The normal patchwork response

Editorial

Libraries have reopened in England in the patchwork nature that one has come to expect from our wonderfully diverse network, with some still offering only click and collect, some bookable browsing for varying periods and some with no restrictions on browsing at all. The reports I have heard are of the expected pile of returned books and busy-ness on the first day followed by a calming-down reasonably quickly. Books are still being quarantined and the social distancing measures so familiar after the last lockdown are back again. So it’s all got a feeling of deja vu about it, really. What is different this time is the hope that, with vaccines, we have seen the last lockdown. I am sure we all really hope that is the case.

Now a possible glimpse at the future. I have been talking to some Australian librarians who have, of course, been reopen for months because they live on a huge remote island with a government who realised the blindingly obvious importance of closing borders. They report that, even with their relatively mild brush with the virus, visitor numbers are still down. This ties in with what I am hearing and feeling myself – that Covid means that, even when what passes for normality returns here, there will be a sustained reduction in visitor numbers to buildings for quite a while, as the cautious stay away. And not just the cautious. There will be others who have discovered digital alternatives and it is those that libraries will still have to cater to, with a probable permanent increase in online use of library services, although at a lower level than the peak we saw last year.

Finally, I notice that this newsletter has now passed the 2000 subscriber network. Thank you to you all for making that possible.

Local news by authority

• Glasgow – Whitechurch Library to close.
• Warrington – £100k Penketh improvement.

National news

• 7 of the most beautiful libraries in Britain and Ireland – Independent. Register to read article.
• Better Libraries To Resume More Services From 12 April – Better. “From today, 12 April, and in line with Government guidance, more library services will be available from Better Libraries in Bromley, Greenwich, Dudley, Lincolnshire and Wandsworth. Customers will be able to visit libraries to return items, browse a range of stock and access computers, scanners and photocopiers. “
• Children’s mental health and wellbeing guide – Libraries Connected. “How libraries can support children’s wellbeing: A resource pack developed by Libraries Connected, ASCEL and The Reading Agency. April 2021”
• ELL libraries reopen with Covid safety rules – East London Lines. Info on Croydon, Hackney, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets.
• Fun Palaces 2021 Launch celebration – Eventbrite. 27 April, 11am, online. “Join us to open signups for the 2021 Fun Palaces Weekend, 2/3/4 October 2021… and hear some exciting news”
• How can public libraries effectively and ethically balance freedom of speech in public spaces with ensuring all members of the community feel safe and welcome? – UCL. Student survey for MLIS degree.
• ILIG AGM and talk by CILIP President Paul J Corney – Dad, are you really a spy? – CILIP. “Join us for our AGM, chaired by Jamie Finch, to hear the Annual Reports and confirm our Appointed Officers. We are delighted that this will be followed by Paul Corney, CILIP President, author, and member of the BSI committee which developed ISO KM Standard 30401 and oversaw KM Chartership Accreditation.”
• Libraries in the 21st Century – the next 20 years? – Designing Libraries. “a look back at the evolution of library spaces and looks ahead to the future in a digital, post-pandemic world” … “Now in 2021, we can see the transformation has been extraordinary; over the past two decades librarians embraced a new customer-facing role with enthusiasm, reinventing their role from the stern, finger-on-lips stereotype to a role encompassing aspects of a teacher, research assistant, social worker, events manager, community co-ordinator and in many cases a friend.”

“Now libraries must again follow the lead of retail, building their brand in a virtual space, engaging through social media and other online channels with an ever-wider community to encourage take-up of all the services the library has to offer, from leisure reading to study and research.”

Sarah Godowski, Director of architects Bisset Adams

• Save libraries to end education inequality, top author urges PM – Express. ” Cressida Cowell is demanding an end to “library poverty” where some primary schools have great provision while others have none at all.”
• Social media project / Internship – DCA. DCA are “funding a social media project and are looking to collaborate with a UK library and information science student or postgraduate with an interest and aptitude for social media as a tool for promoting library usage and specific offerings from the library. Our budget is £250 per month, for 5hrs per week at £12.50 per hour for an initial six month period. There is the potential for the project to become a longer-term appointment for the right candidate.”
• Universal Library Offer virtual seminar – Libraries Connected. Tuesday 15 June. “The day will focus on our four Universal Library Offer themes and aims to inspire you by offering practical ideas that can easily be put into practice. The event is aimed at mid-level library managers and development staff working in libraries, but anyone is welcome to attend.”. £20 – £100.

International news

• USA – Libraries and Pandemics: Past and Present – JStor. “In 1918, library books were seen as fomites (or objects likely to harbor infectious microbes); today we know that paper and books are not reliable conductors of viral agents, for the most part.” … ” The 1918 flu pandemic was the first in which libraries were central to disseminating public health information” … “The 1918 influenza pandemic had a profound impact on how librarians do their work, giving them a chance to reevaluate what was working and what wasn’t in old models.”
• Sharp rise in parents seeking to ban anti-racist books in US schools – Guardian. “Jason Reynolds’ Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, a history of racism for children and teens, was the year’s second most challenged title. In their complaints, parents claimed that Stamped contained “selective storytelling incidents” and “does not encompass racism against all people””. “The Hate U Give” was challenged because it was “thought to promote an anti-police message””

Local news by authority

• Angus – Libraries and leisure centres lead Angus Alive road to re-opening – Courier. Limited browsing from 26 April.
• Bexley – The Nest in Bexley – Designing Libraries. Pictures.
• Cambridgeshire – Our guide to The Library Presents’ spring outdoor events series – Ely Standard. “Music, theatre, comedy, puppetry, educational shows, samba drumming and online workshops are among the highlights of The Library Presents’ outdoor spring season”
• Cardiff – Bookworms will be able to browse the shelves at their local library from Monday – In Your Area. Bookable 25 minute browsing slots from 19 April.
• Cheshire East – Cheshire East libraries reopen after lockdown – In Your Area. “Sixteen of the council’s libraries have opened their doors again and have done so with full Covid-safe restrictions in place.” … “Library staff also now have access to a new electric vehicle, which is being used to deliver books to residents, who may be socially isolating or who simply prefer to remain at home.”
• Croydon – Save South Norwood Library – Change. 5709 signatures so far.
• Doncaster – Doncaster’s new library opens virtually – Designing Libraries. “DGLAM should open its doors later in the year when it’s safe to do so”
• Fife – Fife’s libraries, museums and galleries confirm re-opening date – Fife Today. Limited browsing from 26 April.
• Glasgow – Whiteinch Library to close after being left off reopening list – Glasgow West End. Library was mistakenly said to be being refurbished when it was noticed it was not on the reopening list. Glasgow Life is in poor financial state after lockdowns. “Glasgow Life’s operating budget this year is nearly 15% lower than pre-pandemic budgets for the charity and the £100 million safety net announced by Glasgow City Council will be fully utilised reopening more than 90 facilities across the city we confirmed last week.”
  • Milton and Springburn libraries reopening delays slammed – Glasgow Times. Partial paywall.
  • Save Whiteinch Library – 38 Degrees. Petition “Do not close this library” … “It is a precious resource for the local community. Is accessed by local schools, nurseries. Provides access to computers and internet and assistance to those who don’t have access to these resources.”
  • @SaveGlasgowLibs – Twitter. Campaign group.
• Hampshire – New Forest libraries welcome customers back as lockdown eases – Advertiser and Times. 30 minute browsing.
• Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire services reopen – Hertfordshire Council. 15 minute browsing in 30 libraries.
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries has set up a dedicated helpline for people who need help with technology – Greenock Telegraph. “Experts will be on hand to talk callers through connecting to wifi, navigating social media and staying safe online.”
• Islington – Islington’s leisure services and libraries start re-opening as lockdown eases – Islington Gazette. “Archway Library, Central Library, Finsbury Library, N4 Library and West Library have also opened for browsing, and library users can book PCs and study space. “
• Lancashire – Libraries in Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire to welcome visitors again – Blog Preston. “Visitors can browse, borrow, photocopy and use computers without an appointment, but may have to queue before being able to enter as part of social distancing arrangements which limit the number of people allowed in at any one time.”
• Lincolnshire – Market Rasen Library ready to celebrate its golden years’ service – Market Rasen Mail. “The first 50 customers to visit the library on that day will be able to take away a cupcake to celebrate the occasion at home.”
• Not all Lincolshire libraries in Peterborough area towns to reopen on Monday – Peterborough Telegraph. “Fourteen ‘core’ libraries across the county will be open for residents to browse books, pick up reserved items and use computers to access essential digital public services.”
• Northamptonshire – Northamptonshire elections: Tories sorry for ‘farcical’ leaflet gaffe – BBC. “The pamphlet urged voters in West Northamptonshire to vote Conservative “so that we can [insert prominent local pledges here, eg save our libraries]”. Library campaigners called the error “farcical”, given the Tory-run county council had previously drawn up plans to axe 21 library branches.”

• Nottingham – ‘Quite a big name’ – positive response as Sainsbury’s confirms plan to open in Sherwood – Nottinghamshire Live. “The food giant has pledged to open a convenience store planned as part of the redevelopment of the Sherwood Library site”… ” It will be nice just to have the library back as a community hub that people can use.” … “Owned by Nottingham City Council, the buildings at the existing library site in Spondon Street are in a poor state – and the authority has deemed that the library no longer meets the “standards expected” by users. Working with contractor Hockley Developments, the council’s redevelopment plans have been put forward – planning documents revealing that a “blue-chip retail operator” was be announced in due course to operate from a ground floor unit.”

• Redbridge – Vision RCL begins re-opening Redbridge venues – Ilford Recorder. Phased reopening.
• Somerset – Burnham Library welcomes customers back inside again – Burnham on Sea. “Normal opening hours will resume, along with browsing of books and collection of reservations.”
• South Tyneside – South Shields’ The Word and other South Tyneside libraries confirm limited reopenings on April 12 – here’s how to book a visit – Shields Gazette. “Library users will be able to return and collect pre-ordered books, reserve access to libraries’ public computers and enjoy time-limited browsing of selected shelves across all four sites – still on a strict appointment-only basis.”
• Southwark – Southwark reopens eight libraries after lockdown – Southwark News. “Southwark Council has opened up eight across the borough, with four more to remain closed for the time being.”
• Staffordshire – Paper hands tied to railings in protest over proposal to move Burton Library – Staffordshire Live. “Protestors opposed to a proposal to move Burton Library into the town’s Market Hall tied fabric-shaped books with hands on them to the railings outside the current building.”. Council have removed them, put them in a box and are willing to return them to protesters.

• Surrey – Surrey County Council joins The Libraries Consortium – Library Technology. “Members will be able to use their library card at any of the 380 member branches, crossing boundaries into London boroughs, and reaching as far as Essex and Luton. Shared catalogues will offer choice from more than 8 million items of stock, which can be delivered to any Surrey Library in days”
• Swindon – Swindon library click and collect and Steam shop return when lockdown eases – Swindon Advertiser. “The click, call and collect service which allows customers to reserve books online or by telephone has only been available at Central Library during the current lockdown. From Monday, the service will also be available at Highworth, North Swindon, Park and West Swindon libraries.”
• Warrington – Plans for £100,000 improvements at Penketh Library moving forward – Warrington Worldwide. “Warrington Borough Council and LiveWire are progressing with refurbishment works at Penketh Library following consultation with the local community and The Friends of Penketh Library on what improvements should be made.
  The council will shortly be going out to tender to identify a contractor to carry out the works, which will breathe new life into the library and create a more vibrant, flexible space for the whole community to enjoy.”
• Wiltshire – ‘We feel so grateful to be open again…’ – This is Wiltshire. “One customer told library staff: “I’m so, so grateful you have reopened, I missed the library so much.””
• Worcestershire – Libraries are open to public – Worcester Observer. Browsing and PCs available. “Only storytime sessions for pre-school children will be re-introduced at a later date, April 22.”