Archive for December, 2023

Editorial

It’s great to see mention of the combined Sidcup library and cinema, “Storyteller”, in Bexley. Some co-locations of libraries with other services don’t work – you can normally tell which by the prominence of the library or otherwise when you enter the building – but combining a library with a cinema or, as in the case of the similarly named Storyhouse, with a theatre, strikes me as a natural combination. Seemingly also naturally combined at the moment are announcements of cuts and refurbishments all in one week. Ah, the joy of an atomised public library service. Much of the bad news is down to further cuts in funding for local government. It is to be hoped that the extra funding announced this week will help. Or doing this website is going to get pretty depressing in 2024.

In other news, thanks to a reader of the previous post who sent me a list of libraries named after men. Of course, the biggest number of all – Carnegie – is almost so big as to be invisible (like water to a fish) but apart from him we have:

• Haringey – Marcus Garvey Library, named after a Jamaican political activist (his life story is fascinating) who moved to London.
• Hull –  Fred Moore Library, named (I think?) after a councillor.
• Lambeth – Minet Library. The Minet Library was built by William Minet and opened in 1890. Minet was a descendant of French Huguenots who immigrated to London in the 1700s, and 1889 he also gave 14½ acres of land to the London County Council to create Myatt’s Fields Park.
  • Durning Library, Kennington, also in Lambeth. Durning Library is a public lending library in Kennington, London. The Durning Library was built in 1889, designed by Sidney R. J. Smith the architect of Tate Britain, in the Gothic Revival style. It was a gift to the people of Kennington from Jemina Durning Smith.
  • Brixton Tate Library, yet another in Lambeth. The Brixton Library (also known as the Brixton Tate Library) is a public library in the London Borough of Lambeth in Brixton, South West London. It was built in the 1890s by the sugar magnate Sir Henry Tate and is a Grade II listed building. Also Tate South Lambeth Library so that is no less than four libraries named after a man in one service.
• There are also several Passmore Edwards Libraries, including one in Shepherd’s Bush and in Newton Abbot. Built and funded by John Passmore Edwards, a philanthropist that paid for no less than 24 libraries.

Changes by local authority

• Barnsley – Royston Library being refurbished.
• Bexley – Sidcup Library combined with cinema in Storyteller building 
• Bracknell Forest – Home Library Service may end. 
• Bradford – Close to declaring bankruptcy. 
• Bristol – Repeated library closures due to staff shortages
• Enfield – Cuts expected.
• Highland – Mobile Library Service may be cut 
• Oxfordshire – Didcot Library to be refurbished.
• Nottingham – Cuts expected.

National news

• Britain faces a literacy crisis that could make us fatter, less employable and depressed – Standard. “One fifth of public libraries in Britain, moreover, have closed in the past ten years”
• How to lose a library – Public Books. “On October 31, 2023, the British Library suffered a massive cyberattack. As of publication, the Library remains physically open, but its digital infrastructure is almost completely disabled.”
• Making more of libraries – BookSeller. “the success of partnerships with retailers can be easily tracked through book sales; collaborations with libraries may offer a more subtle and longer-term halo effect. But the public library network, with up to 4,000 libraries in every part of the UK, cannot be matched for its scale, reach and influence on our reading habits. As the forums demonstrated there is a real opportunity to build the relationship between libraries and publishers and an enthusiasm to see how mutually beneficial partnerships can be established. By working together to help readers explore new or unfamiliar authors and genres, libraries and publishers can foster a more diverse literary landscape – something that will benefit everyone who writes, sells, lends, or reads books.”

• The Reading Agency announces Quick Reads will be gifted for World Book Night 2024 – Reading Agency. “36,000 copies of the 2024 Quick Reads will be gifted through libraries to reach emerging and lapsed readers in settings such as hospitals, prisons, care homes and shelters in the community”
• Volunteers step in to take on cut council services – BBC. “Councils are not legally obliged to run leisure centres or libraries [untrue – Ed.] which means that without the help of volunteers, the library in Wilsden, Bradford, would have likely closed.”. Bradford, “which is close to declaring bankruptcy” says “”We have a lower budget for libraries than many other places so are grateful to these and other great volunteers who run the 15 community-managed libraries across the district.”” 
• Where should libraries go now Twitter *HAS* become a wasteland? – Ned Potter. For public libraries: “For all Facebook’s problems (across all demographics except 55+ people are leaving FB, but so many 55+ are on there it is still the biggest social network – and daily use is consistently falling whilst leaping ever upwards on Instagram and TikTok) it remains a really useful tool for Public Libraries. It can act almost as a branch online, and Cape May County Library in the US and Hampshire Library Service in the UK are good examples of places doing that well. However, I think Instagram is the coming platform for this sector”

International news

• Canada – Program at Hamilton Public Library shows how libraries can expand the social services they provide – Conversation. ” In partnership with Hamilton Public Health Services’ Mental Health and Street Outreach Program, HPL developed a program to provide on-site social work services at its downtown central library, with two part-time social workers being present, visible and accessible on the first floor.”
  • Ontario public library shuts down most services due to cyberattack  – The Record. “The attack on London Public Library comes weeks after two of the biggest libraries in the world were hit by ransomware gangs. Toronto Public Library — Canada’s largest public library system, serving more than 1.2 million members with more than 12 million items spread across 100 branches — confirmed it had been hit with ransomware in October.” 
• India – Thane gets first-of-its-kind garden libraries at 3 spots – Times of India. “These garden libraries have been started in three parks. The aim is to create a reading-friendly environment in the parks …” 
• USA / Palestine / Israel – Opinion: When libraries like Gaza’s are destroyed, what’s lost is far more than books – Los Angeles Times. Gaza City Library destroyed. “some have accused Israel of deliberately targeting the library. But whether it did or not, the destruction of libraries in times of war and violent conflict is tragically common. It is more important than ever for librarians and the public to stand up against such attacks on knowledge and cultural heritage.
• USA – Controversy over Bethlehem speaker shows again how public libraries have become speech battleground – WAMC. “in this particular case, the local, a local group called Bethlehem Neighbors for Peace, booked a room here at the library, and, and they chose to bring in the author”
  • Libraries loaning e-books; There’s the Libby app for that, and a Clevelander made it – Cleveland.com. The history of the “Overdrive” company.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Hayden Lorimer: ‘All or nothing’ choice over Aberdeen libraries makes no sense – Opinion / Press and Journal. “Two options are put on the table, formulated as a brutal binary: it’s a case of all or nothing. Option one: confirm closure. Option two: recommission and reopen.” … “If the design of Aberdeen’s library services in the 21st century is truly up for grabs, ramming through a tranche of branch closures in advance makes as little sense in December as it did in March.”
  • Campaigners’ fury as councillors vote to shut Aberdeen libraries – The Herald. “We are bitterly disappointed that Aberdeen councillors voted to confirm the library closures. They will be a huge loss to the communities they served. We’re very proud of what our campaign achieved, bringing attention to the issue, but it’s not the result we’d hoped for. 
• Barnsley – Royston Library to shut for children’s area upgrade – BBC. “The library in Royston, near Barnsley, will shut on 20 December for work to take place on creating a new local history zone and seating areas. The centre is expected to reopen in February with a “fresh new look and exciting features,” according to Barnsley Council.”
  • Barnsley plans first book festival – BBC. “The event will bring a range of authors, poets, writers and artists to the town from 2 February to 23 March. Organised by Barnsley Libraries, there will be a number of family activities and speakers at various venues. New art commissioned for the event will also be showcased.”
• Bexley –  Sidcup library and cinema review – William Morris meets the multiplex – Guardian. Building called “Storyteller”. “You could call the whole endeavour old-fashioned, both cinemas and libraries being building types that have seemed endangered, but their coming together – joining as they do both daytime and evening experiences – does promise genuinely to bring energy to the high street. That it’s achieved with thoughtful and enjoyable architecture contributes to its success.” 
• Blackpool – Blackpool’s £88k library ‘lifeline’ to tackle loneliness – BBC News. “Activities in Blackpool, ranging from adult Lego building to storytelling and creative arts sessions, will “be a lifeline for many”, the council said.The scheme will focus on Central, Revoe and Langdale Libraries, Library @ TheGrange and Laundry Room at Mereside. It is part of the £30m Know Your Neighbourhood fund to increase volunteering and tackle loneliness.” 
• Borders – Majority of Borderers find the library was a welcoming space – Peeblesshire News. “The Scottish Public Library Annual Survey – conducted for the first time in 2023 – was set up to help measure the impact of local library service provision across the country with a focus on learning and skills, health and well-being, library spaces, and the value and benefits of library services.”  
• Bracknell Forest – Bracknell’s home library service could be stopped next year – Bracknell News. “Bracknell Forest Council finance chiefs have suggested ending the service as part of plans to reduce management staff and merge libraries and customer service centres.” 
• Bristol – Dozens of Bristol’s libraries have been closed over the past two weeks – this is why – Bristol Post. “Libraries in Bristol have been suddenly closing at the start of each day due to staff shortages. In the first two weeks of December there have been 76 closures in total in 27 libraries across Bristol, of which 25 were closed for the whole day without any access. The closures are announced on the morning of the day on Twitter and other social media by the council’s libraries team. Analysis of the closures in the first two weeks of December show that out of 27 libraries across Bristol, 23 have been closed in some capacity. Only the Central Library, Fishponds, Knowle, and the St Pauls libraries were unaffected.”
• Cheshire East – Cheshire East council says it faces bankruptcy due to HS2 link cancellation – Guardian. “The council, which reported a forecast £18.7m shortfall in its budget earlier this year, has already introduced a number of cost-saving measures, including charges for green bins, cuts to library opening hours and closing its headquarters.”
• City of London – Libraries offer a warm space to City residents this winter – City Matters. “children’s toy and rhyme time to adult tea and coffee sessions with plans for game clubs and mindful colouring.” 
• Cornwall – Library book about dolphins returned 22 years late  – BBC. Yawn.  
• Devon / Torbay – Libraries throw open their doors and let Christmas in – Torbay Weekly. “encouraging customers to take up its free Christmas gift card offer and collect a library membership card in a specially-designed Christmas card to give to a loved one.”
• Ealing – Northolt Library closes after bedbugs found in returned books – BBC. “Ealing Council said a “small number of bedbugs” were found in the books which were returned to Northolt Library on Saturday. The library remains closed while plans are being made with a pest control team to get rid of them, the council said. It is the second time a library in the borough has had to close due to the insects.”
  • Bed bugs in books close London library – Guardian. “The closure comes weeks after Ealing central library was closed when bedbugs were found in the furnishings. A notice put on its door at the time read: “Due to a pest infestation, we have temporarily removed soft furnishings from public use. These seats are currently being treated with pest control chemicals.” The library reopened a week later.
• East Sussex – Free events taking place this winter across East Sussex libraries – Sussex World. “Events include author talks, festive crafts and activities as well as storytelling experiences.”
• Enfield – ‘Enfield Council library strategy is smokescreen for cuts’ – Times Series. “In its report setting out the reasons to draw up a new library strategy, published at the end of November, the council states that it “must make savings of £39.4 million in 2024/25” and that there is “a forecast budget gap of £118.7m for the five years through to 2028/29”.”
• Fife – Accessible book written by 6 year old donated to Fife school libraries – Fife Council. “The books are unique, not only because they were written by a then 6-year-old, but because they are available as a dyslexia-friendly paperback edition; an enhanced audio description; a British Sign Language version; and soon 4 different types of braille.” 
• Gateshead – Two Gateshead libraries to be refurbished next year – ensuring they continue to be welcoming community spaces – Chronicle. “Both Pelaw and Crawcrook libraries will benefit from improvements to the lighting and decoration, while space for books will remain integral, alongside an improved community activity space.”
• Greenwich – Greenwich library workers vote for strike action over pay – Greenwich Wire. “Greenwich’s library workers have voted to strike, saying that they face a real-terms cut in their pay after having a below-inflation wage increase imposed on them. Some 70 staff employed by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) have agreed to take industrial action in the new year, which could result in widespread closures of libraries across the borough. The Unite union said that GLL had imposed a 5 per cent pay rise on the staff, comparing it with the 11 per cent RPI rate of inflation. Unite claimed that GLL had “completely refused” to negotiate with Unite, something GLL strongly denies.” 
  • Greenwich libraries could be forced to shut as workers plan to strike over ‘very low pay’ – My London.  
• Highland – ‘Significant cost challenges’ spark fears over future of ageing Highland mobile library fleet – Ross-Shire Journal. “High Life Highland will have done little to quell those concerns – not just in Wester Ross but in many other parts of the Highlands after it confirmed the scale of the problem facing the existing fleet extends beyond the one vehicle.” 

• Liverpool – ‘Library of the future’ and community safety drive on key Liverpool high street, thanks to Mayor Steve Rotheram’s £6m Town Centre Fund – Liverpool City Region. “Spellow Library, on County Road, has been transformed from a dated 1960s building into a digitally connected facility with meeting rooms, laptops and advice offered about employment, skills, benefits and the cost-of-living.”
• Northern Ireland – Coleraine sex offender accused of breaching order at town library – Belfast Telegraph. “A convicted sex offender has appeared in court accused of breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order by loitering in his local library.” 
• Nottingham – Nottingham city council plans cuts to libraries, care homes and youth services – Guardian. “Library services would be reviewed,”
  • Nottingham library campaigners back in ‘defensive mode’ as review announced – Nottingham Post. “”I think the Save Nottingham Libraries campaign is going back into defensive mode. What might happen is they might turnaround and say they haven’t got the money to pay for the upkeep of these buildings, but they shouldn’t be closing.”

• Orkney – Business set to boom at the Old Library as revamp gathers pace – Orcadian. “The much-loved Old Library in Kirkwall is in the midst of a major but sensitive overhaul and revamp, as it moves from a former retail site to the newest business facility in Orkney’s portfolio.” 
• Oxfordshire – Didcot Library to benefit from new county council upgrades – Herald series. “The new refresh will see 25 additional workspaces with power sockets, new shelving fitted for younger readers, teenagers to showcase books more effectively and new furniture including sofas and chairs.”
  • Oxfordshire libraries eBook short story competition reaches its 10th year – Oxfordshire Council. “Past winners have been some of the most popular downloads of the year, so this is the perfect chance for new writers to get their story published and enjoyed by others.”
• Sandwell – Last chance to donate presents to Black Country Toy Appeal in Sandwell libraries – Sandwell Council. “Gifts must be new and unwrapped. They will be collected by elves who will give them to Santa so that he can distribute to children and young people in Sandwell and the Black Country.”
• Sheffield – Roadmap to establish future of Central Library and Graves Gallery building to be decided – Sheff News.” At a meeting of the Strategy and Resources Committee on 21st December, councillors will consider a proposal for new feasibility studies to be completed to develop a vision for a 21st-century central library for Sheffield, and to explore the potential for the building to become a flagship gallery and arts venue.” 
  • Sheffield councillor champions her local library as an important social hub – Star. “Frecheville is one of 16 libraries in the city that are now run by voluntary and community groups following council cuts to library services. Coun McGowan said: “It’s the one I went to as a kid, it’s right close to my heart. “It isn’t just a library, it’s everything else they offer in there, and it’s what it means to the community, so I don’t want to lose that by moving it somewhere else and lose that.”“ 
• Shropshire – Photos from Market Drayton library’s Christmas party – Shropshire Star. Santa, face-painting. 
• Solihull – Meriden Library to temporarily close for essential works – Solihull Council. “This is to allow for essential building maintenance works to be carried out including updating the current fire alarm system.”
• Somerset – Somerset Libraries wins award two years in a row – Somerset Council. “The libraries service accepted the award for their Thermal Imaging Camera Loaning Scheme. In 2022, the team won it for their Pop Up Library at Glastonbury Festival. ”
  • Porlock Library now in small group with visitor numbers beating pre-pandemic level – West Somerset Free Press. “The library, run as a community library partnership (CLP), has become one of only a small group where footfall has passed the numbers which were being seen before the pandemic.”
• Southend – Westcliff Library petition launched over threat of closure – Echo News. “544 residents signed a petition calling for Westcliff Library to be protected as Southend Council looks to tackle its £10.7million deficit. The council has proposed to close two libraries and slash the opening hours at three others in a bid to save £200,000.”
• Suffolk – Explore Together: new telephone support service launches – Suffolk Libraries. “Suffolk Libraries is launching a new telephone support and signposting service. The Explore Together service will match volunteers with people who are feeling lonely or isolated or are looking for some guidance finding support or a new activity. The volunteers will make regular phonecalls and listen and help people find local organisations, groups and activities.”
• Surrey – Banstead Library Launches New Magic Table for Adults with Dementia – Surrey Council. “The Tovertafel (Dutch for “magic table”), is a ceiling mounted projector that projects light games onto a standard table surface. These games are interactive, immersive games that can be played sitting down by a group of people, they encourage social contact, movement and are both relaxing and fun”  

• Torfaen – Greenmeadow Primary School pupils visiting Cwmbran Library – South Wales Argus
• Warwickshire – Enjoy free festive activities for all ages at Warwickshire Libraries this winter – Warwickshire Council.
  • Brazen thief stole books from Warwickshire libraries and sold them online – Coventry Telegraph. “In what was dubbed an ‘unusual crime’, John Nicolaides travelled across the country and used fake names to take out the expensive books. But, after loaning more than 900 more and flogging them online, he was finally caught when he turned his attention to libraries in Warwickshire” 
• Westmorland and Furness – Town’s library petition reaches House of Commons – BBC. “Ulverston’s library building on King’s Road has been closed since September after electrical problems were found in the building. The Conservative MP for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell, who presented the petition on Wednesday, said the library was a “true community hub”. Westmorland and Furness Council said options for the library were being explored, but would require “significant investment”.“ 
• Wirral – Upton Library reopens following repair works – Wirral Globe. “Upton Library based on Ford Road, Upton closed on September 12 for 12 weeks due to required buildings works.”
  • Wirral libraries reveal their ‘seven man-made wonders’– Wirral Globe. “Wirral Libraries have released the list exploring their choices for the seven man-made wonders of the borough.” 

Editorial

I was always taught in school to present the thesis (one theory), the antithesis (the argument against that theory) and then the synthesis (the conclusion after weighing all the evidence). Never done it with public libraries before but lets give it a go.

The thesis would be that libraries are recovering well from spending cuts, with their building stock being renewed. Evidence just this week would be: Shipley Library having a new enterprise hub; Brierly Library opening in Dudley after a £670k refurbishment;a very impressive new Central Library opening in Nottingham; Scottish Government funding to support new projects in libraries; Bolton Central Library about to reopen after a major refurbishment; another new central library opening in Paisley, and Beccles Library in Suffolk reopening after refurbishment. That’s pretty impressive.

But wait, the antithesis is that libraries are still suffering from cuts. Evidence for this is also pretty strong.: Nottingham City Council – the same one that has just opened its lovely new central library – has filed for what it insists is not bankruptcy; Stirling, like Nottingham, also is also in financial trouble and they have announced their plan includes potentially closing all but one library, severely testing the Scottish law about needing to provide an adequate service. Even it’s lesser second, and far more likely, option is to close half of its libraries. In South Gloucestershire, there’s a proposal to cut nearly one-fifth of all staffing hours and, in Leeds, plans to refurbish Crossgates Library collapse after funding could not be found. Cheshire East is reducing its opening hours and Croydon is privately considering potentially closing four libraries. Meanwhile, the state of Kettering Library’s building is so bad in North Northamptonshire that its needing to move to temporary new accommodation. Finally, there’s a campaign starting in Southend against proposed library cuts there.

Hmm, so it’s a rollercoaster ride for libraries this week. What the heck is going on? How can we make a synthesis out of this? Well, I think we can. What has been happening is that there’s been a few years of recovery (or, at least, not austerity) roughly since David Cameron stopped being Prime Minister. So new building projects and refurbishments could afford to be restarted and are coming to fruition now. However, austerity has recently restarted not just because of real cuts but also due to high inflation. This has meant many councils are now facing serious financial problems. The best example of this is Nottingham, which has just opened its new Central Library years after it was started just in time for the new cuts to (officially not) bankrupt it. Many may remember a similar thing happening in early 2010s with the opening of the mega new Library of Birmingham that almost instantly had to cut its hours. So, it’s explainable. New building projects take a while to happen but budget cuts, well, they come instantly. Hence the good and bad news happening together.

Changes by local authority

• Bradford – Shipley Library opens Enterprise Hub
• Cheshire East – Cuts in opening hours: 10 hours per week fewer at Alsager, Macclesfield, Sandbach and Poynton.
• Dudley – Brierly Hill Library opens after £670k refurbishment.
• Leeds – Old Crossgates Library to be sold after funding for refurbishment collapses. (4 November)
• North Northamptonshire – Temporary library opens due to repairs to Kettering Library
• Nottingham – New Central Library opens after two year delay
• South Gloucestershire – Consultation on cut of up to £473k (October), 19% cut in staffed opening hours.
• Stirling – Two options for cuts involved: (a) Close 8 of 16 (£400k cut) libraries and (b) Close all libraries except for Stirling Library (£1.3m cut)
• Suffolk – Woodbridge Library to trial new opening hours (3 November)

National news

• British Library hack: Customer data offered for sale on dark web – BBC. “The British Library says it has evidence that user data was hacked in a cyber attack and offered for sale on the dark web. The library warned users who use the same password elsewhere to change it.”
• Digital Skills Training: Challenges and Approaches for Libraries – Lorensbergs. ” 11 library authorities got together with Lorensbergs to share challenges and solutions for maintaining staff’s digital skills. When resourcing is low and training demands are high, keeping all staff up to speed is a tough nut to crack. ” A look at training options and strategies.
• ‘It’s an ongoing challenge’: Will the culture wars come for Britain’s books? – Independent. “When you consider the current landscape of censorship, it is hard not to speculate (as Wilson has) that what’s happening in the US might be prescient for the UK.” … ““he steep rise in book bans in the USA may well embolden people who would like to see such books removed from UK shelves” … “There is no UK equivalent whereby national data about book censorship requests is made available” but “if we were to release a list of books that had been challenged, that would, for some people, become a list of books that ‘should’ be challenged” but “we should be careful not to overstate the problem”

• Revealing our ethics and values – CILIP. “As budgets continue to be cut, so the need for effective advocacy increases – if libraries and information services are fighting for a share of a dwindling pot, then the advocacy on behalf of those services becomes ever more valuable. So how can we ensure that our advocacy is effective and why should we be thinking about the ethical values when we are talking about services?”

• Supporting new public libraries projects – Scottish Government. “A group of eight innovative new library projects designed to enrich communities across Scotland will be brought to life through a share of £106,868 support received through the Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF). These projects include the introduction of a comprehensive library outreach offer in East Lothian, a digital project focusing on celebrating Dundee’s Maritime Pasts and Future, and High Life Highland’s sensory project, which aims to engage with those with autism and dementia among many others.”

International news

• Africa – The roles of public libraries in enhancing educational systems and social inclusion in Africa – Springer Link. “in many African countries, awareness of the role that public libraries can play in strengthening the social contract is largely unrecognized. This may be partly due to the social background that was/is based on oral tradition, to which libraries can adapt in order to sustain the tradition.”
• Canada – Carnegie Libraries: An Amazing Legacy – Everyday Tourist. “Around the world, 2,509 libraries were built with funding from the Carnegie Foundation between 1883 and 1929. The first one was in Dunfermline, Scotland – Carnegie’s  hometown.”
• China / Hong Kong – Hong Kong’s public libraries must adapt if they are to survive and flourish – South China Morning Post. “The number of visits, 18 million in the first 10 months of the year, marks a significant improvement on 12 million in the whole of 2022. But it is down on 34.7 million in 2019, which was 14 per cent lower than that in 2012.” … “In crowded Hong Kong, with its tiny flats, libraries can offer a comfortable and relaxing space for people to broaden their knowledge. Their role as a “living force” for education, culture and information must be maintained.”
• Ireland – Minister says gardaí will take ‘whatever steps are necessary’ to protect library staff – Irish Examiner. “A week on from the Dublin riots, Heather Humphreys, who is also the minister for social protection, condemned those involved in recent library protests and paid tribute to library staff, particularly those in Cork, who have borne the brunt of intimidation from far-right agitators opposed to the availability of certain LGBT+ reading material in public libraries”
• Palestine – Gazans mourn loss of their libraries: Cultural beacons and communal spaces – Washington Post. “Both the Gaza Municipal Library and the Rashad al-Shawa Cultural Center — which hosted a meeting between President Bill Clinton and Yasser Arafat 25 years ago — have been shelled into rubble during the nearly two months of war as Israel attempts to destroy the militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. “The occupation planes targeted and turned the public library building into rubble and destroyed thousands of books, titles and documents recording the city’s history and development, as well as the destruction of the library’s language courses hall and other library facilities”
• Ukraine – ‘My mum’s books survived Putin’s missiles’: defiance after blast destroys Kherson children’s library – Guardian. “Ukraine has a uniquely impressive and committed children’s library network, led and coordinated from the National Library of Ukraine for Children, based in Kyiv.”
• USA – New law would notify parents of books children rent at libraries – TMJ4 News see also In the battle over books, who gets to decide what’s age-appropriate at libraries? – NPR and Meet the Woman Training Parents How to Get Books Banned – Daily Beast and Bestselling authors join Penguin Random House lawsuit over Iowa’s new book ban law – Yahoo.

• The 2024 Guide to Instagram for Libraries: Updated Tips To Get the Most Organic Reach – Super Library Marketing.
  • Cardholder Signup: Collecting and Analyzing How Patrons Get Library Cards – WebJunction. “Early data suggests several key policy areas in which public libraries can create more equitable access for potential new cardholders:” eligibility, legal name, virtual sign-up, youth sign-up.
  • Could your library do this? A California library is helping people try e-bikes for free – Yale Climate Connections.
  • Duke Uni libraries decamp from 37Signals’ Basecamp over CTO’s blogs – Basecamp. CEO of Basecamp has made comments reportedly showing right-wing bias.
  • The Week in Libraries: December 1, 2023 – Publishers Weekly. “survey finds that parents still overwhelmingly trust libraries and library workers”

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Bolton Library sets date for reopening after refurbishment project – Bolton News. “The £4.43m renovation project and refurbishment has seen the building stripped back to reveal many of the original features and now includes an expanded children’s area, improved social spaces, updated digital facilities and a new café, which will be unveiled at the grand opening.”
• Bournemouth Christchurch Poole – Writing Groups in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and Dorset – Bournemouth Writing Festival. From January and ongoing, Writers’ Havens will be held in libraries as part of the Bournemouth Writing Festival activities. They will be inclusive and supportive groups for writers of all interests.
• Bradford – The Shipley Library Enterprise Hub officially opens – Telegraph and Argus. “It was created in the former exhibition space at the library, using £80,000 of money from the Government-funded Shipley Towns Fund. The new facility will offer resources and advice to local businesses and start-ups, and the space will also be used for events, meetings and co-working.”
• Bromley – New initiative in memory of Wendy Cooling launches at Orpington Library – GLL/Better (press release). “Last weekend, schoolkids and families came together at Orpington Library for the launch of ‘Wendy’s House’, a nationwide project set-up in the memory of Bookstart Founder Wendy Cooling.”
• Cheshire East – Reduced library opening hours come into force – BBC. “Libraries in Alsager, Macclesfield, Sandbach and Poynton will all be closed for an extra 10 hours a week.”
  • Cheshire East could use libraries as community hubs, councillor says – Guardian series. Independent councillor suggests copying Hartlepool’s example: ” “As a result of converting that library space into community hubs, they were able to use those facilities as a front door to a whole range of council services including adults, children’s services, and also introduce refreshment facilities, again, an income generating source for the council within those buildings.”
• Croydon – Consultants’ year-long study looks to close four public libraries – Inside Croydon. “Croydon’s Conservative-run council has a secret plan to close at least four of the borough’s public libraries, Inside Croydon has discovered.” … “The latest plan is understood to be part of the crisis-hit council’s “asset disposal strategy”, which would seek to sell the public buildings to pay down some of Croydon’s £1.6billion debt.”

“… since the first covid lockdown in 2020, only one of Croydon’s libraries has been operating anything like “normal” opening hours. Central Library, next to the Town Hall, is open five days a week. Of the others, six libraries are open just three days each week, while five are only open for two days a week. The reduced opening hours are a cost-cutting measure that is a direct result of the council going bankrupt three years ago.”

• Dudley – Library set for grand reopening after refurbishment – Express and Star. “Brierley Hill Library’s internal works, new décor and flooring has been organised by Dudley Council and was funded through the UK Government’s Future High Streets Fund, with £670,000 spent on the refurbishment. Residents can now enjoy improved ground floor access, a children’s library and new meeting rooms for community use such as school classes, group sessions and family activities when it reopens on Monday.”
• Highland – High Life Highland libraries kick-start traditional Icelandic storytelling sessions – Northern Times. Cultural exchange.
• North Northamptonshire – Temporary Kettering library to open while leaking roof fixed – BBC. “The library service will move into the new Cornerstone extension building while a £7m repair project takes place. Problems with the 1904 library building have delayed the opening of North Northamptonshire Council’s flagship Cornerstone project, which is designed to link the library and adjacent art gallery with a new community building. The decaying roof of the old building has allowed water to flow into the new one and rainfall in October left the council with no choice but to close the library”

• Nottingham – Nottingham’s delayed £10m library officially opens – BBC. “A £10m library featuring a café, conference rooms, an immersive cinema room and more than 180,000 books has opened in Nottingham. The three-storey Nottingham Central Library on Collin Street also has 58 computers and free Wi-Fi. The library was originally due to open in 2021. The city has been without a central library for more than three years following the permanent closure of the old Angel Row library in 2020.” see also Nottingham Central Library officially opens – West Bridgford Wire, 26 pictures inside ‘amazing’ new Nottingham Central Library – Nottinghamshire Live.

“Called in this afternoon and can report that it was worth the wait. Bookstock has survived its sojourn in storage plus plenty of new stock. Building very spacious with picture windows letting in lots of natural light. Workstations and comfy seating on each floor plus cafe near the entrance. Everything in pristine condition at the moment. Hopefully it won’t be too badly impacted by the next bout of austerity…”

Email received

• Section 114 report issued for Nottingham City Council  – Nottingham Council. “The council is not “bankrupt” or insolvent, and has sufficient financial resources to meet all of its current obligations, to continue to pay staff, suppliers and grant recipients in this year. ” [A new library is due to open in Sherwood next year – Ed.]
• Pembrokeshire – More members a library has, the better service it can provide says Tenby Friendship Club visitor Sam – Narberth and Whitland Today. Librarian talks to club.
• Renfrewshire – Paisley Central Library opens its doors to the public – Glasgow Times. “Officially known as the Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub, the building spans four floors of what was previously a vacant retail space. The ground floor is home to the children’s library complete with a play structure designed by celebrated Scottish artist, Claire Barclay, including storytelling areas and reading nooks and crannies for little ones to enjoy a book.”
• Sandwell – New volunteering initiative at Sandwell Libraries – Sandwell Council. £88k from Know Your Neighbourhood Fund. “This initiative will fund activities to combat loneliness, as well as appointing a new Volunteer Coordinator, responsible for recruiting new volunteers to support the libraries’ offer. “
• Southend – Southchurch Library petitions launched to save it from cuts – Echo series. Local says ” “Our community cherishes the Southchurch library. It is not just a place to borrow books, it is a hub of knowledge and learning that serves all ages. We rely upon its services for children’s story times, adult literacy programs, and as a quiet haven for local people.” see also Southend City Council could close libraries in money-saving bid – BBC.
• Staffordshire – People urged to use community help points to seek support and access local services – Lichfield Live. “People looking for information on local services or support to dealing with the cost of living crisis are being urged to seek help from local community help points.” situated in libraries.

• Stirling – Stirling Council Budget Saving Proposals – Stirling Council. Various suggestions for cutting libraries, with the lesser one being “If chosen this option could save almost £400,000 in operating costs each year. Some communities, if their library closed, could receive mobile library visits instead. Other areas may have to travel to their nearest library” and the more severe one being to close every library but one (!).
  • Fury as libraries written off by council bosses ‘letting children down’ with plans for mass closures – Daily Mail. “the proposals have sparked outrage among literacy campaigners who say it will impact on low-income households who cannot afford to buy books. Scottish Book Trust chief executive Marc Lambert said Stirling Council would be ‘letting down a lot of people’.”. Local Conservative says “these damaging closures are the sad but inevitable consequence of the SNP Government’s brutal and sustained underfunding of Scotland’s councils.” and CILIP says “Any council that values its communities also values its libraries and these cuts will cause significant long-term damage if taken”
• Stirling Council could close all but one library to save costs – Herald.
• Suffolk – Beccles Library moves back home – Suffolk Libraries. “The library has been operating from a temporary location in the town’s old HSBC building since September to enable substantial building work to be carried out. Despite the challenges of the recent storms, the work is successfully nearing completion and the library building is due to reopen on Friday 8 December. The improvement work has involved replacing the entire roof and all external windows and doors in the main public library area.”
  • Christmas Cards and Love Your Library gifts now on sale from libraries – Suffolk Libraries.
• Thurrock – Thurrock libraries launch winter colouring-in competition – Your Thurrock. “All winners will get a box of Cadbury Heroes chocolates.”
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire library books go green – Stratford Observer. “Warwickshire Home Library Service has unveiled its first electric-powered vehicle to deliver books door-to-door. The new electric vehicle is a modern Peugeot e-Expert van. It will be used by the Home Library Service team, which consists of fourteen volunteer drivers, to deliver library books to all corners of the county. The van has a range of over 150 miles on one charge …”
• West Dunbartonshire – Plan to ban Israeli books in Scotland – Jewish Chronicle. If the council uses it’s boycott policy then some books may be withdrawn. “No books have so far been removed from any of the authority’s libraries as councillors say censorship is “not in the spirit” of their boycott, but it is understood that officials are prepared to rule on a book-by-book basis.”
• York – York’s libraries launch Christmas ‘Joy Bringers’ appeal – Press. “Money raised through Explore York’s Joy Bringers campaign will be used to fund holiday activities for children as well as to keep the city’s 15 libraries warm and welcoming through the winter.”