No words

Editorial

Well, after writing Public Libraries News since 2010, I sometimes think I have seen it all. And then I see Midlothian’s propose to replace all front-line staff with self-service machines and volunteers. That’s pretty gobsmacking in itself, honestly, but then it goes on to say that the council is planning to remove its printed books budget and rely on e-books instead. Anyone who knows the cost of e-books to libraries would be a bit surprised about how this could be presented as a saving but one suspects the council may not have entirely thought things through. The whole thing makes very little sense but then Midlothian has some history here, with an attempt to 2017 to get rid of all but one of those pesky hearts of the community and literacy cluttering Scotland that save people and show a way to a better life. That was silly enough but not buying printed books? What do I think of that? Well, like a Midlothian library in a few years, I have no words.

Changes by local authority

• Midlothian – Proposed £750k cut over 3 years inc. replacing all staff with self-service / volunteers and stopping printed books budget, relying on e-books.
• North Yorkshire – £450k refurbishment of Scarborough Library.
• Nottinghamshire – £741k funding for Stapleford Library.
• West Lothian – 4 libraries (West Calder, Craig Inn, Almondbank and Pumpherston) may close.

National news

• Books by Babalola and Olusoga part of Reading Agency’s Mark My Words library campaign – BookSeller. “A set of the eight books will be given to 701 library branches across 31 authorities nationwide, including Bradford, East Lothian, Leicester, Newcastle, Rochdale and Jersey. The books, 5,608 in total, will be available to borrow from late January.”

“I had no money growing up. My dad was a labourer and my mum did everything to make ends meet. Men worked hard. Women worked miracles. But education was free. As was the local library. I knew books were my passport to a better life. #SupportLibraries“

Ricky Gervaise

• Controversial UK politician slams Tate for hosting children’s drag queen storytime session – Art Newspaper. Conservative Party life peer Emma Nicholson describes Aida H Dee session as “nonsense on stilts” and equates “drag queens with “murderers, paedophiles, terrorists, furries and other fetishists”.

• Do we need a Wales Libraries Act? – IWA. “While everyone must recognise that the UK government policy of systematically underfunding both devolved and local government to shrink the local state is at the core of our crumbling local services, surely a Labour administration in Wales should go the extra mile in defence of public libraries that could soon become an endangered species?”
• In praise of “slow librarianship” – Nick Poole. “‘faster’ doesn’t necessarily equate to ‘better’ when it comes to helping people find real answers to real questions.”
• Kerry Hudson: Libraries were a lifesaver for me – Herald Scotland. ” I don’t mean, ‘lifesaver’ as in, ‘Thank goodness I can order that new crime novel or use the wifi or shelter from the rain’. I mean without them I wouldn’t be writing in these pages. I wouldn’t be alive at all.”

“The news that Midlothian Council intends to implement cuts to the service that they say will create a total saving of £750,000 pounds over three years is bewildering to me. I’m no politician but you have to wonder whether the economy of saving £250,000 annually weighs up If you consider that the risk is not just losing a library but unofficial, and occasionally official, mother and baby support groups, outreach centres for elderly people, literacy, IT and benefits coaching hubs and, during this cost of living crisis, warm banks too.”

Kerry Hudson

• Libraries and homelessness – Libraries Connected. Wednesday 1 March, 11am, webinar. “Discover some of the innovative work being done within libraries to ensure they meet the needs and expectations of people experiencing homelessness. London Libraries members will reflect on their pioneering homelessness training programme, while representatives of the Reading Agency and Homeless Link will discuss their own work in this area. “
• Libraries Connected Innovation Network Gathering 2023 – Libraries Connected. Thursday 2 March, 10am to 4pm, Birmingham.
• MozFest bursary applications now open for library staff – Libraries Connected. Six bursaries. “The Mozilla Festival, affectionately known as MozFest, is hosted by the Mozilla Foundation, it is a celebration for, by, and about people who love the internet, showcasing world-changing ideas and technology through exhibitions, talks and interactive sessions.”

• Ringfenced teacher spending will force us to cut children’s services, councils warn – Times (paywall).
• Universal Library Offer Virtual Seminar 2023 – Programme – Libraries Connected. Tuesday 14 March 10am to 4.30pm, online. £100 for an organisational ticket (for up to 20 people), or £20 for an individual ticket (excl. VAT).
• Welcome to Libraries induction pack – CILIP. Free download. “Welcome to Libraries is a magazine-style guide funded by Arts Council England, designed to impart valuable insights and links for frontline public library staff and welcome you into your new role, providing the information you need as you begin your career journey.”

International news

• USA – Before book-banning wave, the FBI spied on people’s library activity – Washington Post. “The first evidence of FBI surveillance of libraries came in January 1971, when two agents visited the home of Zoia Horn, chief reference librarian at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. …”

Local news by authority

• Barnsley – Libraries – They’re Not Just For Books – Camerados. “Since opening, our Public Living Room has been busy, and staff have commented that they have seen many an intense game of connect four taking place in the space. Our communities have come together and filled in postcards, sat and chatted over a drink they brought in from the café next door. Someone has even left a copy of The Happy News newspaper for others to read to spread some positivity.”
• Bolton – Free wellbeing workshops for body and mind on offer – Yahoo News. “The 90 minute “interactive and engaging” workshops will include discussions around the differences between physical health and mental health and wellbeing”
• Bradford – Discounted baby photo shoots at Bradford library – Telegraph and Argus. “As part of a push to get more children reading, babies can be signed up to join libraries at Registry Offices at Bradford and Keighley. Bradford City Library has now joined forces with award-winning photographer Tim Simpson who will run Photo Booth sessions once a month. Tickets, at a discounted cost of £5, can be booked online via Ticket Source and will include a 30-minute photo booth slot and an 8 x 6” colour photograph of the baby. “
• Bristol – Bristol Central Library could relocate in the future, council member says – BBC. “Plans to move Bristol’s Central Library on College Green were raised in mayor Marvin Rees’s draft budget in November but scrapped following an outcry. But council cabinet member Ellie King has refused to rule out moving the library, saying the Grade I-listed building was not fit for purpose. She said libraries should be seen as “a service, not a building”.
• Cheshire East – “Shocking” CEC Labour plan to close libraries on Saturdays – Nantwich News / Letter. “Labour-run Cheshire East are proposing to shut libraries on a Saturday and reduce opening hours on other days.”
• Cheshire West and Chester Council tax for 2023 could go up to the maximum – Cheshire Live. “. Libraries and social care are also among a wide range of council services due to come under the spotlight”

• Coventry – Coventry Library Service given sanctuary award – Coventry Observer. “Libraries of Sanctuary aims to inspire, support and promote the use of public libraries as places of welcome for those seeking sanctuary in the UK.”
• Devon – Get cosy this winter with blockbuster films at Devon’s libraries – Devon Live. “Libraries across Devon are continuing their must-see film programme this year, with ‘Films at the Library’. Screened by Libraries Unlimited throughout February”. Eight libraries involved, Arts Council funding.
  • ‘Devon’s libraries are helping people through the winter’ – Exmouth Journal. “We’re already hearing anecdotal evidence that people are using our libraries differently this winter and it’s extremely good news that Libraries Unlimited have secured funding to extend the opening hours of some libraries until the end of March.”. National Grid funding.
  • Grief brought to life in Paignton Library art and music project – Torbay Weekly. “Libraries Unlimited launched the Finding Connection Through Loss project in libraries across Torbay and Devon early last year with Arts Council England funding.”
• Dorset -These are the five Dorset libraries lending iPads for up to six weeks – Bridport News. “Dorset Council is working with the Citizen’s Advice charity and the Department for Work and Pensions on the pilot scheme. The iPads will aim to help people search and apply for jobs online and the devices can also be used to access online training to gain skills and knowledge. “
• Dudley – Pensioner escapes £42,000 fine after returning book 58 years late – Metro. “A pensioner has returned an overdue library book 58 years late – after racking up a whopping £42,340 in late fees. David Hickman was just 17 when he borrowed ‘The Law for Motorists’ in 1964.”

“I raise the plight of the Peacehaven and Telscombe conurbation, which has more than 23,000 people, with no further education provision, high levels of free school meals and pupil premium, and, despite improvements, below average rates of literacy and numeracy. Despite that, the county council wishes to downgrade the library from 900 square metres to 300 square metres and to reduce its opening times. Will the Minister join me in calling for libraries of an appropriate size in large towns? Will the Department publish statutory guidelines on the square meterage and opening times expected per population for large towns?”

East Sussex – Lloyd Russell-Moyle Labour/Co-operative, Brighton, Kemptown

As the hon. Gentleman says, public libraries are run by local authorities, so it is up to each local authority to identify the needs of local residents. DCMS has previously received representations about the relocation of Peacehaven library and we have engaged with the local authority to understand the plans and their implications. The Secretary of State has a statutory power to intervene by way of a local inquiry if she considers that a local authority is not providing a comprehensive and efficient library service. That is taken seriously, so if a complaint is received, the Department will challenge the council and evidence will be carefully considered before it is decided whether a local inquiry is needed.

Paul Scully The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

• Essex – Essex Library Service announces first Author in Residence – Essex Council. “The author of the Essex Witch Museum Mysteries will be visiting libraries across Essex over the next six months”
• Hillingdon – Story Detectives comes to Hillingdon libraries – Hillingdon Times. Half-term children’s theatre.
• Inverclyde – Local libraries increase loan limit of Borrowbox service – Greenock Telegraph. “Library users can now borrow five eBooks or eAudio titles at a time.”
• Merton – Highest ever customer satisfaction rates for Merton libraries – Merton Council. “100% of residents are satisfied with library services, and 96% of residents rate library services as ‘very good’ or ‘good’. The survey results demonstrate the views of over 1,600 residents that took part in the customer satisfaction survey in October 2022”

• Midlothian – Library services could face the axe through council’s £14million budget crisis – Yahoo News. “would mean replacing public library staff with self service and all future physical books with e-books as well as removing all school librarians. The moves would save £750,000 in three years, but critics of the proposals say this is a clear sign of the perilous state of local authority finance. It is feared this is just the beginning of severe cuts to library services across Scotland as local authorities balance the needs and priorities of services they offer.”
• Norfolk – Digifest returns for a 4th year – Norfolk Council. “Throughout the whole of February there will be lots of events taking place across the library service for children aged four to 14. Some events are one-off specials, such as a Lego Stop-Motion event, and the chance to use the Codeapillar or a Coding Critter to start learning about programming. There will also be a chance to have a taster session of the Code Club”
• North Ayrshire – North Ayrshire’s libraries invite residents to share their stories – Arran Banner.
• North Yorkshire – Scarborough Library to undergo £450,000 renovation – Northern Echo.”£250,000 of the funding has come from North Yorkshire County Council, while the remaining £200,000 has been granted by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports/Arts Council England Libraries Improvement Fund.”
  • Ey Up! – local project celebrates Yorkshire dialect – Yahoo News. “The library service secured funding from the Arts Council and the Dialect and Heritage Project last year to run a series of workshops with “hard-to-reach” residents. Added funding from the council also helped to launch the Ey Up! Project, which involved young people, military veterans and those with mental health issues.”
  • Malton library to temporarily close for energy renovations – Northern Echo. “part of a range of measures being introduced by North Yorkshire County Council to help cut carbon dioxide emissions in the region, following the replacement of the library’s windows as a result of UK Government funding to increase public sector decarbonisation.”
• Nottinghamshire – Huge improvements planned for Stapleford library – Notts TV. “Broxtowe Borough Council has been awarded £741,000 in Government funding for the project as part of the Stapleford Town Deal. This first phase of plans is hoped to be complete by late May 2023.”
• Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire libraries scoop award for commitment to unpaid carers – Yahoo News. “All of the libraries and associated services have achieved their Investors in Carers Silver Level award.”
• Shropshire – Bridgnorth schoolpupils to help mark Holocaust Memorial Day tomorrow – Shropshire Council. “Shropshire Libraries will be showing the HMD film about the theme Ordinary People in the foyers at Shrewsbury Library and in Ludlow Library.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries announces its first ever patrons – Suffolk Libraries. “Emma Freud, Michaela Doherty and Gina Long have kindly agreed to lend their name and support to Suffolk Libraries. Emma Freud is Executive Producer of Comic Relief, was a co-creator of Make Poverty History and the Live 8 concerts and was awarded an OBE for services to the charitable sector. Michaela Doherty is the Managing Director of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park. Gina Long MBE is founder of The GeeWizz Charitable Foundation, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, freelance journalist, and global charity campaigner.”

• Swindon – Liden Library closure possible after false announcement it has shut – Swindon Advertiser. “A post was made on the Liden Library and Community Hub Facebook page by parish councillor Mike Davies on January 18, informing residents that the facility had abruptly closed. But this post was later removed from the page and the chair of Swindon Community Library Trust, David Bell, has subsequently labelled it as “misinformation” stating that he was in the library that morning.” However, funding not secured for future.
• West Lothian – West Lothian libraries, swimming pools and community centres facing closure – Edinburgh Live. “It listed four standalone libraries which could be closed if councillors make the decision in late February. Standout among these buildings is the elegant Edwardian West Calder facility. Others suggested include Craig Inn, Almondbank and Pumpherston. Footfall in all of these libraries is down. Council officers stressed at the PDSP that any closures would be at least two years away and dependent on decisions made by councillors. Julie Whitelaw, Interim Head of Housing, Customer and Building Services told the meeting of the council’s Corporate Policy and Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel: “There will be no reduction in book stock and therefore the focus on stock would be greater in the fewer locations. The footfall across these libraries has significantly reduced since Covid, but was also reducing before Covid.””
• West Sussex – New free business support available in Crawley Library – West Sussex Council. “new Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Local.”
• Wirral – ‘Hope’ after bid made to reopen ‘much loved’ community centre and library – Liverpool Echo. “The civic centre, and the library based there, were closed as a result of cuts passed in 2022 by Wirral Council to set a legally balanced budget. Since it’s closure, both Labour and Green councillors in Bromborough had been campaigning for the library to be allowed to begin the process to move into community asset transfer.”
  • Campaigners ‘delighted’ libraries could reopen as council prepares for final talks – Liverpool Echo. “Wallasey Village Library and Irby Library could move into the hands of Friends groups while Higher Bebington library would be taken over by the Co-op Academy Bebington. Woodchurch Library would be used by a nearby school as a warm hub and for children with special education needs.”
  • Final talks over future of four Wirral libraries – Wirral Globe.
• Wokingham – Wokingham Library among ‘warm spaces’ on offer for workers – Bracknell News.
• Worcestershire – County Libraries are now warm spaces – Droitwich Standard.