Nadine Dorries call libraries “a chance to escape”

Editorial

Nadine Dorries announced £5 million for libraries in February this week. Or did she? As was pointed out to me by someone this afternoon this sounds suspiciously like the Libraries Improvement Fund (awards due to be announced in Feb 2022) which offers £5 million. Compare that with the Nicola Sturgeon who got some flack from the Scottish Sun, who is giving £1.25 million – a quarter as much but for a population one tenth the size. In other news, the relentless rise in fines-free libraries claimed it’s biggest US convert so far, with the New York Public Libraries ceasing charging its customers. Its boss called fines “an antiquated, ineffective way” to get back books. Finally, a shout out to Manchester Libraries who continue to invest in its libraries. Oooh, and by the way, in personal news, the puppies are growing wonderfully – eyes open and starting to walk.

Changes by local authority

• Manchester – Chorlton and Longsight to be refurbished. New libraries at Gorton and Abraham Moss, improvements at Central.

National news

• The 100 Novels that Shaped our New World – Libraries Connected. “Library users and staff around the country chose the novel that had meant the most to them during the pandemic. Whether it gave them hope for the future or simply provided them with comfort or escape, over 400 people chose novels and this new list is the result.”
• Black History Month in Libraries – Libraries Connected. Lists some of the events.
• BookTrust Storytime – how libraries are supporting families to discover reading – DCMS Libraries. “This Autumn we’re excited to be delivering a new national pilot, BookTrust Storytime. This aims to test new ways to support disadvantaged families with children aged 0-5 to enjoy books and stories together.  Funded by Arts Council England, the pilot is a true collaboration, with partners across libraries, local authorities, the wider library sector including ASCEL, CILIP and Libraries Connected, and families involved at all stages: developing innovative ideas; testing concepts and their viability in library settings; and reviewing the design of resources and the overall family experience. “
• Collection Development Policies: A NAG Template for Public Libraries – NAG. “Updating, or even creating, a collection development policy is on the long term “to do” list for so many librarians in public libraries. With frequent requests for “ideal” “sample” and “recommended” policies, NAG decided to commission a consultant to review policies across the sector and pull together the best elements from a range of examples to offer a template for NAG Members.” 20 September, 1.30 – 3, Zoom.
• Dorries declares war on councils who shut libraries and is on mission to reopen them – Express. “Ms Dorries, 64, said £5million would be made available in February to enable library services to upgrade buildings and technology so they are better placed to respond to the changing ways people use them” … “If I have one mission as Culture Secretary, it’s to open doors for those who need it the most. Libraries are the front line for that effort and I’ll press councils hard to invest in libraries because of the enormous value they provide.”

“When I was a young girl growing up in Liverpool, I loved my local library, partly because it was one of the only places I could enjoy central heating. We’d just moved from Breck Road to an overspill council estate, and we only had the one fireplace at home. The library was somewhere cosy and comforting, offering peace and a chance to escape. I still vividly remember taking my little brother with me one day, he must have been about four at the time, and sitting down with him at a table and poring over a huge book about atoms. I’d never even heard of atoms. But that’s the joy of a library – there’s a whole world of knowledge waiting to be explored.” Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary

• New library roles to launch five-year green digital plan – Cambrian News. “National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth is set to appoint a new president and vice president as it embarks on a new five-year plan to enhance digital access and the library’s green credentials”
• New library! Tooting Library (England) – Naple Sister Libraries. “We are very happy to announce the incorporation of the first British library to the Naple Sister Libraries program. We hope it’ll be the first incorporation of many to come! Tooting Library is a busy high street library in a vibrant multi cultural suburb of South London. The library serves a population between 10.000 and 100.000”
• Post Pandemic Panaceas: the role of libraries’ initiatives and impact on the young generation – Eurolis. Nov 3/10/17 online, 4pm. “The seminar will seek to explore the effect that library closures during the pandemic had on children and how libraries have reacted to the challenge. We will learn what creative strategies of connecting young audiences through online presentations and other digital outreach programmes European librarians have come up with and the impact on children’s learning and development.”
• Public Libraries and Climate Change – British Libraries Living Knowledge Network. Thursday 14 October, 2 – 4.30pm. “You are warmly invited to attend an online event on 14 October between 14.00-16.30 on the topic of Public Libraries and Climate Change. There will be introductory high-profile speakers followed by two panels on Strategy and Policy (Chaired by Sue Williamson, Director of Libraries, Arts Council England) and on Climate Projects in Libraries (Chaired by Nick Poole, CEO, CILIP). Speakers will represent a diverse and international range of experiences to discuss and address this timely topic. We will also discuss ways we can keep talking about this topic as a community post-event. Please sign up to the event using the Go-To-Webinar link. The event is open to all library professionals”
• Scotland’s new National Librarian Amina Shah on starting new chapter as first female leader – Sunday Post. “But as head of Scotland’s largest library – one of Europe’s leading research libraries – she knows acutely the weight of her responsibility. To give a voice to those whom history has silenced or omitted, such as women and people of colour, and to deliver a library for everyone, where they can “see themselves reflected in the collections”. Equally, she says, it must be relevant in the post-pandemic world, a library that can help address society’s inequalities deepened by the impact of Covid.”
• “Shameless” Nicola Sturgeon accused of allowing Scotland’s libraries to be ‘decimated’ amid spending cuts over past 10 years – Scottish Sun. “Labour analysis of council finance stats found spending on public libraries has been slashed in real terms by a third since 2010/11 – from around £135million to just £92million last year. The figures, provided by the Scottish Parliament Information Centre suggest libraries would have received an additional £116.4 million over the decade if spending had remained at the 2010 level. Adjusted for inflation, Scottish Labour say that the real terms figure is as “astonishing” £220 million of ”cumulative cuts”.”
• Teaching Skills for Library Staff – LIEM. 17 November, all day, in Leicester. “The course which aims to build on participants’ current experiences of teaching information skills in libraries and learning centres, offers stimulating discussion and an excellent opportunity to share experiences.”

International news

• Global – Libraries ‘can support researchers more effectively’ – Research Information. “Commissioned by Ex Libris, the study was conducted by Alterline, an independent research agency. The report presents findings from a survey of more than 400 researchers and research office leaders across a range of disciplines in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.”
  • Celebrating the Librarians of SFF – Tor. Librarians featuring in Science Fiction and Fantasy listed.
• India – Notts historian founds public library in home village in India – Eastwood Advertiser. “Dr Arun Kumar is the university’s historian of modern India and assistant professor in Modern British Imperial, Colonial and Post-Colonial history. He was inspired to open the library in his family home in Kalyanpur, Uttar Pradesh, after his experience of book poverty in his early years and his recent research on workers’ libraries in India. The Rural Development Library is one of the first privately-owned village libraries in rural North India.”
• USA – The nation’s largest public library system is ending late fees forever – NPR. “Fines are “an antiquated, ineffective way to encourage patrons to return their books; for those who can afford the fines, they are barely an incentive,” New York Public Library President”
  • Circulating Ideas: Scenario Planning With Reading Public Library – Mechanical Dolphin. “Bronwen Gamble, Executive Director of Pennsylvania’s Reading Public Library, appeared with me on the American library podcast Circulating Ideas to share our experiences of scenario planning during a pandemic.”

Local news by authority

• Bradford – Bradford Library to start new writing course for South Asians – Telegraph and Argus. “Manningham Library will be hosting a 10-week creative writing course for South Asian people, sponsored by publishing company Fox&Windmill.”
• Cambridgeshire – Wisbech Library to encourage young readers – Planet Radio. “Each of the chosen libraries will receive ten sets of the Storytime shortlisted books, including large format versions for Storytime sessions as well as a range of resources and collectables to help encourage families to take part.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Borough’s Summer Reading Challenge is huge success as thousands of children take part – Northwich Guardian. “Of the 2,344 children who took park, 1,226 completed the challenge to read six books over the summer holidays. Lots of events took place in libraries across the borough, including 19 animal handling workshops, events by Cheshire Dance, Chester Zoo, Noodle Performance Arts, Radiate Arts, Jem Bear and lots of environmentally themed craft sessions.”
• Conwy – How Welsh poet inspired design of Conwy children’s library section – North Wales Pioneer. “Conwy County Borough Council’s Libraries team has revealed The Story of Wales by Welsh poet, author and publisher Myrddin ap Dafydd, and illustrated by artist Dorry Spikes, influenced the set up of the children’s area of the Library at Glasdir. The Libraries team, along with Myrddin, Dorry, and design company Opening the Book, have created a flagship children’s section following the relocation of the library last month.”
• Cumbria – Cumbria police on tour for National Libraries Week – Times and Star. “they will be running a drop-in session and joined by Copeland Age and Advice Team.”
• Devon – Kingsbridge Library secures lottery funding for new meeting space – South Hams Gazette. “A new meeting space funded with £10,000 from the National Lottery has been officially opened in Kingsbridge Library. The room has a large Smart TV for presentations, free WiFi, a projector and screen, and users of the room can also access brand new kitchen facilities.”
• Dorset – Dorset digital champions offer free help with computer and internet problems – Dorset Echo. “Dorset Council’s volunteer digital champions provided their services over the phone during the pandemic. With restrictions lifted, they are no going out into the community to help people and will be at libraries offering their technical advice.”
• Dudley – Union calls for Dudley library staff to earn living wage – Express and Star. “The union revealed rates for library assistants are 12 per cent below what they would have been had the service stayed within the council, and have dropped below any other recognised council salary scale. Branch secretary at UNISON Dudley General Branch Theresa Kelly said: “Greenwhich makes a mockery of the term ‘social enterprise’. “Its flawed business model is based on zero-hours contracts and job cuts. The public services it pledged to maintain, such as leisure centres and libraries, are being eroded.””

“Since taking on the management of Dudley Libraries, GLL has made a number of improvements to working practices including; staff rotas and structures and the removal of lone working in libraries – a practice that we inherited. We have never employed staff on Zero Hours contracts within our libraries.  We do offer flexible working, in order to help cover instances of staff sickness or annual leave. “We are aware that some staff have concerns around the level of their recent pay rise and we are currently addressing these.  We are committed to paying the Real Living Wage across all our facilities and are working with local staff to reach this point as soon as possible. “ We would be delighted to meet and discuss the issue with both Theresa Kelly and Billy Gibson, as we have yet to have any direct contact from either of them.“

GLL spokesperson in email to Public Libraries News

• Glasgow – Martha Wardrop: We need to support investment in community-led climate action – Glasgow Times. “The pandemic has demonstrated the need for our local libraries in connecting and supporting our communities. We want to look ahead with optimism and ambition to a future in which libraries help everyone to achieve their potential. This requires all libraries in Glasgow to re-open including Whiteinch, Maryhill, GoMA, Barmulloch and the Couper Institute.”
• Isle of Wight – Islanders invited to celebrate National Libraries Week 2021 – Island Echo. ““Libraries offer a range of inclusive creative and social activities that connect individuals and communities. We help combat loneliness and improve wellbeing and make a lasting impact on people’s live. Our libraries support you throughout life. From story time groups for toddlers; supporting job seekers to get online and help with CV’s; to local health walks, we have you covered.””
• Kirklees – Show Love For Your Local Library This Libraries Week – Kirklees Together. ” libraries have been working extra hard to keep communities united and offer services that are accessible to all even when they had to temporarily close their doors. By offering over 29,000 books online, through apps like Libby; our libraries team made sure all avid book lovers got their reading fix.”
• Lancashire – Rare footage unearthed of Adele performing at Lancaster Library in 2007 – Lancs Live. “Footage showing the moment singer Adele performed her hit Hometown Glory as a support act at Lancaster Library back in 2007 has been unearthed. Get It Loud In Libraries’ company director, Stewart Parsons, has shared his memories of the superstar’s laid back performance – more than a decade ago.”
• Manchester – Two more Manchester libraries set to benefit from a re-vamp – Manchester City Council. “Libraries in Chorlton and Longsight are the latest Manchester libraries set to get a re-vamp as part of the council’s ambitious £6m Libraries 2023 strategy.” .. “Chorlton Library will be completely transformed and restored, whilst over at Longsight Library, library users are going to benefit from a complete reconfiguration of the building along with other improvements that will help open up the building to more people and broaden the services it provides.”
• North Somerset – North Somerset celebrates Libraries Week – Weston Mercury. “North Somerset Council’s executive for neighbourhood and community services, Cllr Mike Solomon, believes libraries have the power to make a change in a person’s life”
• Northamptonshire – Two lost and the futures of a few hanging in the balance – NN Journal. “St James library and Kingsthorpe library in Northampton have been closed for more than a year. Two of the 17 libraries dropped by Northamptonshire county council and marked for a community takeover, there’s a possibility these libraries may never re-open. They may follow the fate of those in Far Cotton and Higham Ferrers and close permanently, the books packed away and sent into storage or transferred to the stock collection of another library.”
• Nottingham – 150 Years of Nottingham City Libraries – Nottingham City Libraries. Some amazing photographs including a rather wonderfully large “No Spitting” sign.
• Nottinghamshire – Nottinghamshire libraries to launch new centres to support businesses – Chad. “Libraries in Mansfield and Sutton will be opening Business and IP Centres to support aspiring business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors to start or develop their business.”
• North Yorkshire – Poetry Festival at Ripon Library – Harrogate Advertiser. “It will see a cheese and wine launch-party at 7pm, with an open mic, hosted by Darlington’s Vane Women poetry collective. And Ripon will host a poetry workshop for children about rhythm and rhyme with poet and children’s writer Andy Croft, on Saturday, October 9, 11am.”
• Redcar and Cleveland – Plans to upgrade and improve Ormesby library approved – Northern Echo. “The council is bidding for £280,000 from the Arts Council to “substantially renovate” Ormesby library and also create a modern, multi-use community facility to include a café and lounge area. Other planned changes, subject to consultation with the public and relevant ward councillors, including developing the first floor of the Laburnum Road library building, in Redcar, to create a community space for social activities and groups for local residents.”
• Shropshire – Mobile library to visit rural communities near Wem– Whitchurch Herald. “The trial scheme plans to extend to more locations in the near future and follows the opening last month of the Shropshire Local Ludlow”
• Suffolk – Around Suffolk in 40 Stories: ‘Everybody should tell their story’ – BBC. “Glenys Newton, who lives near Saffron Walden in Essex, spoke to 40 Suffolk residents over the past year for a story relay, with each storyteller nominating the next to create a human library of stories about people in the county. She worked in partnership with Suffolk libraries for the project called Around Suffolk in 40 Stories.”. See Around Suffolk In 40 Stories
• Waltham Forest – How WIILMA partners with local libraries to widen community cohesion and reduce loneliness – DCMS Libraries. “WIILMA is supported by the British Library’s Start-ups in London Libraries (SiLL) program, and are also participating in a national Integrated Communities strategy pilot by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which encourages experimental and unconventional approaches to increasing community integration.”
• Warrington – Friends of Penketh Library host competition for Libraries Week – Warrington Guardian. “The competition involves children creating a poster of their favourite book character.”
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire residents invited to come and say hello during Libraries Week – Rugby Observer. “Warwickshire Libraries are also launching their Book Amnesty campaign, which will run throughout October, allowing residents to bring back any items they may still have at home without incurring fines or charges.”
• Worcestershire – Staff take the Here2Help Community Directory on library tour – Worcester Observer. “The Community Services Directory went live last week, it is the latest offer of the Here2Help service and is designed to help residents find the support they need”
  • Free poetry books for National Poetry Day from Worcester Libraries – Bromsgrove Standard. “Poetry enthusiasts will be able to pick up five different anthologies for free from any of the six main Worcestershire Libraries, The Hive, Redditch, Bromsgrove, Evesham, Malvern and Kidderminster.”
  • Your Letters: Gorcott Hill, our Prime Minister – and Redditch Library – Redditch Standard. “Coun Dormer is not only Leader of Redditch Borough Council, he’s also on the Town Deal Board for Redditch, and is Worcestershire County Council portfolio holder for libraries, putting him in a powerful position over one of the county’s most valuable and important assets: Redditch Library. Why, then, is this supposedly eco-minded councillor currently preparing to waste a perfectly good building, a huge amount of energy, and millions of pounds of public money?”