Library ideas, impending doom and ACE funding

Editorial

One of the things I love about doing Public Libraries News is looking at what other library services are doing and wondering if it would work in my own. This week there’s a few things that I’m going to chase up when back in the office – BFI Replay, borrowing local theatre stars to do story-times and thermal cameras being the main ones. I’m not sure about the natural light lamps though or the idea of outsourcing to Capita which would then charge £8 per telephone call to a library, though.

In other news, one can’t help but notice the impending doom-laden clouds on the near horizon threatening deep budget cuts to councils next year. As if we’ve not been through enough. On the other end of the money scale, though, the week records a whole bunch of councils announcing Arts Council England funding. This is great but the fear must be that there’ll be an odd dichotomy between lovely arts events in councils announcing library closures. Although, of course, that’s assuming the Government doesn’t cut Arts Council England funding … you know, sometimes my pessimistic Welsh side really shows doesn’t it?

National news

• About BFI Replay – BFI. “BFI Replay is a free streaming service exclusively available in UK public lending libraries. Thousands of digitised videos and television programmes from the BFI National Archive and partner UK regions and nations film archives are available to browse and enjoy, research or study – with some familiar and memorable, others rare and unseen for decades. If you are a UK lending library service and would be interested in knowing more about the service, use our enquiry form below.”
• Bus and adult care services face cuts, English councils warn – BBC. “More than half suggested they were likely to look at reducing road maintenance, cuts to home-to-school transport, and changes to either the number or opening hours of libraries or recycling centres.”
• Councils set to cut bus routes, libraries and streetlamps as austerity fears grow – Independent. “Only one in five county councils confident of avoiding bankruptcy next year” … ”
• Ed Jewell elected new Libraries Connected President Elect – Libraries Connected. Chief Librarian at Jersey Public Library Service.
• Libraries Connected celebrates after securing Arts Council England funding – Libraries Connected. £509k for two years initially. “Libraries Connected will have Investment Principle Support Organisation (IPSO) status, meaning we will support public library services to embed the Arts Council’s Investment Principles (Ambition & Quality, Dynamism, Environmental Responsibility and Inclusivity & Relevance) in their work”
• Libraries Connected publishes new strategic plan – Libraries Connected. “a programme of collaborative research on the challenges and opportunities of the next decade” … public library service accreditation scheme, “Starting a public libraries data and evidence observatory”, “Launching an equality, diversity and inclusion learning and development programme for library services.”, “strategic advocacy programme”, “Establishing a commission on libraries and disadvantage to review the evidence on the role of public libraries in reducing social, environmental, financial and health inequalities”
• McCulla Award – Local Studies Librarian of the Year – CILIP Local Studies Group. “The award is usually given for a recent major project, or as a lifetime award for someone near the end of their career. It comes with a prize of £250. Re-submissions from previous years are very welcome. “
• Virtual hospital and GP appointments rolled out into libraries – STV. “Near Me rooms are now available in some GP surgeries and other locations such as libraries.””

International news

• Croatia – Croatian Public Libraries in uncertain times – Creative and Innovative Library Programs and Activities in the Year of Reading 2021 – IFLA.
• USA – Missouri Proposes New ‘Protection of Minors’ Rule for Libraries – Publishers Weekly. Public library censorship extends in Republican state under guise of child protection.
  • Angry Right-Wing Moms Are Trying to Have Librarians Arrested by “Constitutional Sheriffs” – Slate. “members of Mothers for Liberty, a far-right group focused on banning library books and whitewashing school curricula, have appealed to sheriffs as allies in these goals. Much like the partnerships between sheriffs and militia members, or sheriffs and election deniers, this alliance is another example of how sheriffs have become the arm of the law willing to enforce the radical agenda of the far-right.”
  • Enoch Pratt Free Library social workers have huge impact on Baltimore lives – Baltimore Fishbowl. “An Enoch Pratt Free Library patron was in urgent need of temporary disability aid, and social worker Falkner Discher became an avenue to success. That patron soon became the latest Baltimorean to gain relief from the library system’s “Social Worker in the Library” program.”
  • New from ACRL – “Designing Libraries for the 21st Century” – ALA. Free downloadable books. “Dramatic changes in library design have been driven by changes in the core functions of universities and colleges: the reliance on digital tools and content, integration of technologies into pedagogy and research, and emphasis on the active and social aspects of learning, inclusion, and community engagement. Planning for these vibrant spaces needs to incorporate new program and staffing strategies, robust technical infrastructure, human-centered design, and flexibility to enable ongoing change. “

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – City Libraries celebrate Book Week Scotland with events for all ages – Aberdeen Council. “Aberdeen City Libraries are taking part in Book Week Scotland, the annual celebration of books and reading that takes place from 14 to 20 November with a series of events that will appeal to all ages. The theme for 2022 is Scotland’s Stories and during the week people young and old can come together to share the joy of reading as Aberdeen City Libraries joins in the national celebrations with a programme of free author events and activities.”
• Barnet – ‘They allowed us to be a guinea pig. And the guinea pig is dead’: the sorry saga of Barnet’s ‘easyCouncil’ – Guardian. ” Barnet’s libraries had been drastically hacked back … Capita charged the council £8 a call for inquiries to local libraries”

• Cheshire East – Cheshire East Council showcases work to decarbonise buildings – Cheshire East Council. “Air source heat pumps in Macclesfield’s Town Hall and indoor market and also in Wilmslow library,”
• Cheshire East / Cheshire West and Chester – The warm hubs available across Cheshire East and West – Northwich and Winsford Guardian. Includes libraries in both councils.
• Cumbria – Warm Spots set to open across Cumbria this winter – Cumbria Council.
• Devon – Natural light lamps for libraries – Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette. “The new lamps will be positioned near library seating in each of the 54 libraries … They emit UV-free natural sunlight which does not damage eyes or skin but could boost mood and alleviate physical symptoms including tiredness.”. Council funded lamps.
• Devon and Torbay – Libraries across Devon and Torbay grow into creative cultural centres with Arts Council funding – Torbay Council. “funding boost for three years with a £720,369 grant awarded to Libraries Unlimited by Arts Council England. The grant, which will run from 2023 to 2026, will enable Libraries Unlimited to extend its thriving programme of music, films, workshops and creative events.”

• East Lothian – Library Service introducing new management system – East Lothian Council. Spydus.
• East Riding – East Riding Libraries and Arts Service successful in bid for Arts Council England funding – East Riding Council. £495k “The funding will enable a host of new creative projects within libraries, including new performance and workshops for early years, children, young people and families. There will be a collaboration with Mikron Theatre for a new project that will create work with the mobile library service, and continued partnership work with She Productions for their successful Christmas shows in libraries. “
• Glasgow – Displaced Ukrainians staying connected to mother tongue with ‘Mini Library’ project – Yahoo. “he Mini Libraries project allows Ukrainians who have sought safety in Glasgow to access books in their native tongue at four locations in and around Glasgow: Scotland’s National Centre for Languages (SCILT) at the University of Strathclyde, The Sikorski Polish Club, The Ukrainian East Renfrewshire Hub and at the MS Ambition cruise ship docked on the River Clyde, which is currently offering temporary accommodation to over 1,000 Ukrainian refugees.”
• Gloucestershire – Gloucestershire Libraries celebrate £750k funding award – Punchline. “The application was awarded on the basis that resources will be put into customer development, data and work with hard-to-reach groups.”
• Kirklees – Cost of living crisis: Kirklees Council’s libraries open as warm spaces as energy bills soar – Dewsbury Reporter. Standard library offer plus signposting.
• Lancashire – Launch events revealed for anthology of short stories which celebrate Lancashire – Lancashire Council. “A total of 12,000 copies of Lancashire Stories, printed with help from UCLan Publishing, will be given away for free at our libraries, museums and archives – with an exclusive eBook version being available on BorrowBox, with five additional stories – after Lancashire Day “
• Leicester – Let’s Get Resourceful sessions will help keep you warm and healthy this winter – Leicester Council. “The ‘Let’s Get Resourceful’ sessions are being held as part of Leicester City Council’s Warm Welcome, where buildings are being used as ‘warm banks’ for people to visit so they don’t have to put on their heating at home. As well as sharing practical skills, the sessions are a chance for people to meet and socialise together.”
• Merton – Merton libraries receive £357,000 from Arts Council England – Merton Council. “Working with Wimbledon Bookfest, the library funding will ensure that a high-quality cultural offer will be delivered across our libraries, utilising high quality artists and performers.  A particular emphasis will be placed on enriching arts and cultural opportunities in the east of the borough and ensuring that all residents have access to high quality activities and events, a key priority of the current administration.”
• Moray – Memory Groups arrive at Elgin Library – Moray Council. “The Memory Group, which is aimed at over 60s, will provide a welcoming social forum for people to share memories and enjoy each other’s company over a fly cup.”
• North Yorkshire – Free access to record of nation recovering from turmoil – North Yorkshire Council. 1921 Census.
  • Celebrate Self Care Week at your local library – North Yorkshire Council. “A health roadshow, a crafting workshop and a chair yoga session are among the activities on offer at North Yorkshire libraries as part of a week-long initiative to improve mental health and wellbeing.”
• Nottingham – Nottingham library campaigners claim victory after vote – BBC. “Basford, Aspley and Radford & Lenton had been earmarked for the axe to save money, but residents had argued they are important parts of each community. On Monday, the BBC understands the city council’s Labour group voted narrowly in favour of keeping all three open. But the decision will need to be backed by the council’s executive before the move is confirmed.”
  • ‘Cost of living cafes’ to be opened in Nottingham libraries – BBC. “In addition to the ‘cost of living cafes’ the council will also be offering advice sessions.”
• Richmond – Goldilocks comes to Richmond Library – Richmond Council. “Richmond Theatre is lending Richmond Libraries the talents of Tamara Morgan, who is soon to be starring in their Christmas Pantomime:”
• Sefton – Investment for more arts and culture in Libraries across Sefton – My Sefton. “The Library Service will receive £195,000 per year from 2023-2026 to deliver its partnership project — ‘At the Library’ — a series of artist-led happenings, events, commissions and interventions in Sefton’s libraries, co-produced with local people and responding to their concerns, wants and needs.”
• South Gloucestershire – South Gloucestershire Council and Warm and Well bring thermal camera technology to local households this winter – South Gloucestershire Council. “The easy-to-use cameras will be available to borrow from libraries across South Gloucestershire, giving households the power and tools to identify areas of heat loss. The cameras come with step-by-step guidelines to ensure residents can make the most of the energy-saving knowledge they provide.”
• Suffolk – Be Kind in Kind – Suffolk Libraries launches cost of living campaign – Suffolk Libraries. ” The campaign will be a call to action for staff, volunteers and corporate partners to make a difference in their community.”
  • Suffolk Libraries to receive further Arts Council funding – Suffolk Libraries. “Suffolk Libraries recently applied for further funding to develop its arts programme over the next three years and will receive £840k to deliver creative activities in libraries until 2026.”
• Warrington – Warrington libraries open their doors offering a ‘warm safe place’ this winter – Yahoo. “a safe warm space to anyone who needs it every day of the week. Time slots will be allocated per day where anyone is welcome go in, get warm and have a hot drink for a few hours.” timeslots appear to be for two hours.
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire Libraries set to benefit from national Arts Council England funding – Warwickshire Council. “The new NPO status means that Warwickshire Libraries will receive up to £630,000 in funding from Arts Council England’s Investment Programme over the next three years. This will support with cultural and creative programming and outreach activities delivered through Warwickshire Libraries, with a particular focus on the North Warwickshire and Nuneaton and Bedworth areas.”
• West Berkshire – Library lighting expects to save over £1,000 every year – Newbury Today. “”We are delighted the new lighting system is already making savings. It is estimated these LED lights will save £1,254.18 in energy costs and 7.16 tons of CO2 per annum”, wrote West Berkshire Libraries in an online statement published in September. Lighting in all West Berkshire libraries is being replaced over the next few years”.”
• Worcestershire – Consultation over plans to relocate Redditch library – BBC. “The current library would move into the town hall and be replaced by bars, shops and restaurants under borough council plans.”