Two annual events in danger of losing their shine

Editorial

Two annual library events have got me thinking this week. The first is the Summer Reading Challenge. By far the most popular promotion that any public library normally puts on, the Challenge is aimed at those in primary school, created by the Reading Agency and voluntarily bought into, or not, by library services. The format of it has not seriously changed since its introduction a quarter of a century ago. Probably the biggest change many have noted in that time is the replacement of the shiny “gold-looking” metal medal by a more environmentally friendly wooden one. Some library services, though, have got bored with this medal, sorry, model, or can no longer afford buying into it, or feel very independent, leading to some individual council designs, ranging from sub-SRC knock-offs to some genuinely impressive examples that must have taken a considerable amount of staff time and funding. This causes a problem because the more that go it alone then the more expensive it is for everyone else due to economies of scale. And more may go it alone in response. A vicious circle. So, something that was a great example of a national promotion is quite literally in danger of losing its shine. Which would be a tragedy.

Something else that happens nationally is the CILIP Conference, which was on this week. The vast majority of those working in public libraries, including many managers, may not have been aware of this at all. The cost of attending is prohibitive – several hundred per day – so only few can attend and the sessions themselves are not recorded or shared outside of the lucky few who can attend. This is not to decry the event. Like the Summer Reading Challenge, I strongly support the idea of bringing library workers together and have been in the privileged position myself of attending more than a few. I find them very useful and it’s a great way of getting people learning about what is going on nationally (other than reading Public Libraries News of course, naturally). But there is now something demonstrably improvable, at least for the public library contingent, about a conference that now attracts only a handful from that sub-sector and has little impact other than for the tiny handful of public librarians who can attend. And I hope it is fixed.

Do you agree on this, got suggestions or want to comment about something else? If so, lease email your views to me at ianlibrarian at live dot co dot uk. Thank you.

Changes by local authority

• Bradford: Proposed £175k (15%) cut to include no printed newspapers, cuts to staff.
• Bromley: Bromley Central Library may move to larger new site.
• Cheshire East: £600k cut over next 2 years inc. opening hours cuts.
• Lancashire – Briercliffe Library may reopen in museum.
• Stockport – Staffing replaced by staff-less technology.

National news

• Librarians told to challenge ‘paradigm of whiteness’ in Welsh Labour anti-racism plan – Telegraph. Welsh Government has “provided funding that aims to “eradicate” systemic racism in libraries by training staff in “anti-racist principles”.” CILIP Wales “secured government funding for a project titled Anti-racist Library Collections, which will seek to transform libraries by rolling out new training for staff.” … explaining ““decolonising libraries is essential”, and suggests “prioritising the acquisition of materials authored by ethnic minority people”.”
• Our libraries are on borrowed time – Prospect. Richard Ovenden. “we urgently need the incoming government to place a long overdue focus on libraries, and to develop a supporting national strategy, bringing together all of the library ecosystem, including public, school, national, university and specialist libraries. Libraries are a key part of the infrastructure of democracy: in Ukraine, libraries are being deliberately attacked by Russian forces—here we are effectively attacking our own provision through severe cuts to funding.”

International news

• USA – New rule restricts what’s allowed on shelves in SC public libraries – WIS 10. “The temporary law written into the state budget, called a proviso, requires county libraries to certify to the State Library that their children’s section does not contain any books or materials that appeal to the prurient interest — defined in state code as “a shameful or morbid interest in nudity, sex, or excretion and is reflective of an arousal of lewd and lascivious desires and thoughts” — of kids under 13.”

Local news by authority

• Barnet – Creative health projects to improve wellbeing are coming to Barnet libraries – Barnet Council. ACE funding.
• Barnsley – Mapplewell and Staincross Library re-opens its doors following refurbishment – Mapplesworth Council. Council and “Shared Prosperity Fund” grant.
• Bath and North East Somerset – 100 years of Bath Central Library: A historic celebration – Journal.
• Bedford – ‘Marvellous Makers’ announced as the theme for this year’s Bedford Borough Libraries reading challenge – Bedford Independent. “When children join, they will receive a bookmark with spaces for eighteen stamps, which they will receive each time they return a book they’ve read to a library.” Medal when read eighteen books.
• Birmingham – Primary school pupils bemoan proposed library losses – BBC. School protest. “Kate Taylor, organiser of campaign group Brum Rise Up, called on the new Labour-led government to make more money available to local authorities.”
• Bradford – Opening hours of Bradford’s libraries could be cut by 15% – Ilkley Gazette. Councils says “likely to have a significant impact on staff contracted hours and could result in the risk of redundancies.”. Donation boxes considered. No printed newspapers. Proposed £175k cut.
  • Bradford Libraries launch Summer Reading Challenge – Ilkley Chat. Marvellous Makers. “Watch out for the National Literacy Trust yellow Stories Bus where library staff will be offering a treasure hunt, free book and encouraging families to sign up in the Bradford City Centre Library.” 8 page brochure of events.
• Brighton and Hove – Sparking children’s creativity with Summer Reading Challenge – Brighton and Hove Council. Marvellous Makers.
• Bromley – Have your say on Bromley Library’s major move to former Topshop premises – News Shopper. “Bromley Council is seeking feedback to refine plans for the relocation, which was announced in October 2023. The new location will be the site of the former Topshop store on the High Street. The larger site will not only accommodate the library’s existing resources but also make room for enhancements such as a children’s section and modern study areas.”
• Buckinghamshire – Have your say on future of Bucks Libraries – Bucks Radio.
• Cheshire East – Cheshire East library proposals to be discussed – Cheshire East Council. Proposed 3 tiers: Tier 1 (Congleton, Crewe, Macclesfield, Nantwich and Wilmslow) to become hubs inc. council, health, banking. Tier 2 (Alsager, Holmes Chapel, Knutsford, Middlewich, Poynton and Sandbach) to have some hours changes Tier 3 (Alderley Edge, Bollington, Disley and Handforth) to have council support 1.5 days per week. Other organisations/councils being approached to support Tier 3 sites at other times. If approved by committee on 18 July, changes will go to public consultation.
  • Children protest against closure of ‘vital’ Cheshire libraries – Cheshire Live.
  • Pro-Bollington Library campaigners set to show up to Cheshire East Council Meeting – Macclesfield Nub News. “Nigel Macartney told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that even though closure no longer seems to be on the cards, he is still incensed by what is proposed.” and says “”The general public in Bollington will be very, very disappointed that the library is still being shut on all days, apart from one and a half”
  • Could Nantwich Library be privatised under CEC plans? – Nantwich News. “another proposal could see some libraries privatised – although there is no explanation as to how this would work.”
• East Sussex – The volunteer-run library that’s securing a future for reading in Hastings – Sussex World. “The cherished local library is celebrating a recently approved 20-year lease, ensuring it remains a community cornerstone for years to come.” It was going to be closed in 2018 but volunteers stepped in. “With the help of an initial grant from North East Hastings Big Local, matched by a local housing association, a total of £15,000 was raised to save the library.”
• Havering – ‘If you cut our libraries you cut our communities’- Residents and trade unions unite in the battle to save our libraries from closures. – Havering Daily. “The protest was organised by the Trade Union Council who gathered many of its members to join in the battle to save these libraries from closing.” Now, “With more than 1,000 members and a collection of over 6,000 book titles, the library offers a range of services, including a book club and story time sessions for children under five.”
• Kirklees – Kirklees Libraries launch exciting reading programme to boost literacy in children – Huddersfield Hub. “The Library Adventures programme is aimed at children aged four to 11 who can pick up an Adventure Pack from their local library at any time during the year and start their journey through a series of exciting themes – Animal Planet, Magical Lands, Oceans, Rainforests, Space Explorer and Spooky.”
• Lancashire – Historic mill could become library’s new home – BBC. “The former Briercliffe Library has remained shut since 2016, when it was closed down at the same time as the nearby Queen Street Mill museum.”
• Leicester – Museums and libraries bring free fun to your doorstep for summer holidays – Leicester Council. Marvellous Makers. Robot, crafts.
• Manchester – The Summer Reading Challenge spotlights Marvellous Makers – Manchester Council. “lucky draw prizes of packed goody bags to be given away across 22 libraries and just one fortunate winner will be selected for the largest draw of all with a £100 voucher up to spend.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk library staff facing increased anti-social behaviour – Dereham Times.
• North Northamptonshire – Library closed until further notice after fire – BBC. “Oundle Library in Northamptonshire was evacuated when the fire was discovered at 10:30 BST. The fire service said gas and electricity supplies were turned off and the flames were put out shortly afterwards. All staff and customers left the building safely”
  • Library hosts 50th celebrations after election delay – BBC. Wellingborough. “It will host performances from local choirs, craft stalls and information from community groups.”
  • Summer Reading Challenge 2024 – Marvellous Makers making its way to you from your local library – North Northamptonshire Council. Marvellous Makers. Art competition.
• North Yorkshire – North Yorkshire libraries prepare for summer reading challenge – Hambleton Today. Marvellous Makers. Events.
• Nottingham – Faced With Library Closures, Council Launches Consultation – Left Lion. “Now faced with budget cuts of nearly 40%, four local libraries find themselves on the chopping block – Aspley, Basford, Bilborough, and Radford-Lenton.”
• Sandwell – Live at the Library – Sandwell Arts Festival 2024 – Sandwell Council. “There will be music, comedy, author and children’s author talks, poetry, local history, dance workshops, theatre, family shows, children’s holiday activities and even juggling”
• Slough – Challenge encourages children to read over summer – BBC. Marvellous Makers.
• South Gloucestershire – Children in South Gloucestershire invited to join the Summer Reading Challenge 2024 – South Gloucestershire Newsroom. Marvellous Makers. Crafts and puppetry events.
• Stockport – ‘It’s going to affect thousands’: Stockport library cuts ‘deeply concerning’ – Manchester Evening News. “Signs appeared on libraries in the borough in June advertising the new timetable – part of the ongoing roll out of the Open+ unstaffed library hours.” … “According to a sign at Reddish library, staff will not be around after 4pm on Monday and Tuesday, after 6pm on Wednesday, and after 2pm on Saturday. Thursday, Friday, and Sunday are unstaffed all day.
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries offers Fit for Work wellbeing days to local businesses – Suffolk Libraries. “Fit for Work is offering Suffolk-based small and medium sized businesses meeting room space in some of the county’s libraries for staff wellbeing events and away-days. As part of this, Suffolk Libraries will provide a free physical activity session and resources to support your staff’s wellbeing “
• Surrey – Surrey Libraries Rise to the Summer Reading Challenge for 2024 – Surrey News. Marvellous Makers. Launch events. Events include “origami sessions, badge making opportunities and in partnership with Surrey Arts we’ll be hosting free ‘come and try’ music workshops. “
• Warwickshire – Join Stockingford and Lillington libraries this Saturday to enjoy free Summer Reading Challenge launch events – Warwickshire Council. Marvellous Makers. Free creative art packs.
• Westmorland and Furness – Libraries encourage children to take part in Summer Reading Challenge – Westmorland and Furness Council. Marvellous Makers. ” a prize draw for a Kindle e-reader generously donated by The Cumberland Building Society”. Events.
  • Public consultation on future of town’s library – BBC. “A consultation has been launched asking for feedback on proposals which range from the full refurbishment of the King’s Road library building to “do nothing”.”
• West Northamptonshire – West Northants libraries launch Summer Reading Challenge 2024 – West Northamptonshire Council. Marvellous Makers. “vibrant array of arts and crafts themed events for children over the Summer from ballet workshops, wind chime making, magic shows, decoupage, slime …” Art competition.
• Wiltshire – Accessing ‘inappropriate websites’ among reasons for bans from Wiltshire libraries – Wiltshire Times. 14 bans: 10 due to disorderliness (inc. drunk, abuse), 1 harassment.
  • Reliable health information and signposting to activities and support available at your local library – Wiltshire Council. Health information highlighted for a month.