Going staff-less in 2022
Editorial
It’s been a while since this post has covered staff-less libraries but three different mentions this week brings them to attention once again. Having library card and PIN entry to allow customers into libraries has been around more than a decade now. In the UK, this has been used both to extend hours and to replace paid staff, with the prevalence of one or the other being a useful weathervane for where the budgetary winds are blowing. So, it’s good to see that the two reported in the UK today appear to be aimed at extending hours rather than cutting staff costs. In the third mention since the last post, the technology is less conflicted – it’s in Australia, a country which has seen nothing like the budgetary pressures we have, and it’s seen an entirely good, indeed, an award-winning thing.

Changes by local authority
- North Somerset – Nailsea Library may move location.
National news
- Free Makerspace Starter Guide for Libraries – Artefacto. “Previously we have shared this publication with people attending our training or libraries we’ve worked with. But now we wanted to share it more widely to help libraries (and other cultural organisations) interested in launching or developing their own makerspace programme. “
- Joining up for the Jubilee – DCMS Libraries. A look at what public libraries are doing, funding and initiatives.
- Libraries are the ‘beating heart’ of a school – TES. “nestling deep in an Audit Scotland report this week was evidence that libraries are seen as fair game when times are hard. A stark series of bar graphs showed the difference between total public library opening hours before Covid and as at February 2022, in each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities.”
- Making the Most of National Events: A Toolkit for Public Libraries – Libraries Connected. “gives an overview of how to successfully engage with cultural events. Drawing on the experience and expertise of members of the Culture and Creativity Offer Group supported by Libraries Connected, the toolkit is full of ideas, top tips and templates for developing strategies and planning event activity.”
- Platinum Jubilee: War Horse author Morpurgo dedicates latest book to Queen – BBC. “Sir Michael said: “Libraries have been, and continue to be, a constant in our communities, our schools, and lives. “Libraries, and particularly the librarians who work in them, are vital for us all, but especially for those who need them most.”
- Psychosocial needs and the Public Library – University of Aberystwyth. “You are being invited to participate in a research study titled: How prepared are UK public library services to meet the psychosocial needs of their users? With a focus on staff perceptions and training. The term ‘psychosocial’ refers to the interrelated mental, emotional, and social needs of individuals.”
- Public Library Survey – UCL. “for my Library and Information Studies MA at UCL, I am looking into patron-perpetrated sexual harassment towards UK public librarians within the last 5 years.” …”The survey is completely anonymous and cannot be traced back to you or your workplace. “
- Refugee week and Libraries of Sanctuary – Libraries Connected. Webinar, Monday 13 June, 2pm. “In this webinar we will have an update on support for Ukrainian newcomers from Larysa Bolton from the Association of Ukrainian Women in the UK, Julie Hayward from Book Trust, and a more general update on the Libraries of Sanctuary submission process …”
- Updates on the Single Digital Presence – British Library. Currently concentrating on branding. Head of Delivery starts in June. see also Single Digital Presence for public libraries – British Library. “The current phase of funding (June 2021 – March 2024) will enable us to develop and test a public-facing version of the platform. £1.1 million of the funding is ring-fenced to help libraries in England with their digital offers.”
- Violence on the rise in British Libraries as shock figures lay bare UK’s ‘hubs of chaos’ – Mirror. “Shock figures show they were the scene of nearly 6,000 serious anti-social behaviour incidents in five years.” … “An ex-policeman who spent five years working in a North East library told us: “I was assaulted more times in there than in than in my 25 years in the force.” … “In some areas they are used as a contact point for social services, which is believed to have added to the risk of disturbances.”
- What it’s really like working in libraries – Socialist Party. “27 million books, 9,000 workers and 800 libraries cut by Tories”
International news
- Australia – Open book: Copper Coast library never shuts – In Daily. Card-entry / staff-less library.
- Colombia – ‘Legends are to be told’: Colombian library goes beyond books to keep stories alive – Guardian. “Atánquez’s Kankuaka library is more than just a space to house books, it is the centre of the indigenous people’s initiatives to preserve their history and strengthen their identity. A pavilion and mud-brick round houses behind the main building host community gatherings. Youth activities include the petroglyph outings, photography workshops and gatherings with tribal elders.”
- Sweden – The library – a bright spot? Biblioteket – en ljuspunkt? – Biblioteket tar saka #librarycase. “Time: Tuesday May 31, 2022, 17.00 pm -18.45 pm UTC +02:00 (time converter) Purpose: to show that – and how – the library can contribute to «sustainable development» and «global justice» and thus be «a bright spot». The workshop will be in English (the first Zoom part) and in Swedish (the following physical part). Both with time for discussions.”
- USA – Hillsdale to consider banning Harry Potter as library wars hit Michigan – Bridge Michigan. Complaints about too many books by Jewish and Black writers, one librarian resigns over paedophilia accusation, another looks to ban all Potter and LGBT titles. “Paladino said the “city’s library director has begun to fill the library with CRT, LGBT and sexually promiscuous books and displays.” Included as an example of books he felt were inappropriate for the library’s children’s section was a Harry Potter book, plus a book for young readers titled “How to Fight Racism,””. One librarian objected to because she is gay, with one comment being “Is she even Christian?”. Fears over censorship as complaints rise.
- Barnes and Noble being sued in Virginia Beach over “Gender Queer”, “A Court of Mist and Fury” – Bookriot. Some seek to censor books in bookshops as well as in libraries. Books accused of being pornographic when they’re not, with the accusers not having read them.
- Bigotry and Nationalism Launched Nazi Book Burning – EveryLibrary Action – EveryLibrary. Those wishing to ban books in the USA are mirroring the first censoring by the Nazis.
- If publishers have their way, libraries’ digital options will see major cuts – The Hill. “If a pending lawsuit by major American book publishers challenging its legal limits succeeds, controlled digital lending’s absence might be a lot more noticeable to a lot more people. It will be harder to borrow digital books and other materials from the growing number of libraries that practice controlled digital lending or some form of it. “
- Uvalde librarian thought about canceling storytime. Instead, she made it a refuge – NBC News. “Initially Mendell Morgan, the public library director, thought about closing on Wednesday, out of respect for those who’d lost their children. Ultimately he decided to keep the library open. At a time when librarians across the country have faced baseless allegations and threats of criminal charges from parents who’ve accused them of providing pornography to children, Morgan wanted to show the community what, in his view, a library really is. “
Local news by authority
- Bradford – Over 30 Jubilee themed events to be held at libraries – Telegraph and Argus. “Activities include tea and cake parties, art and craft sessions, rhyme and story time, a teddy bears picnic, a knit and natter session with karaoke, biscuit decoration, afternoon teas, book and film club evenings, a Children’s Royal Brunch and even a Queen’s Knickers Party.”
- Cumbria – Theatre nights and author talks hosted by Cumbria Libraries throughout June – Yahoo News. “Libraries are celebrating National Crime Reading Month with a series of murder mystery live theatre nights and author events featuring local crime writers.” Includes live streaming.
- Carlisle library to shut because ‘something has died’ on the roof – News and Star. ““It appears that something has died, probably a bird, in the roof space above us.”
- Devon – Queen’s Jubilee Exhibition: Huge collection makes debut at Barnstaple Library – North Devon Gazette. “The astonishing treasure trove of royal memorabilia is on loan from North Devon collector Sarah Grant”
- Library card music player – Crowdfunder. “We aim to build and install a library card music player into Exeter Library in time for the Summer Reading Challenge.”
- Essex – e-comics and creative writing help from Essex libraries – Saffron Walden Reporter. “A dedicated literacy area has opened at Stansted library this week. And similar dedicated literacy areas for libraries in Saffron Walden, Thaxted and Great Dunmow are due by the end of June. Dedicated literacy areas have materials to support reading and writing for adults and children, printable take-home resources, and creative writing prompts.”
- A library card for every child – Essex Council. “We want every child to experience the joy of reading. That’s why we’re giving every pupil in Essex a library card as part of our Essex Year of Reading campaign. Pupils will receive their library card and a campaign bookmark from their school. All they need to do is take it to any Essex Library to activate it and start borrowing. As well as access to thousands of books, Essex Libraries also offer e-books, e-audio and e-comics.”
- Gwynedd – Penygroes and Dyffryn Ogwen Libraries benefit from grant – North Wales Chronicle. ” libraries at Penygroes and Dyffryn Ogwen, Bethesda are set to benefit from £56,000 of Welsh Government funding, through the Capital Transformation Fund. The funding aims to help local libraries and museums to develop their facilities and services” … “A transformation grant will support the development of these two libraries in order to realise ambitious plans to develop Llyfrgell y Petha (the Library of Things) at both sites, as well as creating a virtual reality hub in Penygroes Library and wellbeing garden at Dyffryn Ogwen Library.”
- Hounslow – Share your local memories and help create a unique local history archive – Hounslow Council. “Showcasing some fascinating finds from the borough’s archives, every exhibition will be unique, focusing on the history of the area surrounding each library.”
- Leicester – Out-of-hours access to libraries tried out in pilot scheme – Leicester Council. “Library Plus has just launched at Knighton and Evington libraries. It means people will be able to access both libraries before and after standard staffed opening hours, from Monday to Friday.”
- Manchester – Celebrating Manchester’s world class libraries – Manchester City of Literature. “Manchester City of Literature’s Festival of Libraries returns in 2022. This county-wide celebration of Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries will take place from Wednesday 15th to Sunday 19th June, 2022.”
- There’s Something for Everyone in our Brand-New North City Library – Manclibraries Blog. “Following a bright new refresh, North City Library in Harpurhey is really upping its game with a packed programme of fun and inclusive activities for all ages. “
- Middlesbrough – E-magazine regional first for Middlesbrough Libraries – Middlesbrough Council. “The service is the first in the North East to add eMagazines to its exceptionally popular Borrowbox service offering readers online versions of a range of popular publications including Good Food and Gardeners’ World”
- Newport – The Newport library that inspired a huge Welsh rock hit – South Wales Argus. ” this anthemic tribute to working-class culture was inspired by a building in one of Newport’s oldest working-class communities.” … “the former Pill Library is one of Newport’s most historic buildings, dating back to 1889.”. Library is now a community centre.
- North Somerset – Talks on future of Nailsea library could see it demolished – Somerset Live. “Nailsea Library could be demolished to make way for a new development. North Somerset Council has launched a consultation on the future of the library in Somerset Square as part of development plans for the district. The council has confirmed it is now looking at moving the library to another location in the town and is considering alternative uses for the site.”
- North Yorkshire – Join the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at your local library – North Yorkshire Council. “Children who borrow two books from Saturday, May 28, to Saturday, June 11, will be entered into a prize draw to win a copy of author Michael Morpurgo’s new book, There Once is a Queen: A Stunning Poetic Celebration of Queen Elizabeth. Harrogate library is hosting the regional Libraries Connected event, Twixt t’Covers, that will be live-streamed to audiences across the nation …”
- Nottingham – Approval for new Central Library will see work start within months – My Nottingham News. “The replacement for the old Central Library on Angel Row will be ready to open to the public next summer after the work to turn the building into a modern library has been completed.” … “A new Central Library is one of the key elements of the regeneration of the city’s Southside area. ” … ““We know from the consultation that Central Library is well-used and well-liked by local people, and I’m particularly pleased with the focus on the children’s library which create up-to-date facilities for families to enjoy.””
- New Nottingham library £10.5m funding package approved – BBC. £10.5m. “The building, part of the wider Broadmarsh development, is currently a shell attached to a multi-storey car park. An opening date had been pushed back due to the pandemic and financial pressures on the city council.”
- Nottinghamshire – Library in Burton Joyce to be refurbished and transformed into ‘village hub’ – Gedling Eye. £170k from DCMS/ACE.
- Oldham – Oldham library hosts pyjama bedtime story night – Oldham Times. “The early evening event, scheduled from 5.30 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, is encouraging families and children under five to come along to Oldham library for a cosy bedtime story. The library will offer toast and milk while a storyteller works to bring stories and soothing songs to life.”
- Slough – Slough Borough Council faces assets sell-off after bankruptcy – BBC. “It said the council needed to sell up to £600m of its £1.2bn of assets to reduce its debt. This places a risk on the town’s libraries, children’s centres, community hubs and housing stock transfer to be sold off …”
- South Lanarkshire – Lanarkshire library launches new project to unite communities – Daily Record. “The New Memories project has been rolled out across Scotland” … “The project will use old images and materials to start a conversation among Memory Group participants, as well as having access to local collections via the Memories Scotland archive.”
- Stockport – Get ready to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Weekend with Stockport Libraries – Stockport Council. ““The Jubilation Station project is the perfect opportunity to become a real part of history, and have a tangible souvenir of your involvement in the Jubilee weekend.””
- Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries extend free menstrual product scheme – East Anglian Daily Times. “It is also in talks with Norfolk and Essex Libraries to support the imminent extension of the scheme across the whole of the East of England.”
- Warwickshire – Visit Warwickshire Libraries this month and enjoy a whole range of Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations for all ages – Warwickshire Council. ” Upcoming activities hosted by Warwickshire Libraries range from livestreams, virtual events, and displays of local royal connections and memories, to jubilee biscuits and getting involved in The Big Jubilee Read.”
- Wigan – Heritage celebrated in Wigan library renovation – Wigan Today. “Wigan Council has undertaken a programme of work to improve the historic Ashton library including refurbishment of the community room and restoration of the original parquet floor after the library had to be temporarily closed as a result of dry rot while work was undertaken which included roof works, joinery, plastering, flooring and painting. A transformation of the library’s lay-out has also been completed to provide a more flexible use of space for events and activities …”
- Worcestershire – Stourport Library gets longer hours due to new technology – Express and Star. “From Monday, June 6, Stourport Library customers can upgrade to free Libraries Unlocked membership and use their library card to visit the library outside normal opening hours, when staff are not present.”
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