The meaning of LIF

Editorial

There’s a lot of good news for various library services in England this week, with the announcement of the third round of the Libraries Improvement Fund. 43 library services received a share of £10.5m funding with £245,417 being the average amount given, ranging from £499,999 for Camden to a humble £50,000 for Bradford. Looking at what the money is being spent on – well, let’s say makers of moveable shelving units are celebrating as are the normal digital suspects. That old stand-by “Maker spaces” is a phrase used on more than one occasion as is the newly popular word “sensory”. Closer to my heart, there’s a few refurbishments and nicer children’s libraries coming from this. There’s also some very location specific stuff like a new place for sheet music or space for an exhibition. All in all, though, all of the projects that there are details about look defendable and there is reason for delight here.

Of course, me being me, there is also cynicism. The public library service has been increasingly grossly underfunded for over a decade and, in a healthily supported sector, a lot of the projects would not have needed this special one-off funding. And, while the support is to be welcomed, there at least two hints as to the real reasons for the money. The first is that the announcement seems to have caught quite a few councils unawares. As I write this a few days later, quite a few haven’t yet had time to produce press releases about it. This suggests the announcement was to tie in with a central government timetable rather than the local council one. Perhaps it was always so. More tellingly of course, the funding was used this week to defend in parliament the government’s questionable stewardship of the sector. The amount – ten million – also seems to be the lowest that can be given in double figures, with a few hundred extra thousand given so as not to make it too obvious. Kind of like a reverse of Camden’s frankly hilarious cheek at asking for £499,999, the very maximum that could have been asked for, to the pound. I salute you, Camden.

Changes by local authority

• Dudley – £144k LIF grant for Lye Library to have moveable shelving, refurbishment, VR headsets and hublets (source: GLL)
• East Riding – £246k LIF grant for Sensory areas and moveable shelves to Bridlington North and Bridlington Central libraries
• Flintshire – May return library service in-house from Aura Leisure Trust.
• Hackney – £499k LIF grant for refurbishment of Stoke Newington Library
• Haringey – Hornsey Library children’s section closed due to RAAC.
• Lancashire – £165k LIF grant for Burnley Library moving sheet music collection into disused children’s library
• Isle of Wight – £150k LIF grant to improve accessibility of Cowes and Ryde libraries.
• Newcastle – £382k LIF grant for a new reading facility in a disused part of the Walker Activity Dome.
• North Somerset – £309k LIF grant to replace old mobile with electric one.
• Reading – £495k LIF grant for more digital equipment.
• Redbridge – £380k LIF grant for Fulwell Cross Library refurbishment, redesign and digital inc. makerspace, Tovertafel, children’s library.
• Shropshire – Broseley Library increases hours due to town council funding.
• Trafford – £347k LIF grant for Sale Library refurbishment and installing Cosgrove Hall Films exhibition.
• Wakefield – £446k LIF grant for improving children’s library, designed to be inclusive of those with sensory and physical disabilities
• Warwickshire – £372k LIF grant for new Mobile for those with additional/more complex needs
• Wigan – £110k LIF grant for Leigh Library refurbishment
• Wiltshire – Eleven libraries will become “family hubs” to help 0-19 (0-25 if SEND)

National news

• Dozens of library services and 26 museums to receive £33m government funding – Guardian. ““With upgraded buildings and technology, we can expect to see many more people experiencing and enjoying what their local library service has to offer.””
• Forty-three libraries win slice of £33m funding boost – BookSeller. Libraries Connected say ““We do need to see much wider and longer-term investment in the library network, however. Without a more secure financial settlement for local government, libraries will remain particularly vulnerable to cuts and closures. The next government must take decisive action to avoid a crisis in our libraries over the coming years.””

“We are again disappointed by UNITE’s decision to call for strike action. We have made every effort to engage with the union and listen to their views.  However, it should be noted that the UNITE strike does not reflect the opinion of the vast majority of our colleagues; with UNITE membership across our organisation sitting at less than 3% of the workforce. A well-received pay award was made in 2023, which was underpinned by the Real Living Wage and we are proud to be one of only 14,000 organisations in the UK to be accredited as a Real Living Wage employer.  The Real Living Wage for 2024 is set and we will implement this in April of this year. 

Over the past 30 years, we have developed terms and conditions of employment that work for our business and our employees.  Our people have choices about how they work and engage with us.  This commitment to our staff is underlined by the fact we have been awarded Investors in People Gold status. We do not offer zero hours contracts, as erroneously suggested by UNITE.  We do offer flexible working arrangements and give staff the opportunity to transfer from flexible contracts to permanent contracts via our You Choose scheme, which is open to all. Planned changes to GLL’s sick pay scheme will be implemented as part of our 2024 pay award. Our focus remains on ensuring that a quality library service continues to be delivered to local communities in Bromley and Greenwich and that was the case on 26 March.

GLL spokesperson on strike action in Bromley an Greenwich

• Libraries to get near £800k boost – BBC. Makerspace money for Hull: “Michelle Alford, library services director for Hull Culture and Leisure Ltd said the funding would create “exciting centres of digital innovation” in more of its branch libraries.”.
• Library staff celebrating victory after strike sees 20% increase in sick pay – Morning Star. “The Unite members walked out on Tuesday this week and staged a mass picket at Woolwich Centre Library in London. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “While this is a welcome step in the right direction, Unite won’t stop here. “Our members deserve better pay and conditions and GLL is in a position to improve its offers across the board. “Outstanding disputes with GLL include a pay increase and better treatment for staff on zero-hours contracts.””

Local authorities in England have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service which meets local needs. It is for each local authority to consider how best to deliver this. His Majesty’s Government has provided an additional £600 million on top of the £64 billion Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 — an increase of 7.5% in cash terms. This uplift will help to reduce pressure on councils’ budgets, and protect services including public libraries.

In addition, DCMS announced on 25 March that 43 library services in England would benefit from Round 3 of the Libraries Improvement Fund which is allocating £10.5 million across this financial year and next. The Fund has allocated £20.5 million since 2021 to public library services across England to support them to upgrade their buildings and improve digital infrastructure so that they are better placed to respond to the changing ways people want to use them.

Julia Lopez MP, Parliamentary Secretary, DCMS

• The National Literacy Trust announces new three-year strategy with emphasis on early-years literacy – BookSeller. “The new strategy also emphasises literacy in the early years, building on the Trust’s Libraries for Primaries campaign, which aims to ensure that primary schools across the UK have libraries or dedicated library spaces.”
• Nearly 70 museums and libraries across England to benefit from £33 million boost – Gov.uk. 43 library services receive funding from Libraries Improvement Fund. “Nearly £400,000 has been awarded to Newcastle Libraries to create a new reading facility in a disused part of the Walker Activity Dome. It will also support increased opening hours and create a flexible community space.” Funding list below:

• Public Library Forum 2024 – National Acquisitions Group. London, Thursday 16 May. “A full programme is available below with a broad range of topics including Oldham’s NAG Grant project “Language Barrier Breakers” and LibrariesUnlimited’s “The Secret Book Quest” alongside “The Life of a Dewey Number” with Jo Maxwell from BDS.”
• Regional Offer Launch – Libraries Connected. Recording of webinar. “To mark the first six months of the Regional Development Programme, we are launching a set of offers for Regional Networks. Our aim is to build an understanding of how the Regional Development Team can support you to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.”
• What Libraries Risk When They Go Digital – Time. “Digitization has been a transformative tool for scholars and a valuable shield against the dangers that threaten paper-based historical records. But it is time to consider the vulnerabilities of digital repositories as well. Fires, theft, and physical neglect are no longer the only major threats archives face: now we must also add ransomware to the list.”
• Yorkshire museums and libraries to get £3m funding boost – BBC. “Wakefield Libraries will receive nearly £450,000 for a children’s library which Wakefield Council said would deliver a “transformative experience” for children and families and cater for “those with sensory and physical disabilities”.”

International news

• Lithuania – The Bank of Buttons at Panevezys Elena Mezginaite Public Library (Lithuania) – Naple Sister Libraries. Button swap.
• USA – America’s action figure librarian walks a good book for exercise – Herald Net. Nancy Pearl interview.
  • Bills targeting book bans raise concerns about the penalties libraries could face – NBC. “The rise in book bans has prompted lawmakers to push back with bills in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico. They follow Illinois and California, where such legislation has been signed into law. Experts are raising concerns, however, as some of the legislation would fine school districts or withhold library funding if their provisions are not followed …”
  • Public libraries demand reversal of proposed cuts – New York City Council. “Leaders of the library systems insist the cuts will mean further reductions to service and delaying indefinitely the reopening of more than a half dozen branches undergoing renovations. The city’s public libraries are facing a $58.3 million budget cut for 2025.”
  • Your local library queers children – Christian Post. “By suggesting children can be born in the wrong bodies, libraries put children on the path to experimental medical treatments that will leave them permanently damaged. “Queer” is a nebulous word that justifies exposing children to any sexual behavior, including adult fetishes”
  • ‘When you make people feel comfortable, you create more than a library.’ – Model D. “”When you make people feel comfortable like that, you create more than a library,” Lewis says. “A library like that is a safe place for kids when they’re wandering the streets, it’s a place to get information about life challenges, it’s a place that provides stability.””

Local news by authority

• Brighton and Hove – Library selling archived items to prevent decay – BBC. “The upper and lower galleries at Hove Library are unsuitable for storing older materials, a review has revealed. Councillor Leslie Pumm said the collections were underused and selling them would help protect “valuable” stock. Money raised from the public auction will be used to maintain the library.”
• Cambridgeshire – Find out who the public wanted to see perform in Cambridgeshire libraries this spring… – Camebridgeshire Council.

• Essex – Rayleigh High Street library to host new Barclays service – Echo series. “Barclays has announced it will now operate a service four days a week from Rayleigh Library, in the High Street, following a series of branch closures in the area.”
• Flintshire – Flintshire Council assurances over leisure services – Leader. “In a letter seen by the Leader Aura Leisure – which runs most leisure centres in Flintshire – has claimed the council is “contemplating” withdrawing funding support for it. The organisation, which runs the Buckley, Mold, Flint and Deeside leisure centres, has issued a letter to its employees, saying its funding agreement with Flintshire Council ends on March 31.”
• Gateshead – Crawcrook Library reopening next week – Gateshead Council. “Since the building closed for refurbishment in January, its lighting, decoration and internal fittings have been upgraded to create improved space for community activities and book borrowing.” … “Pelaw Library is also currently closed for refurbishment and expected to reopen within the next few weeks”

• Haringey – Update: Hornsey Library – Haringey Council. “The adults’ section at Hornsey Library remains closed while the council works with contractors to address issues around the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in a section of the roof.”
• Hartlepool – It’s so quick and easy with Wi-Fi Print – Hartlepool Council.
• Lancashire – New poem inspired by town unveiled at Nelson library – Lancashire Telegraph. “The event and installation are taking place thanks to Nelson Library, Lancashire Cultural Services, Lancashire Libraries and Lancashire County Council.”
• Manchester – Take a walkthrough tour of Manchester Libraries online – Manchester Council. “The 3D virtual tours of all 22 Manchester libraries, allows people to explore the venues, their layout and the architecture before a potential visit, and all from the comfort of home.”
• Manchester Libraries nominated for Libraries Connected Awards – Manclibraries Blog. Nominations are for Manchester Libraries Bookgifting service and  Central Library events programme.

• Middlesbrough – Major overhaul gives Acklam Library 21st century IT boost – Middlesbrough Council. “The modern, vibrant space now has improved computer access, facilities for teaching and workshop-based sessions, dedicated space for users to bring their own devices to study with access to WiFi printing and a height-adjustable desk.”
• Northern Ireland – Libraries NI chiefs defend stocking children’s books dealing with transgender issues – Belfast Telegraph. “Library bosses in Northern Ireland have defended placing books on transgender issues aimed at children aged six and under in their catalogue. Libraries NI chief executive Jim O’Hagan and the chairperson of the Library Board Bonnie Anley said their policy is to “meet the needs of the entire community”.”
• North Tyneside – Site investigations underway ahead of ‘eagerly’ awaited redevelopment of Tynemouth library – Chronicle. Library closed in 2020. “A substation to the rear of the library needs to be moved and replaced with a modern version before construction work can start. Northern Powergrid has now begun site investigations.”
• Violence, threats and abuse to North East library staff – Northeast Bylines. “North Tyneside Council refuted any suggestion that it had failed to protect staff in the workplace, and told NEB that there had been 41 incidents at its libraries and CFCs in 2023 and that 26 individuals had been excluded over five years”. Description of incident.
• North Yorkshire – Community and library join force to raise support awareness – York Press. “Pickering Library has built on a popular existing drop-in with Age UK and partnered with Ryedale Charities Together, Pickering Town Council and Pickering Town CIC to host a Community One Stop event on the first Thursday of every month from 10am to noon.”
• Pembrokeshire – Budget saving changes to some Pembrokeshire library services backed – Tenby Today. “The latest proposals included reductions to library opening hours equivalent to one full day per week at Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Tenby libraries, if the respective town councils “elect not to make an equivalent financial contribution towards maintaining these opening hours”.”
• Shropshire – Library extends its opening hours – Shropshire Star. “The running of the library was taken by Broseley Town Council a number of years ago, and local councillors say this has enabled them to increase its opening hours while other libraries in Shropshire are being forced to cut hours.”

“We are not looking to take away Performing Arts Library’s statutory status as it doesn’t have any, indeed no performing arts library does as they were not included in the 1964 Act”

Somerset – Correction to BBC article

• Swindon – Flooded Swindon library set to reopen before end of summer – BBC. West Swindon Library connected to GLL-run leisure centre. Wiring is damaged and council says GLL is responsible for repairing it.
• Suffolk – Chantry Library is raising awareness of bowel cancer – Suffolk Libraries.
  • New fundraising campaign gets a boost from Emma Freud and Richard Curtis – Suffolk Libraries. ” Both Emma and Richard have bought daisies to ’Make a Difference with a Daisy’. Make a Difference With a Daisy focuses on the humble daisy as a symbol of resilience and positivity. 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.”
  • Suffolk Libraries to expand its wellbeing service thanks to Arts Council funding – Suffolk Libraries. “These will be free to access physical activity classes available to everyone. ” … “free to loan sports equipment and videos/guidance ” … ” offering space and time in libraries so that SME employers can dedicate more time to staff wellbeing, including free physical activity sessions.”
• Tower Hamlets – Satisfaction levels soar for library service – Tower Hamlets Council. “Since 2018, all the satisfaction key indicators have increased with the biggest jumps in attractiveness of the library inside from 85% in 2018 to 91% and computer facilities from 68% to 72%. Overall satisfaction with the service stood at 92% in 2018 and has now risen to 95%.”
• West Lothian – Library and council office visits surge in West Lothian after Covid disruption – Edinburgh Reporter. “Actual book issues have still to rise to pre-pandemic issues but library visits alone for the last year were around the 450,000 mark. “It’s been a slow return to pre pandemic levels,””
• Westmorland and Furness – App to help neurodiverse people access libraries – BBC. “As well as enabling people to reserve books and read newspapers for free online, the app also offers virtual tours of libraries.” … “The tours and app, which is called CWF Libraries, were funded by a £17,000 grant from LibraryOn”
• Wiltshire – New plans for £3m scheme to support families in Salisbury Library and Leisure Centre – Salisbury Journal / Yahoo. “The plans will involve turning libraries and leisure centres across the county into hubs for families to be offered activities for young children, parenting support and mental health support.” “Family Hubs” will include Amesbury Library. Bradford on Avon Library, Calne Library, Chippenham Monkton Park and Library, Devizes Library, Downton Library, Malmesbury Library, Marlborough Library, Royal Wootton Bassett library, Salisbury Library, Warminster Library.