Some more on the SDP

Editorial

My thanks to Liz White of the British Library for answering my many questions about the much-awaited Single Digital Presence below. In other news, there’s a couple of possible new cuts (Bolton and the Isle of Man), a library closed for reapirs, and two stories of closires/co-locations from Scotland. But, frankly, we’re all waiting for what Mr Johnson announces tomorrow and whether children’s events in English libraries this August will be a thing or not.

Changes by local authority

• Bolton – £430k cut.
• Highlands – Tain library may close, to be co-located in school.
• Isle of Man – Funding shortage.
• North Ayrshire – Irvine and Ardrossan libraries close and be co-located, Bourtreehill will become volunteer, Springside will close.
• Richmond – Richmond library closed June to September for repairs

Some more on the Single Digital Presence

Liz White from the British Library very kindly answered a few of questions on the project below:

Can, or will, library catalogues be searchable directly from the proposed SDP. So, if someone types in the author and book title, all the nearest library copies (print and ebook) are shown, with a link to how to search? 

Earlier user research has shown that people are most interested in what loan copies are held by the libraries closest to them and part of the next phase of development will be to determine what kind of search functionality is most beneficial at national and local level and then how to deliver this. Having a shared national platform where freely-available content can be shared will also help understand the further potential for inter-library lending although there would be a number of issues to work through across sectors before this could become a reality.  We are able to learn from the purchasing models and user journeys offered by consortia already, for example Merseyside, Greater Manchester and The Library Consortium in London.

Will any e-resources e.g. Britannica, Ancestry, be available on it? This isn’t in scope at the moment but users starting out on the national pages will be able to find out how to access the online resources held by individual public libraries (and then access these via existing systems)

Will the website be able to direct to a local library service, and, if so, how? This is a really important part of the development, to ensure that there is an easy and user-friendly navigation between the two which is intuitive – there has been some user testing undertaken already about the attractiveness of postcode searches, but more will be undertaken to map out possible user journeys between national and local in the next phase.

What sort of content is being expected to be uploaded? The first step is to work with libraries and stakeholders to develop the content strategy for the site, alongside branding. However it will in essence: showcase what libraries and Librarians are doing today; connect people to their local library branch and service; surface great content created by and with Librarians and library staff; share recommendations and opinions from the community of Librarians (of interest nationally, trending, seasonal and thematic); enable location search with map-based results; use tried and trusted common web technology, accessible to all and easy to update and, finally, provide a vehicle to communicate unified national campaigns, issues and activities

What is meant that it is “not a website”? We describe the SDP primarily as a platform rather than a website as it will host and curate content from many different users and will enable connectivity with and between libraries and users. As this project is something new and different there are no direct comparisons we can make with existing services, however Youtube is one high-profile example of this kind of model (although very different in terms of scale and content!). The SDP project is also a wider programme of change, as the funding is supporting development of local web presences, and it is about the connectivity and joint communications between local and national rather than a single website solution.  We hope to make a live product available by the second year of the programme, so that we can test and iterate ideas based on feedback.

How long until it is available for the public to use? Yes it will be mobile optimised, but SDP is a wider programme of change, as the funding is supporting development of local platforms, and it is about the connectivity and joint communications between local and national rather than a single website solution.  We hope to make a live product available by the second year of the programme, so that we can test and iterate ideas based on feedback.

National news

British Library Single Digital Presence Update – CILIP. 24 June, 12.30. “Staff members from the British Library will give a presentation on the Arts Council England and Carnegie UK Trust funded ‘Single Digital Presence’ project. The project began in 2018 to explore digital transformations in public libraries and what a national online presence for the sector could look like. We have recently reached the end of the project’s research and development phase. As well as explaining its drivers, methods and findings, we will also outline the next steps for development and answer questions from attendees.”

• British Library to open seven new business support centres in North East – Business Live. “The network has had a centre at Newcastle’s City Library for a number of years, but Government funding has allowed it to set up more than 80 new sites, including seven in the North East. BIPCs will be established in Hexham, Morpeth, Berwick, North and South Tyneside and Sunderland. A new regional centre will also open at Stockton Central Library, with potential to extend across the Tees Valley to local libraries in Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Redcar.”
• Featherbed Tales – Included here because it’s possibly the sweetest thing I have heard this year. A small child provides the narration for a picture book for her grandparents. This is a service currently being trialled in Suffolk. “Little Emily’s grandparents said “This is wonderful! It’s really effective.  It was as if she was there reading to us.  It was a real surprise to us as well”. “
• FestivIL Award – Medium. List of nominees for information literacy awards, with their projects. ” for a member of the IL community who has been a local hero supporting, leading or inspiring colleagues or library users in information literacy during the last 12 months.”
• Five questions with… Festival of Libraries – Arts Council England. “From the 9-13 June 2021, Manchester City of Literature are running Festival of Libraries – 80 free online and in person events across every Greater Manchester borough. The festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, showcases a vibrant programme covering wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information and, of course, reading. We caught up with Jo Flynn from the festival to discuss how everyone can get involved, how they’ve adapted through the pandemic, the role libraries can play in bringing communities together and her hopes for the future. “
• ‘The Future is Phygital’ – Libraries roundtable – CLOA. Please God, don’t let that term catch on. ” explored how library services are building on the innovation during the pandemic to develop a ‘three channel’ service (digital, physical and outside the walls) to provide maximum engagement and impact for users and contribute towards local strategic priorities.”
• The Great Outdoors – Libraries Connected & St Helens Borough Council Library Service Webinar. “As libraries begin to navigate their roadmap out of lockdown and with more authorities than ever thinking about utilising outdoor spaces to remain Covid-19 compliant, Alan Lane from Slung Low explores the challenges, pitfalls and opportunities that programming, hosting and staging activities outdoors present.”
• The Librarians’ Virtual Toolkit: Books and Reading Supporting Mental Health – West Midland Readers Netowrk / Eventbrite. 17 June 2pm. ” explore the relationship between our various reading offers and mental health”
• ‘Libraries saved my life’, says Lowborn author Kerry Hudson – BookSeller. ““I am extremely grateful to be here to tell you how essential libraries have been to me in my life. Mine is a happier ending than I could ever have imagined for myself, for a kid from a background like mine. And that is thanks to libraries. It is thanks to librarians. It’s genuinely no overstatement to say I don’t think I’d be alive today without libraries.””

International news

• USA – Overdrive to acquire Kanopy – Overdrive. “Kanopy provides academic institutions and public libraries with an award-winning catalog of over 30,000 highly curated films.”
  • A New Podcast From the LA Times : “How the Los Angeles Public Library Made Libraries Cool” – Library Journal. “he city’s system has become an incubator for making libraries hip.”
  • Maryland Passes Law Requiring Publishers to License Ebooks to Libraries Under “Reasonable Terms” – Library Journal. “requires publishers to offer electronic “literary product” licenses to Maryland libraries “on reasonable terms,” and prohibits publishers from instituting embargo periods during which ebook and electronic audiobook licenses are available for sale to the public but not to libraries.”
  • Welcome to LJ’s 2021 Movers & Shakers – Library Journal. A chance to see what some of the best (almost all) USA librarians are doing.

Local news by authority

• Barnsley – Students bring Barnsley Libraries to life – FE News. “Matt and Becky have been funded by Youth Music and Barnsley Libraries to work alongside LfLW students to create an accompanying soundtrack and original artwork to the story The Little Blue Bird, which will play across the Barnsley Library sites.”
• Bolton – Council opens consultation on Library changes – Bolton News. “Under the new proposals, all the borough’s libraries will be kept open but with some reductions in opening hours and neighbourhood collections.” … “It means that the Libraries and Museums Service must find savings of £430,000.” Consultation here.
• Croydon – Croydon Council says it will not fully close five libraries but concerns remain over alternatives – London News Online. “The full closure of five Croydon libraries has been ruled out but campaigners are concerned alternatives could lead to a ‘postcode lottery’ in the borough. As the council faces a financial crisis it originally proposed closing South Norwood, Broad Green, Bradmore Green, Sanderstead and Shirley libraries to save just £500,000 a year. But now the council says it has ruled out these closures and is consulting on alternatives.”
• Cumbria – Kendal Library redesign – Cumbria County Council. “This is already a fantastic library, but we want to make it even better with even more on offer. So as well as books, Local Studies and everything you’d expect we’re also thinking about how new digital technology could be integrated and how the building could be used more flexibly. Perhaps to host events, exhibitions or provide a space for community groups or just to meet socially with family and friends. We’re really open to your ideas about how we can make the most of this exciting opportunity.”
• Devon – Puzzles, books and replica village pieces at Barnstaple Library help people with dementia – In Your Area.
• Essex – Concerns remain over Loughton and Debden library plans – Epping Forest Guardian / Letters. “We … need to see our libraries adequately resourced and professionally staffed.”
  • Fears of a ‘closure plan by stealth’ on libraries despite reassurances – Saffron Walden Reporter. “the main campaign group against library closures – said while the decision is positive, it believes the threat remains of many libraries morphing into community hubs manned by volunteers.”
• Flintshire – Empathy Day celebrated across Flintshire’s libraries – The Leader.
• Glasgow – Save Maryhill Library – Tik Tok. Short video of protestors saying “save our libraries”.

“On Saturday (June 5) trade unions and local communities came together in a rally in George Square in central Glasgow. It was the first time in several weeks of campaigning against the closure of libraries and other venues, that the various action groups had come together in at united display of anger at Glasgow City Council – and their ‘arms-length’ cultural body Glasgow Life. Their strength was emphasised by their keeping the weekly read-ins and picketting going at the local libraries under threat, while the rally proceeded. There was visible support from local branches of trade unions such as GMB, Unison and UNITE, as well as from Glasgow Trades Council.

Many see their activity as part of the long running national campaign against library closures and rundowns, with one activist displaying the logo of a similar campaign in Devon. She is Ruth Gillett of the ‘Friends of People’s Palace, Winter Gardens & Glasgow Green’ fighting to preserve a large area of Glasgow long seen as belonging directly to the people of the city. She welcomed a photograph being taken of their newly created banner, and told Workers it was made by artist Stasia Rice. Their representaive spoke at the rally before it marched the short distance to the City Council building. An umbrella campaign ‘Glasgow Against Closures’ has been set up to co-ordinate further action.”

Eddie McGuire, via email

• Glasgow Life: Authors back Save Whiteinch Library campaign – Clydebank Post.
• Highlands – Public consultation into proposed relocation of library in Tain in Easter Ross to site of new school campus at Craighill – Ross-shire Journal. “It is proposed to move the public library in Tain from the existing Stafford Street site to the new 3-18 school campus at Craighill, creating a new community library.”
• Isle of Man – Isle of Man family and mobile libraries could close over funding – BBC. “Half of the libraries’ £250,000 annual running costs have been donated by a benefactor since 2012, with the rest covered by a temporary government grant for the last two years. Covid-19 meant replacing the grant has not been possible, a spokeswoman said. She said “all options”, including closure, would now be considered.”
• Kent – KCC joins forces with British Library to roll out small business support – Kent Council. “Following last year’s pledge of £13 million in Treasury funding towards the expansion, KCC has been allocated £627,245 to equip the Kent History and Library Centre with Business & IP Centre spaces, resources, and services. It is set to launch during Libraries Week in October.”

• Lewisham – Consultation launched on future of Lewisham libraries – This is Local London. “The council is reviewing the library service to fund cuts of £300,000 to £500,000, £100,000 to £230,000 of which could be made this year. ” … “Part of the cuts includes a hiring freeze as the service’s salary budget makes up 80 per cent of its total budget. The council is currently preparing to fully reopen the borough’s libraries after they closed during the pandemic and has launched a survey asking the public what they want from them. “
• Lincolnshire – A silver key has been donated to North Lincolnshire Museum that was used for the official opening of Ashby Free Library in March 1906. – Gi Media. “where there is also a commemorative trowel used to lay the first stone for Scunthorpe Free Library in 1903.”
• Northamptonshire – Permanently closed Northampton community library could become pregnancy clinic – Northampton Chronicle. ” Far Cotton Library was permanently closed this year after the county council ruled there was ‘no viable business plan’ in place for volunteers to run it. Instead, a proposal has been put to the local planning board to refit the library – on the first floor of the Far Cotton Recreational Centre in Towcester Road – into an antenatal clinic.”
  • Northampton museum acquires 33-piece art collection via country-wide donation scheme – Northampton Chronicle. “Northampton Museum and Art Gallery has obtained the collection from the Derbyshire County Council Schools Library Service”
• North Ayrshire – Councillors decide on future of 40 libraries and community buildings in North Ayrshire – Daily Record. After a backlash, council “dramatically abandoned moves to relocate Beith, Dreghorn, West Kilbride and Saltcoats libraries to community centres.” … “However, a number of libraries still face closure. Irvine Library is to shut and the service will be shifted to Bridgegate House. Ardrossan’s library service is earmarked for relocation to the town’s new secondary school. The ownership of Bourtreehill Library is set to be handed to a community organisation. Springside Library space will be used for another function and books are to be delivered through click-and-collect services instead.”
• Northern Ireland – Government Response to a Consultation on the proposal to extend the Public Lending Right to include remote e-lending from public libraries in Northern Ireland. – Gov.uk. Minister agrees, going to parliament.

• Richmond – Richmond Library closes to repair lasting bomb damage – SW Londoner. “London’s oldest public library still in use – will temporarily close from today (June 11) at 6pm until September 2021 to complete major renovation works. ” Unrepaired WW2 damage (!) has “gradually worsened, and we need to fix it to protect the building that holds so much history.””
• Shropshire – Late book charges suspended as Whitchurch Library welcomes back visitors – Whitchurch Herald. “Overdue fines currently remain suspended so there will be no charges for library stock that is brought back late.”
• Southend – Southend: Libraries help support mental wellbeing through the power of reading – Leigh Times. “The ‘Read, Talk, Share’ campaign will see every library in Southend provided with books from the Reading Well collections to support mental health for children, young people, and adults. “
• Staffordshire – Search is on for new Staffordshire Young Poet Laureate – Lichfield Live. “The role is open to young people aged 14 to 18 and is a one year position.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries upgrades to become a Premium Employer Partner – CILIP. “n addition to being able to access an amazing spread of webinars, courses and conferences for colleagues, this partnership gives five frontline colleagues paid membership for a year so they can explore the sector further.”
• Torbay – Torbay libraries host domestic violence project – In Your Area. “Libraries Unlimited is launching a resource centre at Torquay library, where visitors will be able to access books and information, and benefit from a safe space where staff will be available to provide support and guidance. A grant of £300 for the project has been awarded “
• Windsor and Maidenhead – Council to rethink library closures following resident objections – Maidenhead Advertiser. Boyn Grove Library may be “saved”.
• York – Queen’s birthday honours for people carrying out heritage work in York – Planet Radio. Barbara Swinn of Explore York received BEM. “Barbara joined Explore in 2015 as manager of city centre library York Explore and has worked in the libraries sector for over 40 years. The team there said: “She is a passionate advocate for public libraries and a gifted leader. In particular her work with the award winning Explore Labs project shows Barbara’s exceptional talent for development and innovation.”