk libraries – East Anglian Daily Times. “Ten Suffolk libraries are asking book-lovers to book an appointment before visiting. Meanwhile, the service has suspended all overdue charges indefinitely, and loan periods have been extended to six weeks.”
• Swansea – Swansea helps Welsh libraries reach out into the virtual world – Wales 247. “Library staff across Wales will have access to a custom-built digital training package thanks to a Swansea Council officer and a grant from the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund. Kerry Pillai, of Swansea Libraries, has coordinated a range of training packages for library staff members across Wales.”
• Tower Hamlets – ‘War of words’ at Tower Hamlets cabinet meeting stops library closures – East London Advertiser. “A last-ditch battle has been waged to save two libraries in east London caught up in £1.6 million public spending cuts which has led to a U-turn tonight (March 3) at Tower Hamlets Council’s cabinet meeting.” … “the cabinet has had second thoughts after a petition with 2,200 names and a letter to the mayor from academics including a former Children’s Laureate and three authors. “
  • Libraries saved in Tower Hamlets – Library Campaign. “TLC talked to Glyn Robbins, one of the main organisers of the public campaign. All the local unions – Unison, Unite, GMB – backed the campaign. But public support is vital, Glyn says. A campaign can be dismissed by politicians as self-interested workers “just defending their jobs”. Showing that libraries are vital to communities makes that much harder. Also vital was a clear, simple and united message – just leave the libraries alone.”
• Wokingham – Council planning committee gives green light to transform old Twyford school into library and community space – Maidenhead Advertiser. “A planning application to transform an old school in Twyford into a library and community space has been approved by Wokingham Borough Council’s (WBC) planning committee. The council application, which was brought before the committee on Wednesday, February 10, looked to restore and convert the old Polehampton Boys’ School building into a library. The current library in Twyford is located in a temporary portable building in Polehampton Close.”