Savinged

Editorial

Words are important so it’s time to have a note about terminology. The policy of Public Libraries News is to describe reductions to budgets as “cuts” whereas the almost universal policy of councils is to describe them as “savings”. It depends on one’s viewpoint and the pros and cons of each case as to which word is more true. A cut can also be a saving of course, and sometimes efficiencies can indeed be made. But the word “saving” suggests that there has been no reduction in the service offered so that nothing is lost, financially or otherwise. The word “cut” suggests a reduction both in service and budget. My use of the word “cut” comes from the 2010s when we were indeed looking at brutal cuts to services and I would argue that it’s a more honest word than the alternatives even now. But it depends on circumstances and viewpoint and one must always bear that in mind. The word “saving” is sometimes used by councils in full knowledge that what is actually happening is a cut. That’s a shame and I think being more honest with people would be good, because people should not be misled, especially when they are the ones ultimately paying the bills both in terms of budget and in terms of services, cut or, um, savinged.

Changes by local authority

• Calderdale – Beechwood Road library refurbished
• Luton – Cuts expected, consultation.
• Surrey – £2.9m cut from 2019 to end of March 2022.
• WIltshire – Market Lavington opens in new room

National news

• Carthew plans UK tour to address publishing diversity and inclusion – BookSeller.”The Breaking Class Tour will visit festivals, universities, libraries, bookshops and conferences around the UK throughout 2022. Carthew will talk about the issues that face working-class writers including barriers to success, as well as talking to publishing industry professionals regarding how best to tackle discrimination and unconscious bias in the industry.”
• End of Year Recharge and Reset – British Library Living Knowledge. “A restorative session aimed at giving you clarity of mind as we move towards the holiday season. Join Author and life coach Rasheed Ogunlaru for a relaxed mental health check-in, with tips and strategies for balancing and assessing your work life balance and winding down 2021 with a positive mind-set.”https://digitalcontentassociates.com/bringing-ft-to-the-worlds-public-libraries/
• The Librarian Behind a New Anthology of Poems About Books & Libraries – Fine Books Magazine. “The 272-page anthology, with gorgeous jacket art, includes such poets as Horace, Shakespeare, Dickinson, Borges, Angelou, and others, all paying homage to books and libraries.”
• Stories Not Statistics: An Autoethnographical & Narrative Exploration of the Value of Public Libraries – Humanities Commons. “This research examines what the narratives around libraries reveal about the ways in which they are valued, and explores the use of methods that are still relatively new to the field of LIS. ” … ” there is a gap in the current LIS scholarship on work that draws together narratives of belonging, loneliness and the body in relation to the public library with the use of autoethnography and narrative inquiry specifically, and that using narratives to understand and articulate impact should be key to understanding the value of libraries.”
• #uklibchat 6th December – Farewell and Review – #uklibchat. “This is our last chat. We are grateful for all your interactions, for all those who followed us and lurked. This last chat is not so much a discussion as an opportunity to come together and appreciate each other and the conversations #uklibchat has helped foster. We have a few conversation starters in our agenda for this cosy chance to gather round the inspiration that is #uklibchat. Feel free to add your own.”
• Universal Library Offers Calendar 2022 – Libraries Connected. “Key dates for libraries in 2022”

International news

• Belgium – Grandparents bridge generations with climate exhibition for children – United Nations In Western Europe. “Grandparents for Climate organised a tailor-made exhibition for children on climate action and biodiversity in the city library of Genk, Belgium.”
• USA – Freckle Update – Nov 2021 – EveryLibrary Institute. Looks at October 2021 survey of US public on where they obtain their books.
  • Attempt to remove LGBTQ book fails as library remains culture war battleground – Daily Advertiser. “An attempt to censor a LGBTQ book at the Lafayette Public Library was defeated Monday night after a large crowd spoke in favor of the book at a meeting of the library’s board. “
  • New York Public Library spoofs patrons for Black Friday – PR Week. “n its fourth Black Friday campaign, created in-house by the library’s communications team, the NYPL is offering books that are “freer than ever” with “0% interest loans” and “free returns.”  This year, the tongue-in-cheek campaign also calls attention to the library’s new policy of eliminating all late fines, announced in October. “

Local news by authority

• Blackburn With Darwen – Blackburn author given patronage in recognition of work – Lancashire Telegraph. “Christina Gabbitas, from Blackburn, attended a presentation held at Blackburn Central Library in recognition of her ‘outstanding literacy development work’, both locally and at a national level, as well as her achievements as an award-winning author and ‘tireless advocacy work for libraries’.”
• Bolton – Library fines are set to return across Bolton in the New Year – Bolton News. “Ever since the start of the first lockdown, fines for overdue books have been waived, by Bolton’s library services. But now it has been announced that penalties for later returns will be restarted from January 17.”
• Bradford – Book Exchange opens at Age UK hub in Wrose – Telegraph and Argus. “Council’s Libraries Service is working in partnership with Age UK Bradford District to order and collect library books from their Community Hub in Wrose. The area’s existing community run library, a few doors down from the Age UK hub, shut last year.”
• Caerphilly – Libraries in Caerphilly County Borough to fully reopen next week – Wales 247. “All 18 libraries will reopen for open access without the need to make an appointment. To ensure your safety library staff will continue and customers are encouraged, unless exempt, to wear face coverings or visors in the library as per Welsh Government guidance.”
• Denbighshire – Major work to be carried out at Denbighshire’s libraries – The Free Press. “The project will see new public access computers installed, a new PC management system, self-service printing, an online booking system and printing via Wi-Fi. Each week, one or two libraries will be upgraded and during that week, customers will not be able to access computers or printing at that particular library.”
• Devon – Fabulous prizes on offer for young bookworms in Secret Book Quest – Devon Live. “Young readers in Devon and Torbay have the chance to win fabulous prizes when they complete The Secret Book Quest – a new, free reading challenge taking place in libraries run by Libraries Unlimited. The current prize draw is running until April 13, 2022. Children who read 50 books by that time and complete the challenge will have their names added into the ‘Secret Book Quest Prize Draw’.”. Prizes include a Lego Bookshop.
  • Bloom award for Crediton Library’s garden – Devon Live. Gardening done by volunteers.
• East Renfrewshire – Cash boost aims to help East Renfrewshire residents reconnect with library services – Barrhead News. “The Scottish Government is providing £30,000 to fund the employment of an outreach worker in the Barrhead area, who will be tasked with helping communities re-engage with library services.”
• Essex – Halstead library unveils new entrance as staff member retires – Halstead Gazette. “The Halstead Library has opened its its newly refurbished, High Street facing, doors after being shut for a rumoured 50 years.”
  • Draft vision for Essex Libraries published – Essex.gov.uk. “The ‘Everyone’s library service 2022-2026 plan’ details how we intend to transform the Library service over the next four years into a modern, vibrant and sustainable service for all.”
• Falkirk – Writing rammy: Authors pick up prizes in Falkirk library competition – Falkirk Herald. ““We had a brilliant evening at Falkirk Library and are so grateful to Helen MacKinven for hosting and always being so supportive of the competition. “
  • £40,000 funding to help Falkirk libraries support mental health after pandemic – Falkirk Herald. “warmly welcomed the cash from the Scottish Government’s covid relief fund – saying they hope it will help them harness “the therapeutic power of reading”, as part of its Libraries for Wellbeing project.”
• Gwynedd – Gwynedd Libraries introduce changes to make borrowing books an easier process – In Your Area. “Gwynedd Council’s Libraries Service has recently introduced three developments which have been designed to make life easier and remove any barriers people may have to using the library and borrowing books.”. All fines removed, new app, home library service introduced.
• Gwynedd libraries provide access to free period products – In Your Area. “The Council’s Libraries Service is working in partnership with Gwynedd’s Education Department to provide free eco-friendly period products”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries runs cartoon competition for children – Greenock Telegraph. “Inverclyde Libraries is running a competition for children aged three to 12 to design colourful ‘climate characters’.”
• Luton – No library closures in Luton despite falling visitor numbers as consultation begins on their future – Luton Today. “residents are being reassured that no existing libraries will be closed as the council today (December 3) launches a public consultation on their future. It says it will however consider relocating some facilities and also look at sharing space with other services as it admits visitors and borrowing figures have dropped in recent times, even before the pandemic.” … “The council says it will consider alternative models to make library spaces more adaptable and cost effective; identify alternative and better ways it could use library buildings; consider relocating (not closing) some of the existing libraries; look at the feasibility of sharing library buildings and spaces with other services; examine how it can extend library services to communities currently not served by a physical library; investigate the potential of ‘open library technology’ which has been effective in increasing the opening hours and footfall at libraries in other areas.”
• Manchester – Central Library will be only place outside London where you can see ‘turning point’ 1921 Census – Manchester Evening News. “The library joins the National Archive Centre in Kew, London, as only one of two places where census research on Findmypast can be carried out for free.” … “The loss of the 1931 census in a fire, and the lack of a 1941 census due to World War II, means this one is the last census giving the modern day public an insight into early 20th century life.”
  • Welcome to the jungle – Manchester City Council. “Located on the lower ground level of Central Library, the new jungle themed children’s library has replaced the Secret Garden library. The new space is a unique, child-centred place in the heart of the city, where children and parents can tuck into a good story together.  Complete with comfy seating, the library boasts crawl- through spaces for little explorers, wildlife wall art, new book display cases and even a cosy corner for children and their parents to sit together and read. The library also promises more story time and activities- these will be advertised on blackboards in the library. “
• Midlothian – Save our Libraries: Time travel with a library card – Liam Rudden – Midlothian Advertiser. “It’s encouraging that the SLIC, in its four-year strategy for Scotland’s libraries, has called for them to be ‘put at the heart of the Covid recovery’, I’m sure books have helped many through the pandemic.”
• Neath Port Talbot – Sandfields Library receives new lease of life with mural artwork – News From Wales. “The artwork was painted by a local teacher and funded by J.G. Hale Construction as part of the community benefits associated with Tai Tarian’s nearby County Flats scheme”
• Norfolk – Fears persist over King’s Lynn library future as councils urged to provide ‘decent, reassuring plan’ – Lynn News. “A Lynn councillor has claimed she will chain herself to the railings of the town’s library if the current building is sold off. Political leaders say they wanted to put an end to past speculation that the Carnegie building could be turned into flats – which has previously been denied – or be put to another commercial use. But, despite the launch of a public consultation this week, some opposition representatives are worried about the future of the current library site.”
  • Artist joined by 25 Norfolk women to stitch protest banner – Eastern Daily Press. “Twenty-five Norfolk women have contributed to a protest banner which demands an end to violence against women. Norfolk Library and Information Service has worked with an artist to create the banner.”
• Northern Ireland – Keep reading. Christmas details for local libraries – Balleymoney Times. “The mobile library service will be unavailable from Saturday, December 18 to Monday, January 3, 2022 inclusive.”
• Northumberland – Ashington youngster wins competition after reading 19 books during summer holidays – News Post Leader. “Children signed up in libraries, online or via the Holiday and Food programmes (HAF) running through the summer, with more than 2,000 children taking part this year.”
• North Yorkshire – Library prizes awarded to young nature photographers – North Yorkshire County Council. “They were invited to their local library to meet Chrys Mellor, the General Manager of the library service, who presented them with a certificate, a large mounted picture of their photo and a library card with their photo on. Limited editions of these cards will be available from all libraries in the county.”
• Orkney – Libraries host book amnesty as New Year approaches – Orcadian. ““It’s the season of goodwill, so if you have overdue library books from last month, last year, pre-lockdown, pre-millennium, pre-decimalisation, don’t worry.”
• Sheffield – Sheffield library can buy new computers thanks to city shoppers’ donations – Sheffield Telegraph. “Volunteers from Broomhill Community Library can buy new computers for public use thanks to local shoppers.”. Co-op nominated charity.
• Slough – Hundreds respond to Slough library closures consultation – Get Reading. “A consultation launched to help decide the future of library services in Slough has received over 1,000 responses so far.”
  
• South Gloucestershire – Stephen Merchant provides audio for South Gloucestershire libraries – South Gloucestershire Newsroom. “Stephen, who is originally from Hanham, has kindly recorded a number of announcements for the libraries’ Open Access service which enables users to visit the library seven days per week, and has also recorded a video where he highlights the importance of libraries.”

“I was more than willing to support South Gloucestershire Libraries. The service has so much to offer – access to computers, a meeting place to connect with your community, somewhere to study and if you want to find out anything then the library is the place to go. But above all these great services it’s their power to change lives through reading. I would encourage everyone to use their local library.”

Stephen Merchant

• Staffordshire – When a decision will be made on moving Burton library to the market hall – Staffordshire Live. “Decisions on the future of Burton’s library and Market Hall will be made after March next year, it has been revealed. The business case by Burton Town Deal Board will be passed to the Government by March and a decision will then be made on which seven projects will be taken forward.”
• Surrey – Council makes commitment on whether to keep Surrey libraries open amid transformation plan – Get Surrey. “Surrey councillors have made a commitment that no library services will be lost in the county in the face of large costs to upgrade facilities.”… “Achievements as part of the plan so far include joining the Libraries Consortium which means residents can use their Surrey library card to access libraries in Essex and 18 London boroughs, and being on track to make savings of £2.9m by the end of March 2022.”
• Thurrock – Protesters show their support to save Thameside theatre complex in Grays – BBC News. “Thurrock Council is proposing to sell the Thameside complex, which also houses a library and museum, in Grays as part of plans to save £34m by 2024. Labour councillor John Kent said people were “really angry” at the plans.”
• Torfaen – Temporary reduction in Torfaen library opening hours – South Wales Argus. “There are currently four vacant library assistant roles within the borough’s service, which is leading to staff shortages as more people return to using libraries following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. But a council report says filling the vacancies while a review of the service is being carried out would ‘prejudice’ its outcome.”
• Wiltshire – Market Lavington library opens for first time since Covid – Gazette and Herald. Library “has reopened in its new location after closing its doors in 2020 due to the pandemic. The new library is now open at the Old School, Church Street, thanks to the partnership between Wiltshire Council and Market Lavington Parish Council.”
• Worcestershire – Mask up when visiting the library as new variant forces change – Bromsgrove Standard. “Face  coverings will once again be required in order for customers to enter the county’s libraries from tomorrow, Tuesday, November 30. The county’s libraries will be increasing Covid-19 protection measures in light of the new directions from central government and will be asking anyone visiting to wear a face covering.” [This turned out not to be true – government guidelines excluded libraries from essential mask wearing – Ed.]