Archive for January, 2024

Editorial

I remember the first Save Libraries Day, back in 2011. It was a huge grass-roots explosion of events and protests back in the days when cuts to libraries was a shocking surprise. That day was soon co-opted by public library services to promote the sector and, I notice, in the recent review it was suggested that the date be moved to be more public-relations friendly. So, another year, and another austerity. This week’s post includes serious cut announcements by Birmingham and Croydon. So it’s not a surprise that campaigners are getting antsy again and Alan Wylie, who was there in the beginning (and the original instigator Alan Gibbons), are calling for national protest again. Question is, will this country, which has now had over a decade of getting used to libraries being cut, go for it?

The solution to the sector’s major problem, but not the only one (the others being major technological and societal change, accelerated by a global pandemic), has been neatly and humorously summarised by the I as “Give us some ****ing money.”” This simply won’t happen under the current Government. The Sanderson Report didn’t even try to list it as a suggestion. Indeed, what the sector is looking at now is more cuts, made worse by inflation (and the decision to spend any spare money on tax cuts rather than maintaining services). So “Let us keep at the least the money you haven’t taken away previously” may be more accurate. Less amusing, though.

Changes by local authority

• Aberdeen – Extended opening hours at five libraries
• Birmingham – £2.3m cut. Up to 25 libraries under threat, 11 more to become co-locations, 47 out of 221 staff to be cut.
• Croydon – Consultation on cuts: Proposals to close 4 libraries (radmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead, and Shirley); extend hours in six to partially compensate, reduce library services by co-location in 3 (New Addington, Purley and South Norwood)
• Edinburgh – Consultation.
• North Lanarkshire – £1.6m upgrade to Motherwell Library.
• Southampton – Cobbett Road Library to reopen, run by a local radio station.

National news

• The best of times, the worst of times for public libraries – CILIP. Isobel Hunter: ” if you wind back 20 years where you had chief librarians. Now you look at our members and you don’t always have the word library in their job titles.” … “It feels like the best of times because there’s amazing innovation happening in public libraries, and the worst of times because the financial environment for local authorities is really hard” … “One of the options presented to councils 10 years ago was outsourcing their libraries. Asked if this was being discussed again she said: “Not at the moment. But spinning out is always on the table when councils are pressed by immediate and long-term funding pressures.”
• Ex-pat left life savings to two Scots libraries – BBC. “Letitia McKell bequeathed more than £350,000 to libraries in Motherwell and East Kilbride when she died in 2001”

• Jo Cornish to be Interim CEO of CILIP – CILIP. “Jo, a Chartered Fellow of CILIP, with a background in public libraries, has accumulated eight years of experience at CILIP, gaining extensive knowledge of membership needs, priorities, and the organisation’s offerings.”

“”Baby Bushka, the 8-woman strong Kate Bush experience of your dreams is headed to the UK + Ireland on Tour this Autumn! They are looking to add some intimate literary acoustic concerts featuring their re-writes of Kate Bush songs using famous poems, like this version of Hound of Love with Francis Thompson’s Hound of Heaven. Or this T.S. Eliot mashup “Running Up That Street with Prufrock” Please contact them at ilovebabybushka@gmail.com if you’re interested in booking them. “

Email received.

• A method for library data storytelling – Library data blog.
• NAG’s 14th Collection Development Seminar and Public Library Forum – National Acquisitions Group. “NAG’s 14th edition of the highly successful Collection Development seminar takes place at the Friends House, 173-177 Euston Rd, London NW1 2BJ, on Thursday 16th May 2024 alongside our separate Public Library Forum. For this edition, the topic is “Rise of the Machines.” NAG invites papers from those that can share knowledge, best practice, experiences and reflections around the impact of technology.
• On the matter of the British Library cyber incident – Ciaran’s Crispy Cogitations. The hackers are Russian so unlikely ever to be punished; BL not considered that important a target to protect but it’s impact and vulnerability make such targets tempting; recovery was very slow.
• Sanderson Report shows that libraries are part of something bigger – CILIP. “Nine minutes of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting house was dedicated to the plight of libraries and the huge range of services they provide, recognising that libraries were taken for granted and misunderstood.”

• Witherick leaves Libraries Connected for ASCEL – BookSeller. “Witherick is an experienced charity executive and chartered librarian and will join ASCEL at the end of March 2024. Formerly regional development manager at Libraries Connected, and head of library service and customer experience at Libraries Unlimited, she has a background in leadership and delivering development projects and programmes. “
• You can’t put a price on the joy of libraries – I / Opinion. Lucy Mangan translates Isobel Hunter’s response to the Independent Review on public libraries as ” I think what is actually being said here is something along the lines of – “Branding campaign? Libraries laureate? National data hub showing the effects of libraries on communities? I’ll tell you what shows the effects of libraries on communities – libraries! Give us some ****ing money for libraries instead of laureates and posters and we’ll show you some ****ing effects!” Or, to put it more succinctly still – “Give us some ****ing money.””

International news

• Central and Eastern Europe – Occupy Library / Stelline Conference 2024 in Milan – call for proposals – Next Library. Theme will be “Libraries as spaces for digital transformation and community wellbeing”
• Ireland – Ukrainian books in Irish libraries: solace and shelter for refugees amid wartime upheaval – Irish Times. “190 Ukrainian bookshelves have already opened in libraries in 45 countries worldwide.”
  • Dublin city libraries swap books for bass as teenagers can borrow musical instruments for free – Irish Independent. ” offers all those under 18 the opportunity to borrow guitars, bass guitars, amps, and drum kits in the same way as borrowing a book, with more than 100 instruments available at the Dublin City libraries.”
• Netherlands – Report From The Netherlands: “The Dutch Borrow Over Five Million E-Books Every Year” as Bibliotheek Turns 10 – Library Journal. “In the first year (2014), around 80,000 people borrowed a total of almost 810,000 digital books in this way. There are now more than 600,000 people who borrow books through the online library every year: a total of more than five million e-books and around two million audiobooks.”

• USA – Are You a Librarian in a Public or School Library? Or Do You Know One Who Might Be Willing to Talk with Me? – Reason. Website wants to talk to librarians with experience of stock weeding. [This is part of the debate about banning books vs. woke librarians, reply with care – Ed.]
  • Books and looks: gen Z is ‘rediscovering’ the public library – Guardian. “Libraries have never been just about books. These are community hubs, places to connect and discover. For an extremely online generation that’s nearly synonymous with the so-called “loneliness epidemic” libraries are increasingly social spaces, too.” … “Coffee shops get so crowded, and you have to spend money to be there, but libraries are open for everyone”

Part of me thinks we’re rediscovering libraries not as something new, but for what they’ve always been: a shared space of comfort.”

Arlo Platt Zolov,s a 15-year-old who lives in Brooklyn 

• “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” author Jeff Kinney hosts library benefit at his Plainville bookstore – CBS News.
  • Idaho librarians contemplate leaving work — and the state — as a result of proposed legislation – Idaho Sun. “In an informal survey conducted by the Idaho Library Association, 60% of respondents said they are considering leaving the profession”
  • Interview With “the memeing librarian” – Princh. “Through short videos and amusing memes, she’s been promoting how cool, fun, informative, and sometimes also radical libraries can be for the past 5 years. Dive into her insights on community awareness, library evolution, and the power of online platforms in promoting the library’s services.”
  • The social media star helping people fall in love with libraries – Positive News. ” To his 600,000-plus followers on Instagram and almost 700,000 on TikTok, @mychal3ts is an ordinary man with extraordinary powers. From his first-rate reading recommendations to his sheer passion for advocating libraries as a tonic for a whole host of challenges.”
  • This Week in Libraries – Publishers Weekly. LibLearnX summary. More pro and anti censorship moves.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Five libraries to offer extended opening hours – Aberdeen Council. “The changes reflect demand on provision where nearby libraries have closed, as well as information gathered from library consultations and library developments in Torry Library within the new Greyhope School and Community Hub.”

• Bedford – Overdue library book returned 38 years (or 13,762 days) after it was taken out – Bedford Independent. Yawn.
• Birmingham – Birmingham – 25 community libraries in Birmingham at risk in massive council shake up to save millions – Birmingham Mail. “The council plans to turn 11 of the existing 36 venues into joint ‘library and neighbourhood advice service hubs’ – putting the other 25 under threat, we can exclusively reveal today. Some 47 jobs out of the existing 221 among librarians and support staff are set to go. The proposals have just been unveiled to staff. Just one council-run combined library and neighbourhood advice service is likely to operate in each of the city’s ten parliamentary constituencies, along with the flagship Library of Birmingham. They will be rebranded as ‘Community Living Rooms’.”
• Bolton – Bolton Library’s Family Fun Day a success after refurbishment – Bolton News. “Activities included a visit from Wanderers mascot Lofty the Lion, a disco, Octagon storytelling sessions, printing workshops, computer sessions and more”
  • Families ‘can’t wait to take the kids’ as library gets ‘incredible’ transformation – Manchester Evening News. “The new children and young people’s library space is now split into three areas. The first is for under fives with a dedicated area for play and exploration. The second and third spaces are for older children and young people to develop their experience and joy of reading.”
  • New Central Library opening a huge success – Bolton Council.
• Bradford – Self service counters: Fears self service machines in libraries will stop human interaction – Yorkshire Post.

• Central Bedfordshire – Libraries and leisure centres across Central Beds open up as warm spaces – Leighton Buzzard Observer.
• Croydon – Listening to residents to shape Croydon’s future library services – Croydon Council. “Proposals include longer opening hours including weekends, improved facilities in fewer library buildings, and more staff to provide a new outreach service.” … ” four library buildings; Bradmore Green, Broad Green, Sanderstead, and Shirley are proposed to be closed.” … “Six libraries (Central, Ashburton, Thornton Heath, Norbury, Selsdon and Coulsdon) are proposed to be open five to six days a week, including Saturdays”. New Addington, Purley and South Norwood to become co0locations.
  • Croydon could see 4 libraries close as ‘failing’ service sees visitor numbers plummet after Covid – MyLondon. “”Essentially we’ve got a failing service, it’s not delivering what it should be delivering despite the best efforts of our staff to make the best of a difficult situation.”
• Derby – Make a difference by volunteering at your local library – Derby Council. “In Chaddesden and Blagreaves, volunteers have hosted successful visits from local primary schools, encouraging children to join their library and discover a love of reading. Blagreaves volunteers also support events including councillor surgeries, community hub events and neighbourhood forums. Volunteers have started new groups in Spondon and Allestree, and give valuable support to Allenton’s Job”

• East Riding – East Riding Libraries offer a wide range of free activities this February half term for children and families – East Riding Council. “Sessions include the popular Lego Art, using specially designed Lego Art kits to make amazing pictures out of bricks. ”
  • Gruffalo puppet events to be held in East Yorkshire – BBC. “The events, which feature puppetry, are part of celebrations to mark the book’s 25th anniversary. The sessions, being held at libraries and community hubs, are free but booking is essential”
• Edinburgh – Future Libraries engagement begins today – Edinburgh Council. “With the old Muirhouse library having been demolished in 2021, the new community hub at Macmillan Square is being developed in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts and will incorporate a creative arts space, our Early Years facility, employability support, six flats for social rent, and of course a thriving community library.” … ” With technological advances, changing public expectations and increasing budget pressures, we now need to consider what the future should look like for our library service and how it can best meet the needs of our city’s residents.”

• Gloucestershire – 10-year-old girl raises hundreds for struggling library – Wilts and Gloucrestershire Standard. “story last week on the Fairford & Lechlade page of the Wilts & Glos Standard about Lechlade Community Library needing financial help has prompted ten year old Ella Bacon to start fundraising to help the library reach its target for the refurbishment work needed.”

• Haringey – Haringey library cuts to pay for council to run leisure centres – Ham and High. “They provide a place for education, for technology and for community. It therefore came as a shock to find out that our Labour-run council has, as part of its budget, pencilled in a cut of over 30% to libraries over the next two years, shortening hours and leaving some buildings unmanned. Next year will see cuts of £700,000, which will lead to reduced hours across branch libraries at Alexandra Park, Coombes Croft, Highgate, Muswell Hill, St Ann’s, Stroud Green and Harringay.”

• Jersey – Jersey Library spent £20k on security guard – BBC. “A Freedom of Information request response from the Government of Jersey showed there had been more than 40 incidents of anti-social behaviour at the library in 2022.”
• Kent – Protests planned after proposals to sell-off buildings put 99 libraries in Kent at risk – Kent Online. “an immediate campaign by the Green Party to oppose the proposals.” … “The party’s prospective parliamentary candidate Hannah Temple will lead a “read-in” demonstration outside County Hall in Maidstone on February 19 starting at 8.30am. There will also be a number of localised protests at Maidstone, Wye, Dartford and Swale as well as others yet to be announced for February 17 and 18.”
  • Kent County Council will not reduce number of libraries despite mounting financial pressures – Kent Online. ““We are continuing, as we have in the past, to monitor and review KCC library services to ensure they are sustainable in the future, looking at all the options. For example, the potential for sharing premises with other services, such as post offices or adult education, as happens now in some locations.”
• North East Lincolnshire – Have your say on the future of North East Lincolnshire’s libraries – Grimsby Telegraph. “Until Friday, March 22, North East Lincolnshire Council is asking people to complete a survey to help shape the future of several libraries in the area, including Grimsby Central Library, Cleethorpes Library, Immingham Library and Waltham Library.” … “The results of this first stage will be used to shape future proposals presented as a second follow up stage of the consultation”
• North Lanarkshire – Library celebrates multi-million-pound upgrade – North Lanarkshire Council. “The £1.6million investment by the council has also seen the children’s area doubled, new flexible learning and meeting areas created and the opening of a new MakerSpace.   “

• North Somerset – North Somerset Libraries offer free online driving theory tests for learner drivers – North Somerset Council. Theory Test Pro.
• Nottinghamshire – Notts Libraries Partner With the British Library for Fantasy Season – Leftlion.
• Pembrokeshire – Poet Laureate books into Pembrokeshire library on his ten-year tour – Yahoo. “His H to K Libraries Tour launches in Harlesden Library, Brent, before making its way to Haverfordwest and on to Scotland before a finale in Haltwhistle Library, Northumberland.”
• Portsmouth – North End Library refurbishment – Portsmouth Council. “The library in Gladys Avenue will temporarily close for the refurbishment for two weeks from Monday 22 January, reopening on Monday 5 February. The main library floor will be completely re-carpeted and the shelves painted to brighten up the space. The children’s area will keep the same carpet and existing shelving, which is fairly new.”
  • Portsmouth libraries hailed as a sanctuary for people seeking refuge – Portsmouth Council.
• Richmond – Vote on what you’d like to see in the new Library of Things – Richmond Council.
• Somerset – Somerset Council is owed more than £50k in library fines – Somerset County Gazette. “the authority permanently scrapped all charges to library users aged 17 and under, including fines for overdue items.”

• Southampton – Council confirms new partner as Cobbett Road library finally set to reopen – Bitterne Park. “Southampton City Council (SCC) has confirmed the appointment of a community radio station to run the Cobbett Road library, and new ‘pilot’ opening hours will start from Wednesday (January 31).”
• St Helens – Four libraries in St Helens will be closed today – St Helens Star. “Following approval of the St Helens Library Strategy for 2023-2028, four of the borough’s libraries – Garswood, Rainhill, Rainford and Parr – will no longer be maintained by the local authority after today, Friday, January 26.” … “The council says the strategy still aims to increase library membership”
• Wiltshire – There are more than books in our libraries – Salisbury Radio. List of services: warm packs (Warm packs contain a scarf, thermal hat and gloves, fleece blanket, hot water bottle and leaflet with advice and guidance if people are worried about money), numeracy events, BFI Replay,

• York – York: Row over proposed £600,000 cuts to library services – BBC. “Councillor Jo Coles, executive member for health, said services across the council had experienced cuts since 2010, with Explore “the one exception to this rule”. “We feel it is only fair that each service takes a share of responsibility for budget reductions,” she said.”
  • More than 2,000 sign ‘Save York’s libraries from cuts’ petition – Press. “Lib Dem councillor for Haxby and Wigginton Andrew Hollyer said: “York residents have not been consulted on Labour’s heartless budget. “Perhaps this is why over 2,000 residents have come out in support of our petition. “We have four more weeks to save York’s libraries and I would encourage all residents to sign our petition to reverse this heartless cut.””

Editorial

Well, looking at the “changes by local authority” list, there’s not much of a problem guessing which part of the cut/recovery pendulum libraries are on nationally at the moment. Being this is, as I have mentioned before in editorials, a very familiar thing to see since 2010 when I started this website, one would probably have to agree with the outgoing CILIP chief executive Nick Poole who says in a must-read article that public libraries are “under sustained assault”. Nick then goes on to make clear he believes encouraging library volunteers to make up for budget cuts are “a fraud that has been perpetrated on the tax-paying public”. One feels he may have had enough, as indeed have many concerned about library services.

The British Library cyber attack continues to make news, with the change this week that there are both defences of the management of that august institution and some slight criticisms, with some questions being asked about the leadership and strategy of the institution, which has kept front-line staff “in the dark” about the process.

Abroad, there’s an interesting article on book theft in Australia and data suggesting that the move to e-books and e-audiobooks is continuing, not stalling, after the boost received from lockdowns. And, of course, there’s the continuing madness from the USA about censorship – now including apparently banning dictionaries in schools because kids may look up the meaning of particular words – and, thankfully, an increasing backlash.

Changes by local authority

• Argyll and Bute – Rosneath Library not open since lockdown started, may close permanently.
• Blaenau Gwent – Arbertillery Library to move and be co-located.
• Bournemouth Christchurch Poole – Boscombe Library closed for months due to flooding.
• Bracknell Forest – Consulting on £200k cut: closure of home library service, staffing cut
• Bradford – £900k cut proposed (due to “underdelivered savings” over lockdown).
• Cheshire East – Consultation on general council cuts includes suggestion to cut libraries budget by £370k by seeking funder from parish/town councils and hiring out building spaces.
• Dudley – Tender for running library service.
• Kirklees – Batley and Dewsbury Libraries may close, moving into co-locations
• North East Lincolnshire – Review / consultation.
• Reading – Central Library will close and move to co-location in Town Hall, costing £8.6m.
• Somerset – Proposals include £25k staff cut (no more relief budget), closing Performing Arts Library, ending mobile library service, 10% reduction in opening hours, closure of libraries (minimum £50k to maximum £380k)
• St Helens – Six libraries closed: Garswood, Rainhill, Rainford and Parr to no longer be council funded on 26 January; Peter Street and Billinge libraries not to reopen.
• Telford and Wrekin – Council cuts fundings to Newport Library, town council funds library to keep it open.
• Worcestershire – Staffless opening hours introduced at Kidderminster., Evesham and Pershore.

National news

• British Library cyber attack explained: What you need to know – Computer Weekly. “The data leaked by Rhysida includes almost 500,000 files, many of them stolen from the British Library’s customer relationship management (CRM) database. These files are understood to include the personal information of readers and visitors, including their names and email addresses, and in some cases postal addresses and telephone numbers. Fortunately, it does not appear to include any financial data.” … ” Even if a staff member did make a mistake, they deserve support and understanding, not blame – anybody can fall victim to a cyber attack at any time.”
• Can reading really improve your life? – BBC Radio 4. “Research suggests that reading for pleasure is a key indicator in a child’s future outcome. But how can we foster that love of reading? Author Julia Donaldson investigates.” The importance of libraries included.
• The Experimental Library: A Guide to Taking Risks, Failing Forward, and Creating Change – Facet Publishing. Book, “This guide shows how to draw from new approaches and technologies to harness experimentation as a tool for testing ideas and responding to change. It borrows ideas and inspiration from the startup sector to teach you how to take a human-centered and design thinking-based perspective on problem solving.”

• Green BIC Brunch, Jan 2024: Focus on Libraries – Book Industry Communication Ltd. Thursday 25 January, 12-13.30, online. “Join us in January 2024 when we’ll be hearing from key library sector stakeholders about their sustainability initiatives, goals, and challenges and what it means to be green. We’ll also be sharing an update on all of BIC’s work in this space – with the latest updates on our current projects that form part of our ongoing Green Supply Chain Plan.”
• Libraries, critical thinking and the war on truth – what lies ahead in 2024 – CILIP / Nick Poole. “Let us be under no illusions – the principle of universal access to a free, quality library service supported by professional library staff is under sustained assault in the UK. As Local Authorities begin to push back on central Government cuts by challenging the legal definition of ‘minimum service requirements’, we will likely see further challenges to the idea of libraries as a universal entitlement in the months ahead. As a profession, our responsibility is not to ‘see both sides’ of the debate about volunteerism and cuts to library services. We have a duty to call it what it is – a fraud that has been perpetrated on the tax-paying public…”
• Library data storytelling – Library Data Blog. “This is a invitation to public library organisations to get involved in a new project. The idea: create a set of data stories using public library data, add a beautiful data visualisation for each one, and publish in physical and digital form.”
• Restoring our services – an update – Knowledge Master Blog / British Library. Catalogue will return on 15 January but in “read only” form. “what happened to us in October has implications for the whole collections sector, and in the months ahead we will begin to share the lessons we’ve learned from this experience with our partners and peer institutions.”
• “Totally and utterly bereft”: the devastating repercussions of the British Library Cyber Attack – Standard. ” On a visit this week, staff computers were still completely turned off throughout the building. Morale seemed low: one worker said he had to change his passport and bank details, like most of his colleagues — and said the place was “technologically paralysed”. Inside the reading rooms, a visitor could be overheard getting irritated with a librarian about not being able to access the archives. They wearily replied he should take it up with bosses, who had kept workers in the dark.”

International news

• Global – OverDrive: Record Number of Libraries Hit One Million Digital Lends in 2023 – Publishers Weekly. “OverDrive reps reported this week that a record 152 library systems and consortia across seven countries—including 41 states and seven Canadian provinces—surpassed the one million digital lends benchmark in 2023, which includes e-books, digital audiobooks, and digital magazines. The numbers represent a significant jump from the 129 library systems that hit the milestone in 2022.”
• Australia – ‘The incentive to steal isn’t there’: the lost cause of tracking library theft – Guardian. “Few, if any, libraries truly know how many books are actually stolen. Lost library books are a small part of the natural attrition of library collections – normal wear and tear is expected and some are fatally damaged. But while we’ve all lost a library book in our time, Morley estimates fewer than 1% of loaned books across NSW public libraries go missing.”. Many do not charge fines, some problems from those stealing books as a form of censoring them, but “why steal something that is free?” … ““The big change,” Hakim says, “is a lot of use of study space, working areas and people using the library for social services.””
• Europe – Libraries for the future: Europe’s new wave of ‘meeting places for the mind’ – Guardian. Ghent’s city library: ” “This is more than a library, though books are its core. It’s also a place to learn, connect, develop, collaborate. Or just to be. A meeting place for our minds. De Krook is not alone. All also built in the past seven or eight years, Helsinki’s Oodi central library, Dokk1 in Denmark’s Aarhus, and Deichman Bjørvika in Oslo share much the same vision of the library: in effect a living room for the 21st-century city.”

• USA – Moms for Liberty sends letter to lawmakers urging action on libraries – Alabama Political Reporter. “Neither Moms for Liberty nor Clean Up Alabama discloses the actual size of its membership; however, observations at events show that it is a very small portion of those who use libraries on a regular basis, and more a part of a political movement to exploit cultural battles for partisan political advantage”
  • Boston is using public buildings — like libraries — to build affordable housing. It’s still pricey – WBUR. “Under pressure to create more affordable housing, the city of Boston plans to build on top of properties it already owns, like libraries. But the cost of these developments is far from modest — $835,000 per unit in one case.”
  • From a Young Age, Children Tune in to Audiobooks | Survey – School Library Journal. “About 12 percent of those who borrow children’s and YA audiobooks do so exclusively, meaning they don’t check out other library materials.”
  • Should Libraries Charge Late Fees? – Time for Kids. Children give pro and con arguments.
  • Stories That Resonate – American Libraries. “Everywhere I go, I see library workers pinpointing problems and striving to fix them, identifying gaps in services and filling them.”
  • The Week in Libraries: January 12, 2024 – Publishers Weekly. Various censorship and anti-censorship moves and local funding campaigns.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Explore Aberdeenshire’s countryside and coast from the comfort of a warm library – Grampian Online. “Live Life Aberdeenshire Libraries is collaborating with Aberdeenshire Council’s Ranger service to deliver a series of free talks …”
• Argyll and Bute – Still no decision on Rosneath’s library – Lochside Press. “A final decision has still not been made on the future of Rosneath’s library, almost four years after it last opened. Libraries across Scotland were closed when Covid-19 lockdown restrictions were first imposed in March 2020. Every other library operated by LiveArgyll, a charitable trust set up by Argyll and Bute Council in 2017, has since reopened. But the library in Rosneath has remained closed”
• Birmingham – Cuts put Birmingham’s libraries at risk – Birmingham Against The Cuts. Cuts expected. Council consultation open to criticism. Previous cuts should be taken into account.
  • Little Red Riding Hood ready to tour Solihull – Solihull Observer. Charity/ACE funded theatre show visiting libraries.
• Blaenau Gwent – Trinity Chapel to transform into library and community hub – South Wales Argus. “Trinity Chapel, Abertillery, to house a new modern library, together with a new community space. … Abertillery Library, run by the Aneurin Leisure Trust, will relocate from its existing location in Castle Street to the more accessible Town Centre location once the works are completed.”
• Bournemouth Christchurch Poole – Boscombe library forced to close after ‘substantial leak’ – Daily Echo. “closed since November 29 after leaks followed by a period of heavy rain has led to flooding inside. Residents have been unable to access the library since, due to damaged carpets and the computers being switched off. BCP Council has said conversations with the landlord of the building are ongoing to get it back open, but an exact opening date is yet to be known. “
• Bracknell Forest – Budget consultation – Bracknell Forest Council. “I support the council’s proposed reorganisation of its library and customer service teams and closure of the home library service, to enable more services, including blue badges and bus passes, to be provided in local facilities, with a saving of £200,000 over the next two years. Please note, this proposal does not include any reduction in the number of libraries, their opening hours or the activities they provide for the community.”
  • Volunteer groups could run Bracknell home library service – BBC.
• Bradford – Local libraries support district-wide rhyme challenge – Rombalds Radio. “The annual Rhyme Challenge sees parents and children aged six and under learning five rhymes together with the reward of a certificate for taking part.”
  • Have your say on the Council’s Proposed Financial Plan and Budget proposals for 2024-25 – Bradford Council. £900K cut. “Strategic Review of Libraries (£0 in 2024-25 rising to £175,000 by 2025-26). The Council is undertaking a strategic review of its libraries to identify how overall operating costs can be reduced. This review will focus on the overall costs of the library services which are mainly contained within the council run libraries and specifically review facility operating costs, usage data, property and asset stock-condition and the potential for alternative operating models to be adopted”
• Brighton and Hove – Share what our libraries mean for you in an exciting installation – Brighton and Hove Council. “You will have the opportunity to contribute to a collective wall digitally with a tablet, where you can select a sticker and type in a message which will then appear on a screen. Or you can also share your thoughts via a traditional sticky note on the wall. The installation is a part of our Community Connect project, which aims to attract new audiences to join our library community and remind everyone of the abundance of services provided by our libraries, which go far beyond books.”
• Bristol – Council leaders urged to scrap recruitment freeze that has forced Bristol library closures – Bristol World. “All 26 local branches across the city have shut their doors to residents at least once since the local authority ordered a ban on casual employees” … “There have been 287 full or part-day closures in total, with the worst hit being Filwood which has closed 22 times”
  • Libraries in Bristol closed for fifth of planned opening hours last month after staff freeze – Bristol Post. “Libraries in Bristol were closed for a fifth of the time they were planned to be open last month after a recruitment freeze. Councillors urged the mayor to reopen libraries as temporary closures are becoming much more common since a ban on casual staff came into effect. Labour says lifting the ban on casual staff would cost £300,000 and mean cuts elsewhere to Bristol City Council services. Meanwhile opposition councillors warned the library service could be damaged in the long term, similar to the planning department’s staffing struggles.
• Caerphilly – Newly refurbished Rhymney Library Hub opens its doors – Caerphilly Council. “The new improvements include refurnished and modernisation of both floors of the library, as well as an innovative education, reading and support hub for residents, council staff and partner organisations.
  Many of the new features and design which the community can now use, were taken from a Community Voice Survey carried out with local residents.”
• Cheshire East – Cheshire East Council Budget Consultation for 2024 to 2025 – Cheshire East Council – “Proposal EC4: Fund libraries a different way: Seek alternative funding to maintain either current or a reduced level of service delivery, including partnership working with Town and Parish Councils to secure contributions towards safeguarding service provision in their local area. As part of this continue to push forward with new income generation initiatives within the wider library estate, utilising the building assets to offer new third-party services to the public. Potential savings for 2024/25 = £0.37 million.” see also Tip closures among council’s budget plans – BBC.

• Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire West: Libraries to host Health and Wellbeing Week – Standard. “The Library Service is teaming up with a range of partners to provide something for everyone including: Brio Leisure, Cheshire Police, Cheshire West Communities Together, Citizens Advice, Employment Directions, End of Life Partnership, Fallen Angels, Healthbox, Healthwatch, Health Rangers, Koala North West, Open Eye Gallery, Platform for Life, Primary Care Cheshire, Radiate Arts, The Reader, the Council’s Road Safety team and Starting Well.”
• Denbighshire – Special meeting: Denbighshire library decision ‘called in’ – Free Press. “More than 4,500 residents responded to the consultation on the original proposal to cut opening times at all of Denbighshire’s eight libraries by 50 per cent, and at a meeting of the Cabinet on December 19, a revised proposal to cut opening hours by 40 per cent was put forward and subsequently passed. The Conservative group are against the controversial decision and on December 29 2023, group leader Cllr Hugh Irving submitted a notice of ‘call-in’. “
• Devon – Exmouth Library running a Donate a Coat Campaign this winter – Exmouth Journal. “If you are cold and in need of a coat, free coats are available for people to take in the front porch of Exmouth Library. These have been generously donated by the local community for anyone in need to take for free. This is a nationwide campaign being run by Julian House Devon in libraries across Devon.”
• Dudley – Provision of Library and Archive Services – Bidstats. “The Council seeks to enter into an exclusive arrangement with a suitable Contractor for the provision of its library services, archive service, school library service, home library service and maintenance of data in the Dudley Community Information Directory.”
  • Campaigners who saved Dudley library services gear up for another fight – Express and Star. Semi-paywalled.
• Fife – Two OnFife libraries dedicated as warm spaces this winter – Dunfermline Press.
• Gateshead – Crawcrook and Pelaw libraries to close for refurbishment – Gateshead Council. “This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.”
• Herefordshire – Hereford Library & Learning Centre project moves forward as Stronger Hereford votes in favour of relocation to Shirehall – Your Herefordshire. “The decision effectively gives the go ahead for £3,000,000 from the city’s Stronger Towns Fund (totalling £22.4m) to be invested in creating a vibrant, modern and innovative library within the Shirehall, rather than at Maylord Orchards, now subject only to acceptance by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities”
• Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire’s High Sheriff sets challenge to visit all 46 libraries across the county to highlight ‘joy of reading’ – Hemel Today. “The tour, themed ‘The joy of reading and the impact of low literacy’, will highlight literacy challenges faced by individuals in prisons, on probation and in our communities. Liz will also raise awareness of community activities libraries offer for people of all ages.”
• Kirklees – Have your say on library services in Batley and Dewsbury – Kirklees Council. “The proposal is to move the libraries a short distance into buildings that have been identified as having available capacity which could be repurposed to support wider council services and community activities.”
• Leeds – Protest held against sale of former library – BBC. “Around 70 protesters rallied outside the old Cross Gates library building, on Farm Road, on Saturday. The city council has put the site up for sale, citing its dire financial position. The building has stood empty for nearly two years, since the library moved to Cross Gates Shopping Centre. The move was intended to be temporary, to allow for refurbishment of the original location. But that plan never came to fruition …”
• Lincolnshire – Gainsborough library staff ‘proud’ to be named Library of the Year 2023 – Lincolnshire World. “The creation of a library garden in 2023 and the additions of new activities, such as surgeries with local PCSOs and councillors, are just some of the excellent ways the library team has engaged with the community and made the library a welcoming and useful space for everyone”
• Medway – Medway Council looking into support from Libraries Connected – Kent Online. “They say the support will be available to councils that submit section 114 notices, effectively declaring bankruptcy, or those which have to drastically cut library services to avoid an S114. On January 4, the charity launched a programme for authorities looking at cutting services.”
• Merton – Get support for debt and money worries this January – Merton Council. “We’re supporting Citizens Advice Merton & Lambeth (CAML) to provide in-person advice and support in Merton’s Libraries and Wide Way Medical Centre.”
• Newcastle – Interview with Founder of the Kittiwake Trust Multilingual Library – Northeast Bylines. Charity/volunteer library. ““The Kittiwake Trust Multilingual Library was the first Library of Sanctuary in the Northeast, six months before the Newcastle city library.” … “Our library is – as far as we know – the only multilingual library that is open to anyone rather than being attached to an institution or a university”
• Norfolk – West Norfolk libraries including King’s Lynn, Downham and Hunstanton are looking for people to help lead support groups – Lynn News. “As part of the Know Your Neighbourhood Project, funded by the Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DMCS) and aimed at reducing loneliness and isolation, libraries in West and East Norfolk are looking for new volunteers.”
• North East Lincolnshire – Review of library and archive service across North East Lincolnshire starts today – North East Lincolnshire Council. Consultation.
• Nottingham – A Central Library fit for a City of Literature – Nottingham City of Literature. “The day after the library opening, the city council, which has lost £100 million of funding a year since 2013, while demand for its services soared, declared itself effectively bankrupt. The only surprise about this was that it happened so soon after the library opening. This dismal news does, I would argue, reinforce the need to celebrate our new library. Of course, if government commissioners take over, we may have to fight to keep it open, just as we fought to protect other libraries threatened with closure. But this is a city willing to fight.”
• Oxfordshire – Last chapter as librarian retires after two decades – Henley Standard. “Rosemary Dunstan, 67, said: “I have enjoyed 99 per cent of my job but it’s time to go. I have other things to do before I get too old.” She has seen many changes at the library in Grove Road, including digital upgrades, as well as cuts in staff and an attempt to close it in 2010 to save money.”
• Portsmouth – Reading Friends uncovers the power of inclusive reading at Portsmouth Libraries – Reading Agency. “Portsmouth Libraries have been hosting Reading Friends sessions in their branches since 2021. In the last year, they helped 1,492 people to connect with each other over 1,588 times in a variety of one to one and group Reading Friends sessions.”

• Reading – Library will be moved in Reading in £8.6m investment – Reading Chronicle. “The main library in Reading is set to be moved to a new site in the town centre as a  £8.6 million project has been given the go-ahead. Reading Central Library has been located in King’s Road for nearly 40 years since it was opened back in 1985. Now the library’s collection and its facilities are set to be moved to the council offices in Bridge Street as part of a £8.6 million project. But before the move can take place, the project required consent from the council’s planning applications committee.”
• Somerset – Agenda Reports Pack – Somerset Council. Proposals include £25k staff cut (no more relief budget), closing Performing Arts Library, ending mobile library service, 10% reduction in opening hours, closure of libraries (minimum £50k to maximum £380k).
• Staffordshire – Cost of living campaign gives helping hand to thousands of Staffordshire residents – Staffordshire Council. “These include county council and community managed libraries, providing warm welcoming spaces to residents and saving families an estimated £60,000 since 2020 with pre-loved school uniform markets. “
• St Helens – Closing date confirmed for four St Helens libraries axed by council – St Helens Star. Garswood, Rainhill, Rainford and Parr to close on 26 January. “The decision to axe four libraries and also not to reopen Peter Street and Billinge libraries, which have already been closed for some time due to the expiry of a building lease and structural issues respectively, was strongly opposed by many in the communities affected, who expressed anger and sadness at what they branded a “disastrous decision”” … “The council says “positive talks” continue with groups interested in a community-managed approach in a number of the areas affected by closures.”
• Swindon – Swindon libraries have a long way to go to recover from Covid – Swindon Advertiser. “In 2018-2019 there were 521,923 visits to the five libraries with 587,155 books borrowed. That dropped very slightly the year after, where the very end of the financial year saw a complete lockdown. The last full year, 2022-23, saw 240,906 visits and 275,704 items loaned, hugely higher than both 2020-21 and 2021-22, but still less than half the figures pre-pandemic.”

• Telford and Wrekin – ‘It is one of the gems of Newport’: Residents to pay extra council tax to save town library – Shropshire Star. “Newport Town Council has agreed to raise its precept next year by 12.93 per cent to cover the cost of taking over the High Street library from Telford & Wrekin Council.” … ““Telford & Wrekin Council came to us and said that either we take on the library or it would close,” said Councillor Perry.”
• Warwickshire – Key new feature added to Rugby Library – Rugby Observer. “A digital grand piano is now available for anyone to play at Rugby Library and Information Centre.”
• Worcestershire – Libraries Unlocked is coming to Kidderminster Library this Winter – Worcestershire Council. “library customers who are 15 and over, and local community organisations will be able to use the library outside staffed opening hours if they upgrade to free Libraries Unlocked membership. Worcestershire County Council is inviting library members to Kidderminster Library on 22 January 2024 at 10am – 12pm. The session is an opportunity to find out more about how Libraries Unlocked works and to share your ideas on how the community can make the most of the new service. “

Editorial

Dark times look to be here again with major cuts proposed or confirmed over the last fortnight in Denbighshire, Haringey, Nottingham and Swindon. In addition, there are dark rumblings in several other council services. This is starting to remind of the start of Public Libraries News back in 2010 when there was cut after cut announced. However, the big difference here is that the party in government turned out to have more than a decade to run at that point while now, the same party/government (give or take some frenetic changing in personnel) is unlikely, according to most observers, to last the next year. The opposition are likely to look more kindly on public services but are currently being very moderate in their proposals.

Another reminder of when I started the website is the continuing arguments over the Single Digital Presence, at least now with an actual name rather than a vague description of LibraryOn. The creation of this website has been going at a glacial pace, and has transformed into, well, not quite sure yet but certainly not a “single digital presence” but will hopefully appear some time soon. Hopefully before the next election, anyway.

There’s also a third reminder of the past, that being the hopelessness of CIPFA, who have produced their latest report, which you’re not allowed to see unless you spend hundreds of pounds or have a friend/job in one of the participating library services, and a press release that ignores inflation and the continuing impact of lockdown. Two-fifths of library services did not even bother to participate in it and the press release does not even include the number of public libraries in the UK, presumably because CIPFA does not actually know. The fact that the public library services suffer from such a lack of accurate available data is, and has been since I started, deeply embarrassing. Again, one hopes the national service can get its act together an produce something better than this but there are few confident of that, again at least this side of a change of government.

Finally, here’s a few more libraries named after people (thank you to PLN reader Kieran):

– Lewis Carroll Library in Islington
– Claude Ramsey Library in Thamesmead, Greenwich (renamed to Thamesmere)
– CLR James library in Dalston, Hackney
– Robert Jeyes library in Barking and Dagenham
– Keith Axon Centre in Redbridge
– John Jackson Library in Bush Hill Park, Enfield

Changes by library authority

• Denbighshire – 40% opening hours/ £360k cut, confirmed.
• Derbyshire – Staveley and Clay Cross Libraries may move location to save money.
• Haringey – Proposed £675k cut in opening hours, £30k cut in newspapers
• Manchester – Northenden Library to move to church hall.
• North Northamptonshire – Volunteers take over Raunds Library, last of ten to have done so.
• Nottingham – Proposed £1.5m cut with 31 FTE posts lost.
• Swindon – £660k cut

National news

• As British Library faces fallout of cyber attack—what can arts bodies do to combat ransomware threats? – The Art Newspaper. Personal information stolen in successful hack by criminal group, causing the British Library problems months afterwards: “from early in the new year a phased return of certain key services will begin, starting with the most crucial component—the main catalogue—a reference-only version of which will be back online from 15 January, further facilitating the manual ordering which is available in the Reading Rooms. Other interim services will include increased on-site access to manuscripts and special collections”
• Libraries Connected Awards: Watch video of our 2023 winners – Libraries Connected. “Werrington Community Library, the Business and IP Centre at Oxfordshire Libraries and the team from Kent Prison Libraries.”
• Library spending up 3%, CIPFA data shows, but still lags behind rising demand for services – BookSeller. “The survey also shows that the income libraries received rose by 3% over the last financial year, from £916 per 1,000 people in 2021/22 to £939 per 1,000 people in 2022/23. CIPFA said this is a “welcome relief to the financial pressure on libraries as high inflation continues to increase their running costs”.” [This is of course nonsense – ONS shows inflation was around 8.6% so this “up” in spending actually shows a sizeable decease – Ed.]. Issues compare figures from 2021/2 to 2022/3 rather than the far more useful pre-lockdown figure. Two-fifths of library services did not reply. Full report from CIPFA not available unless a few hundred pounds is given to them. No estimate of number of libraries available.
• Millions wasted on attempt to create nationwide UK library website, campaigners claim – Guardian. “Tim Coates among those to criticise government, Arts Council and British Library bid to create a ‘single digital presence’ for libraries” … “The “Single Digital Presence” (SDP) – renamed LibraryOn – was meant to bring together public libraries in one website to enable the public to access collections across the country. The problem has been that there are 150 library authorities in England alone, each with their own technology and management systems.” … Coates says “We’re now 10 years later and – after several reviews and studies and about £6m”

International news

• Asia – Literature In All Its Glory: Spotlighting Asia’s Most Beautiful Libraries – Travel and Leisure. “, we trace the most beautiful libraries in Asia, which not only draw from the region’s yesteryears but also cultivate a culture steeped in literature, community spirit, and the preservation of old-world charm.”
• Australia – Libraries in regional towns are building community on a shoestring budget – Guardian. “Despite a record increase in public library funding by the NSW government, most operate on the cost of a few new books per resident a year” … “The NSW government is set to deliver $40.89m in funding for public libraries in 2023-24, up from $24.53m in 2018-19, with another $6m distributed in grants for infrastructure and service upgrades.” … “ervices such as Rainbow Storytime – a Pride event that involves drag queens reading stories to children – have been delivered against the backdrop of campaigns against inclusive programming”
  • Eastern suburbs council warns library users of potential data breach – Sydney Morning Herald. “a cyberattack on an external software system that is used by the library to manage room bookings, issue fines and grant computer access and printing.”
  • I leave our library with a greater burden – and that’s my reward – WA Today. “A State Library Victoria report in 2018 revealed that “every dollar invested in public libraries generates $4.30 of benefits to the local community”. If I could observe the benefits of libraries even before conducting research, it is clear evidence of their positive impact. Libraries improve community connection. They reduce waste as resources are passed around. They are cost-effective.”
• New Zealand – There is such thing as a society – Newsroom. “Local public services here in Aotearoa under the last Labour government may have been somewhat sheltered from the worst of the cuts occurring globally under widespread austerity measures during the 2010s. Any of that cushioning is likely to disappear under the new Government.”. Cuts to UK libraries since 2010 particularly noted.
• Russia – ‘No, that’s fascism’: the librarian who defied Russia’s purge of LGBTQ+ books – Guardian. “When Vladimir Kosarevsky was ordered to destroy books referring to same-sex relationships, he raised the alarm instead – then went to Spain to rebuild his life” … ” “I had been discriminated against many times. Now I had to be the one who censors things? And destroys books? No, that’s fascism.””
• USA – Meet the 2024 I Love My Librarian Award Honorees – American Libraries. Public librarians honoured for work with refugees, expansion of services, social media. genealogy.
  • How a Bay Area librarian became an Instagram star – San Francisco Chronicle. “n the video watched nearly 740,000 times on Instagram, Threets described his conversation with a child who walked up to the desk holding out two $20 bills. The child’s grandparent was outside in the car, too worried about overdue books to come inside. Assured by Threets no fines were due, the child ran outside and returned with a grandparent.”
  • Laws banning semi-automatic weapons and library censorship to take effect in Illinois – Independent. “Libraries that indiscriminately ban books will not be eligible for state funds. They must adopt the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights stating “materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.””
  • Ten Stories That Shaped 2023 – LIS News. Censorship, AI.

Local news by authority

• Bournemouth Christchurch Poole – Oakdale Library send ‘big thank you’ for food donations – Bournemouth Echo. “The library, in Wimborne Road, collects food donations all year round, working as a food donation point along with several libraries in the conurbation. However, the library holds a individual collection every Christmas for Poole food bank, with many donating every year to help those in need, made even more important by the Cost of Living Crisis.” 
• Bradford – Funding could see services at Bradford libraries modernised – Telegraph and Argus. “Bradford Council hopes to introduce wi-fi, self service printing and digital tablet loans later in the year – and has submitted a bid to the arts body to fund the changes.” – Second bid to Libraries Improvement Fund.
• Bromley / Greenwich – Bromley and Greenwich library workers protest over pay – This is Local London. “Unite workers’ union members working in libraries in Bromley and Greenwich staged a protest outside the Eltham Centre on December 21 against the service provider, Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL). The demonstration comes after Unite claimed this week that library workers for GLL were experiencing “very low” rates of pay. They said in a statement on December 19 that some staff were being paid as low as £12.10 an hour.”
• Calderdale – RAAC: Calderdale library shut until next month after safety risk concrete discovered – Halifax Courier. Todmorden Library.
  • Culture secretary will not direct local inquiry into library provision in Calderdale – BookSeller. “Lucy Frazer, the Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), has decided not to direct a local inquiry into library provision in Calderdale, after saying she was “minded not to” in September”
  • Letter to Councillor Scullion, Leader Calderdale Council – Gov.uk. “The library changes in Calderdale approved by the Council’s Cabinet on 9 November 2020 resulted in a revised statutory library service provision. In summary, the Secretary of State understands that the revised statutory service comprises 12 static libraries (1 x Central, 6 x Hub and 5 x Community); and a home library service.”
• Cardiff – Campaigners kick back over potential plans to cut library opening times to save Cardiff Council money – Cardiff Herald. “A group of authors, publishers and library campaigners have come together to call on Cardiff Council to drop its proposal to change library opening times and use more volunteers to operate the service.”
• Coventry – The ’70s library is not past its due date  – The Boar. “The need to make literature accessible to everyone is just as important today as it was back in the 1970s, and I hope that libraries continue to thrive and provide a place for everyone to escape to fictional worlds and discover new stories.  “
• Denbighshire – Library opening hours cut by 40% across county to save £360k a year – Nation Cymru. “cabinet gave the green light on Tuesday to cut library opening times by 40% in order to save £360k per year. The decision was made despite a public consultation garnering 4,500 responses in which over 90% strongly disagreed with the proposals.”
• Derbyshire – Derbyshire council moves closer to relocating Staveley and Clay Cross libraries – Derbyshire Times. “Derbyshire County Council has moved a step closer to relocating Staveley and Clay Cross libraries as part of cost-saving plans despite a limited and mixed response following public consultations.” … “The council stated that the majority were supportive of plans to relocate Clay Cross Library but 44per cent disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposal raising concerns about accessibility and parking and a dislike for the library becoming part of another building.” … “Concerning Staveley Library, 67per cent of respondents either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the proposal to relocate the library and 24per cent agreed or strongly agreed with the planned move with some raising concerns about accessibility and parking.”
• Devon – Crediton Library extending its opening hours from January to March – Crediton Courier. “4 as part of the Warm Libraries and Warm Banks initiatives to support the community during these colder months. The charity Libraries Unlimited is funding it to open 10am to 1pm every Wednesday. It will be offering a full library service along with free refreshments, colouring, jigsaws and tabletop games. ”
  • Free Devon films in Crediton Library – Crediton Courier. “The evening, organised by the Folklore Library and Archive, is part of the weekly free events taking place as part of the Warm Spaces initiative, funded by a grant from the National Grid”
  • Funding to help set up a community reading space available – North Devon Gazette. Council “Grants of up to £300 are available through The Community Support Library Fund and aims to help local groups set up a reading space alongside existing community activities or services.”
• Gloucestershire – Longhope bus stop transformed into community space – BBC. Now a book exchange. “Ann Newbury, who helped set it up, said she hopes villagers use the space “as a library” and “to chat”. “Libraries have taken a big hit in finance cuts for local authorities and books are so “important,” she added.”
• Haringey – Budget Consultation Survey – Haringey Council. Proposed £675k cut in opening hours, £30k cut in newspapers,
• Hertfordshire – Letter to residents from Richard Roberts, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council – Hertfordshire Council. “All our libraries are open and thriving and last year, over 5.5 million of you passed through their doors.”
  • Superworm is most borrowed book from Hertfordshire libraries – Bishop’s Stortford Independent. “During the summer holidays this year, around 20,000 children visited libraries to take part in the annual Summer Reading Challenge, Ready, Set, Read. That’s 25% more than in 2022.” … ” slipper swap events when 536 new pairs were handed out to the elderly and infirm in a bid to prevent slips, trips and falls.”
• Kirklees – New Year’s Honour for former Kirklees Chief Librarian – Kirklees Council. “she became President of Libraries Connected in June 2020 where she positioned libraries as a place to rebuild and reconnect when the pandemic ended.” … “Carol joins former Kirklees Libraries colleagues Andy Wright, Jon Davis and Judith Robinson who received British Empire Medals in 2022, 2020 and 2019 respectively.”
• Lancashire – Rawtenstall Library will temporarily close next month – Lancashire Telegraph. “The library will close for around four weeks from Monday, January 8, while investigative work is undertaken on the staircase.”
• Lewisham -‘It’s wonderful’: Man recovering from mental breakdown by reading books sets up five free libraries – London News Online.
• Manchester – Northenden Community Library reopens in new home in the village – Manchester Council. “Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG), Parkway Green building on Palatine Road which has housed the library for ten years is now being repurposed which means that the community library is moving. It will re-open in Northenden village on Tuesday 2 January 2024 in St Wilfrid’s Church Hall”
  • Experience Manchester Libraries from the comfort of your home – Manchester Council. “The £20,250 grant awarded from the Library On programme, and funded by Arts Council England, will allow the creation of virtual tours of all the Manchester library venues for the first time. It will give viewers an immersive experience, enabling them to explore our libraries broad and diverse sections, historical nuances and architecture, all from the comfort of their screens, before making visits.”
• North Northamptonshire – Volunteers take on last threatened library in North Northants – BBC. “The transfer of Raunds library to community management completes the handover of 10 book-lending facilities in the North Northamptonshire area. The Raunds facility will be jointly run by the town’s Community Library Trust and Creating Tomorrow College.”

• Nottingham – 2024/25 Budget savings proposals – Nottingham Council. “Undertake an assessment of the Library Service provision whilst maintaining a comprehensive and efficient service offer appropriate to the needs of our citizens. Will require a further public consultation regarding a review of the Council’s Library Needs Assessment and ‘the Next Chapter’ Libraries Strategy” Proposed £1.5m cut with 31 FTE posts lost.
  • Council launches tender process for £960,000 book supply contract for Nottingham libraries – West Bridgford Wire. “The move is aimed at securing a book supply contract for the city’s library service from 2024 to 2030. Savings of over £750,000 per year could come from the new arrangement.” … “The contract, valued at £960,000 and impacting all city wards, is part of Nottingham’s participation in the East Midlands and Mid Anglia (EMMA) libraries stock consortium. This consortium, comprising eight other library authorities, enables members to combine their spending power to secure significant discounts on book stock, thereby maximising library budgets and ensuring the best value for the Council.”
• Oxfordshire – Wallingford partners working to tackle ASB outside library – Herald Series. “The manager informed the council that the ASB incidents included the depositing of drug paraphernalia. The anti-social behaviour reportedly left at least one member of the library staff ‘intimidated,’ who was employed to work at the facility in the evenings.”
• Rotherham – Rotherham market and library image released – BBC. “An artist’s impression has been released showing what Rotherham’s new market and library complex will look like. Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council said the “modern” build will give visitors “a sense of space and scale”. The complex is a key part of the authority’s town centre regeneration “masterplan”. The library, markets, food hall, gallery, and event spaces will be built on a single site off Drummond Street.”
• Sheffield – Warning over huge costs to save Sheffield’s historic Central Library building – Star. “Strategy and Resource Policy committee members accepted a number of proposals, including the allocation of £420k for surveying costs, to ensure the future of the grade II-listed art deco Graves Building on Surrey Street.” … “We know that this project will cost from £25m to what could be £60-100m depending on the options pursued.”
• Shropshire – New Year Honours 2024 recognises Oswestry librarian – Border Counties Advertizer. BEM: “Richard Charles Fowler, aged 70, is a founder member and trustee of the Community Managed Libraries National Peer Network (CMLNPN), a body that advocates for community-led libraries in England and Wales.” … “Harbury Village Library (HVL) is now a nationally recognised example of a community hub. They provide a focal point for their local communities and many, like HVL, are now nationally registered Warm Welcome Spaces.”
  • Library support group hands over £10,000 for new shelving – Shropshire Star. ” Friends of Church Stretton Library presented Shropshire Council with a cheque for the money to pay for the units, which have been installed at the library.”
• Southend – Southend MP Anna Firth urged to help protect libraries – Echo News. “Southend Council’s Conservative administration revealed proposals to close two of the city’s six libraries to help tackle its £14 million financial black hole. While no “firm decisions” have been made, the proposals could see the city’s other four libraries “downgraded” with reduced opening hours. Last week the Conservative MP was pictured at Leigh Library, helping to promote the Reading Agency’s winter reading challenge.”
• Swindon – Swindon council has ‘no plans’ for library closures amid cuts – Swindon Advertiser. “There are no plans to close any of Swindon’s five core libraries, despite needing to make cuts of £660,000 from the service’s budget.” … “”We are looking to make sure we can keep them open by changing the way we run them.””
• Wakefield – Wakefield Council receives grant to help combat loneliness across the area – Wakefield Council. DCMS/ACE funding £88k: “The Know Your Neighbourhood project is designed to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 areas across England.”
  • Inside a warm bank – where Brits struggling with bills are finding shelter: ‘The tea helps a lot’ – Big Issue. “It is one of more than 7,000 Warm Welcome Spaces established in the last year to respond to the rising cost of living and provide for the 14.4 million people living in poverty and seven million people experiencing chronic loneliness in the UK. “
• Warwickshire – Everyone is welcome at Warwickshire’s libraries – Warwickshire Council. “From coffee mornings to tea and talk sessions; family history to crafternoon teas the events are free to attend and include warm refreshments.”
  • County’s £370k plan to put mobile sensory library on Warwickshire’s roads – Stratford Herald. Bid to Arts Council England “a very compelling case”.
  • Head to a Warwickshire library for some murder mystery – Stratford Herald. “Whoever’s commissioned will be expected to develop a script, recruit actors, run rehearsals and make sure the performances go smoothly. Warwickshire Libraries advertisement suggests performances won’t be limited to the county’s libraries but may also take place in ‘other literary locations’ across Warwickshire.” … ““As part of Warwickshire Libraries’ new National Portfolio Organisation status, granted by Arts Council England, we will be focussing on community driven projects that enhance access to culture, art and literature for free “
• Westmorland and Furness – Ulverston library petition presented to House of Commons – The Mail. “The Conservative MP for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell, presented the petition calling for the government to ensure Ulverston has a full library service as soon as possible. Ulverston’s library building on King’s Road has been closed since September following the discovery of issues with the building’s electrics during routine statutory checks.” 600 signatures

• Wiltshire – Free hot water bottles and blankets given out by Wiltshire libraries – Salisbury Journal. “The ‘warm packs’, which are being offered as part of a partnership between Warm and Safe Wiltshire and The Rural Communities Energy Support Network, will be available to collect at all Wiltshire Council libraries from this winter. Each pack will contain a scarf, thermal hat and gloves, fleece blanket and a hot water bottle with a cover, and there is no criteria that must be met to be able to collect one.”
• Wokingham – Beloved Wokingham Librarian retires after 30 years – Reading Chronicle. “Philippa Tegg decided to retire after turning 70 in the summer”
• Wolverhampton – Wolverhampton’s libraries get £86,000 grant to help tackle loneliness – Express and Star. “The funding, from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Know Your Neighbourhood Project, will enable the service to deliver a range of events across the city’s libraries and community centres between now and March 2025 that will help people to connect with one another.”
• Worcestershire – Malvern Library targeted in “lead theft incident from roof” – Malvern Gazette. “It led to the registration services department having to be temporarily relocated and children’s books also being moved”