It’s getting warm in here

Editorial

Apologies for missing a week – these posts are done on Sundays and last weekend I was in South Wales when my father took a fall and so accompanied him to Accident and Emergency. From 5pm to 7am. Anyway, enough about me. Away from the pantomime revolving-door farce-tragedy that is the Prime Ministership where I am sure someone in Downing Street will sort out A&E queues any day now, in public libraries the main story has been Warm Spaces. What this means varies in different services, with some just publicising what libraries would be doing anyway while others are offering refreshments and advice and a very few extending their opening hours. This extra string to the library bow when arguing for a fair share of council funding may be coming just in time. After all, those severance packages and £115,000 per year payments afterwards to ex-Prime Ministers are beginning to mount up and someone has to pay. Let’s hope it’s not public library services.

Changes by local authority

• Barnet – Hendon Library stays in current location
• Cheshire West and Chester – Northwich Library to temporarily move into museum.
• Monmouthshire – Now fines-free
• North Northamptonshire – Irchester Library taken over by volunteers / parish council.
• North Somerset – Nailsea Library to move into former bank.
• Redbridge – Opening hours review.

National news

• Access – PMLG. Summer 2022 edition. Several interesting articles.
• Being an Engaged Citizen – Facet Publishing. “John Vincent shares the importance of libraries in these trying times and how they can help us all become more engaged citizens.”
• Blind and partially sighted library users (World Sight Day 2022) – DCMS Libraries. Review of RNIB services and link to public libraries. New “Library Engagement Manager”. “The RNIB is extremely excited to be setting up this partnership form of working with libraries and is working in partnership with Libraries Connected”

• Booklist promoting trans surgery for young teens sparks parental fury – Telegraph, behind paywall. “National library scheme includes a book describing a teenager’s breasts as ‘fatty lumps that need to be gone’” compare with New Reading Well Collection Promoting Mental Wellbeing For Teens – Bedford Council and A statement on Reading Well for teens – Reading Agency. “The list of published titles has been created through a rigorous selection process with health experts including clinicians, experts in the field, partners from across the sector and has been co-produced with teenagers aged 13 to 19 years old, ensuring that it speaks authentically to the needs and interests of users. “
• East Lothian, Highland and Shetland services will compete with Inverclyde – Greenock Telegraph. Public library award. “Competition organisers say it has been shortlisted for its efforts to help close the educational attainment gap by working closely with local schools to improve literacy.”
• How to find your nearest ‘warm room’, as community spaces pop up across the country – Country Living. “Staffordshire library has also announced it will be offering people free cups of tea and coffee to help bring some cheer over the winter months, as part of its new Here to help campaign.”

• More black books please – The Voice. “According to one poll, 38% black people were more likely to have visited a library between 2019 and 2020 in comparison to 30% their white counterparts. Despite these figures, many black parents say their local libraries are failing to have books that reflect the communities they serve. “
• Reading Friends 2021-22: Reach and Impact – Reading Agency. “In 2021-22, 3,728 people were supported in 72 library authorities to connect 44,054 times. “
• Stamford to Sutton (and beyond); visiting library branches across England – DCMS Libraries. Baroness Sanderson (independent chair of an advisory panel to help develop a new strategy for public libraries) visits libraries on fact-finding mission: Wimbledon (business co-working run by a CIC, independent recording studio), Yeovil (NHS health checks), Deepings (volunteers), Devon (library trust, 3D printers), Redbridge (co-location with gym, run by Culture Trust). Like books but libraries not “set in aspic”, “it was fantastic to visit Sutton Library for the launch, last Friday, of TLC Discover, the new digital library from The Libraries Consortium.”
• Updates on the Single Digital Presence – British Library. Name decided on and will be shared soon. Research shows nice pictures, recognising library staff and listing what is free are important.

International news

• Australia – ‘Free, non-judgemental, accessible’: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness – SBS Bangla. ““We want libraries to be places where everyone feels welcome and that way we can use the library to reduce social isolation and improve mental wellbeing.””
  • Library fines are still a thing?? – Public libraries in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. Analyses fines-charging library services. “This could mean that people experiencing homelessness and/or poverty are less likely to use their public library in the ACT, NT and SA than in the other states to avoid getting library fines.”
• Bangladesh – Sustainable Development Goals and Public Libraries: An Exploratory Study in a Developing Country – Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology.

• Philippines – Readiness of Public Libraries in Developing a Financial Literate Individual – Taylor and Francis Online. “Public libraries’ readiness to serve their users can be observed in terms of their collection, web presence, services, and programs.”
• USA – The relationship between the development level of American public libraries and the output of science and engineering publications – Sage Journals. “The two interact and promote each other.”
  • Have we forgotten what a public library is for? – Washington Post / Opinion. “In August, people in Jamestown, Mich., just outside Grand Rapids, signaled with their votes that they would rather defund — and possibly shutter — their only public library than keep books with LGBTQ themes on the shelves.” … “Libraries fill a role central to any functioning democracy: upholding the rights of citizens to read, to seek information, to speak freely. As champions of access, librarians are committed to curating collections that allow everyone who enters the library to see themselves in the books and resources the library provides. “
  • Miami Opens Health Library – Library Journal. ” Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) in Florida officially opened the Westchester Library Health and Wellness Information Center.”
  • Proposed Missouri rule would restrict minors’ access to ‘age-appropriate’ materials in state libraries – News Leader. Freedom-loving Republicans seek to censor books they disagree with, without using the word “censor”.
    Spice of Life! Adding Variety to a Library of Things – Web Junction. ” Springvale Public Library recently launched their Spice Library, a project that grew from their 2022 summer reading program that focused on exploring world cultures and religions. “

Webinars

• Better World Books UK Sustainability Webinar – Better World Books. Tuesday 1 November, 11am. “Better World Books aims to lead by example through our own environmental actions, and we would like to share with you some of the ways in which we strive to achieve this.”
• Media literacy activities and resources for librarians – Guardian Foundation. Thursday 24 November, 2.15pm. “In this special session for librarians we will share structured activities that you can adapt and replicate with families and young people as well as ready-to-go individual resources and ideas. Join us to gain inspiration and exclusive resources to use in your library.”
• #NotOurJob (Winspiration) – eradicating sexual harassment in libraries – CILIPS. Friday 25 November, 11am “The latest research that evidences the reality of sexual harassment in libraries, with even one incident being one too many. We’ll learn about your legal rights and the responsibilities of employers.”

Warm Spaces

• Martin Lewis backs guide for libraries wanting to become winter ‘warm banks’ – Guardian. “… he commissioned the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (Cilip) to create a guide titled A Warm Welcome, which sets out tips and guidance for libraries who want to offer themselves as warm banks. In the introduction, Lewis said he was “both saddened and gladdened to quickly hear from a few councils and libraries already planning” to become warm banks when he tweeted.”
• Warm Spaces: Inside a hub amid the chill of energy bills – BBC. A look at one in a Cardiff Library. “Part of the reception desk has been set aside as the Warm Spaces base, with free hot and cold drinks on offer, which staff will make for anyone who wants one, notwithstanding the existence of the cafe just across the room.”
• Libraries across England become designated Warm Spaces – GLL (press release). “65 libraries across England have been designated Warm Spaces by GLL …  food service company Brakes, has agreed to donate free tea, coffee and biscuits to all 65 locations.” … “All the participating libraries are also expanding their programmes of free onsite activities, which again will be open to anyone who wishes to visit.” … ” we have also invested in more comfortable seating”

• Bristol – Bristol warm places scheme welcomes first residents – BBC.
• Cardiff – New scheme sees Cardiff libraries open as ‘heating hubs’ to tackle cost of living crisis – Cardiff Tab. “will offer residents a place to go during the day to enjoy a free hot drink and heating, as well as the opportunity to explore other support schemes that the hubs offer, and meet other members of the local community. This scheme will be offered daily during normal opening hours.”
• Devon – Devon’s libraries offer warm welcome spaces this winter – Devon Live. Community fridges, baby weighing, and clothes rails (for donated clothes) in several libraries.
• Okehampton Library offers warm space to public to help with rising energy prices – Okehampton Times.
• East Riding – Funding available for organisations and community groups to establish welcoming places across the East Riding – East Riding Council. Libraries open as Warm Spaces.
• Gloucestershire – Library offers warm space during the colder months – BBC. Fairford Library.
• Hampshire – NFDC announces pilot of warm banks as Hampshire County Council to open libraries for those struggling with energy bills – Advertiser and Times.
• Herefordshire – Free warm spaces launched in Herefordshire amid rising costs – BBC. “Residents will also have access to free wi-fi and computer access at the libraries included in the scheme.”
• Knowsley – Prescot Library among Knowsley warm hubs – St Helens Star. “… the council will be opening the doors of all of its libraries for six days a week from November 1.” … ““We will be extending our opening hours for all five libraries from next month, ensuring our residents can access warm spaces, which also includes free access to PCs and WiFi.”
• Leeds – Leeds warm spaces: The full list of everywhere you can go to keep warm for free this winter – Yorkshire Evening Post. Libraries “providing free hot refreshments and activities”
• Leicester – People struggling to heat their homes invited to keep warm in Leicester libraries – Leicester Mercury. “People in Leicester struggling to heat their homes this winter are being invited to keep warm at their local library. The offer comes from Leicester City Council, which said its libraries could play a crucial role in helping those in difficult circumstances as the cost-of-living bites harder. All 16 of the city’s libraries will act as ‘warm spaces’ when temperatures start to drop. “
• Lincolnshire – Lincoln libraries, churches and community centres offering ‘warm spaces’ – Lincolnshire Live. Lists when “warm rooms” are available, including at libraries.
• Oldham – Oldham Council criticised for closing ‘warm banks’ on Sundays – Oldham Times. “The warm bank area, located near the library entrance, consisted of tables, five chairs and free tea and coffee”. Liberal Democrats say ” “This is simply not good enough.  It is unimaginative and half-hearted.  The cost-of-living crisis doesn’t take Sunday off. “, Labour councillor says “criticism should be aimed at the Tories”
• Plymouth – MP urges council to open public spaces as heat banks to keep Plymouth warm – Moorlander. “… call for an extension to the opening hours of libraries, community centres and other public buildings during the working day, evenings and weekends to provide emergency heating space for residents.”
• Newcastle – Health and Wellbeing in your Libraries – Newcastle Council. Lists all the services, including Warm Spaces.
• Sheffield – Cost of living crisis: Phone app helps Sheffield people to stay warm – BBC. “It lists libraries and community centres that are participating in the Sheffield Welcoming Places scheme.”
• Somerset – Somerset County Council offering winter living support – BBC. “The £700,000 package includes help to find foodbanks, more mental health support and a network of warm places so people can escape the cold. The network will include libraries, some churches and some town halls.”
• Staffordshire – Burton Library being used as place to stay warn during cost of living crisis – Staffordshire Live. 43 libraries involved. “Staffordshire Library Service has also teamed up with Morrison’s supermarket and Lakeland Dairies this winter to offer a free hot drink at some venues.”
• Sutton – Helping People with Warm Spaces – Sutton Council. “Our wonderful Warm Spaces volunteers, who I spent some time with earlier this week, are at four of our libraries …”

Local news by authority

• Barnet – Historic Hendon Library to remain and be refurbished after Council listens to local residents – Barnet Council. “Barnet Council has decided that the historic Hendon Library will remain in its original location and be refurbished, preserving the library’s heritage and traditional features. The council listened to hundreds of residents who expressed how important the building is to the local community and the history of the area.”

• Camden – Move over Hay-On-Wye! Alan Bennett among star-studded line-up for Primrose Hill library book festival – Camden New Journal. “The library is about books. Books are our core and we would like to continue to be known as a library that cares about books, and also a library that cares about the community.” … volunteer library celebrates ten years of opening. ““I remember Pat Callaghan [deputy leader of the council and then-ward councillor] saying the main thing is not to lose the building. And that is what happened: We didn’t lose, it is a great space.” She added that there were plans in progress to create a “warm bank” at Primrose Hill.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Northwich library services move to museum as council issue update on building works – Cheshire Live. “During the summer, Northwich Library was forced to temporarily close for a structural investigation after movement was found in a wall at the rear of the building. While the historic building on Witton Street is stabilised and then renovated, library services are being relocated to Weaver Hall Museum.”
• Cornwall – Cornwall libraries host half-term pirate parties for children – Cornwall Council. “The sessions, which are taking place throughout the week and are free of charge, are being hosted by The Get Creative Team who are working on Treasure Island, the Hall for Cornwall’s Christmas show. There will be plenty to keep your little ones entertained including a selection of mini pirate discos, island story time, crafting with the captain and a terrific treasure hunt.”
• Cumbria – Barrow Library marks 100 years with Centenary Day celebration – Mail. ““There were children in fancy dress, face painting, and there was a saxophonist, Emma, who entertained us and the children enjoyed it and the parents had a good time.”
• Devon – Libraries double up as cinemas across Devon – North Devon Gazette. £3 per screening. “we’re keen to make film screenings a regular feature in our libraries. With screenings planned for some of our smaller libraries, we’re keen to reach our more remote communities too.” Arts Council England funded.
• East Lothian – County library service looking for SLIC double success – East Lothian Courier. “East Lothian Library Services has been nominated in the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC) 2022 awards, which recognise outstanding services of libraries in the community. The awards are split into two categories – one for service excellence and the other for project of the year – with East Lothian one of only two national services nominated in both categories.”
• Hackney – Save Hackney Library Services – stop the cuts – Megaphone. “plans to cut a significant number of libraries staff jobs. The result would be a reduced presence with less staff for users to interact with, riskier to effectively prevent or manage health & safety issues, and make temporary closures more likely in the event of staff shortages. It’s also especially unfair that the senior management team received an additional £50k funding only for that to be paid for by further staff cuts.” 944 signatures at time of reading.
  • Hundreds sign petition to stop job cuts at Hackney libraries – East London Lines. “The planned cuts come as the council is considering different ways to save £300,000 in 2023/24. It spends £5.6m a year on its library services, with £3m in staffing costs.”
• Kirklees – Going for gold at Cleckheaton Library – Kirklees Council. ” Cleckheaton in Bloom, a voluntary group, have been working tirelessly to improve the large, beautiful outdoor space.”
  • Refurbishment programme continues at historic Cleckheaton Library – Telegraph and Argus. Windows to be replaced.
• Leeds – Make your health the priority this November with Leeds Libraries Wellbeing Festival – Leeds Council. “Hosted by Leeds Libraries, Sound Mind begins on 5 November at Leeds Central Library and all its events are either free or low cost. The programme includes free taster sessions featuring singing, life-drawing, playing a musical instrument, creative writing and yoga.”. Includes rapper. Pay what you want.
  • Meet the seven year old keen reader already fundraising for his local library – Yorkshire Post. “Eight-year-old Drupta Vangapally from Whinmoor has raised £150 for new books after becoming concerned about the future of the Whinmoor Library in lockdown.”

• Manchester – Brand new children’s library to open in Manchester thanks to partnership with Z-arts – Manchester Council. “The new library occupies a dedicated space on the first floor of Z-arts and features a bright and colourful design that was co-created with children and their families, brought to life by talented designer and craftsperson, Louise Ryder.”
• Monmouthshire – Library fines being scrapped in Monmouthshire – South Wales Argus. “The council said it is taking the decision to ensure money isn’t a barrier to people accessing the library service and says it will have no negative financial implications for the authority. According to a report, in the three years leading up to the Covid pandemic, Monmouthshire collected £21,498.96 in library fines – working out at around £7,000 a year. That was despite fines being capped at a maximum of £15 per item, with charges set at 20p for every day an item was overdue, or 10p a day, or £7.50 maximum, for pensioners, children and other concessions. However, the report says, as fines were mostly paid in cash, administrative and security costs associated with banking and collection marginally exceeded the income, so continuing with fines wasn’t considered viable.”
• North Northamptonshire – Irchester Library set to open under community management – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “Irchester Parish Council has signed the lease on the library property and volunteers will be taking on the running of the library.”
• North Yorkshire – Starbeck and Bilton community libraries set for 10-year council deal – Stray Ferret. “The original leases of five years were introduced as the new model was unique and unproven. However, it has been a great success so we are proposing to introduce longer leases which will avoid costs around future renewals.””
  • North Yorkshire Libraries launch iPad giveaway for one lucky eBook reader – Scarborough News. “all eBook borrowers will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad, donated by the eBook supplier, BorrowBox.”

• Northern Ireland – Book Week: Hundreds of events held across Northern Ireland – BBC. “a number of special programmes will be aired on television and iPlayer featuring familiar faces from the BBC choosing their favourites books. Book Week encourages a conversation about reading and using libraries. Speakers at events include the Reverend Richard Coles, author Colin Bateman and Prof Teresa Cremin. The Connor Philips Show on BBC Radio Ulster will come live from Omagh library on Wednesday, which is Love Your Library Day. The interim director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth, said: “Book Week is a celebration of the joy that reading and libraries can provide.”
• North Somerset – Plans to secure future of Nailsea Library – North Somerset Council. 125 year lease. “The council is announcing plans to relocate the library to 6-8 Colliers Walk, formerly occupied by HSBC bank, and keep the facility in the town centre. The relocation is planned to take place before next summer.”
• Peterborough – Libraries begin amnesty for overdue book fines – Peterborough Matters. “During this period there will be no fines and library accounts will be cleared of any debt to allow users to start borrowing again. The reason for this amnesty period is hope to collect some of the over 22,000 overdue library books on loan to residents across the city, as well as wanting members to start accessing library services again.”. Until Mid November, when fining customers will start again.
• Portsmouth – People’s Network celebrates 20 years of connection – Portsmouth Council. “Free internet access has been available since the People’s Network launched in 2002 when a £283,000 lottery grant meant over 70 computers were installed in all nine Portsmouth libraries with ‘super-fast’ internet access. Currently, there are 116 public-use PCs across the libraries, with another 79 PCs at locations across the city, including The Learning Place, community centres and youth clubs. The library computers have been used for 1,053,570 minutes, in the last six months alone.”
• Redbridge – Help us improve our library service by telling us what you think about our proposed opening hours – Redbridge Council. “Redbridge Council is inviting residents to give us their views on new opening hours for libraries across the borough. Feedback will inform final changes, which will take effect from January 2023. The new opening hours have been suggested based on current user data showing when libraries are at their busiest. “

“Pre-pandemic data shows our libraries are much quieter in the early mornings and the evenings. The proposals would provide consistency across the library network by opening all libraries at 10am. We also find that popularity often closely matches the opening times of nearby shops, where libraries are situated close to high streets and shopping areas. “

• Richmond – Richmond celebrates Libraries Week with activities for all ages – SW Londoner. “Libraries Week also marked the launch of Richmond Library Service’s partnership with the London Ukulele Project where ukuleles will be available to loan from the library free of charge.”
• St Helens – Approach to library closures was ill thought out – St Helens Star. Letter. “Council’s decision to review their intention to close several libraries within the borough and cancel the proposed closing date of October 31 will come as welcome news not only to library users but library staff whose jobs were presumably at some risk.”
• Shropshire – Shropshire libraries get behind teen reading programme – Shropshire Council.
• Stoke on Trent – Grandma hits out at council after finding library shut – Stoke Sentinel. Council says people were consulted in opening libraries only every other Saturday. “The new library opened last month following the completion of the multi-million pound refurbishment of Tunstall Town Hall. It was open yesterday and for the rest of the year will open on October 22, November 5 and 19, and December 3 and 17. Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture, said: “The new modern Tunstall Library is fully equipped to benefit all of our service users. Tunstall Library is open every other Saturday and also until 6pm one night a week to assist those in the community. Also, our other libraries are open on alternate weekends so there is always a library in the city that can be accessed on a Saturday.”

• Tameside – Tameside Libraries: So Much More than Books – Tameside Council. Other council services available. [But none anywhere near as good as free book lending – Ed.]
• Warwickshire – Council launches You Can Online initiative to support digital inclusion in an increasingly online world – Warwickshire Council. Digital device lending in libraries.
  • Harbury Village Library as a community recycling hub – Community Managed Libaries National Peer Network. Electric vehicle charging, repair cafe, recycling boxes, food bank collection point, electric toothbrush recycling (!), marigold gloves (!), bra bank, blister packs, inkject printer cartridges.
  • Kenilworth Library marks the completion of refurbishment works with celebratory launch event – Warwickshire Council. “We now have a larger lighter library space and can offer more activities for children and adults whilst delivering a better service for our customers.”
• West Dunbartonshire – Summer triumph for West Dunbartonshire libraries – West Dunbartonshire Council. “Throughout the summer break, children of all ages participated in 83 programmes at six branches and two outdoor locations, including Bookbug, Story time, arts and crafts projects, STEM-related activities, and activities linked to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge’s “Gadgeteers” theme.”. 1094 attended events, 554 new members.
• Westminster – Westminster City Council announces the expansion of its Digital Skills programme in partnership with Community Fibre – Westminster Council.
• Wiltshire – Blue plaque for Eglantyne Jebb – Marlborough Council. Founder of “Save the Children” has blue plaque on Marlborough Library, which she attended when it was a school.
• Wirral – Two libraries to be saved if councillors approve negotiations to transfer ownership – Liverpool Echo. “Negotiations will begin with Pioneer People and St Stephens Church set to take over Pensby and Prenton Library if councillors approve recommendations next week.” … “In case agreements aren’t made to move to negotiations, the council will look at selling or renting the libraries for commercial purposes. It will also look at other viable business plans for the libraries. The council also hopes to transfer Higher Bebington Library to the Co-Op Academy but the library is at risk of demolition if no agreement is reached by December 9.”
  • Wirral Council: Nine libraries face closure by end of October – BBC. “Libraries, in Hoylake, Irby, Pensby, Prenton, Wallasey Village, Woodchurch, Higher Bebington, Bromborough and New Ferry, will be shut by the local authority on 30 October as part of £20m cuts, Wirral Council said. Bromborough Campaigner Ruth Molyneux said people “feel betrayed”. The council said it hoped seven of the libraries could be taken over by community groups or organisations.” … “Ms Molyneux and Green Party Councillor Jo Bird sought to get the library designated a warm hub going into the winter but the council rejected this arguing it did not have the funds to operate it”
• Worcestershire – Relocation of Redditch Library to be discussed at next week’s Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board – Worcestershire Council. “The Board will be discussing the current proposals, before they go before the Council’s Cabinet next Thursday. The meeting will be taking place at Redditch Town Hall from 2pm on Tuesday 25 October. “
  • Reading Well for Teens campaign in Libraries – Worcestershire Council. “These books promote mental wellbeing and help to break down common misconceptions and barriers around mental health issues and topics”
  • The Summer Reading Challenge – Worcestershire Council. 2296 started. “This year 1,653 children finished the challenge, reading 6 books or more! 114 children signed up to become new members of their local libraries and children taking part in the challenge borrowed a total of 136,652 books and 3,162 eBooks/audiobooks. Across the summer 2,528 young people attended Summer Reading Challenge events at their local library and a total of 92 young volunteers (all under 24) helped the children with the challenge. “
• York – Annual Review – York Explore. Glossy and up-beat report.