The real Heroes

Editorial

The Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) officially started last Saturday, 10 July. It’s by far the biggest promotion that public libraries in the UK put on each year, and normally attracts hundreds of thousands of children to come in, take out some books and read. It’s one of the reasons that August is one of the busiest months of the year for libraries and why children’s libraries are as successful as they are. It is also, for me, one of the high points of the year, not least because I can normally (but not this year) embarrass myself in front of hundreds of children in school assemblies. The Reading Agency and the many library services that take part in the SRC are to be congratulated each year for doing so much to encourage children to read.

And this year no less than before, and probably more. For this year there is very real uncertainty amongst staff both about safety procedures and also about the number of children who will take part. I remember 19 months ago planning what SRC supplies my service needed and being fairly sure to within 5% as to what was needed. The pandemic meant I was wrong by 100%. This year, no-one can be sure to 5%, 15%, possibly even 50%. And this also is indicative of long-term worries over business as well. Will people 100% come back to physical libraries? There’s encouraging signs from Australia that, yes they do, eventually. But for now, in the UK, facing uncertainty both about this Summer and beyond, in terms of safety and usage, the real Heroes may well be the staff as well as the children. Perhaps that was ever the case but this year it’s just more obvious.

Wishing you all the best everyone, let me know how you’re getting on.

Changes by local authority

• Camden – 9 full-time jobs under threat.
• Essex – Traps Hill Loughton Library may be rebuilt as part of housing project.
• Leicester – 2 book-buses replaced by 1 electric one.
• Northamptonshire – Kettering Library to be remain open during building work.

National news

• Covid leaves UK councils with £3bn financial black hole – BBC. “In the London borough of Bexley, 264 staff posts will be deleted, while library opening hours and road repairs will be reduced.”
• Creating Space for Kindness. An experiment with public libraries in Scotland – Carnegie UK. “Small-scale ‘kindness initiatives’, delivered by local libraries can play a role in helping to improve wellbeing. This short report sets out why kindness matters to wellbeing and why it makes sense to consider how libraries can enhance this core aspect of wellbeing in local communities. It does so through describing a set of ‘kindness initiatives’ that were supported by the Carnegie UK Trust and delivered by 10 public libraries in Scotland. The report highlights the value of creating space to talk about kindness and the impact that this can have on individual and community wellbeing.”

• National Acquisitions Group Award for Excellence – National Acquisitions Group. “
• NAG makes an annual award designed to promote excellence, original thinking and innovation by a library team or individual within the field of Acquisitions. For 2020 the winner will receive £200 plus £100 as a donation to their nominated charity.  The prize will be paid directly to the individual. ”
• National Poetry Day to spotlight over 40 books in recommended lists – BookSeller. “Recommended titles will be promoted to over 4,000 reading groups and the UK library network via the Reading Agency”
• Read, Talk, Share – How the Reading Agency helped libraries tackle loneliness – Gov.uk/DCMS Libraries. “Read, Talk, Share’ expanded The Reading Agency’s already successful Reading Well and Reading Friends programmes, enabling  public library services to step up to tackle loneliness and support mental health. Together we and our library partners  mobilised to reach those most in need of social connectivity,  overcoming the challenges of delivery in a pandemic, including the closure of library buildings and the difficulties of distance engagements. The flexibility, commitment and support of library staff and management to deliver this has been amazing.”
• Same, Same But Different prepares for English library tour – Libraries Connected. “The tour will visit 26 libraries and spaces across England from 27 July to 26 August. These will include Stoke, Nottingham, Luton, Birmingham, Black Country, Cheshire, Middlesborough and Reading. The tour will adhere to the most up-to-date government guidelines around Covid-19.”
• Scottish councils plan to save £141m over next year to pay for covid pandemic response – Daily Record. “It comes as fears grow that public services will suffer as a result with libraries, leisure centres and museums unable to reopen following lockdown.” … “Glasgow Life, an offshoot of the city council, said it had lost £38m due to the closure of venues during the pandemic.”

International news

• Australia – The little library that has a 20 per cent chance of winning best in world – Sydney Morning Herald. “At Sydney’s Marrickville Library, you can get pizza delivered to your lounge chair or secret nook. Even better, you can eat it there or in the sunken garden while using the wifi.” … “Another finalist, the new Deichman Bjørvika in Oslo Norway, includes a secret and hidden library for the future. The six-storey building has a gaming zone, secret rooms for children and views of the fjord. As well as borrowing from the collection of 450,000 books, locals can learn to sew or play the piano.”
  • Meet the man who wants to turn the State Library Victoria into a giant escape room – The Age. “With the latest lockdown easing the building is, Torney said, buzzing at close to pre-pandemic occupation levels. But they have a big new digital membership, built during Melbourne’s lockdowns, they want to keep as well, so Alchemy’s winning proposals often bridge the physical and digital realms.”
• USA – Bloomington PD in spotlight over tweet about ‘thefts’ from Little Free Libraries – Bring Me The News. “The tweet, posted on Friday, sparked hundreds of responses, most of which point out that the whole idea behind Little Free Libraries is that the books are free, calling into question the notion of “thefts.” Hilarious.
  • Episode 6: The Post-Pandemic Workplace – Apples Podcast / Libraries Lead in the New Normal. “As the information infrastructure and services providers of communities, are there new, more permanent needs and demands to meet for businesses, workers, parents, and students? And, what about the library workforce? Will librarians and support staff also work in hybrid formats?”

Local news by authority

• Bridgend – Bridgend’s libraries are ‘best in Wales’ for customer satisfaction – News from Wales. “With new members increasing from 346 per 1,000 head of population in 2018-19 to 377 in 2019-20, the inspectors highlighted how the service has continued to perform well, particularly in reducing barriers to access across the community such as the removal of fines and the introduction of automatic renewals.”
• Bromley – Plans for new health centre and library in Chislehurst – This is Local London. “Plans to build a new three-floor mixed-use health centre and library in Chislehurst town centre have been unveiled. The building will replace the current library, on Red Hill, which will be on the ground floor, with NHS and GP services spread across all three floors. ” … “A temporary library will be provided during the construction period, which could start mid-2022 if the planning application set to be submitted later this year is approved. “
• Camden – Camden Council pauses plans to cut library jobs – Ham and High. “Plans to cut nine full-time jobs as part of a restructuring of Camden’s libraries have been paused.  Camden Council has paused a consultation, temporarily, so that it can speak to the trade union Unison, which previously criticised the changes. “
• Cheshire East – Summer Reading Challenge returns to Cheshire East libraries – Cheshire East Council.
• Coventry – Live music coming to Coventry Central Library as list of new gigs announced – Coventry Telegraph. “Get Loud in Libraries” venue, first event is in October.
• Croydon – A space to be enjoyed by both children and adults – Go Fed. West Norwoord Library. Beautiful wall-paper.
• Denbighshire – ‘Wild World Heroes’ theme for Denbighshire Summer Reading Challenge – Free Press.
• East Riding – Get ready to join Wild World Heroes for nature-themed fun at East Riding Libraries – Bridlington Free Press. “Children who are members of Rainbows, Brownies, Beavers or Cubs can also use the Summer Reading Challenge experience to count towards their ‘Book Lover’, or ‘Book Reader’ badges.”
• Essex – Go Wild this summer with Essex libraries – In Your Area. “later this year, I will be publishing an updated Library Strategy, which will underline our commitment to the service across the county. We have some good opportunities to expand the use of libraries and upgrade the facilities and offer.”
  • Consultation to help determine future of Loughton library – Epping Forest Guardian. “Essex County Council are planning to demolish and rebuild the central library in Traps Hill, Loughton. The plans are for a new library and community space financed from the proposed redevelopment of the current site including several floors of flats (possibly up to 38).”
  • The Tendring libraries you can get a covid test from – Harwich and Manningtree Standard. “Harwich, Clacton, Manningtree and Wivenhoe Libraries.”
• Fife – Fife libraries and museums ‘vital for people’s wellbeing’ says new cultural boss – Fife Today. Mainly about museums but “initiatives during lockdown included libraries staff regularly phoning older customers to check they were okay”
• Glasgow – Library openings in Glasgow delayed for repair works to be complete – Glasgow Evening Times. “Parkhead Library was due to have opened at the end of June but a four-week delay will see it not now open until the end of July.” … “As a result of the continued work Glasgow Life has delayed the temporary closure of Shettleston Library to give book borrowers an alternative during the work.”
• Hertfordshire – Wild World Heroes: Go wild with Hertfordshire libraries’ summer reading challenge – Bishop’s Stortford Independent. “Libraries will also be giving children a ‘Love Your Library, Love Your World’ poster to complete and display in their windows at home.”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries summer reading challenge photo contest – Greenock Telegraph. “youngsters aged up to 12 are being challenged to take a selfie out and about enjoying a book somewhere in the area”
  • Bookbug sessions back in Inverclyde for first time in 15 months – Greenock Telegraph. “Parents and guardians are back enjoying story, song and rhyme sessions at the South West Library in Greenock after a lengthy hiatus caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
• Isle of Wight – Brighstone Community Library marks a decade since it was saved from closure – Isle of Wight Radio. “Libraries in Shanklin, Niton, East Cowes, Bembridge and Brighstone are ‘community libraries’ that were rescued by locals” in 2011. “The Isle of Wight Library Service supplies the library in North Street with books and during the pandemic, the library operated a ‘click and collect service’.”
• Kent – Youngsters challenged to meet the Wild World Heroes – Media Hub Kent County Council. “Activity packs, exciting online and physical events plus lots of additional books have been provided from KCC’s Reconnect programme, aimed at giving children and young people a year of fun activities and opportunities to help them to reconnect with their pre-COVID-19 lives.”
• Leeds – Libraries encourage children to go wild with the Summer Reading Challenge – South Leeds Life. “On Sign-up Saturday, the Leeds Libraries story buses, Nelly and Sam, will also be going on a wild adventure exploring the city. Families can stop by and listen to fun outdoor readings performed by storytellers.”
• Leicester – Leicester’s Bookbus service to go electric – Leicester City Council. “Two ageing diesel Bookbus vehicles will be replaced by one zero-emissions electric Bookbus, contributing towards the council’s commitment to making Leicester a carbon neutral city by saving 10 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.  ” … “The children’s Bookbus service will retain all its weekly stops in city neighbourhoods, making sure that children aged 0-11 in identified areas of the city continue to get a weekly visit. The Bookbus targets areas where a library is not within easy walking distance. Because the service would be moving from two vehicles to one, there would be changes to the Early Years Bookbus provision, which currently visits early years settings such as nurseries, preschools and playgroups three times a year, offering extended loans and storytelling. This would change to one visit per year, with extended book loans to be provided through the nearest library or children’s centre rather than through a Bookbus.”
• Manchester – Chorlton Bike Deliveries in Partnership with Chorlton Library – Manclibraries Blog. “Do you want your library books delivered to your house instead of visiting the library? This is now possible for Chorlton residents. Chorlton Bike Deliveries can now offer a home delivery of your books by bike.  The service is free within 5 kms of the Library but a small donation would be welcomed to help cover the costs of providing and maintaining the bikes.”
• Midlothian – Midlothian Library Service helps locals through pandemic with messages of kindness – Midlothian Advertiser. Part of Carnegie project. “The kindness initiative at Midlothian Library Services involved crafting a cherry blossom tree with heart-shaped leaves on which staff, local groups and library users could write memories and messages of kindness on.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk libraries launch Wild World Heroes reading challenge – Lynn News.
• Northamptonshire – Kettering’s library to re-open next week – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “The Sheep Street library and its services were due to be relocated within the town for up to a year as part of a major £3.9m project to improve the GLaM (Gallery Library and Museum). When it closed at the end of May library users were told to use the community-run sites in Burton Latimer, Rothwell and Desborough. But last month council chiefs had a change of heart and decided Kettering’s library would remain at its current site after all, albeit with a reduced capacity.”
• Northumberland – Reading challenge includes fun events and activities at libraries – Northumberland Gazette. ” range of events and activities to tie in with the challenge, including shadow puppets with Robin Simpson at Alnwick Library and books and art workshop at Amble Library.”
• Nottinghamshire – Libraries around Mansfield and Ashfield lose £320,000 due to the impact of Covid pandemic – Chad. Inspire, “The organisation which operates libraries around Mansfield and Ashfield was hit by more than £1.6 million in losses related to the pandemic but held on in part thanks to Government grants.” …”Those libraries based around the Mansfield and Ashfield areas, contribute £329,000 of the overall figure – with Mansgield Central Library losing £32,240, Kirkby Library losing £32,828, Sutton £20,088 and Huthwaite £31,249. Smaller community libraries lost on average between £13,000 and £15,000 due to the pandemic.”
• St Helens – Important public events will help shape future of St Helens library service – St Helens Star. “As well as an online questionnaire, the council has arranged to independent social enterprise Placed to deliver workshop-style events for residents to share their thoughts and ideas for a modern and inclusive library service.”
• Somerset – Libraries launch Summer Reading Challenge for youngsters this summer – Weston Mercury.
• Staffordshire – Summer fun with a nature theme in Staffordshire town – Express and Star. “Tamworth Library and Ankerside Shopping Centre are looking to create a trail for families, where pictures of animals and insects will be hidden around town.”
• Warwickshire – Search is on for Warwickshire’s next Young Poet Laureate – Rugby Observer. “Warwickshire Libraries has launched the seventh Young Poet Laureate (YPL) search in partnership with Poetry on Loan, an organisation supported by Arts Council England, which aims to promote contemporary poetry in West Midlands libraries.”