A Poole of Talent

Editorial

Congratulations to Nick Poole who has announced he will become the Chief Executive of the trade association for UK video games in April. Nick, if you don’t know what “games as a service”, “freemium”, “Pay to win” and, oh my goodness, “loot boxes” are, I pity you. But assuming you do know these things, well done that man. Nick, Chief Executive of CILIP, has done a tremendous amount for public libraries in campaigning for them and generally making CILIP useful for the sector. Before he came, my memory at least was that CILIP was in the doldrums, refusing to criticise the Government even in the height of Austerity and suffering from self-inflicted wounds such as planning to rename itself, I kid you not, ILPUK. Nick did away with all that, with grace and professionalism. Thank you, Nick.

And, oh my, did I mention the height of Austerity. Well, everyone, let’s welcome back David Cameron into the Cabinet. Good grief. There was even an article I read this morning from his friend Ed Vaizey speculating how he got on. Remember Ed? A notorious Libraries Minister but at least one who stuck around for a few years so people got to know how bad he was. Unlike the current ones, who appear to have difficulty lasting more than twelve months. Yep, I’m going all nostalgic over Ed. Good grief again. That’s also possibly because times are feeling a bit deja vu at the moment. There’s lots of councils worrying about cut budgets and looking at libraries as a possible solution. Hmm, sounds familiar. But some things have changed – CILIP is now an experienced campaigning voice and Libraries Connected is now up and running, effective and useful. And I suspect cutting libraries will be harder this time. Especially with just one year of the current Government remaining. One can hope.

Now back to gaming and let’s see if there’s anything good in this next loot box …

Changes by local authority

• Bradford – Opening hours cut: fewer branches open 5pm to 7pm.
• Hampshire – 17% bookfund cut expected plus cost-driven review of library locations.
• Haringey – Highgate and Muswell Hill Libraries being refurbished and will reopen in 2024
• North Northamptonshire – Kettering Library roof repairs could cost £7m.
• Nottingham – Central Library will open on 28 November.
• Suffolk – 3 community libraries extend hours: Brandon, Long Melford, Shotley (October news)
• Warrington – Culcheth Library reopens

National news

• 25,000 publisher donated books sent to Ukraine – Book Aid. “The books on this shipment should reach Kyiv in November. From there, PEN Ukraine will distribute them to libraries across Ukraine, including to frontline and liberated territories.”
• Creating Safer Libraries – Libraries Connected. “We want libraries to be safe, supportive environments for everyone. To underpin this libraries
  need clear, enforceable policies and consistent, informed support from their local authority and
  the police. That firm back-stop needs to be balanced with training for staff that gives them the
  confidence to address disruptive behaviour and, where possible, the ability to engage with and
  turn potentially challenging behaviour into something more constructive.”
• Dagger in the Library – CWA. “This year, we want UK and Irish libraries – and their users – to propose names of crime writers to be listed for the award, before we get to the voting stage.”

“We need your input! This year the Crime Writers’ Association is running the prestigious Dagger in the Library award a little differently. While in January we’ll get to the stage where we want you to nominate crime writers from a list (three votes per library, as per usual, via our website and to be made by 29 February 2024), first of all we want your help in compiling that list of crime writers. So, please would you email us names of crime writers who you think should be on the list to vote for Dagger in the Library this year? You’re very welcome – encouraged in fact! – to consult your borrowers!”

CWA

• David Cameron, the Grim Reaper of Libraries, is foisted upon Scotland once again – Laura Waddell – Scotsman. “Since 2010, more than 750 public libraries have closed. The damage to these essential public services started early that decade. Between 2010 and 2015 alone, visitor numbers to libraries halved. That is – access to books, computers, the internet, form-filling assistance, literacy services, self-education, warmth, company, leisure and pleasure – halved. For comparison, when I worked for an Irish publishing house, I was incredibly impressed by the investment in libraries there. In 2023, Ireland is forging ahead with its funding programme for public libraries. In the UK, the libraries that somehow survived the austerity axe have faced a further 17 per cent fall in funding in 2021/22, despite in-person visitor numbers rising.”
• Grief Awareness Week 2023: library toolkit – Reading Agency. 2 to 8 December.

• Open Access Libraries – Libraries Connected. “Many services in England, Wales and Northern Ireland offer a mixed model of service delivery including a variety of ways in which access to library services, eg extending access through partnerships, volunteers, and the use of technology. This guidance notice focuses on some of the key considerations for library services exploring the use of technology to extend access for residents and communities to their local library.”
• Nick Poole to step down as CEO of CILIP – CILIP. ” Nick has personally overseen … delivery of key initiatives including the launch of CILIP’s refreshed Code of Ethics, the Changing Lives programme promoting inclusive, participatory and socially-engaged library and knowledge services, and the Arts Council England-funded Managing Safe and Inclusive Library Services: A Practical Guide. An exceptional advocate for the profession, Nick has enabled CILIP to move to a more proactive ‘campaigning’ approach to advocacy, political and media relations, launching a series of highly successful initiatives. These include: #FactsMatter, Great School Libraries, and the joint CILIP-NHS #AMillionDecision campaign. A real thought-leader, Nick led the team which saw the successful launch of the UK’s first-ever Green Libraries Campaign …”
• The Reading Agency and the Youth Sport Trust invite children on a winter reading adventure – Reading Agency. “The Winter Mini Challenge will launch on 1 December and run until 19 February”
• Universal Library Offers calendar – Libraries Connected. For 2024.

International news

• Canada – Meet Katja, RDPL’s Facility Dog in Training – Princh. Chocolate labrador: “she is not attached to just one person but rather is here for the facility to enrich the library’s services and programs for the public.”
• Ireland – Welcome to Library Ireland Week 2023 – Library Ireland. “Library Ireland Week will take place from Sunday 3rd December to Saturday 9th December 2023! It’s time to plan events, activities and social media campaigns celebrating libraries and library staff. The theme for the week is ‘Libraries are for Everyone’ #LIW23 @LAIonline”
• Retiring Wicklow librarian hails Irish service as one of ‘most progressive in the world’ – Irish Independent. “You hear stories about funding being cut in England or America, and depending on where you are, the quality of library services greatly differs … I’ve learned from members of the Arklow Library English chat group that libraries in places like Spain and Brazil just don’t do what we’re doing. They’re more old-fashioned, a ‘this is where you get your books and be quiet’ kind of thing.”

• Japan – ‘What You are Looking For is in the Library’: A tender tale with a touch of whimsy – Japan Times. “Set in the fictional ward of Hatori in Tokyo, Michiko Aoyama’s novel “What You are Looking For Is in the Library” is centered on the library in a local community center. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of five characters who, while not explicitly unhappy, yearn for change yet feel stymied in their efforts. None of them are really sure of what they are searching for — until they find themselves in the presence of enigmatic librarian Sayuri Komachi, that is.”
• Morocco – State of public libraries in Morocco – Emerald. Behind paywall. “Public libraries in Morocco face various issues such as lack of available data and research, lack of appropriate funds, education in the field of library and information sciences, low rate of reading culture within the country and the high rate of illiteracy, all of which obstruct the development of Moroccan librarianship. There is a necessary reform need and action in order to help in the development of libraries in the country.”

• USA – Why We Need Public Libraries Now More than Ever – Boston Magazine. “I think the deeper philosophical question in there is, what kind of society do we want to live in? Where do we want public discourse to exist? How do we want to control information and knowledge? I think if the library didn’t exist, we would need it”
• How book nerds and a dancing accountant made the library cool – Washington Post. “The Milwaukee Public Library’s social media videos are creative, wholesome, unhinged -— and slyly bringing in a new generation of library patrons.”
• ‘Incredibly overdue’: Minnesota library book returned more than 100 years later – Guardian. [Yawn – Ed.]
• A Nevada Library Shares How They Used A Smart Video Marketing Strategy To Combat Drag Story Hour Protests – Super Library Marketing. ““We divided the series into segments based on Christopher’s tips for storytellers, and we included a video about how they get ready for Drag Story Hour,” recalled Jamie. “Chris is an engaging performer and knows how to keep a theater audience entertained, so we wanted to share some of their tips for families who might want to make storytelling at home even more fun and theatrical.””

• Op-Ed: How to Create Libraries of the Future  – Urbanist. Scarily, number one is “Strengthen library facilities for extreme weather events.”. Others are: double down on community activation; plan for future capital bonds; build safe walking, biking, and transit connections between library facilities and other major destinations; shifting key performance indicators to figures which represent engagement per day and per location and per program; stabilize funding streams.
• This Week In Libraries – Publishers Weekly. New York libraries budget cuts; strong push for censorship in several states; Scholastic book fairs being attacked for including books some people don’t agree with; increasing number of people (especially the young) getting their news from Tik-Tok [! – Editor].

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Gift a Book campaign relaunches for Christmas – Bath and North East Somerset Council. “Residents who have unwanted new or as-new books are being encouraged to donate them to people in their community who might not otherwise receive a Christmas present.”
• Blackpool – Blackpool library book returned after 45 years ‘a bit late’ – BBC. [Yawn – ed.]
• Bradford – Thousands of Bradford children take part in reading challenge – Yahoo News. More than 3000 started the Challenge. “More than 1,600 children completed the challenge by reading six or more books – a 10 per cent increase on those completing last year. The 116 activities and events for the challenge attracted 3,102 children and 1,979 adults, an increase of 93 per cent in participation from 2022.”
• Bradford – Changes will see libraries open until 7pm on fewer days – Telegraph and Argus. “Starting early next month, many of the district’s libraries that open until 7pm throughout the week will only open past 5pm on certain days. Bradford Council claims the change is not a cost cutting exercise, and will “reduce unplanned closures” that have plagued the library service in recent years.”
• Buckinghamshire – Cost of living warm hubs return to Bucks this winter – Bucks Free Press.
• Calderdale – Books by Stock and Joyce returned to library shelves in Calderdale following investigation – BookSeller. “Ian Day, the council’s director of public services, said in a report: “Whilst it is understood that some of the content may cause offence to some readers, the books do not warrant removal when assessed against the current stock management policy and professional guidance. It is also noted that the titles are readily available for purchase without restriction through bookshops and on line and they are also available elsewhere in mainstream library stock.””
• Devon – Devon County Council’s new drive to create bespoke community libraries – Mid-Devon Advertiser. “The community libraries will be developed as an alternative to the current mobile library service which is faced with falling numbers of users and rising costs.”
  • ‘It was with a heavy heart that we closed our mobile library service’ – Mid Week Herald. “We’ve a population of some 815,000 people across Devon. Less than 3,000 people use the mobile libraries. Nearly three quarters of the stops attract less than five people and over the last 10 years there’s been a 73 per cent reduction in visits and a 68 per cent reduction in book issues. Every book borrowed from a mobile library costs more than twice as much as one borrowed from our static libraries.”
  • Library books gift idea – Tavistock Today. 5000 Christmas cards to be given away free in Devon and Torbay, each including a library membership.”Books, eNewspapers, eMagazines, and lots more are available free with this simple little card – a library membership is literally the gift that keeps on giving, and we know how important it is keeping the costs of Christmas down this year for many people.””

“On your watch Cllr Hart you have thrown money at fancy refurbishments and privatisation and at the same time you have cut opening hours, turned library assistants into “customer service assistants” and cut the book stock. We constantly hear from you and Cllr Croad that you have not closed any libraries but what you done is hollow out the libraries. And anyway mobile libraries are libraries so let’s shout it out so everyone knows – you have closed eight libraries (four in 2011 and four now).”

Comment on Mid Week Herald article

• Dorset – Dorset Council takes next steps in modernising libraries – Dorset Echo. “This stage of the council’s library strategy is aiming to ensure employees feel ‘valued and empowered’ with career opportunities made available to them. It will develop flexible resourcing across its library network to allow staff to develop a range of skills and experiences.”

“This report is misleading at the very least. As a library assistant I can confirm that we are facing redundancy and being forced to reapply for our jobs. There is no protection for those on permanent contracts over fixed term. The majority of staff are women over 50 on part-time posts and this is not being considered in the proposed new hours. We have been told that our new jobs are not in the council’s flexible working, and therefore go against current council policy. We have no say in our roles, we are all expected to be clones of each other in a ‘one size fits all’ approach, again not following council policy. Zero hours and Casual posts are being got rid of, and all staff are now expected to travel to other libraries and have the use of a car regardless of any disabilities or mobility issues. And we can’t even have a say in which libraries we can realistically travel to. There is no scope for career progression or specialism.” Dorset – Comment on news story

• East Lothian – Library service wins Project Excellence award at prestigious ceremony – East Lothian Courier. “The service was shortlisted for its community health and wellbeing hubs, which first focused on staff wellbeing and later informed and inspired new health and wellbeing support projects in the local community.”
• Hampshire – Libraries across Hampshire could see more cuts made in a bid to save money – Yahoo News. “plan to cut library stock to save £200,000 from the £1.2 million annual budget. It will also look at where libraries are and consider moving them to a more ‘cost effective’ location”
  • Welly and coat swap scheme launches in libraries – BBC. “Children’s welly boot exchanges are being organised in libraries to help ease the cost of living.Hampshire County Council has set up the scheme as part of its Warm Welcome initiative, similar to its already-popular coat exchange.”
• Haringey – Update: Highgate Library – Haringey Council. “Highgate Library is to reopen in early 2024, when residents can look forward to improved and more accessible library facilities in the west of the borough. The library closed in February to undergo major refurbishment, which includes installing a new lift and accessible toilet, new bespoke lighting, new furniture, interior redecoration and a reconfigured floorplan. The library was originally scheduled to reopen in autumn 2023” … “Muswell Hill Library also remains closed while improvement works take place. Works are on schedule and the library is set to reopen in spring 2024 as planned.”
• Lambeth – Brixton Library to close for two months in November while Streatham Library is to be refurbished – Brixton Buzz.
• Leicestershire – Ibstock Library needs new volunteers to remain open – BBC. “A library may have to close if a new group of volunteers cannot be found to run it. Ibstock Community Library has been managed by a team of villagers, supported by Leicestershire County Council, since 2014.However, the authority has been told the volunteer group cannot continue beyond February.”

• Manchester – Everyone is welcome in Manchester’s Warm Welcome Spaces as the Council works to support people this winter – Manchester Council. “This can range from free hot drinks, free Wi-Fi, free data SIM cards, newspapers, information and advice and extra signposting to support services in the city.”
• North East Lincolnshire – Schoolchildren across North East Lincolnshire Talk PANTS with the NSPCC – Grimsby Telegraph. “Libraries across the borough were involved as more than 700 children and 90 parents met staff, volunteers and dinosaur mascot ‘Pantosaurus’ to find out more about the first-ever NSPCC Talk PANTS week in the area.”
• North Northamptonshire – Kettering library roof could cost £6.8m to repair after leak – BBC. “The site in Sheep Street, Kettering, remains closed after the building sustained damage during torrential rain. Northamptonshire councillors will meet next week to discuss funding a repair programme which could include building a tent over the structure. The work could take around two years.” see also Kettering cultural project ‘started before roof cost known’ – BBC. “Work on a cultural project would not have started if the cost of repairing the roof of the buildings had been known earlier, a meeting has been told.”
• North Northamptonshire Council  Community Managed Libraries Programme completed – North Northamptonshire Council. “Raunds Library is the final library to be transferred – with the Creating Tomorrow Academy Trust and the Raunds Community Library Trust selected to run the library in partnership. ” …”In North Northamptonshire the community managed libraries are: Burton Latimer, Danesholme, Desborough, Earls Barton, Finedon, Irchester, Raunds, Rothwell, Thrapston and Wollaston”
• Northern Ireland – Historic documents to be put on display as part of a regional tour of local libraries by PRONI – Department for Communities. “The initiative, which has been organised in partnership with Libraries NI, will see historical documents specific to the region put on display at each local library.”
• Nottingham – Date announced for opening of Central Library – My Nottingham News. “Residents in Nottingham will be able to experience the fantastic new Central Library soon, when it opens at the heart of the Broad Marsh regeneration area on Tuesday 28 November 2023. The library, which is part of the new Broad Marsh Car Park and Bus Station complex, puts children, young people and learning at the heart of its design, with a high-quality children’s section, immersive storytelling room, extensive book collection and comfortable areas to sit and read.”
• Peterborough – Community comes together in Peterborough village to oppose library and community centre sale – MSN. “Residents have rallied strongly against the proposal, which is in the reviews stage, and have collected over 600 signatures in opposition”
• Shropshire – Pop-up stall taking book returns as hunt for new Whitchurch Library premises continues – Shropshire Star. Library closed due to being made of dangerous concrete.
• Southend – Campaign launched to save ‘vital’ library earmarked for closure in Southend cuts – Yahoo News. “Southend Labour councillor Lydia Hyde says Kent Elms Library is one of those which has been put at risk by the council. She has launched a campaign to save the “critical” service.”
• Staffordshire – Staffordshire libraries still cornerstones of their communities – Staffordshire Council. “As well as more than 1.5 million physical book loans in 2022/23, Staffordshire County Council’s 43 libraries have offered business start-up advice and job clubs; recycled thousands of items of school uniform and old laptops; and created reading groups for young and old”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries relaunches its Warm Welcome winter kindness campaign – Suffolk Libraries. “Warm Welcome builds on the success of last year’s kindness campaign with all Suffolk libraries acting as warm spaces and many offering hot drinks and kindness racks offering free donated quality clothing. The East of England Co-op has kindly donated £1,000 of vouchers to enable libraries to offer free hot drinks again this year. Suffolk Libraries has also teamed up with BBC Radio Suffolk to launch a ‘Be Kind to a Kid’ appeal for donations of new toys which can be donated to any of our 45 libraries”
  • Be Kind to a Kid this Christmas – Suffolk Libraries and BBC Radio Suffolk launch – Suffolk Libraries. “The idea is to collect donations of new toys to pass on to children who’d appreciate an extra present this Christmas to help spread a little festive joy during the cost-of-living crisis in Suffolk.”
  • Libraries in Brandon, Long Melford and Shotley announce new opening hours – Suffolk News.
  • Shaping the future of library services 2023 – Suffolk Council. “Suffolk County Council is re-procuring the library service and would like to invite you to have your say to make sure our libraries continue to be fit for the future.”
  • Southwold Library to host talk with internationally bestselling author Erica James – Suffolk Libraries. £6 plus refreshments.
  • Suffolk Building Society donates reusable water bottles to library – Suffolk Libraries. “1,000 of the Love Your Library branded bottles have been distributed to all libraries with a nearby branch of Suffolk Building Society. In keeping with the Society’s environmental commitments, the water bottles are made in the UK from 100% reclaimed plastic milk bottles.”
• Surrey – Surrey libraries to give away free trees – BBC. 650 trees to be given away, along with leaflet as to how to plant them. “It is part of Surrey County Council’s pledge to plant 1.2 million trees – one for each resident -by 2030.”
• Wandsworth – Wandsworth Town Centre Library is open for business – Wandsworth Council. “On the ground floor is a well-stocked bright and colourful, riverbank-themed, children’s library in its own area with separate family toilets and baby changing area, while also on the ground floor is a big collection of fiction titles for teen and adult readers.”
• Warrington – Culcheth Library reopens after extensive renova”tion – Warrington Guardian. “The library had been closed for some time while renovation works took place to update the building. For a number of years, volunteers in the area had fought to ensure that the library was not permanently closed by the council.”
• Westmorland and Furness – Ulverston Mayor sets up protest to highlight libraries ‘vital’ role – The Mail. “Michelle Scrogham will be campaigning outside Ulverston Library on Saturday at 1.30pm to reopen both the town’s facility plus Roose in Barrow. The mayor said she had decided to protest as she is ‘concerned’ with the ‘ever-decreasing’ services for people in Ulverston. Mrs Scrogham said: “Westmorland and Furness Council have now closed our library, one of the busiest in the county, due to what they describe as an electrical fault that would cost several hundred thousand to repair.