Irish Libraries Are Smiling

Editorial

A few news pieces catch my eye today. The first is an ex-magistrate sating in the Mail – where else – that libraries could be turned into court venues as they are under-used public buildings. Words fail me sometimes. Sadly, they don’t fail the Mail. Then we have the normal US madness of censorship, with 17 states now considering imprisoning librarians for their stock choices. There’s also a heart-rending story from that torn country about a child, are regular visitor to a library, whose parents decided to play the story-time song at the funeral. Oh my.

The thing that really caught my eye though was news from Ireland. The government there is spending – get this – £21 million to provide 11 new libraries and 12 new mobiles in rural areas. That’s twice as much as the Libraries Improvement Fund right there. But then scale that up to take into account the relative populations and you’d have, if it happened in the UK, £210 million in capital expenditure with 110 new libraries and 120 new mobiles. Then lift your jaw off the floor. Ireland led the way a few years ago in national publicity and national initiatives like removing all fines and now it is apparently reaping the benefits.

National news

• All rise. Former judge says ‘pop-up courts’ should be set up in pubs, libraries and supermarkets in bid to restore faith in criminal justice system – Daily Mail. Dame Anna Rafferty said that ” Covid had boosted technological advances within the courts, with laptops and tablets being used by court officials meaning the process can be easily moved from location to location.”. Including sex offence cases. ” Look for buildings in daily use but with slack, or buildings just sitting there.'”
• The experts: librarians on 20 easy, enjoyable ways to read more brilliant books – Guardian. “In the age of digital distractions, it is easy to struggle to find the time and headspace to get lost in literature. How can you get back into the habit? Librarians share the best ways to rediscover reading, make it a regular habit – and their tips for the most unputdownable books.”
• “It’s a Lively Place”: The Impact of Public Library Clubs for Adults on How Attendees of These Clubs Perceive and Use Public Libraries – Public Library Quarterly. “Participants tended to be using library services more often – and in different ways – due to their attendance of library clubs. Interviewee believed that the library had become more relaxed over time, and that the purpose of public libraries went beyond a focus on books. These findings suggest that library clubs might lead to attendees expanding their ideas of the role libraries can play in their lives”
• Leading children’s reading charity, announce the BookTrust Storytime book of the year for children under five – Book Trust. “Children’s book Are You a Monster, by Guilherme Karsten and published by Happy Yak has been recognised as the best new book for sharing with young children”
• One Day author David Nicholls says he’s ‘really furious’ over library closures: ‘Access to libraries changed my life’ – Independent. “Nicholls spoke about his views on education in the UK, stating that he gets “very angry” about libraries closing and “the way the arts are not accessible”.”
• UKeiG CPD Zoom Course: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and beyond: video marketing for libraries – CILIP. 16 May, online.

International news

• Belgium – A celebration of Belgian libraries for World Book Day – European Council, Council for the EU. Mechelen public library is in 17th-century baroque monastery.”, ultra-modern library B3 in Liege.
• Europe – Writing Competition – How A Library Changed My Life – Win Prize of EUR 500 – European Cultural Foundation. “Submissions must be in English, with a maximum of 3,000 words in length. Five winners will receive a cash prize of 500 EUR, be published in The Europe Challenge publication and have the opportunity to travel to Amsterdam to do a public reading of their winning piece at our event and book launch in September 2024. The deadline for submissions is 20 May 2024 at 12.00 (noon) CET. Winners will be informed via email in June 2024.”
  • Georgians arrested over cross-Europe thefts of rare library books – Guardian. Nine people arrested after either breaking into libraries and stealing books or replacing them with replicas. Europol says “In total, the criminal group is believed to be responsible for the theft of at least 170 books, causing financial damages amounting to around €2.5m [£2.1m] and an immeasurable patrimonial loss to society”
• Ireland – Minister Heather Humphreys announces €25 million to deliver new public libraries across Ireland – Irish Independent. “The funding will provide 11 new public libraries and 12 new mobile library vehicles across the country” … “The new libraries will be based in old buildings that are no longer in use” … “This goes to the heart of what we are working to achieve under our five-year rural development strategy, ‘Our Rural Future’.””
  • “The more they learn, the more they understand”: Irish Travellers and public libraries in the Republic of Ireland – The Irish Library. “Many of the disadvantages Irish Travellers face may be countered by public library provision; we decided to examine the extent to which the information needs of this group are met by Irish public libraries in a qualitative and exploratory project, in which five Irish Travellers, two settled persons working with Traveller organisations, and a public library professional were interviewed.”

• Ukraine – “It’s never too late to learn.” How libraries help older people overcome fear and master computer technology – UNDP.

• USA – 17 States Are Considering Laws That Would Imprison Librarians – Vanity Fair. “Ron DeSantis has been forced to limit certain Floridians to only one book-banning attempt per month.”
  • Beloved Bunny’s Death Shows How Libraries Help Parents – Ms Magazine. “rather than forcing children to think a certain way, libraries help us find our words in life’s most challenging moments.”. When a child passed away who was a regular attender at story-time, ““They sang the goodbye song from story-time” at the funeral.
  • Does The Future of Libraries – or Narrative Itself – Include Books? – Indiana Public Media. Podcast. Book issues down. Non-fiction section “irrelevant” in age of the internet. More library events. “more librarians now have a performance mindset”. People are still reading but doing it digitally. Libraries “are for bringing people together in a free and open space”.
  • It’s Time to Take a Hard Look at Public Libraries – Cato. “Like local post offices, neighborhood libraries once served an important community function but are now becoming increasingly irrelevant. And, as with post offices, libraries continue to receive funding because they enjoy support from a relatively small but vocal segment of the population, while the rest of us are usually too reluctant to question their utility.”
  • The Week in Libraries: April 26, 2024 – Publishers Weekly. “a deadline looms for federal library funding; the FCC votes to restore net neutrality rules; Maryland passes a law designed to discourage book bans; and why Alabama librarians are feeling exhausted”

Local news by authority

• Barnsley – Book festival attracts more than 3,000 visitors – Rotherham Advertiser. “saw locals enjoy a packed schedule including 49 library and six partner events and 42 authors and artists.”
• Birmingham – Future of Birmingham’s libraries sparks row as campaigners pledge action – Express and Star. “Asked why steps were not taken to notify ward councillors and communities in good time of the consultation programme, cabinet member Saima Suleman responded: “There were some online consultations that were registered last week which I believe councillors were not informed of.” … ” in Hall Green, residents gathered once again on Saturday for a ‘read-in’ at the local library – following similar events elsewhere in the city. The demonstration was attended by over 100 people, spanning all ages and backgrounds, as well as authors and renowned woodcarver Graham Jones.”

• Caerphilly – “A library is a space where you can boost people’s confidence” – Caerphilly Observer. A look at Bargoed Library. Library has a mission. ““Most of our staff are Masters or PhD educated, but choose the vocation of helping people.”. Activities help loneliness, well-being. “if Rhymney library wasn’t there, there wouldn’t be anything there. There is a community centre, yes, but [the library] was a lynchpin to culture within the community and always has been.””
• Devon – Charity celebrates share of £1 million fund – Kingsbridge Today. Benefact Group “The £1,000 donation made as part of the Movement for Good Awards “
• East Riding – East Riding Libraries to hide books around the county for World Book Night – Scarborough News. “Hints for locations where books are hidden will be posted on their social media channels for people to track down.”
• Greenwich – Greenwich library workers plan further walkout to address ‘appalling’ pay and working conditions – MyLondon / Yahoo. “Unite workers’ union members working in libraries in Greenwich have arranged a 24-hour strike for April 30 after the union claimed employer Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) had failed to negotiate an appropriate resolution to an ongoing dispute.”. Dispute is over better pay and conditions and the use of zero hours contracts (60% of national staff). But “the trust did not feel that Unite’s campaign reflected the genuine concerns of its staff and it believed that it was manufactured to reflect the union’s national and political agendas”

• Northern Ireland – Libraries: Almost one million NI books not back on time – BBC. “Fines for overdue library books in Northern Ireland were removed in October 2021. As of March this year nearly 3,000 books were overdue for more than a year.” … “Libraries NI made £73,510 through charging for overdue items from 2018 to 2019. However, after deducting administration costs, the income made by Libraries NI was £7,260 for that period.” … “two-thirds of overdue books are returned within two months.”
  • Paedophile jailed for repeatedly going to libraries across NI to use internet – Belfast Telegraph. Offender used public library computers to get around ban on him going online, although he was only using news websites.
• North Somerset – North Somerset Libraries celebrate World Book Night – North Somerset Council. “the libraries team have worked with the North Somerset UK Resettlement team and Community Learning to give books to people who have recently arrived in North Somerset and are learning English.”
• North Yorkshire – Young volunteers needed for Summer Reading Challenge at libraries across North Yorkshire – could it be you? – Harrogate Advertiser.
• Nottingham – Arts Council funding helps renovate library garden and resource centre – Nottingham Council. Hyson Green Library “With Arts Council support, the garden has undergone a stunning makeover, featuring captivating mosaics crafted by local artist Sophie Robins.”

• Redbridge – Temporary closure of Fullwell Cross Library – Redbridge Council. Refurbishment due to LIF funding.
• Renfrewshire – Revitalizing Paisley: award-winning library project breathes new life into town centre – Design Concept.

• Shropshire – Consultation launched to support decision on future of Schools Library Service – Shropshire Council.
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries launches new Reading with Dementia project – Suffolk Libraries.
  • Women with learning disabilities star in menopause film – BBC. “Ace Anglia, based in Stowmarket, has worked with Suffolk Libraries to share what happens before and after periods stop. The film features women supported by the organisation. Nicole Smith, from the libraries’ Menopause and Me Project, external, said the aim was to “reflect different experiences” and to show people they were not alone.”
• Surrey – Work set to start on new Community Hub in Weybridge – Surrey News. “he Weybridge Hub will include a modern library, a space for targeted youth support, accessible community spaces for hire and other commercially lettable space within.  The lettable space  will be 328 sq.m. (approx. 3,530 sq ft). “
• Torbay – Libraries puzzle night is a piece of genius – Torbay Weekly. “Nineteen members of the community and library staff got together and formed 5 teams. Each team were given the same 500 piece puzzle to complete and the fastest team were the winners.”
• Warwickshire – Exciting day of free events at Rugby Library to celebrate Shakespeare’s plays – Warwickshire World.
• West Sussex – Free books on the menu for meals on wheels clients – West Sussex Council. World Book Night books given out.
• Worcestershire – 350 books gifted to vulnerable children for World Book Night – Worcester News / Yahoo. “Several locations and organisations were involved, including refugee community groups, Cranstoun, Action for Children, and Redditch Nightstop.”