The Long View

Editorial

These news updates tend to, by the nature of things, concentrate on the short term: a cut there, a new library here and a spotted possible trend perhaps thrown in. So perhaps it’s useful to take a step back and do a brief (if it’s long no-one will read it summary) of what’s happened to the public library sector since Public Libraries News started way back in 2010.

The big obvious thing is that libraries are still very much here. The pessimistic observer back at the start of the last decade, seeing austerity and e-books coming in could have drawn the conclusion that they would not be. While the death of libraries was exaggerated, it was not sadly entirely without merit. The amount of spending has gone down by around 20% (plus inflation) since 2010 and usage and number of council-run libraries has taken a similar dip. The number of volunteer libraries went from a handful to nearly 600 and a similar number of libraries closed entirely. But most of the closed libraries were small, although very sadly missed. Interestingly, it is the expected death of volunteer libraries that has been the most over played. It turns out that they survive well, with only a handful having closed, and most surviving in some form, with many thriving. Statistics are challenging but I’d say roughly the sector has shrunk by a fifth in most ways which, while tragic, is perhaps not bad considering the circumstances (deep cuts and non-interfering government). For that we can squarely thank the public who have shown councils everywhere that threats to libraries leads to placards and protests.

Right, other trends. Well, let’s go digital first. E-books have turned out not to be The Killer of Libraries quite yet, although it is too early to tell about the impact of Covid on consumer habits long-term. DVDs and other audio-visual are dying a death on the shelves as people flock to streaming but, if the success of bookshops is anything to go by, printed books have life in them yet. Self-service came in big time and staff-less libraries made an appearance. Most library services – but, incredibly, still not all – now have social media accounts, although they tend to be a few years behind trend in what they’re allowed to do by their ever risk-averse councils. Sadly, the Single Digital Presence, not present in 2010 is still not present now, but there is at least hope for next year.

Now for organisations. The MLA was killed off early on, replaced in some ways (but not all) by Arts Council England. ACE have moved in the period from concentrating on what they knew to including development and infrastructure. The Society of Chief Librarians transformed into Libraries Connected during the period and has got noticeably more relevant, with library services benefitting from its (soft power) leadership, training, funding opportunities and dramatically increased current awareness, from it. This was made possible of course by welcome funding from ACE. The Libraries Taskforce was born and died during the decade, with questionable results, although for me the raised profile of libraries within central government can I think be partly attributed to it.

Governance has changed but not dramatically. The large majority of services are still council-run, with the total number of English library services changing from 151 to … well,150. For-profit companies failed to make any dent at all, with the only living example – Laing and then Carillion – coming to an ignominious end. Single library trusts, although low in number, have proved, at least in that of many eyes, successful in the period. Leisure trusts have had a far more chequered experience, with some folding and some having their libraries quietly semi-taken over again by councils when their lack of library awareness started showing. Northamptonshire, once lauded as hugely successful, turned out to be built on sand and collapsed so badly even this government had to intervene. At the other end of the scale, GLL/Better now runs no less than five different library services and appears to have survived Covid, at time of press, reasonably unscathed.

So, that’s enough for now. For me, one last thought. Library services and staff seem far more connected and more aware of what they are doing now than they did in 2010. The sector, although still basically a herd of cats when it comes to lack of centralised control, is very much at least, a bunch of cats working together and co-operating. This is wonderful to see and the national organisations, and of course the prevalence of digital, can take almost all of the credit for this. But I like to think in some small way that Public Libraries News has drawn the sector together ever so slightly as well … and that makes me happier than even taking last weekend off due to it being my birthday. Here’s to the next decade.

Changes by authority

• Croydon – £500k cut near confirmation inc. 21% opening hour cut.
• Kirklees – New Birkby Library opens to replace old one in school, open 15 hours per week.
• Luton – Fines free from August 2021. 
• Surrey – West Byfleet Library in temporary location for five years due to redevelopment.

Ideas

• Hospital readings – Library volunteers read stories etc.

National news

• Bombs and Pandemics: How Libraries Survive and Thrive – Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. “I see now that librarians are frontline workers used to dealing with the mentally ill, the disenfranchised, homeless, the lonely, and vulnerable. A librarian is often the only person someone might see all day. What’s more, they have the emotional intelligence to deal with whoever walks in through the door, which to my mind, makes them more than someone who loans out books. They are part counsellor, social worker, listening ear, facilitator, events planner and friend.”
• CILIPS Autumn Regathering 2021 – CILIPS. “The aim of this event is to bring people back together, share innovative work and highlight the ways in which library and information professionals from all sectors are essential to a changing world and today’s rapidly evolving circumstances. Our exciting array of topics and speakers includes …”
• Covid 19 and Youth Services in Public Libraries – Robert Gordon University. Survey to help student with dissertation.
• Death Positive Libraries: An academic view – Libraries Connected. “As we take this project forward in partnership with the library community, we will be thinking about what the Death Positive Library can mean, and how to help people think about these difficult conversations.”
• Fund for Welsh museums and libraries reopens – Arts Professional. Transformation Capital Grant.
• International ISNI Information Day 2021 – ISNI. Webinar, 1 September 2pm. “The ISNI International Agency will be holding its first-ever international event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI). This event will be open to all organisations and industries currently using the ISNI standard including the libraries, publishing, music and rights management sectors.”

• Professional Confidence Part II; Positive Steps to Refreshing your Team Cohesion – British Library Living Knowledge Network. 9 September 11am. “This webinar will explore ways of enhancing a positive team culture and aims to tackle feelings of disconnection that may have emerged throughout this tumultuous period.”
• Return to Rhymetimes Webinar – Libraries Connected. 2 September 2pm. “how Rhymetimes can support maternal mental health and early speech and language development in children and how we can help build parental confidence to return to libraries safely.” … “We will also have presentations from library services who have reintroduced Rhymetimes in the last few months, describing how they have achieved this, what the challenges have been and how they have been overcome.”
• Strategies for Increased Community Engagement – III. With Ken Chad. Webinar, 15 September 2pm. “This webinar will cover how community engagement solutions can help libraries work strategically to define their role in the community. This includes how solutions can help provide services of interest to current and new patrons, as well as user experiences that meet contemporary expectations. As public libraries all over the world continue to innovate and adapt, this session will deliver insights on techniques and solutions for scaling up your library.”

International news

• Afghanistan – As Taliban violence forces schools in Afghanistan to close, mobile libraries give hope to girls – South China Morning Post. “Husna’s only ray of hope is the mobile library run by the Pen Path Civil Society, a non-governmental organisation whose motorcycle-riding volunteers travel across areas ravaged by fighting to distribute books and stationery to children.”
• Global – Study Into Alternative Methods of Service Delivery – Melbourne Libraries (Australia) global survey. “We are conducting an investigation into alternative methods of service delivery which go beyond the traditional understanding of libraries to engage with our communities. We are looking for information about library programs or services that meet community needs in innovative and interesting ways, or which overcome barriers of infrastructure and resources to meet these needs.”
• Lebanon – Rebuilding Beirut’s libraries – CILIP. 15 September 6pm. ” talking about libraries in Lebanon following the blast in 2020.  After the August 4 2020 blast, libraries in Lebanon decided to brush off the dust, remove the rubble and glass, and tend to their injured staff and users. Librarians started looking into best plans for a return to service and the Lebanese Library Association joined them on the journey”
• USA – Dr. Carla Hayden, The Librarian of Congress, On Why Libraries Matter – WYPR. Podcast. “Dr. Hayden has had to navigate changes brought on not only by the COVID 19 pandemic, but by the dramatic evolution of libraries in general: how they serve their communities, and how they are responding in an increasingly digital world.”
  • ‘These people were in bad, bad shape.’ A look inside of a Florida library converted to a Covid-19 treatment site – CNN.
  • Getting Police Out of Libraries Is the Aim of the Abolitionist Library Association – Teen Vogue. ” This includes not only the physical and visible presence of police, like [with] police security in some libraries, but financial commitments such as budget allocations, ties to the prison-industrial complex, and issues with data access and privacy rights, like when surveillance cameras are used”
  • Public libraries and government innovation – FCW. “Why has so much innovation emerged over time in public libraries, while some other organizations in government are stuck with what they’ve always done? The short answer is, I don’t know for sure. My speculation is that the general lack of political controversy around public libraries has helped. One view of government innovation is that it is spurred only by crisis and threats. Innovation in public libraries suggests a different story — that more organizational security provides space for innovators to approach change with confidence and self-assurance.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Powerful words turn north-east voices into works of art that celebrate our libraries – Press and Journal. “Artist Abigail Reynolds says her work, Elliptical Reading, is a celebration of libraries and a reflection of the deep love she – and many others – hold for them. The work involves local people reading from their favourite books in a rich mix of voices, from English to Doric, Polish to Arabic, reflecting the north-east’s diverse cultural strands.”
• Blackpool – Blackpool photographers help resort youngsters capture creativity though camera lenses during library workshops – Gazette. “Working with Blackpool libraries, the women were able to teach youngsters how to bring out their creativity through a camera lens, with sessions at Anchorsholme, Layton and Central libraries.”
• Bournemouth Christchurch Poole – Changes at Christchurch Library include new CCTV system – Daily Echo. “The current closure will create space in the library for BCP Council Customer Services which will mean residents being able to access a range of services in a variety of ways, including being able to register a birth, apply for a blue badge or have an appointment with a housing officer.”
• Bracknell Forest – Crowthorne Library temporarily closes due to rat problem – Get Reading.
• Cardiff – Cardiff libraries and community hubs reopen without appointments – Wales 247. ” there will no longer be the need to book an appointment to visit libraries and hubs to browse the book shelves, use the public access PCs  or to use study space in the building and customers can drop by at their convenience.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Yester Years: Libraries to ‘cultivate minds’ – Winsford and Middlewich Guardian. A look at the early history of public libraries in the town from mid-1800s.
• Croydon – Library provision in Croydon set to be slashed – Sutton and Croydon Guardian. “Library provision in Croydon is set to be slashed so the cash-strapped council can save £500,000 a year. The authority is expected to cut opening hours by 21 per cent at 12 of the borough’s 13 libraries, after two consultations on the matter. It will see all libraries, except Central Library, open for two fewer days a week and library staff cut by a quarter.”
• Save Croydon Libraries update – August 2021 – Save Croydon Libraries. “We may have dodged outsourcing and community-run libraries, for now, but the cuts agreed will still have a massive impact on not only opening hours but on staffing, with 15 full-time posts now to be deleted.And let’s not forget that the current administration has made these cuts to save in the region of £500K, yet has bailed out Brick by Brick in loans to the tune of £200 million and spent £76 million on the yet to be completed Fairfield Halls – an overspend of £46K [million? -ed.] on the original budget.”
• Cumbria – Kendal Library redesign – Cumbria County Council. “Thank you to everyone that took part in the Kendal Library building redesign public consultation, which took place in June 2021. We received a fantastic response with over 200 people giving us their feedback on what they would like to see from the changes.” A good “you said, we did” section and interesting look at the redesign.
• Denbighshire – Denbighshire libraries launch new digital support – Free Press. ” all libraries in Denbighshire now house new solo digital spaces, thanks to funding secured from the Welsh Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund. These rooms are private spaces kitted out with laptops to enable residents to carry out confidential online appointments, such as taking part in a job interview, a medical appointment or an online meeting via Zoom or other platforms.”
• Derbyshire – Covid test kits available in libraries in Creswell, Clowne and Whitwell – Worksop Guardian. “Test kits are available to pick up in all 45 Derbyshire County Council libraries and two mobile library vans.”
• Dudley – Don’t privatise Dudley libraries – Socialist Party. “Outsourcing is the scourge of public services. It is the twisted idea that a company with no ties to the community could step in and do a better job than the public sector. That is demonstrably false. Library workers in Dudley, in the West Midlands, are the latest victims.”
• East Riding – An opportunity to build a wonderful summer with creative Lego events at East Riding Libraries – Pocklington Post. ““As we work our way out of this difficult time, we are really pleased to be able to relaunch our group events with these new and innovative sessions”.”
• Falkirk – Polmont library reopens following flood which damaged computer suite and office – Falkirk Herald. Heavy rain meant “water entered through the ceiling of the Stevenson Avenue building, damaging its computer suite and office space.”
• Glasgow – Couper Library campaigners in banner plea to Glasgow Life bosses – Glasgow Evening Times. “Activists revealed the display at the Couper Institute Library during their weekly read-in on Saturday. The Cathcart building has been closed since the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020 and is one of nine libraries in Glasgow without a reopening date.”

“Whilst Libraries are a statutory service there is no definition as to the scale and range of
services that should be provided. The provision of an online service would suffice.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on Glasgow Life – Glasgow Life

• Library in Glasgow’s Pollok forced to close due to flooding – Glasgow Evening Times. “”Therefore, no access to PCs or stock is currently available. The counter is open for returns and some browsing from mobile units in the foyer.”
• Havering – Rainham husband’s poem inspired by ‘better half’ wins first place – Romford Recorder. “A poetry competition held by Havering Library with the theme of “vision” saw three winners from different categories announced earlier this week.  “
• Hull – Bedside poems and stories for Hull patients in UK hospital first – Hull Daily Mail. “A Hull hospital has become the first in the country to support patient care by bringing poetry, stories and chat to the bedside. In a partnership which has its roots in the UK City of Culture programme, Library Link has completed a pilot scheme with volunteers from Hull and East Yorkshire reading poems and short stories to patients in wards and waiting rooms at Hull Royal Infirmary and is now gearing up to return post-Covid.”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde libraries: Extended opening hours – Greenock Telegraph.
• Kirklees – Drumming, Sculpting And Music Mark The Opening Of New Community Library In Birkby And Fartown – Kirklees Together. “Councillor Nigel Patrick, Mayor of Kirklees, and Carol Stump, Chief Librarian and President of Libraries Connected officially opened the new £799k Birkby and Fartown Library on Saturday 14 August with an unveiling of a special plaque that will be displayed in the building.” … “If you like reaching out to people and have some spare time, then please consider becoming a Library Volunteer.” Open 15 hours per week.
  • New £800k library to open in Huddersfield complete with safe welcome space for migrants – Yorkshire Live. “Special video messages from Sue Williamson, Director of Libraries at Arts Council England and Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive of Libraries Connected represent recognition from the wider world of libraries.”
• Lancashire – Lancashire’s new mobile library vans get ‘puntastic’ names – Lancashire Telegraph. “Very soon, Great Transportations, Vroom with a View and Ride and Prejudice will be out and about making sure residents in some of the most far flung parts of the county have access to the best books. They will join The Borrowers, Chitty Chitty Book Book and the Hardbacks of Notre Van in making sure people who do not live close to one of the council’s 64 libraries can still access all the great services they offer.”
• Luton – Borrow free, fine free – Luton Council. “Worried about returning books which are overdue?  No need.  Please be reassured that no fines or charges will apply if you return books late. We don’t mind the odd little chew mark either – especially on children’s books – we understand that things can get messy!  And what’s more, any fines or charges on Luton Libraries’ cards before 1 April 2020 have been cleared.”
• Moray – Moray libraries appeal for return of books borrowed pre-pandemic ahead of fines reintroduction – Grampian Online.
• North Lanarkshire – Good news for bookworms at Cumbernauld Library as normal hours return – Glasgow World.
• Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire libraries to remain open on August Bank Holiday Monday – Western Telegraph. “Pembroke Library and Information Centre, Fishguard Library and Tourist Information Centre and The Riverside, Haverfordwest will be open on Bank Holiday Monday, August 30.”
• St Helens – Free outdoor theatre show at St Helens library – Reporter. “Residents are invited to head to Thatto Heath Library with a cosy blanket and chair for a free outside theatre performance as part of an award-winning arts project”
• Sheffield – Sheffield library stars in special stamp collection celebrating the life of famous writer – Sheffield Telegraph. “A set of John Ruskin themed stamps featuring the Walkley Carnegie Library highlights the Victorian writer’s Sheffield connection.” … “The Isle of Man Post Office collection celebrates the life of John Ruskin, a 19th century writer, art critic, social reformer and early environmentalist who visited Sheffield on several occasions during his life. One of the stamps in collection, which was released earlier this year, shows part of Walkley Library, and a poster on an adjacent wall bearing the Ruskin quotation: “There is no wealth but life.””
  • “Central Library must be restored and respected” – some of our readers’ thoughts on Sheffield’s Central Library – The Star. “It smacks of forced obsolescence, at least to me. As a child, my mother worked there for many years and I would go there almost everyday and at the weekends, just consuming words from books – in both the Children’s and upstairs library – we borrowed movies and I got all of my music from there as a young ‘un. If only the upkeep had been continual, gradual, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”
  • ‘Investment and a plan’ needed as Sheffield’s Central Library repair bill trebles to £30m – The Star.
  • Revamp of Sheffield’s Central Library a ‘priority project’ – as estimate hits £30m – says council chief – Sheffield Telegraph. “The deputy leader, Councillor Julie Grocutt, said the library and Graves Art Gallery on the top floor were a cornerstone of Tudor Square and ‘culturally, historically and economically important to the city’. She added: “We must ensure it not only meets, but exceeds its potential as a place which celebrates art, literature and Sheffield’s rich history. “It is a priority project, and we are exploring how we can build a vision together that will attract national funding that significantly contributes to the regeneration of our amazing city.””
• Stirling – New chapter for Stirling’s libraries as opening hours extended and restrictions removed – Stirling Council.
• Suffolk – People are flocking back to Suffolk’s libraries – Suffolk Libraries. “So far 4,600 children have signed up for the Summer Reading Challenge in Suffolk in just over two weeks which is a fantastic start for this important annual literacy campaign. There has also been plenty of interest from new customers with over 3,557 registrations for a library card in July 2021 – nearly 42% more than July 2019. Since restrictions were removed on 19 July there have also been over 89,000 loans of books and other items from libraries. July also saw the Suffolk Libraries website receive its highest number of monthly views since it was launched.”
  • How Suffolk libraries have turned the page to a new chapter – Suffolk Libraries. “Just under 90 percent of our funding comes from Suffolk County Council but as an independent charity we can also generate income elsewhere.”
• Surrey – Temporary site confirmed for West Byfleet Library – Surrey News. “West Byfleet library will close in its current location on Friday 20th August and is proposed to reopen in a temporary location on Monday 20th September. The library is proposed to remain at this temporary site for up to 5 years whilst the redevelopment of the current site takes place”
• West Sussex – Over 70,000 children’s books loaned out since the start of the Summer Reading Challenge – Crawley News 24. “Currently, more than 7,000 children have signed up to the challenge and over 70,000 books, eBooks and audio books have been loaned to children and their families since July.”
• Wiltshire – Thousands of views for Wiltshire libraries in ‘great achievement’ for library teams – Wiltshire Times. “popular content on the library Facebook pages and the Wiltshire Libraries YouTube channel has now received over 200,000 views.” … “One customer shared their thoughts on Trowbridge Library’s Facebook page: “I want to send my thanks for all the staff broadcasting from their homes keeping the library community alive. You are all epic superstars.””
• Wirral – Wirral Libraries consultation goes out on the road this week – Wirral Globe. “It asks those taking part what services are most important to them as well as what services people would like to see offered so that an attractive, relevant, modern and flexible library service can be delivered.”
• Wokingham – Library re-opens – Henley Standard. “The Church Street library was shut by Wokingham Borough Council in March last year at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Librarian Ros Fernley was re-deployed to answer the council’s phone lines from her home in Loddon Drive during the height of the crisis and was not furloughed throughout.”
• Worcestershire – Careers events to be held at libraries and online for students across Worcestershire who received their results this week – Malvern Observer. “Careers Clinics will be touring the county with dates in Redditch, Bromsgrove, Malvern and Worcester.”
• Wrexham – Reading for fun, plus your views wanted on Wrexham Library Service – Advertizer. “The big challenge we have is to reach more residents with Wrexham Library Outreach Service. We want your thoughts on how your Outreach Library Service will reach you in the future.”