£500 million to a library in the South East of England

Editorial

Two bits of news catch my eye today. The first is the, wow, £500 million going to the British Library in London. That’s more than half what goes into the entire national public library service each year. On the one hand, it’s great to see such a massive investment in libraries and, it’s of course not government money that would otherwise have gone to public libraries. That is, the sector has lost nothing from it and may well gain in some ways. On the other hand, that’s because almost government funding almost never goes to public libraries instead. If I was being hyper-cynical I’d point out that the 100,000 new square foot represents ten square feet for each of the 10,000 public library staff lost over the last decade. But I am of course a massive optimist. Yay. And even though it’s a very handy short walk away from Euston, the three hour journey and £150 return cost (if I’m lucky) will tend to put me off visiting to admire it. So I don’t think it’s going to help Levelling Up North. But, on the whole, well done and best wishes to the British Library. They have been more aware of public libraries recently, what with business centres and webinars and the work on (launch any time now, honest) LibraryOn, the Single Digital Presence. And, after all, library sector beggars can’t be choosers.

The other bit of news is the censoring of a nursery rhyme, Five Little Monkeys, in Scottish Book Bug sessions. It appears to have some “historical racist intent”. I’ve not heard it for years and now I know why I guess. But it brings me on to a thought I’ve been having for a while. And that is, weirdly, the explosion of information on the internet has led to an increase in demands for restricting freedom from all sides and all reasons. We see this most notably in the Land Of The Free, where there are ongoing bans and challenges to pretty much any book your average Christian Extremist or Far Righter does not disagree with. And, on the other side, there are “Woke” challenges to a whole bunch of other stuff. This is going on while in what used to be the Soviet Bloc, Russia is busy getting rid of any Ukrainian books and Ukraine is busy dumping Russian books. Don’t get me wrong, I know which side I’m on in both cases (and it ain’t with the Proud Boys and Vladimir Putin) but in a world where one can be called a groomer for not thinking a drag queen is an automatic paedophile (I think that sums up the argument) it’s great to see Ireland resisting attempts to remove books. Freedom comes with a cost and it’s unfortunately the public library sector that is starting to pay.

Changes by local authority

• Brighton and Hove – Mile Oak Library may close in £35k cut.
• Medway – Lordswood Library becomes “community hub”
• Worcestershire – Possible £178k cut for Warndon and St John’s libraries

National news

• 3 Essential Components Of The Library – Princh. Staff, events/programmes, IT.
• Alan Hopkinson IFLA Conference Award 2023 – IFLA. “This Award enables a CILIP member in their early career (full criteria below) to experience the IFLA Congress.  The Award covers the whole cost of the IFLA conference fee and £100 towards travel and accommodation.”
• The British Library doesn’t need £500m – but local libraries do – Guardian / Letters. “Since 2010 almost 800 local libraries have been closed across the UK, with the loss of 10,000 staff, and many surviving libraries are at best part-time. Against this backdrop, it is staggering to read that an investment of £500m has been proposed for the British Library (Green light given for huge British Library extension, 3 February). Communities all over the country are being deprived of free access to not only books and information, but also the internet …” see also British Library extension given green light by Camden Council – Built Environment Networking. 100,000 extra square foot.

• Community Managed Libraries Map – Community Managed Libraries National Peer Network. Google Map of volunteer libraries. [Not entirely accurate – Ed.]
• Funding fears: Libraries should be staffed like any other council service – Yahoo News. ” Professor Peter Reid says free access to books remains fundamentally important in a civilised society. The professor of librarianship at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University added that while it might be a time of crisis for local government finances, libraries can and do evolve.”
• GLL-operated libraries battle digital exclusion with free SIM card scheme – GLL (press release). “More than 60 libraries operated by charitable social enterprise GLL, have this week launched a scheme to provide nearly 16,000 free SIM cards to residents on low incomes and those who are struggling with the cost of living. Libraries located in London’s Bromley, Greenwich and Wandsworth, along with those in Dudley and Lincolnshire will be distributing the cards, building on GLL’s existing Warm Spaces initiative – set up to support those struggling to afford sharp rises in utility bills. The ability to offer free SIM cards is the result of a successful application to the Good Things Foundation and courtesy of mobile phone network operators 3, 02 and Vodafone.”
• Libraries vital for new and growing businesses, briefing reveals – Libraries Connected. “Our new briefing, ‘Supporting Business and Enterprise’, shows that public libraries are central to realising this ambition. Through Business & IP Centres and other localised services, the library network has become one of the country’s most effective and accessible sources of support for new and growing businesses. As the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee recently put it, libraries act as “engines for entrepreneurship, economic growth and job creation””
• Make Music Day 2023 – Libraries Meet Up – EventBrite. Tuesday 14 March, 4pm, online. “Make Music Day is an annual set of free music events taking place in venues and public spaces – from town squares to libraries, bandstands to school halls and arts centres. It takes place on the longest day of the year – on 21 June.”
• Nursery rhymes banned in Scottish library events over ‘historical racism’ fears – Telegraph. “Popular “Bookbug” sessions are held for young children across Scotland with the support of the Scottish Book Trust, the Holyrood-backed charity which has told libraries and nurseries hosting these events that certain songs should no longer be sung. Despite having lyrics unrelated to race, Five Little Monkeys has been banned because it has “historical racist intent”.”
• Public Libraries 2022: Netloan Customer Survey Results – Lorensbergs. “Average footfall has reached nearly 70% of pre-Covid levels, up from around 50% at end of 2021″
• Public Libraries Project of the Year Grant – National Acquisitions Group. “£5,000 available for a project from a NAG Member library.”
• Tricky decisions as Scotland’s councils face budget shortfalls – BBC. “Individual local authorities have shortfalls ranging from around £7m in the Scottish Borders to £120m at Glasgow City Council, according to research by the BBC.”

International news

• Ireland – Dublin libraries to keep books by trans author despite attempts to remove them – GCN. “Recognising the importance of including LGBTQ+ storytelling in their children and teen sections, Dublin libraries have confirmed that the books will stay.” but “A Local Government Management Agency public libraries spokesperson said that the Government’s National LGBTQ+ Inclusion Strategy for 2019-2021 included a call for, “…public libraries to compile an LGBTQ+ reading list and update it on an ongoing basis, [and] these books are part of that list”.”
• Ukraine – Ukraine purges libraries of Russian-language books – official – Russian Times. Russian-owned news website seeks to put it’s own views of removal of books from Ukrainian libraries. see also Ukraine withdraws 19 million Russian, Soviet-era books from libraries – Reuters for a somewhat less slanted version and Ukraine war: Russia is ‘erasing Ukrainian history’ by ransacking libraries and burning books – I. For when the boot is on the other foot: “Russian forces and proxy authorities have been removing 365 named texts from libraries and schools as part of a process of ‘Russification’ of occupied territories”.
• USA – A librarian’s frontline view of Florida’s ‘vetting’ process for school books, and the titles being banned – Independent. “The library is now closed off, the shelves are empty, and her job now mostly consists of “vetting” piles of books to comply with new censorship laws implemented by the state of Florida.” … “Among the titles that have been removed and banned in the course of the vetting in her school district are Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye,’ ‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini, ‘The Stranger’ by Albert Camus, ‘Revolting Rhymes’ by Roald Dahl, and a skateboarding magazine called ‘Thrasher’.”
  • Limiting library books has long-term consequences – Washington Post / Opinion. ” If librarians can’t purchase these books, publishers will not publish them and authors will not write them. We might lose voices that are much needed in this time of great division in our country. Those who are marginalized will be even more unseen, and difficult topics such as racial injustice and prejudice will become even more ignored.”
  • The EveryLibrary Institute’s 2022 Annual Report – EveryLibrary. Highlights censorship.
  • Why libraries should include media literacy training for adults – Press Reader. Trust in social media, false/unproven claims, education combats misinformation, generation gap in technology, courses for older students, lifelong learning, critical thinking.

Local news by authority

• Angus – Grant to help libraries better serve isolated communities – Angus World. £11k grant. “The Angus project will target those who are geographically isolated and unable to travel to and engage with libraries in the county’s main burghs.”
• Bath and North East Somerset – Ukrainian pictures go up for children in B&NES libraries – Bath and North East Somerset Council. “The ABC pictures are going up in the children’s section of Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Libraries.”
• Bradford – Keighley Library to host sessions for SEND families – Keighley News. “There will be multi-sensory storytelling, and large-print braille books, sensory toys and comic booklets will be available”
• Brighton and Hove – Library earmarked for closure as councillors look to close budget gap of £14m – Yahoo Sport. “Mile Oak library is earmarked for closure – a move that could save Brighton and Hove City Council £35,000 a year, according to a budget report. Last year the council explored moving the library, in Chalky Road, Portslade, into a room in the nearby sports centre, which was being used by two snooker leagues…. just 150 people visit Mile Oak library a month, compared with 3,500 five years ago and as many as 1,000 a month before the coronavirus pandemic.”
• Cheshire East – Cutting CEC library hours will hit less fortunate, councillors warn – Nantwich News. “Macclesfield councillor Ashley Farrall (Lab) said: “It’s important to know libraries aren’t just there for books, they’re community hubs, they’re safe spaces, they’re quiet spaces for people that may not have a home where it’s quiet to study, to get on with their school work etc.”. Council says ” we have to find £20m from somewhere.” see also Cheshire East asked to re-think plan to reduce library hours – Knutsford Guardian.
• Cheshire West and Chester – Founding CEO of Chester’s Storyhouse to step down after 17 years – Cheshire Live. Andrew Bentley leaves.

• Derby – Derby library ‘closures timetable’ circulated as 10 community-managed branches face axe – Derby Telegraph. “The future of Derby’s ten community-managed libraries remains uncertain as a report going to the council cabinet next week proposes that they should remain open until the end of July 23, under the control of charity Direct Help and Advice (DHA) and at a cost of up to £108,000.”
• East Riding – East Riding Libraries partnering with the Marine Conservation Society this February half term – East Riding Council.
• East Sussex – 5,000 books missing from libraries in East Sussex – Sussex Express. Amnesty: “From February 13 – March 31 if you return an overdue book you won’t be fined.”
• Hampshire – Chat about loneliness at Petersfield, Alton and Bordon libraries – Petersfield Post. “Joining a Chat About scheme is an easy way to get started in opening up if you’re having a tough time, feeling lonely or if you want to connect with others”
• Manchester – Manchester Libraries PLUS survey opens – Manchester Council. “The last time the survey was conducted [in 2020], 90.9% of customers rated their libraries overall as good and very good. 81% of respondents who reported feeling lonely some of the time or often, said that using the library helped to reduce these feelings. “
• Medway – Creating a new community hub in Lordswood – Medway Council. “The library in Kestrel Road will close from Monday, 20 February and the new hub is due to open this summer. Once completed, residents will able to visit the new look community hub for help with their blue badge and bus pass applications, book bulky waste collections and pay for council services such as rent and council tax.”

• North Somerset – New Lego rental scheme launches at Somerset libraries – Somerset Live. “Themed Lego boxes in stock include ‘under the sea’, ‘houses’, ‘wheels’, ‘outdoors/gardens’, ‘pink’, and ‘mix and match’. There are 32 boxes of Lego, one box of Duplo, and one box of Stickle Bricks. Every box comes with learning activity sheets as part of the council’s involvement in the Lego: Build a world of play project.”
• North Tyneside – UK Woman Who Kept Library Book For 56 Years Finally Returns It – NDTV. The media continues to love this almost-once-per-week story. see also Woman kept overdue library book for 56 years over 3p fine – but now it’s far worse – Mirror. ” Lesley moved away from the area and was too scared to return it because she couldn’t afford the late fees – with 3p being charged every week it was in her possession.”
• Nottinghamshire – Fire investigation launched after blaze at Beeston Library – West Bridgford Wire. “A fire investigation determined that the fire was deliberate, and a joint investigation with Nottinghamshire Police is underway.” … “We apologise that in the short term, we will have no customer toilets, some events and activities may be affected and study space reduced”
• Stirling – How people power delivered £1m library for Strathblane community – Herald Scotland. “Strathblane resident and businessman Angus Graham, Thomas’ great great nephew, generously donated almost three quarters towards the £1million project with the rest of the money being raised through the community and grant aid.” and says “”I helped with the easy part, it is the Strathblane Community Development Trust which has had the hard part. “
• Suffolk – Menopause and Me – Suffolk Libraries needs your help – Suffolk Libraries. “Local employers are being asked to fill in a short survey to help Suffolk Libraries understand what support already exists for employees experiencing the menopause and how Menopause & Me can help. The survey will be open until the end of March.”
  • Essential maintenance work to take place at Woodbridge Library – Suffolk Libraries. “The inside walls will be replastered and decorated, and some of the exterior windows will also be repaired.”

• Tameside – What Tameside libraries have to offer – Quest Media Network. Standard library offerings plus “ow part of the Good Things Foundation National Databank, which can offer free SIM cards to adults who cannot afford to access the internet”
• Warwickshire – Love is in the air! Explore our unique ceremony venue next to Shakespeare’s Birthplace during Stratford ‘Library Lovers Week’ – Warwickshire Council. “xplore the library’s great collection of love stories and novels, and even be matched up on a ‘blind date’ with a brilliant new book to read. Staff will be sharing the love each day by carrying out random acts of library kindness for visitors …”
• Wirral – Thousands ask council not to close ‘historic and vital’ library – Liverpool Echo. “Thousands have signed petitions calling for Wirral Council not to close Wallasey Central Library in its current form.”

“The Minister talks about the terrible circumstances in Ukraine and the events of the last year, but he must recognise that the scale of the cuts since 2010 have been devastating for our local authorities, which have had to consider closing libraries, swimming pools, leisure centres and so forth. Can he confirm that it is in fact more of a long-term problem and that we need greater investment in our public services?”

Margaret Greenwood MP Labour, Wirral West

• Worcestershire – Threat to city’s libraries as ‘lifeline’ funding set to be pulled – Yahoo News. “The future of some of the city’s libraries could be thrown into doubt as part of a plan to cut ‘lifeline’ funding. Worcester City Council pledged to supply £157,000 to Worcestershire County Council every year as part of a deal to keep services running at Warndon and St John’s libraries in 2019. But now city council bosses are discussing pulling the plug on the agreement and leaving the county to fund the service.”
• York – Dringhouses library faces temporary closure for heating repairs – Press. “Due to issues with the heating system at Dringhouses Library, York Explore Libraries & Archives has notified councillors of plans to temporarily close the library from Monday February 13 until the end of the month. Ward councillors have raised concerns about the impact of the temporary closure on the local community and have asked for an urgent meeting with Explore to discuss possible temporary solutions which would ensure that staff, volunteers and residents can safely access vital services.”