Pre-election period

Editorial

Public libraries were clearly not a major focus for electioneering this week, without a single article spotted. CILIP is hoping that this will change and we can hope, although of course currently employed library staff would get into potential hot water if they were political in their jobs at this time. Certainly, wherever cuts are announced, such as in Nottingham, people mobilise but they do so in an ad hoc fashion and not in any meaningful national way. Speaking of that city, it’s sad to see that one of the proposals is to cut the opening hours of the new Nottingham Central Library, which has only been open for a few months. This is reminiscent of the cuts in hours to the mega-expensive Library of Birmingham a decade ago, under the same government. Other than that, it’s fairly quiet out there, as perhaps one would expect in a pre-election period where councils scramble to remove anything political from their schedule.

I would recommend. though, a couple of happier stories this week: first, watch the amazing pianist who walked in with this builder team into Edmonton Library in Canada. It’s good for the soul. Then have a read of the poor (fool-hardy?) reporter who got locked in a Scottish library at the start of the bank holiday and was only saved from an undignified escape through a window due to the timely arrival of a cleaner. Having people stuck in closed libraries is a recurrent nightmare of many staff who have a to look up the building at the end of the day so it’s interesting to read about it from the other side’s point of view.

Changes by local authority

• Nottingham – £1.5m cut over 2 years.  Aspley, Basford, Bilborough, and Radford-Lenton under threat. 12 week consultation.

National news

• Better social media for libraries and cultural organisations – next steps – CILIP. 6 June, online.
• CILIP welcomes General Election call – CILIP. “oday’s announcement is an opportunity for this skilled and trusted profession to show the next government how it could do even more for the public with the right support and investment.”
• ‘Hate messages won’t stop me – I’m changing lives’ – BBC. “When Sab Samuel became the first drag queen to read children’s stories to youngsters at UK libraries it sparked protests across the country.” … “Some events go by unnoticed, while others make international news. “It can be just one tweet that sets things off,” Sab said.”
• Learning from audiobook usage in public libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic – Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. “Some surprising findings arose, including how limitations related to social media promotion of audiobooks were indicative of wider issues, and how questions around the future of audiobooks can shed light on what may be needed in the public library of tomorrow”
• Libraries Change Lives – Join the campaign in the build up to the general election – CILIP. “n the build-up to the general election, we will be launching the Libraries Change Lives social media and press campaign to engage politicians and decision-makers so that they truly understand the impact and value that library and information professionals add to their communities.”
• The Library Campaign mini-conference and AGM – Library Campaign. Saturday 15 June, London and online.
• Meet Rachel | Read Manchester Literacy Champion – National Literacy Trust. Sets up little free libraries in shops and hospitals.
• Titles from Taylor Jenkins Reid, Tom Daley, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Haruki Murakami part of the BBC and The Reading Agency’s Big Sporting Read – BBC. “Data from The Reading Agency shows that sports-themed content used in previous programmes has been a key driver of getting people of all ages across the UK involved in reading-related activity, with four in five librarians agreeing that a sports theme brought new audiences into the library.”
• Vera author Ann Cleeves named first ‘public library champion’ by library charity – Northumberland Gazette.
• Walked 400 miles across Scotland only to get locked in a public library – Scotsman. Reporter is locked into Kirkcudbright Library after going to bathroom near closing time. After working out how to escape, the reporter is saved by a cleaner coming in. “The funny thing was a day or two later, arriving in the neighbouring village of Gatehouse of Fleet, I checked out the local library as a space to work for the morning and saw the very same man who had locked me in by accident sitting at reception.”

International news

• Finland – Better late than never! Book borrowed in 1939 returned to Finnish library after 84 years – Yahoo. Finnish librarian says ““Our purpose is not to guard the books, we are here to promote reading and enable access to books and knowledge to everyone. The library is a very humane place, and people in Finland use the libraries a lot and understand how they work. Library books belong to all of us and late returns are not a big problem.””
• Spain – Spanish design duo reveal secrets behind award-winning Barcelona library – Euro News. Gabriel Garcia Marquez Library. “From the outside it looks like a huge, white stack of books and that is precisely the idea at the self-styled ‘Cathedral of books.’ Inside, the red spruce finish throughout gives it a clean, airy, feel which helps make it seem like a pleasant place to enjoy books.” … “People spend a lot of time in the library. They don’t just come in and get a book. They feel more comfortable here than at home,” Elena said. “That is the real idea of the palace of the people,” Guillermo added.”

• USA – Activists and librarians are fighting a wave of challenges to books, many with LGBTQ themes – WPLN. “The American Library Association recorded the highest number titles challenged since it began recording them more than 20 years ago.”. Nearly half of challenges are over sexuality or race. “Banning books and removing books from libraries is a fascist practice. It’s something that fascists do”
  • 2 petitions look to overturn controversial changes at Huntington Beach libraries – NBC Los Angeles. Over book censorship and privatisation.
  • Human Rights Hero: The Librarian – American Bar Association. “despite facing the greatest existential threat in the history of libraries at the toughest time to be a practitioner, librarians keep showing up to ensure that the public has the support they need to access and navigate the print and digital materials that can inform and enrich their lives. That is truly the definition of “hero.””
  • Ransomware attack on Seattle Public Library knocks out online systems – The Record. “it has taken all systems down and has contacted law enforcement. There is no estimated time of recovery”
  • Vending library program expands into new locations – WVUA 23. “The two new vending libraries will be installed at the Faucett Brothers and Bobby Miller PARA Activity Centers. The kiosks will contain books covering subjects to include adult fiction and nonfiction, children’s fiction, picture books, and pre-K reading materials.”

Local news by authority

• Blackpool – Blackpool libraries to showcase creative technology careers to young people – Blackpool Council. “Blackpool Libraries are working with The Reading Agency, StoryFutures and other partners to provide access for young adults (13 to 17) to technology and to mentors in this field”. ACE grant. VR. Links with technology companies. Creative Minds training library staff on improving tech knowledge and dealing with teenagers.
• Ceredigion – Petition against Ceredigion library move to be heard next week – Tivy-Side Advertiser. “A near-200-strong petition calling for Lampeter’s library to remain in the town’s Market Stret is to be received by senior Ceredigion councillors next week.”
• Derby – Three proposals to run community libraries shortlisted – Derby Council. “Three organisations have been invited to submit formal bids to run the city’s ten non-statutory libraries as a Trust.” … “The ten community libraries are Allestree, Allenton, Blagreaves, Chaddesden Park, Chellaston, Derwent Community Library, Mackworth, Sinfin, Spondon and Springwood (Oakwood).”
• Derbyshire – Derbyshire temporary banking hub opens in library – Chad. Cash Access UK involved. “The temporary Banking Hub will provide locals with basic banking and cash services, while plans for the permanent Hub continue to progress. The temporary Banking Hub is located at Shirebrook Library on Patchwork Row.”
• Hampshire – Volunteers’ Week: 3 – 9 June 2024 – Hampshire Council. “Across our whole service our volunteers give back over 800 hours to their communities every week. Whether they support someone who uses the Home Library Service, help with the Summer Reading Challenge, or volunteer to run a Saturday Fun Time, Rhymetime or Chat About session they all help to make our libraries warm and welcoming places.”
• Hartlepool – Have your say on hub and library opening hours – Hartlepool Council. “Opening hours at the hubs and libraries had been reduced in previous years due to financial pressures and lower visitor figures on evenings, however some people have subsequently been unable to get to the venues during the current hours” … “The opening hours wouldn’t be increased or decreased, but instead redistributed across times that are more convenient for residents.” … “Community Hub Central in York Road is now opening later on Wednesday evenings until 8pm, giving people more time to enjoy lots of great activities including Fab Lab sessions, a weight management group, homework groups and much more – plus of course the library.”
• Hertfordshire – First ever Hertfordshire CareFest announced for June – Hertfordshire Council. “rganised as part of a collaborative initiative by our Adult Care Services and local libraries, HILS (Health & Independent Living Support), Carers in Herts, Herts Sports Partnership, and the NHS.”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde Librarian books in for top award – Inverclyde Council. ” nominated for her work last year to integrate a health and wellbeing focus into Inverclyde’s libraries following the Covid-19 pandemic.”
• Isle of Wight – ICRTouch teams up with Isle of Wight libraries to boost tech learning resources – On the Wight. ” ICRTouch and the Isle of Wight council have curated a list of reading resources that comprises approximately 100 books which are now available at local libraries.”
• Kent – Thanet libraries receive Know Your Neighbourhood £85k grant – Isle of Thanet News. “The Know Your Neighbourhood project is a national initiative aiming to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 disadvantaged areas across England. Thanet libraries have received a share of £2.5 million of the £30 million fund” … ” Examples of the activities include walking and gardening for wellbeing, children’s craft activities, menopause cafes, family learning support events and social prescribing.”
• Nottingham – Nottingham news: Four libraries at risk of closure as council scrimps to save £1.5m – Nottingham World. Aspley, Basford, Bilborough, and Radford-Lenton under threat. 12 week consultation. see also Campaigners launch petition against four Nottingham library closures – Notts TV. “In less than 24 hours the petition received more than 400 signatures. Wendy Smith, former Lord Mayor of Nottingham and former Labour councillor for Bilborough, will also be supporting the campaign against the closures.” and see consultation here.
• Nottingham Central Library opening hours could be cut months after opening – Nottingham Post.
• Nottinghamshire – New ‘Meet Me at the Benches’ book themed art trail to launched July 11 during Newark Book Festival, organised by Newark and Sherwood District Council and Inspire Culture, Learning and Libraries, featuring designs by East Midlands artists – Newark Advertiser.
• Oldham – Oldham libraries launch ‘look for a book’ competition – Oldham Times.
• Orkney – Northern Isles Libraries funding boost for vision project – Orkney Islands Council. “Orkney and Shetland Libraries are putting aside their friendly rivalry with a joint project to boost services for the visually impaired. “Make a Noise in the North” highlights what libraries and their partners can offer people with sight problems. This project is supported by the Public Library Improvement Fund via the Scottish Library and Information Council.”
• Waltham Forest – Relief as South Chingford Community Library saved from closure – Yellow Advertiser. “South Chingford Community Library, in Chingford Mount Road, was originally set to close at the end of June after Waltham Forest Council pulled its funding last September. But the trust has now been offered another year’s funding, with the council saying it has “arranged a short-term tenancy while we complete our review of how we deliver library services”.”
• Warwickshire – Get involved in thrilling “Body in the Library” murder mystery events this June at Warwickshire Libraries – Warwickshire Council. “There will be separate interactive sessions available for young people aged 11 – 17 years, and adults aged 18+ years, taking place at four library locations across the county.” … “inspired by real crimes found in Warwickshire’s Local History archives.” £20 per person including a free drink. £3 for young people events.
• Worcestershire – Worcestershire libraries offering ‘Study Happy’ for students – Worcester Observer.