Another normal week in 2023: death threats, censorship, cuts and investment

Editorial

Censoring libraries is hitting stronger all the time – this week we have (1) death threats against US and Irish libraries (2) Devon apparently (the papers reporting it are the Telegraph and Express so it’s not certain) restricting access to Enid Blyton (3) the Mail stoking outrage at a LGBT books in a British school library and a Michigan prosecutor considering an up-to-four-year jail term for a librarian for stocking a book he doesn’t agree with. It’s all pretty sickening.

In other news, some New Zealand politician has come up with the brilliant idea of having volunteer libraries, Scotland is celebrating having a majority of fines-free libraries while at the same time fighting closures in Aberdeen, Cardiff still cutting jobs but by stealth, Hackney’s staff cuts completely accidently wiping out union stewards, Stockport getting a nice new co-located library, Stoke selling off libraries (including one that promptly caught on fire) and a potentially dodgy consultation In Worcestershire. Another normal week in 2023.

National news

• Death threats and hate mail: America’s drag queen culture wars hit hard in Europe – Euronews. “While those claiming drag shows endanger kids often compare these performances to cabaret and burlesque, drag shows do not inherently involve explicit nudity, and they don’t contain explicit sexual references in the case of storytime events where children are in the audience. On the other hand, storytime events like Drag Queen Story Hour focus on inclusiveness, education, and representation of marginalised groups. But this truth is often lost in the rhetoric circulating among conservative circles …”
• Enid Blyton books hidden ‘under the counter’ as libraries fret about offensive language – Telegraph. Behind paywall. see also Enid Blyton novels being hidden in libraries in bizarre new woke driver – Express. “Uncensored original versions of some of Blyton’s 700-plus collection have been removed from Devon library shelves and stored in back rooms to prevent the public “stumbling upon” language that is “outdated”. Although listed on the online library catalogue, readers can only get their hands on earlier editions of the texts if they specifically ask librarians for them. At this point they will be verbally given a trigger warning about the language contained within. “
• Forum 2023 – National Acquisitions Group. May 25, 10am to 4pm. “Tickets now on sale, subsidised to £40 for NAG Members.” see also Public Libraries Project of the Year Grant “5,000 is on offer for one NAG Member public library.  Very simple application process, open to all sorts of projects, why not give it a try?”
• Public libraries: the local levelling up machines – MJ. Diana Edmonds: behind paywall. “libraries are now playing a crucial role in supporting communities during the cost of living crisis and should be seen as a vital tool within the levelling up agenda.”

Changes by local authority

• Stockport – New library in Marple colocation.

International news

• Ireland – Staff called ‘paedophiles’ and books torn to pieces over library stocking LGBTQ+ literature – Pink News. Anti-vaxxers involved. “Some of the abuse includes staff being called “paedophile slurs” and one person ripping up a copy of Juno Dawson’s This Book is Gay, the Irish Examiner reported.”
• New Zealand – It seems as if Wayne Brown doesn’t know what a library is – News Room. “Volunteer-run libraries for Auckland have been proposed by Mayor Wayne Brown as a cost-cutting measure that could help the council address the spiralling costs of the City Rail Link project and recovery from weather-related damage.”
• USA – Michigan prosecutor mulls charging Lapeer library over LGBTQ book – Bridge Michigan. County prosecutor Miller said “on Monday the illustrations in the book “Gender Queer: A Memoir” could rise to the level of accosting, enticing or soliciting a child for immoral purpose, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison.” … Library director says “I am not hard to find … If Mr. Miller wishes to arrest me, I am in my office working for the patrons and staff of the Lapeer District Library Monday through Friday.”” see also Connecticut man arrested for making death threats to Hendersonville Library staff – WSMV4.
  • Battle for Libraries – Battle for Libraries. “A major lawsuit against the nonprofit Internet Archive threatens the future of all libraries. Big publishers are suing to cut off libraries’ ownership and control of digital books, opening new paths for censorship. Oral arguments are on March 20.” see also The Internet Archive Is a Library – Inside Higher Ed. “A lawsuit against the Internet Archive threatens the most significant specialized library to emerge in decades, say a group of current and former university librarians.”

• The Behind-the-Scenes Story of How Two Neighboring Libraries Teamed Up To Create a Fake Rivalry Video for Promotional Success – Super Library Marketing.
  • From Makeshift to Mainstay – American Libraries. Looking at Covid initiatives still in use: Curbside service is here to stay; Parking lot Wi-Fi remains powered on; ‘Stepped-up’ sanitation stepped down;
  • Gen Zers are bookworms but say they’re shunning e-books because of eye strain, digital detoxing, and their love for libraries – Business Insider. “Book sales in the US and the UK have boomed in the past two years, the management consultancy McKinsey found. Sales in the US hit a record of more than 843 million units in 2021, while last year had the second-highest number sales, at almost 789 million. This increasing popularity was partly because of Gen Z and its social-media trends, including the hashtag #BookTok on TikTok, McKinsey said.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Warning that planned closure of six Aberdeen libraries will put ‘significant strain’ on communities – Aberdeen Live. “Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) chief executive, Pamela Tulloch, said the decision was a ‘fundamental misunderstanding of what a library service is’. She has written to council co-leaders asking them to reconsider the “big mistake” … “Services at Cornhill, Cults, Ferryhill, Kaimhill, Northfield and Woodside libraries will come to a halt by the end of the month.” see also Aberdeen City Council urged to stop the closure of six libraries – BBC and Leading Scottish writers and local residents make a stand for Aberdeen libraries – Press and Journal. “Val McDermid and Ian Rankin are the latest to spread the word about the campaign to keep the buildings open, following Stuart MacBride.”
  • Campaigners fighting to save Aberdeen libraries urge people to show support at Ferryhill ‘read-in’ – Press and Journal. ““Sacrificing libraries on the bonfire of cost-cutting might save money, but it impoverishes us all.””
• Barking and Dagenham – Free laptops available as part of device lending scheme pilot – Barking and Dagenham Council. “Eligible applicants will be able to make use of a Chromebook laptop for up to six weeks at a time without paying a penny – and could even benefit from free data to access the internet.”
• Bracknell Forest – Changes coming to Bracknell car park, libraries and offices – Bracknell News. ” new cavity wall insulation, which is 77 per cent more efficient, installing double glazed windows which are 80 per cent more efficient, LED lights which use 75 per cent less energy and heating system improvements.”
• Cardiff – Statement re: Cardiff Council Budget Consultation Survey 2023/24 – CILIP. Cuts cancelled but ” While avoiding the awful experience of redundancies and the visible reduction of service that cuts to opening hours would cause, the removal of long term vacant posts is not the natural wastage it might sound like.”
• Devon – Cultural takeover in Exeter and Devon Libraries – Exeter Council. “The charity last year secured a £720,369 grant from Arts Council England to boost its thriving programme of music, films, workshops and high quality community events between 2023 and 2026.”
  • Wireless printing on offer at two libraries – Mid-Devon Advertiser.

• East Sussex – Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to visit Eastbourne library – Sussex Express. “The E to G Libraries Tour, which runs from March 17 to March 23, is the latest leg of Simon’s ten-year adventure celebrating UK libraries. Using the alphabet as a compass, his journey celebrates the library as one of the great and necessary institutions. Poet Laureate Simon Armitage said: “I want to celebrate the physical space of libraries and take my work back into places that have given me so much.””
• Hackney – Protest as Hackney Unison chair amongst those handed compulsory redundancies in libraries shake-up – Hackney Citizen. “Council staff staged a protest outside Hackney Town Hall after several library staff, including Hackney Unison Branch Chair Brian Debus, were handed compulsory redundancy notices.” … “Hackney Unison said it was “registering our disgust that three library workers including Hackney Unison Branch Chair Brian Debus are due to be made compulsorily redundant. This despite there being more than enough posts available in the restructured library service.”” … “The council consulted 99 library staff over the changes which see some roles at higher bands and managers caring for several libraries instead of a manager for each. The move is aimed at saving £250,000 from the budget.”
• Manchester – Central Library anniversary – Manclibraries Blog. “It’s hard to believe that on Friday 22 March we celebrate the fifth anniversary of the rebirth of Central Library after a closure of 4 years to deliver the £48m transformation programme. The library is one of the most loved and iconic places in the city and the success of the transformation is seen by the numbers of people who use the library. “

• North Somerset – The Somerset hub where you can learn 110 languages for free – Somerset Live. “Council has signed-up to Transparent Language to encourage everyone to learn another language.” Online.
• North Yorkshire – The bookworm who ended up running Stokesley Globe Community Library – Darlington and Stockton Times. “Stokesley Globe Community Library does what it says. A visit there is a heart-warming experience. A designated warm and safe space, it welcomes all comers. On one recent visit, Ukrainian guests were having English lessons, chess games were in full swing, a visiting artist was teaching an enthusiastic group, Citizen’s Advice was in residence, and friendly volunteers were busy helping people with books and computers.”
• Orkney – Orkney Library selected for pioneering ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ project – Orkney Island Council. “Managed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), Orkney Library & Archive will build on its current offering to introduce a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, giving the community free access to repair, reuse, rent and upcycle everyday items, to help keep items in use for longer, rather than them being thrown away. Funded by The John Lewis Partnership’s £1m Circular Future Fund, the Kirkwall-based library will join eight other services across Scotland “
• Pembrokeshire – Library an ‘essential part’ of the community – Tenby Today. “PCC’s head of cultural, leisure, registration and tourism services Mike Cavanagh met with members of Tenby Town Council this month, with the intention of asking for a funding contribution towards the town’s library, or the facility could face closing an extra day a week.”
  • Temporary Library open in Narberth’s Bloomfield House Community Centre – Tenby Observer. “The community library requires emergency building maintenance to be carried out and the temporary library will ensure that book lovers continue to be well served. “
• Stockport – Greater Manchester town gets surprise £20m for ‘flagship’ community hub in budget just weeks after bid for levelling up cash was rejected – Manchester Evening News. “Stockport has been awarded £20m for a ‘flagship’ new community hub in the budget – just weeks after the council’s levelling up bid for the project was turned down. Disappointment has turned to delight after the government confirmed it would be funding a new facility in Marple, including a pool, library, gym and play park.”
• Stoke on Trent – A giant step forward for the development of Tunstall Library and Baths for homes and community space – Stoke Council. “The agreement between Tunstall Library Development Ltd and Stoke-on-Trent City Council enables the developer to work up more detailed designs for homes and community use in the heart of the town.” Closed library being developed into housing for profit.

• Fire breaks out at Hanley Library days after plans unveiled for 96 flats – Stoke Sentinel. Overloaded circuit. “The fire comes just days after the council confirmed a deal for developers to convert the library site into 96 flats, a gym and a children’s nursery. The £1.3 million library site was first put up for sale three years ago.”
• Suffolk – The Velveteen Rabbit comes to life at our libraries this Spring – Suffolk Libraries. Four events £4 to £6 (different prices in different libraries)
• Ipswich: Chantry Library organised fashion show and sale – Ipswich Star. Income (and community) generation.
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire County Council commits to continue buying Pure Green Electricity for libraries, fire stations and more – Warwickshire Council.

• Worcestershire – Redditch Library public consultation branded ‘flawed’ by campaign group – Redditch Standard. “The verdict comes from London-based national charity The Library Campaign  (TLC) which became so alarmed at the way the Redditch consultation was being conducted it sent its own observer to see it up close.” … ” it said that both Worcestershire County Council and Redditch Borough Council ‘were proceeding as if the move had already been sanctioned’”
• York – Contractor confirmed for £5.3m works on new library in Clifton in York – Press. “Clifton Explore Library Learning Centre will be five times larger than the existing library – and successful Explore Centres at Acomb and the Centre@Burnholme in Tang Hall will be a pattern for Clifton Explore.”
  • Haxby and Wigginton Library celebrates its grand opening – York Council.