Local elections

Editorial

Local elections have resulted in a several changes of control, with perhaps the most significant one for libraries being in Barnet, which has experienced a lot of cuts over the years, has changed from Conservative to Labour. It will be interesting to see if this results on any changed to libraries. Pulling back to see the bigger picture, the results suggest that the Conservatives are increasingly vulnerable, making possible a Labour (and thus higher spending on public services) government is at least possible this decade.

Change-wise, one more library service going fines-free, with 38 now not charge any late fees in the UK, two branches have had an extension of opening hours, one had had a refurbishment and a last library is moving into a new co-location. So on the face of it no bad news there. Across the water, the campaign by some to turn the USA into something close to The Handmaid’s Tale continues with moves to censor what library users are allowed to read.

Changes by local authority

• Kent – Tunbridge Wells Library in new Amelia Scott Centre, co-location
• Perth and Kinross – Fines-free
• Stockport – Adswood and Bridgehall Libraries open on Saturdays.
• West Berkshire – Thatcham Library to be refurbished.

National news

• BIC’s EDI for Libraries Half-Day Training Course (online) – Book Industry Communication Ltd. Webinar, 19 may, 2pm to 5pm.
• CILIP Library and Information Supplier Showcase – Spring 2022 – CILIP. 12 May, London.

• Communicate Your Library’s Value through Partnerships – Infobase. Webinar, Wednesday 18 May 8pm. “You know how much your library has to offer. But does your community? The secret isn’t marketing—it’s partnership. In this webinar, Dr. Audrey Barbakoff, an experienced public library leader and founder of Co/Lab Capacity, will discuss how to co-create services and programs that will authentically engage and inspire your community.”
• Partnership between DMU and UK libraries ensures more young people learn about the legacy of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence – De Montfort University. “The landmark Library of Birmingham – Europe’s biggest public library – is being lit up in orange in honour of Stephen, while all 16 libraries across Leicester have book displays of titles that celebrate diversity and a positive vision for the future.”
• Who is using public libraries’ digital collections in England? – Kevin J Bolton Ltd. “The study demonstrates that in terms of SEC, education level, age, and ethnicity that those using digital collections are not as representative as those who visit in person. Therefore, library services need to think carefully about developing their digital services to reach a broader range of people.” … “The study also demonstrates the importance of visiting a library during childhood on adult library use.” … “, this study shows the importance of going beyond descriptive statistics and using inferential statistical analyses to understand library use.”

International news

• USA – Nashville library introduces ‘I read banned books’ card in protest at GOP efforts to restrict access to literature – Independent. “The library says it will issue 5,000 of the bright yellow limited-edition cards in Davidson County over the next month.”
  • 2022 Library Systems Report – American Libraries. “An industry disrupted”. Summary of major moves in the library management systems industry.
  • Boston Public Library will offer one-hour wedding ceremonies for $200 – Boston 25 News. “The Boston Public Library announced Monday it will start offering one-hour, $200 wedding ceremonies starting June 6. That price tag gets couples a ceremony with up to eight guests inside the historic Guastavino Room at the Central Library in Copley Square. Couples may bring an officiant and photographer, but food and beverage service, live music and additional furniture or decorations are not permitted.”
  • The history of bookmobiles: bookmobiles are here, and there and everywhere, to stay – Book Riot. “In 1859, a cart called the Perambulating Library, one of the earliest bookmobiles on record, rolled through the streets of Warrington, England. In 1905, bookmobiles arrived in the U.S. The first recorded traveling library popped up in Maryland. “
  • “Libraries are promoting an agenda to destroy families”: Idaho State Rep partners on program to removed books from libraries – Book Riot. “Comparing the current climate around book bannings to 9/11, Idaho State Representative Heather Scott introduced a workshop called “How to remove inappropriate materials from our schools/libraries” co-sponsored with Amy Henry, founder of Parents for Freedom and Liberty. The event, advertised through the official Idaho state legislature dispatch, called it a a way to learn what to do about “smut in our Idaho libraries.” … “In her opening remarks, Scott called for people to band together like they did in post-9/11 America in order to take back libraries.”

Local news by authority

• Bradford – Check out these old photos of Bradford libraries – Telegraph and Argus. History of the library service. Ends with “The story of Bradford libraries is more than a history of buildings; it’s about the ways libraries have adapted and continue to adapt. The focus now is making library buildings flexible for a range of facilities, activities and events, with partner services providing complementary services, making them community hubs. A recent funding award from Arts Council England means more libraries will have moveable shelving and meeting rooms installed, taking them into the future.”
• Denbighshire – Rhyl Library to celebrate Local History Month with new exhibitions – Rhyl Journal.
• Glasgow – Glasgow Election 2022: Future of libraries, museums and community centres at heart of election battle – Glasgow Live. “Venues were forced to close during the pandemic and income ‘fell off a cliff’ leading to questions over the future of Glasgow Life, the arms-length charity running the services.” … Library campaigner says ““You’re running statutory services such as libraries and you’re basing that on the number of gym memberships. That’s an unsustainable model.” … CILIPS says “We need a local government funding model that allows for robust backing for libraries.””
• Hertfordshire – Local History Month – Hertfordshire Council. “Local History Month is a national campaign co-ordinated by The Historical Association to increase awareness of local history and celebrate the depth and diversity of the collections held in libraries and archives across the UK during May.”
• Kent – KCC welcomes new facilities at Tunbridge Wells cultural hub – Kent Council. “the new cultural hub in Tunbridge Wells, which includes KCC’s library and Adult Education Centre, has been officially opened.” … “The £21 million project was delivered by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in partnership with Kent County Council, the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England to integrate and extend a range of cultural and learning facilities in the town. It is expected to attract nearly 500,000 visits each year and 18,000 learners on the site, and be a showcase for learning, culture and the arts.”
• Kirklees – Kirklees ‘Human Library’ event tackles the stigma of mental health – Kirklees Together.
• Leeds – Tiny 1911 Bible rediscovered at Leeds library in lockdown – Guardian. “It was discovered as a result of a comprehensive survey of uncatalogued items in the Leeds collections, carried out during Covid lockdowns.”
• Lincolnshire – Tarina Jones excited with Long Sutton Library set to reopen in May after roof repair works – Fenland Citizen. “ervice will end at 1pm on Saturday, May 7. The library will then be closed for two weeks whilst associated internal works are completed, all scaffolding at the site is safely removed and staff return library furniture and stock ready for the reopening. On Monday, May 23, the library will open its doors to the public again.”
• Liverpool – Governance consultation ballot boxes placed in One Stop Shops and libraries – Liverpool Express. “It is the latest phase of a consultation with residents, who are being asked the question: “How would you like Liverpool City Council to be run?””
  • Vote on future of Liverpool mayor and how city will governed underway as ballot boxes put in place -Liverpool World. “Liverpool City Council has placed ballot boxes in One Stop shops and libraries in the city for people to vote on how the city is governed.”
• Manchester – Former Corrie star set to appear at 2022 Libraries Festival – Manchester Evening News. “There will be 80 events in all, including panels, talks and workshops, at venues like the Central Library, Chetham’s Library, John Rylands, the Met and Manchester University libraries, and The Portico. Iconic Manchester poet Lemn Sissay has also been confirmed as ambassador for this year’s event.”
• Northern Ireland – Death positive library opens in Omagh to encourage discussion – BBC. “The death-positive library provides books to help people discuss this difficult and emotive subject. A dedicated bookshelf in Omagh’s main library will give people access to books on death, dying and grief.”
• Nottingham – Bulwell Riverside Library’s Business & IP Centre formally opens to support entrepreneurs – West Bridgford Wire. “Last week saw the formal opening of the Business & IP Centre local in Bulwell Riverside library. Additional centres at Beeston, Mansfield Central, Sutton-in-Ashfield libraries will also formally open throughout May and June.”
  • What happened at Nottingham protest over living standards and proposed library closures – Nottinghamshire Live. “Various groups are in attendance, for different causes … The Labour-run council is proposing to close Basford Library in Vernon Road, the Radford Lenton Library, in Lenton Boulevard, and Aspley Library, in Nuthall Road, to save hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
• Perth and Kinross – Courier opinion: Perth and Kinross libraries show kindness counts in our cost of living crisis – Courier. ” libraries are scrapping late return fees on books as part of efforts to help borrowers struggling with rising prices. It is a small gesture. But it says a lot about the fragile state of the world we are living in right now.”
  • New chapter as Perth and Kinross libraries scrap fines over cost of living crisis – Courier. “In the year before Covid-19, libraries in the region raked in £12,500 in fines – with the figure dropping to £5,400 for 2021/22 as the number of books borrowed plummeted. Helen Smout, chief executive, says the move will make libraries more “welcoming and inclusive places”. She said: “The traditional systems of library fines have always seemed to be contrary to these values, and I am delighted that we have been able to remove another potential barrier to making use of the wonderful free resources which libraries offer.”
• Renfrewshire – Keep the heid and have a read! Campaign encourages people to read for six minutes – Renfrewshire 24. “Described as a national reading moment, the Keep the Heid and Read! initiative is aimed at encouraging people to read every day to boost their mental health and wellbeing. Renfrewshire Libraries is part of this unique campaign being led by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).”
• Stockport – Come to Adswood and Bridgehall library – we have new Saturday opening times – Stockport Council. ” “We know that weekends are a popular time for people to visit their local library. Hopefully these new opening hours will help even more people to use the services on offer at Adswood and Bridgehall library at a time that suits them.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk: providing wellbeing support from libraries – LGA. “Libraries in Suffolk provide a comprehensive range of mental health and wellbeing help situated in the hearts of towns and villages across the county. “
• Tameside – Theatrical tribute to the Brontë sisters in Tameside – Quest Media Network. “Thanks to a partnership with award-winning Stute Theatre, Tameside Council has arranged for two performances of ‘I am No Bird’ to take place at Droylsden Library on Monday 9 May. As would be expected both are close to being sold out.”
• Warwickshire – Councillors and Kenilworth Deputy Mayor visit exciting Breaking the News exhibition at Kenilworth Library – Warwickshire Council. “The localised exhibition in Warwickshire is part of a collective of more than 30 libraries across the UK hosting the exhibition pop-ups, and runs alongside the major Breaking the News exhibition at the British Library in London from 22 April to 21 August 2022. The Breaking the News exhibition is being delivered in Warwickshire in partnership with the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network.”
• West Berkshire – Temporary Thatcham Library location discussed in possible refurbishment delay – Newbury Today. “Thatcham Library is due to undergo a refurbishment and discussions are being had as to where the service can be temporarily accessed once works begin. The building refurbishment, which was approved on February 4, will see the Bath Road facility get a new disabled-access toilet and entrance area.”