Vote for Libraries
Editorial
By the look of the opinion polls, Public Libraries News will be reporting, for the first time it its 14 year history, soon on what impact a government without any Conservatives in it is having on public libraries. You already know the impact that the Conservatives have had. What will happen is unclear. Last general election, Labour’s manifesto was full of promises for public services including a likely bonanza for public libraries but it was all kind of moot because Labour stood no chance of being elected. This time around, everyone is more certain of Labour being elected than any other time I can remember in my 53 years, but there is not a single mention of libraries in their manifesto. So it’s unlikely to be a bonanza.
But I will most definitely vote. I read somewhere that a general election is better thought of as voting for a bus and not a marriage partner. You’re not voting for someone who you completely love and want to spend the rest of your life with. You’re voting for the one that gets you nearer to your desired destination. Which is why I will be voting for the party for that will take me closer to what is desired, rather than the one which most agrees with my beliefs (which stands no chance of being elected here). Because we live in a country with the first-past-the-post system and not proportional representation. Any other vote other than the one for a party likely to win is therefore, in this harsh winner-takes-all world, a wasted vote. It may make you feel better and principled and that’s great, do what you will. But for me, 14 years of Conservative Prime Ministers has taught me pragmatism. Public libraries need a vote. And not voting, or voting for someone with no chance of getting in, is not going to help anyone. So vote to make a real difference if you can. And heaven knows, many people think we need that.
Please email any news or comments to ianlibrarian at live co uk. Thank you. As stated elsewhere on this webpage, this website represents my personal opinions and is entirely my own work. It does not represent that of anyone else, including my main employer.
Changes by local authority
- Wolverhampton – £61m restoration of main library.
National news
- CILIP highlights impact of libraries as part of Libraries Change Lives Week – BookSeller. “CILIP, the library and information association, has unveiled more than 150 stories that reveal the life-changing impact libraries have on their users as part of Libraries Change Lives Week across the UK”
- If there’s nowhere else to go, this is where they come’: how Britain’s libraries provide much more than books – Guardian. Crafts sessions, help with council queries, computers, problems with opening hours, quiz, loans of items like footballs,
“The average public library is not only a provider of the latest Anne Enright or Julia Donaldson: it is now an informal citizens advice bureau, a business development centre, a community centre and a mental health provider. It is an unofficial Sure Start centre, a homelessness shelter, a literacy and foreign language-learning centre, a calm space where tutors can help struggling kids, an asylum support provider, a citizenship and driving theory test centre, and a place to sit still all day and stare at the wall, if that is what you need to do, without anyone expecting you to buy anything … The trouble comes when libraries – and the underpaid, overstretched people who work in them – start to become sole providers for all these things”
- Libraries are a lifeline that we cannot afford to lose – Guardian / Letters. North Yorkshire Libraries volunteer regrets that library could close without volunteering. Reminiscences and positive thoughts about the library. Folkstone Library has been closed for 18 months as council cannot afford to repair it. “They fill the many gaps left by the state, yet they are constantly under threat of closure.”
- Travelling printer to cycle to libraries across UK – Bristol 247. “A Bristol artisan is currently planning his latest adventure that will see him cycle his custom-made printing bike from library to library across Britain making bespoke bookmarks along the way.”. Crowdfunder.
International news
- Gulf – As Gulf countries continue to grow, they need more public libraries – National News / Opinion. “in 2022, the five Gulf countries for which data is available all had less than 0.5 public libraries per 100,000 people, as compared to more than five public libraries per 100,000 in the UK and US.”
- USA – NYC public libraries have their funding restored, will reopen on Sundays – CNN. $11m. Initial cut due to flat funding and rising costs. Reverse of decision due to public unhappiness.
- No computers. Keep books. Seattle library network outage nears a month – Seattle Times. “The library and its 27 branches continue to struggle through a ransomware attack that has disabled its networks, rendered its hundreds of public computers useless and turned its normal operations upside down.”
- The Quiet Crisis Facing U.S. Public Libraries – Publishers Weekly. Written by Tim Coates. “The latest IMLS data show library visits are half what they were a decade ago—where is the response from library leaders?”. Author sure that reduction in books is to blame. “The data suggests that the shrinking gate counts is largely coming from existing users visiting libraries less often, rather than a falling number of people using libraries at all. There is no evidence to suggest that people’s need or desire for libraries has waned.” … ” the U.K. stands as a cautionary tale, where library funding has been slashed by more than 50% [sic – ed.] over the past decade, and a third of the U.K.’s public libraries have now closed.”
- Urban Public Libraries in the 1980s: Evolving Library Services for an Information Society – Public Library Quarterly. ” As the U.S. shifted from an industrial society of large workplaces linking whole communities toward an “information society” with a more heterogenous workforce divided by educational attainment, urban public library workforces, target audiences, collections, and programming both adapted to and mirrored these changes.”
Local news by authority
- Barnsley – Barnsley Libraries announces this year’s ‘Library Lates’ public programme – Barnsley Council. “Sessions delivered by a range of local artists will include writing workshops, open mic nights, ceramics and figure drawing, and many more.”
- Birmingham – Campaigners urge pause in library closure plans – BBC. “Birmingham Loves Libraries has published an open letter, which said: “Our libraries are lifelines and we cannot afford to lose them.” It has asked for public interest and value-for-money assessments to be carried out.”
- Birmingham Loves Libraries – Webpages bringing together all Birmingham library campaign groups. “To cut costs, Birmingham City Council is proposing a mixed delivery model that will mean closing libraries, cutting staffing levels, transferring library services to other non-Council owned locations, and creating an unspecified number of ‘hub’ libraries. Birmingham Loves Libraries believes our community libraries should remain open, public, and run by trained library staff as part of an effective city-wide library service for generations to come.” See The Unofficial Guide to the BCC Libraries Consultation.
- Final phase of libraries consultation to take place later this summer – Birmingham Council. “The Birmingham libraries consultation has been taking place since 4th April and is currently running until 17th July. The consultation so far has included an online survey, online consultation sessions, in-person consultations and targeted engagement.” … “The final phase will run from the end of August to Friday 27th September and consist of a new online Be Heard survey and in-person consultation sessions taking place in each library from Monday 2nd September through to Thursday 26th September 2024.”
- Brighton and Hove – People banned from Brighton libraries for drug use and other reasons – Argus. “42 people were barred from libraries in Brighton and Hove between April 2023 and June 2024.” Theft, drugs, sleeping, abuse, assault. And one for what is mysteriously described as “inappropriate use of library card”.
- Caerphilly – Annual Summer Reading Challenge returns for 2024 – Caerphilly Council. Reading Agency.
- Ceredigion – Aberaeron to hold public meeting over library future – Cambrian News. “A public meeting is to be held following “anger and disbelief” at a “nonsensical” proposal to move Aberaeron’s library to county hall, Penmorfa.” Council is short of money and library is expensive compared to a co-location. Local businesses fear closure will mean footfall will dramatically fall.
- Cheshire West and Chester – Chester libraries re-launch reading challenge for adults – Standard. Read two books to have chance of winning £50 book voucher. “A similar book voucher prize will also be awarded for 13 to 17-year-olds.” … “From August 1, book enthusiasts can join the #BooketList, a compilation of 30 favourite books as selected by the Libraries team.”.
- ‘Marvellous Makers’ in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – Dee Radio. Reading Agency. Events include “animal handling to digital crafts, dance and science,”
- Cornwall – One Week To Go: Cornwall Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge 2024 – Cornish Stuff. Reading Agency. “After reading your first two books, visit the library to share your reading experience with a volunteer and receive your first prize.”
- Dorset – New opening hours for Dorset libraries on Monday July 1 – Dorset Echo. “Weekly staff hours have seen only a minimal change, at 630 hours instead of 631, and all previous services, information and support will continue to be available.” More flexible staffing.
- Hackney – Free summer fun and prizes for children in the Great Hackney Libraries Quest – Hackney Council. Locally produced, in connect with relaunch of local carnival. Stamps for various library activities. “Players will receive bronze, silver or gold certificates and badges depending on the number of stamps collected, and be entered into a prize draw to win book tokens.”
- Kent – Libraries and household waste recycling centres ‘face the axe’ as Kent County Council hunts for £81m savings – Kent Online. “The leader of the county’s largest local authority has sought to quell fears tips and libraries are set to be axed to save money. Kent County Council leader Cllr Roger Gough has no intention of closing the facilities despite needing to find £81m to fill the budget gap in 2025-26.”
- Leicester – Join in a summer of fun at Leicester Libraries – Leicester Council. Reading Agency Summer Reading Challenge until 15 September. Adults reading six books could win £30 worth of books.
- Leicestershire – Libraries set for Summer Reading Challenge – Leicestershire Council. Reading Agency. “Children taking part in the challenge can also receive free entry to Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, as well as the 1620’s House and Garden at Donington le Heath. ”
- New play project at libraries rolled out – BBC. “Sixteen libraries are now hosting the Pop-in Play Library project, run by not-for-profit organisation Boromi, with the original pilot funded by a Leicestershire County Council grant.” … “The play bags are borrowed and used in libraries, but people cannot take them home, hence the “pop-in” name.”
- Manchester – Be part of ‘Manchester Central Library at 90’ events this summer – Manchester Council. “Library staff are asking for help in finding Mancunians born in the city, 90 years ago or earlier, or who are also celebrating their 90th birthdays in July and are able to attend this unique event, to get in touch with the library. Staff will send a special invite to attend this anniversary event. “
- North Somerset – North Somerset libraries will celebrate ‘Marvellous Makers’ this summer – North Somerset Council. Reading Agency.
- Northumberland – Discover how ‘Libraries Change Lives’ in Northumberland – Hexham Courant. Showing all the services libraries provide, including local knowledge and business support.
- Nottingham – Nottingham lace: from craft to industry – LibraryOn. Local history. LibraryOn “wanted to test content that highlights the depth of special collections in public libraries.”
- Nottinghamshire – New chapter at South Yorkshire Library following homebuilder’s donation – Yorskhire Post. 40 books given.
- Portsmouth – Portsmouth pupils enjoy huge celebration of books, libraries and reading – Portsmouth Council. “Portsmouth City Council’s School Library Service runs an annual Book Award and Reading Champion competition across three age groups to promote a love of reading: Year 1, Year 5 and Year 8/9. In separate events this month, the winner in the Year 1 Picture Book Award was revealed as Do Lions Hate Haircuts by Bethany Walker and Stephanie Laberis. This year, Scare Me by Teri Terry won the prize for the Year 8/9 Book Award, an honour she has received for the third time from the city’s secondary school pupils.”
- South Lanarkshire – Podcasting in Libraries: New Opportunities at South Lanarkshire – Lorensbergs. What’s needed and case study.
- Stockport – From the Tardis to Central Library: Christopher Eccleston shares his love of libraries with Stockport residents – Stockport Council.
- Suffolk – The Blank Page Project returns this Summer with brand-new artist workshops – Suffolk Libraries. HAF funded events for 10-16s. Competition to win 1:1 session with artist.
- Three Suffolk case studies highlighted by Libraries Change Lives week – Suffolk Libraries.
- Warwickshire – Warwickshire Libraries launches What’s on Guide as service celebrates one year with Arts Council England – Warwickshire Council. Paper booklet. “The guide highlights free regular and special activities for children, young people, adults, and families, as well as Warwickshire Libraries’ digital offer, and library services for those unable to attend their local library due to ill health or disability, including the Mobile Library and Home Library services.”
- West Sussex – Marvellous Makers is coming to a library near you – West Sussex Council. Reading Agency. “After registering online for the challenge at arena.westsussex.gov.uk/src, children receive a special code word. They then reveal this to staff at their local library to get their Marvellous Makers fold-out poster and first set of scratch-and-sniff stickers.”
- Wiltshire – Devizes Library set to close for weeks as improvements made – Wiltshire Times. “Devizes Library, located on Sheep Street, will close its doors on Monday, July 1, and won’t open them again until Thursday, July 25. According to Wiltshire Council, this is so that energy-efficient lighting and an air source heat pump can be installed to improve the library’s overall efficiency.”
- Wolverhampton – Library remains open as restoration work begins – BBC. “Wolverhampton Central Library will remain open as work begins to restore its roof and exterior, as part of multi-million pound plans for a new learning quarter in the city. The £61m scheme will also see internal remodelling, new rear entrance lobby and landscaping of the Grade II listed building later in the year.”
- Worcestershire – Worcestershire Libraries need your help for dementia memory bags – Bromsgrove Advertiser. “appealed to knitting enthusiasts to create twiddle muffs for new themed memory bags.” … “The novelty bags will include items such as books with a pictures-to-share book, themed objects and photos, a game, and a specially-designed ‘twiddle muff’.”
- Have fun with Marvellous Makers’ Summer Reading Challenge 2024 – Worcestershire Council. Reading Agency.
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