Meeting some baser needs

Editorial

I wasn’t sure what to write in this week’s editorial – more on Warm Banks (or whatever we call them) perhaps or on the recent austerity-laden budget. But then I read something just below publishing about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It strikes me that libraries can meet all of these needs: self-actualisation (e.g. writing that novel, 3D printer), esteem (e.g. literacy, even owning a library card), social (e.g. knit and natter) and safety (neutral welcoming space). What went without saying until recently is that they provided warmth as well. But now that’s an actual selling point of libraries. And it seems to me that what level councils and library services aim for on the hierarchy is a pretty good indicator of how successful they are, and not just them, but for the society in which they a part of. In which case, it’s pretty low at the moment. But pretty essential too.

Changes by local authority

• Bristol – Central Library could move somewhere cheaper, in potential £1.38m cut.

National news

• Cost of Living crisis: Libraries as warm banks – Dawn of the Unread. “By having multiple purposes, libraries are able to connect with communities that may otherwise not come into contact with books.” … “, the question of whether a library can be a focal point of the community seems to be the least important function at present. The current economic climate means the ambitions, at least in terms of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, are purely physiological, to provide shelter and warmth.  “
• Digital Leadership for Libraries empowering England’s public library workforce – CILIP. “five open-access, online learning modules created for public library workers, volunteers and apprentices. The modules are intended to create engagement with the principles and values of being a digital leader in the public libraries, unlocking the potential for all public library workers, and their services, to be confident digital leaders.”
• Health on the High Street: The Role of Public Libraries – DCMS / Gov.uk. 215 people used ” M8 dual function automatic monitor (affectionally nicknamed FRED) which allows customers to accurately measure their height, weight, BMI, heart rate and blood pressure without supervision. They get a printout of the results and the data is also sent to their GP automatically if the customer consents to do so. The pilot was soft launched through local advertising via social media and by library staff and partners talking to their customers.”
• Libraries vs. the Cost of Living Crisis – Book Riot. Free entertainment, easing financial pressure, warm banks. “While the fact that such a thing as a “warm bank” is necessary is a horrifying indictment of how bad things have become under austerity and late-stage capitalism, it’s reassuring that, once again, libraries are stepping up for their communities. “

• Mirror’s Warm Hearts Christmas Appeal: We need you to help those struggling with bills – Mirror. “Warm Welcome is coordinated by the Good Faith Partnership and is supported by the Salvation Army, Libraries Connected, Muslim Council of Britain, Neighbourly, Christians Against Poverty, Acts 435, Safe Families, Edge Ministries and the Together Coalition among others. Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected said: “At Libraries Connected we know that public libraries are determined to help people during the difficult months ahead.”
• More than a third of children don’t feel represented in books they read, Wonderbly research suggests – BookSeller. ” 37% of respondents said a lack of representation on things such as race and gender “put them off reading altogether”.”
• Now more than ever we must fight to keep our public libraries open – Herald Scotland. “Almost every day I read authors and other public figures extolling the value of libraries and especially how important they were in their childhood, but still library closures continue. Where will our grandchildren find the books to open their minds and imaginations?”
• Two Tory-run councils warn PM of possible bankruptcy – Guardian. “Ministers effectively had a choice, the letter said: to fund councils properly or change the law to remove the “outdated and under-resourced” legal obligation on town halls to provide services such as libraries and home-to-school transport.” See the joint letter here.
• Where should libraries go if Twitter becomes a wasteland – Ned Potter. “If you’re a public library… I just can’t see any sort of alternative on the horizon for now. At least Facebook is the really key platform in that sector”

International news

• Iraq – Library Development in Iraq – Re-writing History – CILIP. 13 November, 5pm.
• Ukraine – Forum on Building Partnership for Ukrainian libraries – Naple Sister Libraries. “Several hundred libraries were fully destroyed or damaged because of Russian missile attacks in Ukraine.
  To rebuild them it needs strong partnerships and ‘sisterships’ from the friendly libraries of Europe. That is why it is organized the Forum on 17 November 11.00-13.00 (Kyiv time) to present the situation of Ukrainian libraries and search for opportunities for cooperation.”
• USA – They Want to Kill Libraries – Cory Doctorow. “Librarians are kind of upside-down cops: public employees who are stepping in wherever the rest of our services have failed. Cops are some of our highest-paid public servants and their salaries are going up. Librarians get by on a shoestring and their wages are being slashed. Progressives openly call for the police to be defunded — billionaire plutocrats hide their campaign to defund libraries behind groomer hoaxes.”
  • OCLC v. Clarivate: What was MetaDoor? What is an OCLC Record? – Disruptive Library Technology Jester.

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Local libraries to welcome “anyone struggling to pay their enery bills” – Journal and Gazette. “People with sensory needs can now also benefit from a dedicated sensory space which has been created at Bath Central Library. It’s been fitted out with sensory lighting and toys, a giant beanbag, comfy rug and cushions and a black out tent. Sessions are free and bookable on Eventbrite with the bookings available for one household per session.”
• Bristol – Central library could relocate to save Bristol City Council millions – Bristol Post. “Central Library could relocate as part of plans by Bristol City Council to cut millions from its budget next year. The historic library on College Green would be moved elsewhere, while the library service across the city would be reduced, saving £1.38 million from the budget.”
• Buckinghamshire – Bucks Council developing new vision for its libraries – Bucks Radio. “The survey is open until Sunday 15 January – www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries-your-views“
• Cambridgeshire – Libraries sign up to Green Manifesto including here in Fenland – Fenland Citizen. “As part of ongoing work by Cambridgeshire County Council to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the environment, the county’s Libraries Service has pledged to support a national ‘Green Libraries Manifesto’.” … “Eight of the county’s libraries have had air source heat pumps installed to help the buildings become more energy efficient.”
• Ceredigion – Litter-picking hub established at Cardigan Library – Tivyside Advertiser. “The Hubs have all the equipment needed to carry out a safe clean-up: litter pickers, hi-vis vests, rubbish bags and hoops.”
• Derby – Extra £100k to be spent to keep 10 Derby libraries open until March – Derby Telegraph. “An extra £104,784 of council funding is needed to keep ten of Derby’s libraries from closing between now and next March. Derby City council has a statutory duty to fund and maintain five libraries in the city but the remaining 10 have been run on behalf of the council by the charity Direct Help and advice (DHA) since 2017 using volunteers, as community-managed libraries (CML). But in July this year, the charity gave notice that it would be withdrawing from the arrangements and the libraries would return to the council from November 30, 2022. DHA felt they were unable to continue a month-by-month grant agreement of £26,196.”
• Devon – Exeter Library provides support lifeline as cost of living crisis deepens – Exeter City Council. “The new Libraries for Life campaign runs until March 2023 and highlights the numerous ways libraries offer help, mostly for free. The campaign will cover six themes: the cost of living, loneliness and community connections, food, health and wellbeing, digital access and support, and employment, skills, and businesses.”
  • Cardboard tree on display in Barnstaple library – BBC. “A 5m (16ft) tree made from sustainable scrap cardboard has been installed in a library. The Reading Tree has been created by Exeter-based artist James Lake and is on display at Barnstaple Library. Mr Lake worked on the tree for six weeks in Exeter, with help from members of the public and primary school children.”
  • Libraries across Devon grow into creative cultural centres with £720,369 boost – Devon Live. “The grant, which will run from 2023 to 2026, will enable Libraries Unlimited to extend its programme of music, films, workshops and creative events.”
• Dorset – Lyme Regis Library coffee afternoon explains library service – Bridport News. “the event is designed to let people know more about the free library delivery service which aims to deliver books to your doorstep.”
• Dudley – Dudley librarian wins Romantic Novelists Association librarian of the year – Express and Star. “The awards celebrate the hard work and talent of any person, group or organisation who has championed the broad genre of romantic fiction in a positive way.”
• East Lothian – Libraries temporarily close their doors as new system installed – East Lothian Courier. “The Spydus Library Management System is already used by more than 1,500 libraries across the globe”, including the Scottish Consortium of Public Libraries. The system is designed to help libraries manage all resources, including digital content and events from a single database.”
• Essex – Winter Reading Challenge returns for another year at Essex Libraries – Essex Council. “Around 5,000 children took part last year and it is hoped this year will attract even more participants. The Winter Reading Challenge is being led by Essex Library Service, in partnership with Penguin books and the Essex Year of Reading. This year’s challenge will see children and young people tasked with completing challenges in an interactive booklet to help Lyra the penguin find out how others celebrate winter.”
• Haringey – Quarter of Haringey Council solar panels faulty or not working – Ham and High. “Friends of Hornsey Library contacted Liberal Democrat councillors to tell them that the panels installed at the library had not been working since they were installed in 2020. The panels were switched this month after the matter was escalated to senior officers”
• Highlands – Lochaber libraries welcome back Book Week Scotland – Oban Times. “This annual celebration of books and reading takes place across the country between  November 14 and 20. ”
  • Achievements of young Highland bookworms celebrated in the Summer Reading Challenge – Inverness Courier. ““This year 1032 local children took part across 47 Highland libraries, reading a total of 5260 books over the summer holidays, which is an amazing achievement.””
• Kirklees – Kirklees Libraries becomes first public library service in the Uk to win a Quality 4 Health award – Huddersfield Hub. “The service received the award in recognition of the work of frontline staff and volunteers to improve the health and wellbeing of residents through a targeted programme of outreach activities.”
• Lancashire – County Council launches Lancashire Warm Spaces Charter and grant scheme – Lancashire Council. “a warm drink, a space to sit, free computers and Wi-Fi, charging points for digital equipment, events and activities and help from staff to find further information about what support is available.”
• Leicester – One-stop shop at libraries to help people into work – Leicester Council. “Specialist work coaches are now available on the spot in eight city libraries, providing local people with individually tailored advice to help them find their next role – even if they’re new to the jobs market or have been out of work for a while. To use the service, simply ask for more information at your local library or give them a ring, and they will make an appointment for you.”
• Leicestershire – Lawnmowers and power tools could be loaned out to Charnwood residents like library books – Leicester Mercury. “A series of innovative recommendations, including the possibility of supporting a library of things, has been included in a report by councillors on Charnwood’s waste management panel – established last year to improve recycling rates in the borough.”
• Liverpool – Poorest in Liverpool face cuts over council’s £73m budget gap – BBC. “A review of libraries and leisure centres, slimming down funding of arts organisations and events and ending the council’s contribution to the city’s Christmas lights are also included in the plan, along with a “wholesale transformation” of adult social care and homelessness services.”

• Manchester – Lonely Planet selects Manchester as top travel destination for 2023 – Guardian. “An accompanying one-day itinerary suggests visitors check out Manchester Art Gallery, Central and John Rylands libraries, Northern Quarter street art, Manchester Craft and Design Centre, and Mackie Mayor food hall.”
  • Read Manchester and Libraries help children to #ReadEnjoySucceed – MancLibraries Blog. ”  In total, 43,000 books were read and children participated in the Challenge 27,500 times.”
• Norfolk – Delay to report over the fate of Norfolk’s mobile libraries – Eastern Daily Press. “Nearly 1,400 people responded to Norfolk County Council’s proposals to cut the budget for mobile libraries from £422,000 to £200,000, as part of proposals to save millions of pounds. A report detailing what the Conservative-controlled council intends to do had been due to come to the council’s cabinet this month – but it has been delayed until January.”
  • British Chinese communities celebrated in free exhibitions – Norfolk Council. “A new exhibition from the British Library is coming to several libraries across Norfolk and will be available to view for free.”
  • Norwich council to sell Guildhall library and restaurant – Eastern Daily Press. “The Grade II listed site – which most recently housed a restaurant called The Library – is owned by Norwich City Council, which wants to sell or lease it, along with neighbouring offices. “
  • Warm spaces open up in Downham Market, Clenchwarton and libraries across West Norfolk – Lynn News. “Libraries are offering hot drinks and instant soup, A variety of bags are available for free, with no questions asked, and advice from library staff with trusted information and support.”
• North Somerset – Learn how to get online with free ‘Tea and Tech’ sessions – North Somerset Council. “Residents facing digital exclusion through not being able to afford sim cards and mobile data can also access them for free thanks to a scheme available through North Somerset Council’s library service. The UK National Databank provides free sims and mobile data …”
• Nottingham – Nottingham library campaigners concerned over decision delay – BBC. “Delays to a final decision on three threatened libraries in Nottingham have left campaigners frustrated, they said. Earlier this month the city council’s ruling Labour group voted to overturn a plan to close libraries in Radford-Lenton, Aspley and Basford. But an official vote by the authority’s executive board, expected on 22 November, is now due next year.”
• Rutland – Rutland County Council offers free support guide on cost of living crisis – Rutland and Stamford Mercury. “12 page guide with information and advice about how to tackle the rising cost of living.” available at libraries.
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries launch campaign to help people this winter – Bury Mercury. ” the county’s libraries will also offer free hot drinks, kindness racks – so people can pick donated clothes – hygiene products and a safe place to meet people.”
• Tameside – Libraries launch foodbank and toy appeal collection points in run up to Christmas – Tameside Council. “Tameside Council has set up collection points in all local libraries and children’s centres to make it convenient and easy for people to drop off donations. The council has also organised collection points in its workplaces for its staff to support the appeals.”