“Not enough”

Editorial

Public Libraries News has always included pertinent news stories from the library sector outside of the UK. This is not just because international happenings can inform us about great new ideas we can adopt. That is important but nope. Rather, I am aware that someone once said something to the effect that the future arrives in different times at different places and in different flavours so by looking at what is going on elsewhere, we can gain ideas about what may happen here. It also reveals possibilities like, for example, the current USA moves towards forcing publishers to allow libraries to lend e-Books – which is something every librarian here who has to explain why they cannot get anything digital from Hachette knows the importance of.

But it is entirely possible to go through a career in a British public library, even at senior levels, and not have any dealings or awareness of what is happening to colleagues abroad. This means mistakes are made that could have been avoided if experiences beyond our shores were taken into account and it also means best practice can be a parochial, rather than a truly global, thing. Which helps no-one. So, let’s applaud those librarians who look beyond our borders, like Ayub Khan, interviewed below and let’s, at least, think about the abroad, even if at the moment we unfortunately cannot physically go there. Bags I the first trip to New Zealand.

So, what is IFLA?: A short interview with Ayub Khan

What is IFLA?

The Euro 2020 football tournament is taking place as I write my answers – so let’s be topical and say IFLA is a bit like a FIFA for library associations. IFLA stands for the International Federation of Library Associations. It is the leading body representing the interests of library and information services – and their users – around the world. Founded in 1927, IFLA now has more than 1,500 members in 150 countries. That’s quite a squad.

What is your new role within IFLA?

I am one of five Governing Board Members – all from different countries – and responsible, in a nutshell, for the direction and future wellbeing of the Federation. I am delighted and honoured to take on the role, which complements me chairing CILIP’s Working Internationally Board.

How does IFLA impact UK public libraries?

The honest answer is ‘not enough’. UK libraries are well-regarded around the world and known for innovation. Yet their staff have not come forward in numbers so far – hence IFLA involvement and impact are relatively limited. We hope to change that. IFLA provides opportunities to share ideas, experiences, good practice and innovation on a global scale. It’s a chance for like-minded library professionals, wherever they are based, to learn from each other – which has to be a good thing. Also, there are some topics that need to be discussed across borders, such as e-books, e-licensing and e-copyright.

Why should British librarians care about what is going on outside of the UK?

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted what an interconnected and interdependent world we live in. Co-operating and collaborating across boundaries and borders seem to me to be essential for making progress towards solving global problems like the current pandemic or climate change.  Whatever sphere we operate in, and however we view political systems or regimes in other countries, I think we have to focus on the similarities between us – not the differences. IFLA believes that Together, we can build a strong and united library field, powering literate, informed and participatory societies. Hooray for that.

How can anyone interested get involved in IFLA?

There aren’t really any barriers because CILIP is a member organisation. There is an  annual conference – happening online this year – which anyone working in libraries is welcome to join for a modest fee. There are also annual nominations for various committees, including public libraries. IFLA also provides lots of free, online resources.

What’s the best way of standing a chance of attending an IFLA conference?

Under normal circumstances IFLA conferences take place in a different country each year – so there are travel costs. However, the 2022 and 2023 conferences are in Europe, which will help. Occasionally there are bursaries available for potential delegates, particularly if they are presenting a paper. I’ve been to several conferences, over the years – sometimes combining the trip with a family holiday – and attendance has certainly been a big part of my professional development. I think of the conference as a team-building training camp for international players – to help them develop game-changing skills.

Changes by local authority

• Windsor and Maidenhead – No static library closures: mobile library service stopped, 39.5 hours cut.

National news

• £1.1m for Museums and Libraries in Wales – Wales 247. Welsh Government’s Transformation Capital Grants: “Five libraries will be modernised with the funding going towards new community facilities, and supporting the establishment of wider ‘hubs’ where people can access library services alongside a range of other amenities”: Includes Treorchy and Rhayader.
• Entries for SLIC Award Open – SLIC. “The Scottish Library and Information Council is delighted to announce an annual Award for the library sector in Scotland. The SLIC Award will celebrate the talent, innovation, and achievement of library teams throughout Scotland.”
• LGA – Library investment key to helping children catch up following pandemic – LGA. “Libraries have a vital role to play in helping to build back the country following the pandemic with many already supporting children to recover from missed classroom time and helping to plug the widening attainment gap.”
• The moral obligation for interlibrary lending – Birmingham City University. “The moral duty of a librarian is that access to information is maintained and resources are shared for the good of society as a whole.”
• Trustee opportunities – Reading Agency. “The Reading Agency is seeking new Trustees with a passion for reading, and the positive impact that reading can have, to join our Board.”

International news

• China – A natural library – Designing Libraries. “Zheshui Natural library is inspired by this traditional construction method, and the building is attached to the rock face. The river runs along the other side of the structure, and there is even a tree growing through the roof.”
• Finland – Designing a new heart for a small city – Designing Libraries. “Kirkkonummi is a small town near Helsinki built around its medieval stone church. JKMM Architects has transformed the old city library facing the church to create a new civic centre.”
• Global – Library Fires Have Always Been Tragedies. Just Ask Galen – Jstor Daily. “The three lost libraries Galen describes, all located in close proximity to each other on Rome’s Palatine hill, shared some important characteristics. In a world without printing presses or photography, a crucial function of imperial public libraries was to safeguard authoritative versions of important texts—ideally the original manuscripts—that scholars like Galen could consult and copy with confidence. Some texts were stored in special collections assembled by a notable individual, while others appear to have been shelved by subject. Galen boasts of finding inconsistencies and errors in the catalogues used as finding aids, suggesting that patrons were free to browse shelves on their own, without a librarian’s supervision.”
• USA – Why more public libraries are doubling as food distribution hubs – The Conversation. “The earliest example of this kind I’ve found dates back 35 years”. Survey of current feed and read schemes in the USA.
  • A Media Empire for the (Public) Library? OverDrive Acquires Kanopy – Scholarly Kirtchen. “These companies, both owned by private equity, have made strong inroads in the public library market, but they have struggled for related reasons in the academic sector. At a minimum, OverDrive’s acquisition creates a public library powerhouse with continuing growth aspirations. Both services, however, have struggled in the academic sector. Will the combination now provide the scale needed to create a more sustainable offering for this market? “
  • Library issues meagre apology after giving reviled anti-trans book a Pride month spotlight – Pink News. Library removes book from display but makes clear it will still be able to be loaned.
  • New York Legislature Passes Library E-book Bill – Publishers Weekly. ” ensure public libraries the right to license and lend e-books that are available to consumers in the state.”

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Library popularity soars in Peasedown as restrictions ease – In Your Area. “In May, over 150 books were taken out by local residents, compared to just 74 books the month before.”
• Bradford – Plans to turn crumbling Carnegie Library building in Shipley into supported living flats – Telegraph and Argus. “The Carnegie Library on Leeds Road in Shipley, thought to date back to 1905, has been derelict for years.”
• Buckinghamshire – Friends of Buckingham Library donate Modern Classics selection – Buckingham Today. “The selection includes books by a wide range of well-known writers including Agatha Christie, Graham Greene, Iris Murdoch, John Le Carré, Pat Barker, Neil Gaiman, Khaled Hosseini, Stephen King and Philip Pullman.” … “The collection of 28 books were supplied at cost price by the University of Buckingham Bookshop”
• Calderdale – Plans underway to save Mytholmroyd library and transform it into a community hub – Halifax Courier. “Since hearing the news that the library was scheduled to close, action has been taken to see if the original building can be transformed to provide both a library and community hub.”
• Cambridgeshire – Live Milton Road Library protest updates as locals call for sale to be put on hold – recap – Cambridgeshire Live. “Campaigners are holding a “read-in” in the garden of a much-loved library in protest at plans to sell it off. Locals are calling for Cambridgeshire County Council to pause the sale of Milton Road Library so that options to safeguard its future as a community asset can be explored. The new library, developed by This Land Ltd, a company set up by the council, opened in 2019 after the old library was demolished and rebuilt. The Hurst Park Estate Residents’ Association and the Friends of Milton Road Library say the building is now on the market and fear that its long-term future as a community asset is under threat.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Macclesfield Libraries to take part in annual summer reading challenge – In Your Area.
• Croydon – Drop in and have your say on library proposals – In Your Area. “Croydon residents are being invited to find out about plans to adapt the library service and give one-to-one feedback at information sessions starting next week.”
• Cumbria – Andrew Thomas: Exciting plans for Kendal Library’s next chapter – Westmorland Gazette. “It is good to read Cumbria County Council is investing £500,000 into Kendal Library, at Stricklandgate, which was built as part of a huge project funded by Andrew Carnegie and opened in 1909” … “Proposals include a children’s library and ‘Teen Zone’; more customer points throughout the library where people can speak to staff; a new café area; a completely refurbished public-access IT suite with new equipment and access to printing and photocopying; and an overhaul of the Local Studies area with new equipment, an improved exhibition area and research room.”
• Derbyshire – ‘No plans’ to remove books from Derbyshire libraries – after Enid Blyton’s work labelled ‘racist and xenophobic’ by English Heritage – Derbyshire Times. “A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We currently have no plans to remove any books from our libraries but will keep this under review.””
  • Song about Derbyshire libraries to be written by library users – Derbyshire County Council. “The project ‘Derbyshire Sings’ is funded by Arts Council England as part of its Lottery Grants programme. Our library service successfully bid for just over £7,500 so that it could provide an opportunity for existing library customers to be involved in the creation of a song about libraries, and what the library means to them.”
• East Riding – Chance to enjoy a wizard time at East Riding Libraries’ Harry Potter Book Night – Bridlington Free Press. “The themed virtual escape room will be an opportunity to test your knowledge and gaming skills from jigsaws to Quidditch, with something for all the family.”
• Flintshire – Celebrate equality, love and pride with Flintshire Aura Libraries – The Leader. Book list.
  • Flintshire children enjoy sports and library sessions over half term – The Leader. ” the Sports Development has taken part in a nationwide campaign called ‘Fit and Fed’, created by StreetGames, a UK-wide organisation that uses sport to create positive change in the lives of disadvantaged young people.”
• Return of Rhymetime across Flintshire libraries – The Leader. “We are delighted to announce Rhymetime sessions across our libraries will be starting again. We so very much looking forward to welcoming you and your little ones back into the library for these sessions again, and sharing rhymes and books together”
• Glasgow – Glasgow library campaigners making their case for reopening cherished venues – Herald Scotland. “It was agreed earlier this year that Glasgow City Council would provide Glasgow Life with a guaranteed minimum income of £100m over the next four years. This is made up of the service fee of £72.8m plus an earned income target of £27.2m. The budget has allowed them to open more than 90 facilities and was an increase from the estimation last year of just 61. Colin McGeoch, a campaigner fighting for Whiteinch Library, questioned why facilities in Hillhead and Partick had reopened ahead of theirs.”
• Highlands – Ross-shire libraries join Summer Reading Challenge promoted by High Life Highland with Wild World Heroes theme aiming to inspire children – Ross-shire Journal.
• Isle of Man – Future of Isle of Man libraries ‘in hands of next government’ – BBC News. “Howard Quayle said a report on the island’s libraries had been received by the Council of Ministers and would be put out for consultation. The House of Keys general election is due to take place on 23 September. Chris Thomas MHK said the Family Library in Douglas, which is under threat, “could cease to exist” by then.”
• Kent – Elmer the Elephant arrives at the Kent History and Library Centre – Kent Council Media Hub. “An “Elmer the Elephant” sculpture has been unveiled at the Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone, as part of ‘Elmer’s Big Heart of Kent Parade’ in support of Heart of Kent Hospice”
• Leeds – Seeds are being planted for a growing network of Little Veg Libraries across Leeds – Yorkshire Evening Post. “The idea is that people can share books and leaflets about food, gardening tools, seeds, seedlings, surplus produce and more by dropping off and taking from the Veg Libraries – that work in a similar way to the Little Libraries that have popped up across Leeds allowing people to swap books.”
• Leicester – Prepare to go wild for this year’s summer reading challenge – Leicester City Council. “The pack includes a specially designed envelope and a ‘zine’ competition exclusive to Leicester” … “As well as the 7,000 packs available free from libraries, a further 5,000 Wild World Heroes packs will also be delivered directly to families via our partnerships with schools, food banks, adventure playgrounds, children’s centres, holiday playschemes and Leicester City of Sanctuary.”
  • Council plans gradual reopening of its facilities this summer – Leicester City Council. “From Monday (21 June), 13 neighbourhood libraries will reopen, with measures in place to keep customers and staff safe. The children’s Bookbus will also be back in service next week.”
• Lewisham – Lewisham member for community sector on future of libraries – News Shopper. “The cabinet lead for libraries in Lewisham said closing them is a “red line” for him as the service faces an up to £500,000 cut. The figure forms part of £40 million worth of budget cuts the council plans to make over the next three years. Part of the cut, about  includes a hiring freeze as the service’s salary budget makes up 80 per cent of its total budget”
  • Cabinet lead for Lewisham libraries says converting the buildings into housing is a ‘red line’ amid cuts – London News Online. “The cabinet lead for libraries in Lewisham said closing them is a red line for him as the service looks to find a £500,000 cut.”
• Newcastle – Newcastle’s libraries win award for lifeline support given to asylum seekers – Chronicle Live. “Free internet, information, and access to local and national government services help make up the support the city’s libraries and community hubs offer migrants to help them settle into the city”
• Northumberland – British Library to launch three new outposts in Northumberland to help nurture businesses and boost jobs – Northumberland Gazette. “The scheme, led by the British Library, is set to see three Business and IP Centres (BIPCs) set up in Berwick, Morpeth and Hexham as part of a major expansion in the North East.”
• North Yorkshire – Libraries sunflower scheme to be extended – Craven Herald. “the hidden disabilities sunflower lanyard scheme which has been trialled at a library in the county has been extended across all libraries in North Yorkshire.”
• Oldham – Pressure put on local authority to re-open Greenfield Library – Saddleworth Independent. “The Independent together with pressure from political parties has urged Oldham Council to allow residents back into the building on Chew Vale. Greenfield is the only Saddleworth library, and one of the last in the borough, to remain shut.” … “14 months after lockdown”
• Peterborough – Library services further extended in Peterborough – Peterborough Telegraph. “Due to the postponement of Stage 4 of the Government Roadmap, the 33 libraries in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire won’t be returning to their full service offer for the time being, but will further extend their current opening hours in a phased approach”
• Sheffield – Abandoned library garden in Sheffield suburb reopens after being rejuvenated by community volunteers – The Star. “This long-abandoned part of the library garden was a jungle when volunteers took over the running of the library in 2014 and it has been brought back to life over the last two years.”
• Suffolk – New campaign launched to give domestic abuse victims a safe space – EADT. “The initiative, which has been launched by Suffolk Libraries alongside Suffolk County Council, will see staff trained so they know how to respond if someone who is a victim asks for help.”
• Warrington – Padgate Library set to reopen after £140,000 renovation – Warrington Guardian. ” included the removal of the building’s canopy and porch area, the replacement of windows and glass panels in the roof and improved external lighting. Inside, the Insall Road library has been repainted and remodelled with a new space for activities and community use.”
• Windsor and Maidenhead – Council U-turn expected over ‘devastating’ library closures – Maidenhead Advertiser. “Plans were unveiled in February to close four of the borough’s libraries, including Boyn Grove, and reduce the opening hours of others to a total of 217.5 per week. But following a public consultation which received more than 1,000 responses, the local authority has scaled back its cost-cutting measures which will see every facility saved from closure. This will be achieved by scrapping the council’s mobile library service and replacing it with a select and deliver scheme which will see volunteers deliver books to housebound residents. A total of 39.5 hours will be shaved off the opening times of libraries across the borough with parish councils also set to financially contribute to help keep venues open. Councillor Catherine del Campo (Lib Dem, Furze Platt) said: “I’m really pleased the administration has backed down from its proposals to close libraries like Boyn Grove.”
  • Cabinet approves strategy to spare Royal Borough libraries from closure – Maindenhead Advertiser. “Libraries in the Royal Borough which were faced with the prospect from closure were saved from being cut at Thursday night’s cabinet meeting.” … “Libraries in the Royal Borough will now be open for a total of 314.5 hours, an increase of 97 compared to initial proposals set out in the public consultation.” … “Presenting the report, Cllr Samantha Rayner (Con, Eton & Castle) said: “To ensure this recommendation was made with knowledge and strong data, the council commissioned an independent report from RedQuadrant.”
• Worcestershire – Not just books but business help too now at Redditch Library – Redditch Standard. BL Business and IP and Centre.
• Wrexham – Help your child enjoy books with the Reading Scheme at Wrexham libraries – The Leader. Explains reading schemes being used.
  • Wrexham Library staff praised as a ‘lifeline’ – The Leader. “n May last year, Lynn Morris was diagnosed with endometrial cancer, and found books helped her to get away from her problems. When the libraries started to offer a click and collect service, Lynn’s husband, Denna, would set out for her latest set of reading. Throughout treatment and during recovery, it’s books from Wrexham Library that have helped the 63-year-old get through.”