Summer library challenge

Editorial

Things feel slightly less certain this week than last, what with the Indian variant causing headlines, but public libraries are continuing the slow task of reopening. This is happening at different paces in different places – this is the UK public library service after all – but some problems are becoming obvious. The first, mentioned in the BookSeller, is that quarantining books is a bit of a problem now and will get to be a bigger and bigger problem as more people come in. And then of course there is the issue of physical regular groups and events. Some services are already tipping their toes into this water but if the Summer Holidays are as busy as normal (and it’s even possible, just about, that they may be busier – after all, foreign holidays are going to take a dip) then it’s going to be, at the least, a bit of a shock for the quarantining shelves just two months away. The rush to open on the High Street outside of library doors is also a concern for those library chiefs not wanting to look overly cautious. So, this summer is already presenting all sort of challenges, and not just the one that normally ends with certificates and medals.

National news

• CILIP NW Libraries Day and AGM 2021 – CILIP. 28 May 10am to 4pm. “This free event is open to all, both CILIP members and non-members. This event will showcase the creative ways that libraries in the North West have adapted during the last extraordinary 12 months.”
• Cynhadledd CILIP Cymru Wales Conference 2021 – CILIP. 20-21 May. “oin us as we embark on our very first virtual conference to recognise and celebrate information professionals in Wales. This last year has been a strange one for everyone. We want to help demonstrate confidence as a sector, commitment to diversity, and impact and influence across communities, Wales and beyond. Our 2021 conference is packed with an exciting list of speakers to help inspire you to make a bigger impact. Thanks to the Welsh Government, CILIP Cymru Wales is delighted to offer bursaries to public librarians to join us at CILIP Cymru Wales Conference 2021.”
• Freckle Report 2021: Digital or Diverse? The future of public libraries – Tim Coates. “The Freckle report 2021 includes survey results from the studies ‘Where did you get your book’ of April 2019 and April 2021. These show the picture of reading both before and late on in the period of the Covid 19 pandemic”. Covers USA, Australia and UK, £63.
• I’ve been to the library – A Sense of Place. “I’ve been to the library, that’s my big news for today and it’s more than enough to be getting on with. I’ve been to the library.”
• Library Campaign Zooms in on a publicity campaign for libraries Monday 24 May 2021 19:30 -21:00 – Library Campaign. “We’ll focus on following up the ideas that came up in April for a campaign to publicise libraries. The meeting will include a chance to discuss with Nick Poole, the Chief Executive of CILIP (the librarians’ professional body) what they are doing to advocate for libraries, and their plans for this year’s National Libraries Week”
• Many libraries now open but 72-hour quarantine rule causing ‘huge pressure’ – BookSeller. “Library authorities say more than 90% of their facilities have reopened since lockdown eased, with nearly half offering browsing, though many have suffered “huge pressure” from a 72-hour book quarantine rule.” … “93% of libraries are offering PC access and have browsing at some or all sites while 45% have opened for browsing at all their buildings.”

“Libraries have operated this quarantine for a year now, and it is slowing down the rate at which materials can be lent as well as placing huge pressure on available space. Libraries Connected and DCMS have both been working with government contacts and PHE to explore whether this guidance can be revised or relaxed while maintaining the safety of library users.”

Nick Poole, CILIP

• Shelf Love: Several Fascinating Facts About Libraries – BBC Radio Four. “To mark the documentary Late Returns, in which writer Nicholas Royle returns three library books – three decades after he borrowed them, we’ve collated some interesting facts using our own version of the Dewey Decimal System…”
• Townscapes: The Value of Social Infrastructure – Bennett Institute for Public Policy. Mentions public libraries seventy nine times.
• Universal Library Offers Project Manager – Libraries Connected. “The postholder will work with the Universal Offer Leads, supporting them to implement the plans, and will also oversee the creation of the annual plan. The postholder will also ensure engagement between Libraries Connected and the public library sector on the delivery of the plans.”. 14 hours per week.

International news

• EU – 2021 NAPLE Forum annual meeting – NAPLE Sister Libraries. 20 May, 12 noon to 2. “Please join us for the NAPLE Forum 2021 where we will be discussing the impact of public libraries as we emerge from the pandemic period, and looking over the horizon to see what’s next for the public library sector in the next 12 months.”
• Ireland – Firm sues over computer system contract for public libraries – Irish Times. “An unsuccessful tenderer for a multimillion-euro computer system for the country’s public libraries has sued over the awarding of the contract. Innovative Interfaces Incorporated, which was unsuccessful in tendering for part of the contract, has also obtained an automatic suspension of the awarding of part of the contract pending the outcome of its legal proceedings which were entered into the Commercial Court on Monday.”
• USA – Why librarians are natural born detectives – Crime Reads. “Whether you’re looking for information about an uncle’s will or a homemade poison, the reference desk is the place to go.”

Local news by authority

• Angus – Home library deliveries resume for elderly and vulnerable Angus bookworms – Angus. “Residents can sign up for the monthly service where books are delivered straight to homes and collected when they are ready to return.”
• Bradford – Free books and activities available as part of pyjamarama event – Telegraph and Argus. ” working with BookTrust to help gift 2,000 copies of the picture book My Pet Star by Corinne Averiss in celebration of this year’s Pyjamarama Day which takes place on Friday.”
• Bridgend – Porthcawl Library Officially Reopened Following Refurbishment – Awen Libraries. “A grant from the Local Government Cultural Service Fund (Welsh Government Culture and Sport Division) was used to reconfigure and redecorate the front half of the library, to increase the size of the children’s library and move the public computers to a space with more privacy and closer to the printing facilities.”
• Caerphilly – Caerphilly Library Service introduces pre-appointment browsing sessions – Wales 247.
• Carmarthenshire – Life in lockdown launched by Carmarthenshire libraries – South Wales Guardian. “By gathering photographs, stories, experiences, poems, diary entries, social media screenshots, drawings, or anything else people wish to contribute, the libraries will be able to record how local people adapted.”
• Devon – Libraries Unlimited launches Arts Award Discover at Home – In Your Area. “Discover at Home enables children to be rewarded for the creative activities they enjoy. If young people would like to apply for an official Arts Award Discover certificate, they will need to complete one of the activities and submit evidence to Libraries Unlimited via the website. There is a small charge to cover the cost of the certificate and postage.”
• East Riding – Chance to join East Riding Libraries’ friendly Facebook book club – Bridlington Free Press. “East Riding Libraries Face in a Book Club on Facebook now has over 220 members who have been enjoying the books selected each month by the Libraries team. The club started back in February 2020, just before the first lockdown and has gradually grown since then.”
• Havering – New rapid testing sites open in Romford and Upminster – Romford Recorder. ” these replace former testing sites in Collier Row and Elm Park libraries, which Havering Council said will shortly return to normal library service.  People can now also collect rapid home testing kits from any of the borough’s libraries, and 30 Havering pharmacies. “
• Hertfordshire – Open call for Hertfordshire Libraries – Hitchin Library – Hertfordshire Council. “We are excited to offer the opportunity to work with Hertfordshire Libraries and partners at Nysa Projects on a key strand of our Culture and Creativity Offer, My Story Artist-in-Residence.”
• Manchester – Manchester’s first ever Festival of Libraries programme revealed – The Manc. Full programme.
• Amnesty for overdue Manchester library books out on loan during Covid pandemic – Manchester Evening News. “More than 12,200 people have visited Manchester Central Library and branch libraries since mid-April, prompting bosses to remind people to return their overdue items. Around 90,000 books and other library materials are currently unaccounted for, a third of which were out on loan before the first national lockdown.”
• Norfollk – Plans for Hunstanton library move announced – Lynn News. Library to be closed while new one built, temporary site. “The move is part of a multi-million pound West Norfolk Council project to redevelop the town’s bus station, which was given planning permission last year.”
• Northern Ireland – North Belfast Carnegie library being transformed into “palace of learning” – Belfast Live. “The Falls Road Carnegie Library is still a functioning public library, the Donegall Road library was restored 25 years ago and is now let out to small businesses. The plans for the Oldpark Carnegie Library, however, bridge the gap. The Northern Ireland Foundation – the group leading its restoration – want to see it flourish in the third sector as a community hub.”
• North Yorkshire – Ground-breaking Ripon author’s love of books starts in library – North Yorkshire County Council. “North Yorkshire author Christina Shingler, who features in one of a series of Black British Stories films commissioned by the BBC, has spoken about the importance of libraries and, in particular, what Ripon library has meant to her.” … “Ripon library provides a backdrop for part of the short film, in which Christina speaks to her ten-year-old grandson, Felix, about growing up in the city in the 1960s.”
• Perth and Kinross – Perthshire author backs region’s libraries as facilities start to reopen – Daily Record. Browsing.
• Sandwell – More libraries set to reopen across Sandwell – Express and Star. Click and collect, PCs.
• Shropshire – Oswestry library ‘delighted’ to launch Dementia Awareness Week – Advertizer. “… a new and wide-ranging collection of loanable objects for people living with memory loss. The initiative has been largely funded by Oswestry Town Council, with an additional donation from Coverage Care’s New Fairholme”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries announces new virtual author events – EADT. “Suffolk Libraries has been at the forefront of hosting online events with more than 3,000 people taking part since October 2020.”
• Suffolk Libraries providing free fitness sessions as part of Mental Health Awareness week – EADT.
• Rushmere pop-up library to return in May – Ipswich Star. “Visitors will be able to browse the shelves for books and use the Suffolk Libraries Local computers from Wednesday, May 19,”
• Wakefield – Here is what will be allowed to open and what you can do in Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford from next week – Wakefield Express. “Children’s activities will restart in libraries, contact your local library for details”
• West Lothian – Libraries and community museums set to re-open in West Lothian – Linlithgow Gazette. “All 14 local libraries and the Local History reference library will accept appointments for browsing from Monday. A library appointment will allow you to visit community museums housed in libraries or in the same buildings as libraries. PC access, photocopying, printing and hearing aid services will also resume by appointment at all libraries on this date.”
• Worcestershire – Tenbury library offers more as it returns to something like normal service – Ludlow Advertiser. “The new guidance that allows up to 6 people to meet indoors will mean small social connecting groups such as reading groups and Knit and Natter can once again meet in library spaces. One to one sessions that provide valuable support with digital skills, employability and job seeking, and provide business advice and information will also be introduced over coming weeks.”