2023 Universal Library Offers, Warm Libraries and a Scottish Library Celebrity

Editorial

Things are already quietening down for Christmas, with the only real theme being a late few library services announcing their Warm Spaces offer. This can range from just mentioning their public libraries exist to, on the other extreme, extending opening hours, providing food and drink, plus advice. In other news, the annual launch of the Universal Library Offers Calendar for next year. I have recently become a convert for long-term planning, having already booked in scores of events for next Summer, so I’ll be looking through this calendar for ideas tomorrow.

There is another theme though, and that’s the lots of positive Scottish news (including from Sean McNamara who is fast becoming some sort of library celebrity). There’s talk of automatic library membership, “lend and mend hubs” and (my perennial favourite) dogs in libraries. Shame it’s so cold up there … well, except in the libraries, obviously.

National news

• It’s ok to fail. Creating playful learning spaces in libraries – Artefacto. “Practise what you preach and be inventive with your planning. You could even create a forum for your own staff and/or patrons, where participants are free to creatively engage with ideas on building a creative program together. But staff need to feel supported to deliver these innovative programs. There are resources out there to help them, and we’ve picked out a few below …”
• New drive to make ‘every child’ a library card holder – Herald. “Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), said it is working with health professionals to promote information on the benefits of library membership to parents as early as during antenatal care. “What we would like to see is more children joining up as library members at birth,” said Ms Tulloch.”

• Rainy Libraries – Library Data Blog. ” I’ve recently been exploring the HadUK gridded climate observations for the UK. These are amazingly detailed: 1km grid observation modelling across the UK for various climate readings, from 1836 to the present. Often at a daily basis. Lovely.” Four out of five wettest libraries are in Cumbria, one in Devon.
• Sean McNamara: Why our libraries need to be open to all – Herald. “our skilled library workers will do everything in their power to help their communities and serve their purpose of helping provide equitable access in an ethical way and hopefully supporting a fairer and more just society.”
• UKCoR Uncataloguing Workshop (in association with MDGS) – Metadata and Discovery Group. Friday 9 December, 10am to 6pm, Edinborough.
• Universal Library Offers calendar 2023 – Libraries Connected. “Our Universal Library Offer calendar brings together key national campaigns, festivals and celebrations through which libraries can develop and promote the Universal Library Offers. “

Changes by local authority

• Blackburn With Darwen – Blackburn Library opens for an extra 2 hours every Saturday afternoon and Darwen Library opens for an extra 3 hours every Friday morning (source: email). 

International news

• Canada, New Zealand and USA – The international library: how libraries differ in these 3 countries – Press Reader. A look ay governance, funding, initiatives, culture.

• Nigeria – Journeying With The Nigerian Public Libraries – Princh. ” The 774 local government area councils in Nigeria should have a public library in each of them, but that is not the case – some states have just one facility in the state capital, thereby denying many citizens the benefits of the people’s university. The fact that public libraries have, over the years, been poorly funded is glaring in some states.”
• UK, US and Australia – A future for public libraries. Local Government Library Technology (LGLibTech) Dialogues with library thought leader leaders – Zoom. Webinar, 7 December, 2.30pm. “Consultant Ken Chad will be in conversation with Tim Coates to discuss his analysis of the problem, potential ways forward and the implications for library technology.”
• USA – Austin Libraries Prepare for a Barrage of Book-Banning Bills – Austin Chronicle. Texans lead the whole country in censoring freedom of speech in public libraries.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Aberdeen library to introduce ‘repair and upcycle’ hub as part of sustainability drive – Press and Journal. “Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) will open 10 Lend and Mend points across the country next year to help communities lead more sustainable lives.”
• Aberdeenshire – Dog friendly Saturdays come to Stonehaven Library – Scotsman. “if it gives confidence for new people to come in to the library or our regulars to come in more often, then it has got to be a positive.” The scheme will run for six months in Banff and Stonehaven libraries.”

• Bedford – Mayor urges Warm Space providers to join network to help spread the word – Bedford Independent. “Bedford mayor, Dave Hodgson, said the council’s website lists around 25 places, not including the borough’s libraries.”
• Birmingham – Jeweller-turned BBC star creates Birmingham Library-influenced earrings – Birmingham Mail. “”In a way it’s controversial to spend that much money on a library, but I do think they are the new cathedrals of quiet. There does need to be a place of pause for words and reflection,” she said. “We’ve lost a lot of churches and buildings that might perform that function. I think the library can have that and be a part of the community.”
• Bolton – Bolton Council launches warm spaces to help with cost of living – Bolton News. “Visitors can also get a free hot drink to warm themselves up and chat to staff to get advice on how to get help with food, fuel and finances.”
• Bradford – Bradford newborns to be given library cards under new scheme – Telegraph and Argus. “The council’s Library Service is working with the District’s Register Offices, rolling out the scheme to give families the opportunity to sign their baby up for a library card at the same time as they register the birth of their child.”
• Cumbria – Curl la Tourelle Head wins Carlisle Library revamp competition – Architects Journal. “Much like our approach to the award-winning Hornsey Library, our design enhances its postmodern character by introducing colourful interior features.” … “The 2,500m² scheme will deliver a new multifunctional space suitable for providing learning, skills, digital connectivity, library functions and community events. It has been funded as part of Carlisle’s £19.7 million ‘town deal’.”
• Essex – Are local libraries becoming a fantasy? May Cashman Burnt Mill Academy – Gazette Standard. “it is devastating that local libraries are not receiving the funding that they need. Reading is at the heart of many young people’s lives and is a support for them if they feel they have no one to talk to. Everyone should have the right to read and that relies on having access to a range of books”.”

• Fife – Nine Fife libraries open doors as warm spaces for winter – Fife Today. “Nine libraries across Fife are set to become designated warm spaces over the coming winter months to help Fifers struggling with cost-of-living increases.” £34k council funding. “They will offer spaces to work, study and play, and will also provide free hot drinks and additional free resources, such as jigsaws, games and craft materials.”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde library service selected for pioneering ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ project – Inverclyde Council. “South West Library will introduce a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, funded by The John Lewis Partnership’s £1m Circular Future Fund, which will help the local community to repair, reuse, rent and upcycle everyday items, with free access for everyone to keep items in use for longer, rather than them being thrown away.”
• Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries announce their programme of events for December 2022 – Brixton Buzz.
• Leeds – Library to host festive storybook spectacular this Christmas – Leeds Council. Theatre.
• Liverpool – Libraries to offer a warm welcome this winter – Liverpool Express. “additional activities planned throughout the winter period.”
• Manchester – Gorton Library’s New Chapter – MancLibraries Blog. “Gorton Library has moved into its new home, the lovely brand spanking new Gorton Hub. Although there is always sadness in leaving the comfort of our old surroundings and all the memories attached, there has been a very definite excitement about having such a lovely new building with all its furnishings and resources for our local community.”

• Medway – Medway Libraries’ first international exhibition – Medway Council. “Explore how the Coronavirus pandemic has changed the concept of art at Medway Libraries’ first international exhibition at Chatham Library.”
• Merton – Health and Wellbeing Zones launched in Merton’s libraries – Merton Council. “More than 700 people, including local GPs, councillors and the Mayor, attended the launch of the new Health and Wellbeing Zones at Morden Library. The zones are now available in all seven of Merton libraries, as part of the MindSpace project. The Health & Wellbeing Zones will give residents access to vital information, exclusive online content, and tech gadgets to help improve their wellbeing.”
• Nottingham – Knitted gift for council leader after libraries saved – West Bridgford Wire. “When they heard that their library is saved, they decided to thank the council by way of thanking Cllr David Mellen, the council leader.  The obvious way was to give him something knitted, and a scarf was made for him. The Basford Knit and Natter Group has contacted David Mellen to ask him when they can present the scarf.”
• Oxfordshire – Free food waste caddy liners for households – Yahoo Sport. “Householders can pick up a free roll of food waste caddy liners to help deal with the extra food waste expected to be generated over the festive period.”

• Pembrokeshire – Town library closed ‘until further notice’ – Yahoo News. Essential building maintenance. “Narberth Library is a community managed partnership between Pembrokeshire County Council’s library service, the Friends of Narberth Library and Narberth Town Council. The library will be moving to the Old School site in Narberth late 2023/early 2024.”
• Sheffield – Zest – Zest – ex-Upperthorpe public library is now a multi-use leisure/community centre. Library has very long opening hours, self-service. Joining also requires “2 proofs of ID”.
• Suffolk – Gainsborough Library sees rising demand for food support – Ipswich Star. “Earlier this month, Suffolk Libraries launched the Be Kind in Kind campaign to support vulnerable people through a difficult winter. The initiative has seen the charity open all 45 of its libraries – including Gainsborough – to the community, offering a warm space, free hot drinks, kindness rack – so people can pick donated clothes – hygiene products and a safe place to meet people. “Since Suffolk Libraries launched the Be Kind in Kind campaign people have also been coming in to make the most of the hot drinks and our kindness rack,” added Mandy. “
• Wrexham – Wrexham libraries offer a safe, warm space to visit – Leader.