Glasgow shows key differences, Cipfa fractionally improves

Editorial

The campaign against the cuts to Glasgow libraries are notable for a few reasons. First thing to note that, by English standards, they’re not actually all that bad – just a few closed, moved or made volunteer. That sort of thing would raise a few placards south of the border but not the big coverage that it is getting in Scotland’s second city. Cuts to public services are taken more seriously up there evidently, even though the Conservative protests about them should be taken with the pained ironic wince it deserves. Finally, it’s worth pointing out that the cuts are not caused by the council but rather because the libraries are run by the local leisure trust, whose financial model has been temporarily wrecked by covid. If the service was run by the council then, presumably, the cuts would not have even happened. But, then, North Ayrshire is also going through cuts so maybe not.

The other thing to note this week, possibly with more pain than irony, are the Cipfa DCMS funded reports on how local library services are doing compared to each-other. Despite Cipfa being the sector by-word for slowness, disinterest and price-gouging, one has to admit that these comparator reports have improved slightly. Initially produced in 2012, back then one could only compare services with a small number of other library services – almost as if Cipfa was keen not to share data that it could otherwise charge through the nose for – but at least now one can see how each service is doing in comparison to every other library service in the country. It’s still out of date of course, and only four-fifths of councils bother contributing, but it is better than it was. We just need to wait now for the 150 councils to work together (and, even, gosh, share their data for free) and bypass Cipfa altogether but, until that happy day, this is probably the best that this supposed sector of information sectors is going to get.

Changes by local authority

• Northamptonshire – Volunteers reopen Abington library.
• North Ayrshire – Proposed cuts include Dreghorn and Saltcoats libraries moving into community centres; Irvine Library relocation, closure of Springside Library, Bourtreehill Library may become volunteer, Ardrossan Library to move into school.
• Stockport –  Central library services have moved to an alternative site temporarily due to the cost of making the Central Library building covid safe during the pandemic (source: email from the service)
• Warrington – Museum and Library to temporarily move while £360k restoration works carried out.

National news

• DCMS funded Report 2020 – Cipfa. “Download the report comparing each English library authority that returned data (121 of the 150 councils in England have been published: report updated March 2021) with their family group, as defined by the CIPFA Nearest Neighbours Model.”
• Libraries on the high street – Libraries Hacked. “With the OS high streets, and ‘good enough’ data on libraries I looked at how many libraries are directly on a high street: about 25%.” … “With the OS high streets, and ‘good enough’ data on libraries I looked at how many libraries are directly on a high street: about 25%.”

• Library Campaign Zoom meeting 14 April 2021 Update – Library Campaign. “Among the points to emerge were: · All Friends groups are valuable, whether they are fighting cuts or supporting a service that isn’t in crisis. · Many groups produce useful material that could be shared. · The government (DCMS) has a legal duty to ensure good services … but doesn’t. · National library bodies seldom do things that library users see as high priority – such as… ·  Demonstrate that libraries are great value for money · Run a publicity campaign for public libraries, perhaps centred on social media.”
• Pandemic shows how ‘digital by default’ government services exclude those who need them most – Business Reporter. “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.”

• Senior Lecturer to host online workshop in collaboration with BBC Arts and the British Library – FE News. “A Senior Lecturer at Leeds Trinity University has been invited to deliver an online games workshop and participate in a panel discussion as part of an event organised by Leeds Libraries in collaboration with BBC Arts and the British Library.”
• Webinar for those planning events outside – Libraries Connected. 18 May, 1.30pm.
• Working Internationally Conference 2021 – CILIP. 25 June. “The 2021 Working Internationally Conference explores ways of connecting with library services from across the world to inspire and inform your library service back home. A unique programme of panel sessions, presentations, and hands-on workshops draws on speakers from a diverse range of regions – UK, Europe, Canada, Africa, and the Middle East – to share best practices, spotlight new ideas, and showcase successful examples of international working projects. “

International news

• Canada – Libraries close, vaccine rollout enhances – High River Times. “Alberta libraries were told to close their doors yet again as Covid-19 cases continue to rise and the province tries to issue as many vaccines as possible.”
  • Traditional Picnic Game Lending Library (cochranepubliclibrary.ca) – Cochrane Public Library. “We are so proud to announce that starting Monday July 27, patrons will now be able to check out a number of fun traditional picnic games”
• Denmark – A haven in our community: The impact and value of public libraries – Christian Lauersen. ” In the Danish public the debate about libraries often refers to a handful of established key figures: How many people visit our public libraries and how many materials do they borrow. Important data that says something about the use of public libraries but not really gives us insight on the value and impact public libraries have on individuals and communities.”
• Global / Ireland – Libraries of Sanctuary: Supporting Migrant Communities – LibFocus. Survey of the Libraries of Sanctuary movement.
• Japan – Japanese library inspired by forests celebrates communal learning – Wallpaper. “Spanning two floors, the building interior is defined by its expressive wooden shelving system – at places appearing very tall, reaching double heights, and at others peeking over the floor at much lower levels, so that people can look over and connect visually with the environment. “
• South Africa – S.Africa’s UCT campus salvaging books from burned library – Reuters. Horrifying pictures. “”It was horrifying. It was a deep-seated sadness that this had to happen because some things are irreplaceable,” Satgoor, executive director of libraries at UCT, told Reuters.” … ” large parts of the African Studies monographed collection of published books was destroyed, as well as rare 19th century dictionaries from around the continent and a valuable African DVD films collection of around 3,500 films”
• South Korea – South Korea’s ‘study with me’ videos bring back camaraderie of libraries amid COVID-19 – ABC News. “In one case, the individual livestreams every single second of studying with a stopwatch on one corner of the screen. In the other, the videos are more produced and include the sounds of raindrops, wood-cracking, ASMR or relaxing music.”
• USA – Why overdue book fines could soon be history at Louisville public libraries – Courier Journal. “Just last week, Boston Public Library moved to eliminate late fines. It would join city systems such as San Diego, Chicago and Baltimore. In Kentucky, roughly 25 counties already have ended the fees, according to the Kentucky Public Library Association.”
  • Cleveland’s libraries ready for next chapter as $100 million upgrade unfolds – The Land. “The first four branches to be upgraded will have outdoor spaces. Woodland will get an outdoor classroom and performance space.”
  • This Nickelodeon show features a magical secret library – I Love Libraries. “Nickelodeon’s Welcome to the Wayne, created by Billy Lopez. It features a library that exemplifies the series’ quirkiness.”
  • “Whispering Libraries” are coming to Brooklyn this summer – Time Out. “The Brooklyn Public Library is launching a curated “audio experience” at 10 library branches across Brooklyn. Each branch will hide speakers outside and play music, poetry, oral histories, podcast excerpts, and spoken literature up to five times a day, sometimes as early as 7:30am.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Ellon Service Point to reopen in new home – Grampian Online. “Customer service points closed temporarily in December “. Reopening in library.
• Bridgend – Self-Service Scanners Help Keep Book Borrowers Safe – Awen Cultural Trust. “new self-service machines at Aberkenfig, Maesteg, Pencoed, Porthcawl and Pyle libraries to help keep book borrowers safe during the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.”
• Cardiff – Libraries in Cardiff re-open for browsing for first time in more than a year – Wales Online. “Members of libraries across the city can now browse bookshelves, but only after booking a slot. Each slot is limited to 25 minutes to view and choose which books to borrow.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire librarian Jenny hailed as Local Service Champion – The Standard. Jenny Evans, Frodsham Library. “Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Jenny is a true public servant. Her inspiring story is a testament to the dedication of so many local authority workers, who don’t always get the recognition they deserve.”
• Darlington – Libraries to develop events for children – Northern Echo. “Darlington Borough Council’s local services scrutiny committee heard the last year saw a 49 per cent drop in items borrowed by adults, from 171,000 to 88,000, but a 70 per cent drop in the number of items children borrowed. Library bosses told councillors with more junior borrowers lost over the pandemic, they were planning activities, events and experiences to draw children and families to its libraries in Crown Street and Cockerton again.”
• Devon – Totnes phone boxes could be libraries or art installations – In Your Area. “If adopted, they will need to be used for a community project such as a mini library, an art installation or even to house a defibrillator.”
• Booktrack success for Fraya, 10 – Exmouth Journal. “An Exmouth youngster celebrated reading 100 books by having an ice cream from Antonio’s. Fraya Radcliffe, aged 10, who attends Beacon Primary School, won her Booktrack award having read 100 books at Exmouth Library. “
• Dundee – When will your local community centre open? Phased return announced in Dundee – Courier. Browsing.
• Essex – Take away Covid self tests from Thaxted library – Dunmow Broadcast. “Covid self-test lateral flow kits to take away are now available at a further 14 libraries in Essex, and from Friday (April 23) this includes Thaxted Library.”
• Glasgow – Plans for public protests for Whiteinch, Langside and Pollokshields libraries – Glasgow Times. “Today the Save Glasgow Libraries Campaign is restarting its read-ins outside Langside and Pollokshields libraries. And Save Whiteinch Library is putting out a call for locals to back plans for a “protest spot” outside the under-threat building.”
  • Glasgow Life respond to our Save Our Venues campaign with updated list – Glasgow Times. Maryhill and Whiteinch libraries may move into leisure centres.

• Glasgow Times calls on city to save our vital public venues – Glasgow Times. “The financial impact of the lockdown is obvious. Glasgow Life lost almost £40m in 2020/21 as a result of the lockdown and relied on more than £75m funding from the council to say afloat.” Newspaper calls for “A full library service to remain in their communities and avoid more empty premises in communities.”
  • Invest in public libraries and not politicians’ fantasy fiction – Daily Record. “Daily Record columnist Darren McGarvey says why can’t public services such as libraries be ring-fenced or, dare I say it, awarded serious investment? … “while the building you have always thought of as “the library” may not be reopening, this does not mean the library is closing. What is closing is the building that everyone knows as the library. Are you following me?”
  • Nicola Sturgeon accused of ‘shameful neglect’ as over 50 sports, community & library facilities won’t reopen in Glasgow – Scottish Sun. Scottish Conservatives say SNP using Covid as an “excuse” is “shameful.
  • ‘We got it wrong on informing about libraries – I apologise’ – Glasgow West End. Glasgow Life apologises not for the closures but for mishandling public relations about it. ““I think it has been, unfortunately, badly communicated to the communities about what we were trying to do.” … “McDonald said short-term pop-up libraries that were now being planned were a response to those feeling”
• Hertfordshire – Pyjamarama is back for 2021 – Hertfordshire Council. “Hertfordshire Libraries will be joining in with the online events hosted on Friday 14 May by BookTrust.”
• Leicester – Leicester residents urged to get involved for World Book Night – In Your Area. Zoom talk. “It will feature conversations by artists about the book Taking Up Space: The Black Girl’s Manifesto For Change, by Chelsea Kwakye and Ore Ogunbiyi.”
• Leicestershire – Ashby library to welcome Poet Laureate at virtual ‘A-Z’ tour – In Your Area. “A Leicestershire library will virtually host Simon Armitage this month as he embarks on his ten-year A-Z tour of UK libraries. On Monday, April 26, Ashby Library will welcome Simon, the current Poet Laureate, as he uses the alphabet as a guide to visit libraries across the country.”
• Manchester – Read Manchester’s Spring Big Book Giveaway – MancLibraries Blog. “We’ve a spring in our step when we look through the figures from our recent Big Book Giveaway. Over the Easter period we gifted 10,444 books and 4,633 magazines to children and young people across the city. This figure takes our total to 55,724 books and magazines gifted locally since the first lockdown was announced in March 2021.”
• Northamptonshire – Abington Library in Northampton reopens to the public after being saved by the community – Northampton Chronicle. Volunteers reopen closed library “The opening times are 10-2 on Tuesdays, 2-4 on Thursdays and Fridays, and, starting on June 4, on the first Saturday of every month there will be a coffee morning.”
• North Ayrshire – North Ayrshire libraries and community buildings face cutbacks as council review 40 properties – Daily Record. “The fate of 40 community centres, libraries and halls in North Ayrshire will be decided in June. People have until Wednesday, May 5 to comment on future proposals for the buildings and the council is inviting more feedback. The council is considering closing Dreghorn Library near Irvine and moving it to Townend Community Centre. Irvine Library could also be relocated to Bridgegate House under proposals with the building rented out. Meanwhile, bosses are looking at using Springside Library for another function and lending books through click-and-collect services. They are also looking at community asset transfers for Kilwinning’s Whitehirst Park Community Centre and Woodwynd Hall and Irvine’s Bourtreehill Library.”
• North Yorkshire – Library customers share their delight at being back in branches – North Yorkshire County Council. “In the first week of reopening from 12 April, the county’s libraries welcomed 5,125 visitors, who borrowed almost 21,000 books, and hosted 1,350 IT sessions.”
• Oxfordshire – Libraries to re-open – Henley Standard.
• Pembrokeshire – Order and Collect service to begin at Crymych Library – Western Telegraph.
• Suffolk – Suffolk Literacy Hub: Community consultation – National Literacy Trust. “The National Literacy Trust is launching a literacy hub based in Suffolk and we want our activities to be informed by those who are most likely to be involved. “
• Warrington – Steven Broomhead on library’s temporary move to Golden Square – Warrington Guardian. “proposals to temporarily move Warrington Museum and Library to Golden Square Shopping Centre. The grade two listed building’s roof requires urgent repairs, meaning the premises will be out of use for much of the remainder of 2021. While six months of £360,000 restoration works are carried out, services will be relocated to a ‘pop up’ site in the former USC store in the Mall from next month.”
  • Bright future for town’s libraries says council chief – Warrington Worldwide. ““The past 12 months have shown us the hugely important role community facilities play in people’s lives. The closure of these facilities for safety reasons has taken away a real lifeline for many residents. It has served as a reminder of how important facilities such as our libraries and leisure centres are for the wellbeing of our communities.”
• West Lothian – West Lothian libraries will open their doors from next week – Daily Record. Browsing and PC access.
• Worcestershire – Wrexham Library to reopen to the public on an appointment basis as part of a phased reopening – Wrexham.com – Bromsgrove Standard. Browsing. “Only storytime sessions for pre-school children will be re-introduced at a later date, April 22.”
• Wrexham – Wrexham Library to reopen to the public on an appointment basis as part of a phased reopening – Wrexham.com. Browsing by appointment.