£232 million (£329m with inflation) cut to UK public libraries since 2010
Editorial
And of course that cut, which is between one-quarter and three-eighths of total public library expenditure depending on if you count inflation, is not uniform. Some places, often the wealthiest, have been cut less and some others, often not the wealthiest, have been cut more.
Anyway, happy birthday to the Library Campaign which started 40 years ago to the date I am writing this. Thank you to Terry for letting me know. I had no idea. And, wow, 250 delegates.
“On 4 February 1984 250 delegates attended The Cuts Conference, organised by Sheffield City Libraries and held in the city’s Town Hall. Professor John Stewart (Founder and Director of the Institute of Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham) and Paul Foot (radical investigative journalist) were keynote speakers. Dissatisfaction with the Library Association’s cautious approach to opposing cuts in library expenditure resulted in the Conference voting to establish an independent and more political campaigning group. £200 was raised on the day with Paul Foot offering to donate the royalties of his latest book to the cause. Thus was The Library Campaign born. “
Terry Hanstock
And also thanks to Chris Hamilton, an ex Chief Librarian, who has also emailed in (the comments box on the website looks to be not working) thoughts of his own below:
“My minor niggle is the impression the public and many heads of service have that central government funds (or doesn’t fund) public libraries. Many many years ago when I was a new HoS I learned with some incredulity that ‘our’ bit of the central grant wasn’t discrete but bundled in with the bit for highways maintenance – and so we were effectively doomed from the get-go.
It’s just so important – IMHO – that everyone understands how public libraries are funded and focuses any campaigning on those who have the power (if not the cash) to make a difference. Realistically, I can’t see any prospect at all of local government or central government doing anything other than squeezing libraries ever harder. With social care and schools absolutely on their knees, it’s very hard to argue convincingly for libraries.
What would help is making libraries as efficient as possible and ensuring that everyone knows what they do, wherever they are – having one good clear universal offer. The demise of the library standards should have been fought tooth and nail, and just gave cash-strapped local authorities the green light to start hacking. I remember a Chief Exec saying just after that that he understood libraries were a statutory service “but not very statutory”.
Along with my group of ex-Chiefs, I wonder why the heck the management of public libraries isn’t centralised under one body, applying one set of standards – instead of all the replication and duplication of structures, systems and procurement. There really is a whacking great saving to be made and an opportunity for good ideas and best practice to be shared rather than wheels being reinvented by successive managements up and down the country.
If we always do what we’ve always done … we’ll just sink without trace.
I get really depressed by the constant merry-go-round of new initiatives here and cutbacks there, with inexperience and politics over-riding realism and strategy. I love libraries. They aren’t complicated. They’re in danger of sinking under the weight of reviews while the crew debates how to arrange the shelves. It would be so good if CILIP and all the other players really thought outside the box and got their act together before it’s too late.
Call for Speakers – Beyond the Horizon – CILIP North-East Conference – Monday 20th May 2024 (afternoon) – CILIP NE. “You could be involved with a new project, a different way of doing something, or just feel you’re already doing something great and think others would benefit from knowing about it. This is your opportunity to share something you’re excited about with other professionals, so you could talk about completed projects as well as work in progress.”
Can ‘super libraries’ survive spending cuts? – BBC. Varied services at Woolwich Central Library, council budget cuts mean libraries seen as easy target, “expenditure on libraries has fallen by a quarter (£232.5m) since 2010.” [Plus inflation of 47% in same era = £329m hence actually 3/8ths – Ed]. “”Books and reading are always going to be central to what libraries do,” he says, but he adds there’s a growing recognition that “libraries are a great way of delivering different things”.” but budget cuts mean this is getting harder to do.
CCN: council spending on libraries and culture reduces by nearly £500m – Room 151. “The research has found that in 2010/11 English councils budgeted to spend almost £1.6bn on library services, culture, heritage and tourism. However, authorities’ latest accounts show that £1.1bn was spent on these services in 2023/24, a £470m decrease from 14 years ago.”
Celebrate books, reading, and libraries with Bedford Borough Libraries during Love Libraries Month – Bedford Council. “The month will feature author events for fiction lovers and family-friendly events for those with young children. Special Storytime sessions at Bedford Central and Kempston libraries, for under-fives, promise an engaging experience with stories, rhymes, themed activities, library hunts, and free sticker books. The beloved Bookstart Bear will also be making an appearance at some of these sessions.”
Digital exclusion in the UK: Communications and Digital Committee report – House of Lords Library. “The committee found that the shift towards digital by default public services had not been accompanied by adequate support for those who struggled with digital access. It argued that libraries and communities had taken on additional responsibilities but had not been given sufficient resources or training.” … ” The government should build on existing examples [of digital inclusion hubs] in the UK, focusing on libraries and other local amenities.”
Governance and History: The Direction of Public Libraries in the UK since the Second World War – Public Library Governance. “Without a clear and persuasive strategic direction, the future of the public library as the great public sphere institution it has proved itself to be in the past is in great jeopardy. The approaches to public library governance and the role of the public library in the UK are tracked and the various perspectives from government, practitioners and users presented. There is a lack of clarity and consensus regarding a desired role of the public library in the twenty-first century.”
NEW: Fourth round of the Cultural Development Fund launched today with £15.2 million @DCMS investment delivered by @ace_national available for cultural venues across the country https://t.co/WsLsmTXyxn#LetsCreate
How a decade of austerity has squeezed council budgets in England – Guardian. “An exclusive Guardian analysis of 13 years of council data has detailed how local spending patterns have changed under austerity budgets. Between 2010-11 and 2022-23, net spending per person on cultural services was cut by 43% in real terms, on roads and transport spending by 40%, on housing by 35% and on planning and development by a third – with more cuts pencilled in for this year.”
Innovation Gathering 2024 – Libraries Connected. Wednesday 6 March, 10am to 4pm, Birmingham. “The event is aimed at library staff in development and middle management roles but is open to anyone working in public libraries. We particularly welcome attendance from anyone who hasn’t attended a Libraries Connected event before and people from ethnic minority backgrounds, who have historically been under-represented at our events.”
“replace selected chairs in the Upper Camera with heritage-style chairs in keeping with the neoclassical style of the location, whilst significantly improving the comfort of our readers”.
Part of the Job: Patron-Perpetrated Sexual Harassment in UK Public Libraries – Public Library Quarterly. “Patron-perpetrated sexual harassment (PPSH) toward librarians is an under-researched area of sexual harassment studies and library studies. This study is the first on PPSH toward librarians in the United Kingdom and focuses on public librarians. 143 UK public librarians were surveyed about their experiences of PPSH over the past five years. Respondents had experienced 14 of the 16 sexual harassment behaviors in the survey, and 81.8% of respondents experienced at least one form of PPSH. Respondents’ age, gender, and ethnicity were also considered in relation to their experiences of PPSH. This study provides recommendations for the profession and future researchers”
The UK is dismantling its legacy of municipal splendour – Financial Times. “The UK government is now considering loosening the rules for allowing councils to sell off assets. This is bad news for everything from libraries to swimming pools, town halls to toilets. Since 2010, council assets have been sold off in attempt to fill a £15bn hole in central government funding. More than 800 public libraries, 1,000 swimming pools, over 200 playing fields, half of all magistrates courts and 1,000 public toilets have been closed. ”
World Book Day charity sparks outrage after suggesting libraries don’t encourage children to read – Manchester Evening News. “comments from the charity have caused anger after it suggested that libraries aren’t a key factor in encouraging kids to read. Listing the ‘building elements’ which support a child to read for pleasure, it asked ‘which six are correct?’ and next to ‘going to the library’, it put a red cross.” … “following last week’s criticism, it has now been changed, with World Book Day describing it as ‘an unfortunate mistake’.”
China – Feature: China’s libraries go smarter to stock more books, engage more readers – China News. “Book lovers are attracted not only to the library’s architectural design which resembles a reading space under giant ginkgo trees, but also its abundant collection of books and smart services. With a total construction area of about 75,000 square meters, Beijing Library houses over 8 million books. The towering stacks on the library’s basement floor contribute to the massive book collection capacity, which is part of the largest single entity of automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) for books in China” Public libraries seeing increase in investment.
USA – Public libraries in the Richmond area are being reimagined – Axios. $18m upgrade “At 25,000 square feet, the new branch is around two-thirds larger than the old Midlo Library. ” Includes “A digital media center; Outdoor reading garden, complete with an outdoor classroom for storytime; Outdoor musical sculptures for kids; Improved seating for lounging and reading; And meeting spaces, plus a large community meeting room.”
Alabama pulls out of American Library Association – WSFA. “The states public library service voted to end its membership with the ALA because some members say the discourse became a distraction.” … ” Opponents contend it promotes Marxism, discriminates against faith-based organizations, and supports keeping sexual content in libraries.”. Governor wants to “restrict funds for libraries that don’t adopt policies to require more parental supervision in libraries.”
A Practical Guide to Privacy in Libraries – ALA. Book. “Written in a highly practical manner, this book is essential reading for library and information professionals who need to understand and support privacy in the library setting and a useful reference for students and researchers in the field who need to understand this topic in practice. “
Do the Research: Conspiracy Theorists and Public Libraries – Georgia Library Quarterly. “Information literacy instruction is already a traditional offering at libraries and is of imminent importance at this moment as mainstream media shares disinformation to boost ratings and compete with fringe media. Protecting patrons from information disorder, whether in the form of programming or infographics that strengthen patrons’ analytical skills, is a noble cause for libraries who are primed for the task”
This Week in Libraries – Publishers Weekly. Alabama censorship fight: “libraries cannot stand in place of parents on deciding what content is suitable for minors.”, censorship moves in Georgia calling the ALA “Marxist”, similar in Tennessee. USA survey discovers “75% of parents do not believe in the necessity of diverse books”
Trauma, Book Bans, and Libraries: A Resource Guide for Library Workers, Library Supporters, and Beyond – Book Riot. “Finding a positive to emerge out of several years of book banning feels like grasping at sand. We have watched the First and Fourteenth Amendment Rights of people be squashed, sat by as some of the most underpaid and overworked public servants in the country be called inaccurate and dangerous names, and experienced a rise in christofascism and stochastic terrorism across public schools and libraries. None of these are good, and none of these point to a healthy or thriving democracy.”
Bracknell Forest – Open+ library service currently unavailable – Bracknell Forest Council. “We’ve had to carry out some extra work relating to the power cut on Saturday night/Sunday morning, which means the Open+ library service will be unavailable this evening.”
Bristol – Bristol libraries recruitment freeze finally lifted after more than 300 temporary closures in two months– Bristol Post. “branches continue to shut their doors in the meantime as the search for new employees begins, prompting renewed criticism from opposition councillors. There have been more than 300 full or part-day closures over the last two months, affecting 26 of Bristol’s 27 libraries at least once, the only exception being the main Central one.”
Cardiff – Consultation on Cardiff Council’s 2024/25 Budget – Cardiff Council. Proposed £35k cut, removing print newspapers/magazines. £84k cut to staff (to be replaced by volunteers). £52k cut, removing the mobile library services. Cuts to library hours ranging from £308k to 0, including potential closure of several.
Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire West: Fancy dress swaps return for World Book Day – Chester Standard. ““Many of our libraries will be accepting donations of fancy dress in February and before World Book Day itself. These will then be made available as soon as possible for anyone who would like a costume. What better way to share the fun, so you can play your part to save money and help with the climate emergency.””
Croydon – Four Croydon Council libraries could close under new proposals – Local Guardian. “The council states the closure is based on the poor post-Covid slump in visitation as well as the overall costs of running all 13 centres in the borough” … Council says “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.””
East Dunbartonshire – Learn a language in 2024 with EDLC Libraries – East Dunbartonshire Council. ” Transparent Language Online for Libraries, a complete language-learning system with courses and lessons designed to build listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.”
Why we must defend and support our libraries – Royal Society of Edinburgh. “For too long our vital libraries and their staff get by from year to year, pleased when they are fortunate enough to survive another round of cuts. This is not how we grow and thrive as a nation – we must end this cycle and treat libraries as the critical and social infrastructure they are while they continue supporting key agendas and sustainable development goals such as reducing poverty, increasing equality and wellbeing, and improving education. They are where community resilience is strengthened for all, and any true long-term political thinking must have them at its heart.”
Hampshire – Time to Talk Day: Let’s ‘Chat About’ mental health – Hampshire Council. “Hampshire County Council is taking the opportunity of Time to Talk Day (1 February 2024) to remind residents about its Chat About scheme in libraries, which aims to help people connect with others to alleviate loneliness and improve wellbeing”
Haringey Council cuts to library services criticised – Times series. “Haringey Council is cutting £700,000 from its libraries budget in the year from April, with plans to reduce opening hours across branch libraries at Alexandra Park, Coombes Croft, Highgate, Muswell Hill, St Ann’s, Stroud Green and Harringay.” … “Plans for the following year would move libraries to a ‘self-service’ model, with users given a keycard to enter library buildings, professional librarians replaced with volunteers, no toilet access without staff present and no CCTV monitoring.”
Kensington and Chelsea – Librarians endure more abuse than any other council staff, says report – London News Online. “Library workers in Kensington and Chelsea are shouted at and threatened by customers ‘on a daily basis’, a report has found. Analysis of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request found library employees lodged the most reports citing abuse against them of all council staff between January 2018 and January 2024. Some 37 per cent of recorded incidents – which range from verbal abuse to harassment, intimidation and discrimination – came from libraries.”
Kent – We visited Bearsted and Madginford Libraries near Maidstone to see how popular they are – Kent Online. “For the first hour, nobody came into the building. A second member of staff visited, said hello to me and then tested out the fire alarm.” … “During the three hours I was there, I’d say only six people popped in. Two didn’t use the services available and everyone else spent a maximum of five minutes inside. I also want to mention that there were no toilet facilities,” But the other library is far more busy.
North Northamptonshire – Update on Kettering Library roof project – North Northants Council. “this is an extremely complex project and we want to make sure we are doing it right to ensure the building is usable for another 120 years. The costs have now been approved and the funds set aside”
Oldham – Oldham Library asks for help solving ‘mystery’ from archives – Oldham Times. ““Looking at the t in Octo 15th 04, the ‘ar’ in Dear and the S in Sir, it seems to say “Dear Sir, The Stare List does not apply to 4 stare mills and no addition should be made. Yours Truly, John Taylor” “What on earth is a Stare List or a stare mill? “
Reading – Reading Library App Launched – Reading Council. “The Library App launched by Reading Borough Council and developed by Solus gives residents the ability to reserve or renew books remotely, enabling users to manage their library accounts conveniently from their devices.”
Sheffield – Worries about future of Sheffield libraries as funding issues bite – Star. “Concerns over the future of Sheffield volunteer-run libraries have been raised as £418,000 of funding is agreed for the next two years.” … “A report to Sheffield City Council’s communities, parks and leisure committee (January 29) said that 16 city libraries in total are run by volunteers. The council covers running costs for the premises and library services provided by five co-delivered libraries and 11 associate libraries receive a grant from the council.” … “The committee approved a package of support for the next two years for volunteer-run libraries. A fund totalling £135,700 for 2024/5 and 2025/26 will be set up to support associate libraries. A separate package of support will be established to help all of the volunteer-run libraries. Together, the grant and support package will be worth £209,000 for each of the two years.”
Somerset – Ditch the disposables and discover reusable personal care products – Somerset Council. “A series of free drop-in events for residents will be held in February for anyone interested in reusable period products, nappies or adult continence items. Switching to reusables not only reduces rubbish, but it cuts plastic waste and are often cheaper compared to buying single use items. The events are in partnership with Suez Recycling and Recovery UK and Moonie, a company that produces eco-friendly products.”
St Helens – Community gather at St Helens libraries which have closed for good– St Helens Star. “gutted and disgruntled residents came out to say a final farewell to the closing libraries and staff last week.” … “”The library has been here for 50 years and it’s been used by families, children, and elderly people. Now, it’s another service taken away from them and I think it’s diabolical that they are closing.””
Suffolk – Young Reporter Beccles Library’s Renovations Emily Lowther SJLHS – Eastern Daily Press. “The work has meant so much to us. The roof no longer leaks, the windows do not rattle and let in draughts, and the internal lighting and decorating has provided us with a warm and welcoming space.”. Renovations “The work has meant so much to us. The roof no longer leaks, the windows do not rattle and let in draughts, and the internal lighting and decorating has provided us with a warm and welcoming space.””
Make a Difference with a Daisy – our new fundraising campaign – Suffolk Libraries. “The aim is to create a giant daisy chain installation, featuring hundreds of individual metal daisies representing the joined-up network of libraries and the Suffolk communities they connect.”
Surrey – Cost of living: Thousands attend council’s warm welcome sessions – BBC. “More than 16,000 residents have attended “warm welcome” venues in Surrey which are proving a “lifeline” this winter, the council has said. The free hubs opened in November in a range of venues including libraries, village halls and other community spaces.”
Telford and Wrekin – Drop-in session to discuss future of Newport’s library once town council takes over– Shropshire Star. “In April, Newport Library in the town’s High Street will become the responsibility of Newport Town Council, as Telford & Wrekin Council withdraws from the service. Within the last decade, the management of five of Telford and Wrekin’s libraries – Donnington, Stirchley, Dawley, Madeley and Hadley – has been transferred to town councils and other community partners.”
Wandsworth – Wandsworth Town Library celebrates beating heart of Wandsworth – Wandsworth Council. “The large new Wandsworth Town Library is one of two brand new libraries recently completed alongside Northcote Library; while others have had upgrades in recent times, with York Gardens, Tooting and Putney libraries all getting new investment.”
Warwickshire – Share your views about Warwickshire Libraries in new customer satisfaction survey – Warwickshire Council. “The online customer satisfaction survey asks residents to share how often they visit libraries, whether they have a library membership, and which library services they find the most useful and valuable to support their needs as a library customer. The survey also provides the opportunity for residents to share feedback and suggestions about how Warwickshire County Council’s library services could be improved in the future.”
Worcestershire – Hagley Library to close for improvement works – Worcestershire Council. “The closure will allow essential building work to be carried out to improve the toilet facilities at the library, making them accessible for all customers and to provide baby changing facilities. The work is jointly funded by Worcestershire County Council and Hagley Parish Council, both collaborating closely on the improvements to the library.”
York – Budget cuts could see some York libraries forced to close – Lib Dems – The Wing. “York’s ruling Labour administration say they want to trim £300,000 from the library service’s budget next year, followed by another £300,000 the year after” … “The contract, signed in 2019, is theoretically due to run until 2034 – meaning that, under the proposals, the city’s library service could potentially lose £5.7 million under the remaining ten-year lifetime of its funding contract when compared to the funding it would have received were there to be no cuts.”
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