Gritted teeth: volunteers and party protests
Editorial
There are two articles this week – one from Sheffield and one from Waltham Forest – that remind me it has been over fourteen years when the first local people started having to volunteer to keep their libraries open due to council cuts. The strong suspicion at the time was that such libraries were not going to last long, due to people losing their enthusiasm or being unable to meet funding requirements. However, come now and there are at least 621 volunteer libraries in the UK with only a handful having had to close. The others are still surviving, some still staffed by the original volunteers (many now in their 70s and some in their 80s) who are new presumably experts in gaining grants and local fundraising. Now, being biased (I’ve been a paid librarian, somehow, for 30 years), I see a lot of problems with this model – atomisation, local biases, better performance in areas with lots of retired professionals, etc, etc – but one has to admit that they’re still standing. And that’s amazing and needs credit, whether you like them or not.
It’s been a quiet week, especially in comparison to the weeks before following the BBC report, but there’s still sadly some cuts to report – Hampshire will be buying fewer books, Haringey’s libraries will be open for fewer hours, Kirklees will see reduced staffing and Perth and Kinross are warning about potential closures. A few of these are basically new bargaining positions due to public protest, especially in Kirklees. And then we have the standard news article of whichever party not locally in power complaining about library cuts. This can of course mean Conservative councillors reacting in shock to budgetary cuts, which naturally causes the odd jaded raised eyebrow, as in Enfield. Or gritted teeth.
Please email ianlibrarian@live.co.uk with any news, views or corrections, thank you.
Changes by local authority
- Hampshire – £200k (17%) cut to stock budget confirmed.
- Haringey – Proposed opening hours cuts in six libraries of two days and three (largest) libraries of one day.
- Kirklees – Rather than closing libraries, council will reduce library staffing.
- Perth and Kinross – Several libraries under potential threat as council says current library provision “no longer sustainable”
National news
- CILIP Members’ Fest 2024 Programme – CILIP. 14-18 October. Most events online. “All events are open-access, so whether you are a CILIP member or not, you can attend free of charge, take advantage of our thought leadership and training sessions and meet fellow community members. The whole programme is designed to introduce you to what we and our amazing communities do …”
- Create ‘universal library card’ to democratise the arts, says UK thinktank – Guardian. Fabian Society suggests “Everyone in Britain should be issued with a “universal library card”
- Now it’s Labour pushing councils into crisis – Socialist Worker. “Britain’s libraries are set to be even more hollowed out in the coming years. They have already taken a beating during the years of Tory austerity.”
- Over £1.2 million investment in local museums and libraries – Wired Gov. Wales. “£300,000 for the refurbishment and modernisation of Cwmbran Library”, “£130,000 for the Betws Library Modernisation Project; Ceredigion County Council will benefit from £210,000 for the development of the new Aberaeron Library”
International news
- Australia – In otherwise chaotic times, Victoria’s state library gave me purpose and peace – Guardian. “I could not believe such a grand facility with free internet, heating and a wealth of reading material was free for everyone to access, every day of the week – not to mention the student rates for coffee and sandwiches”
- Canada – Halifax Public Libraries and union reach tentative agreement – CBC. New pay offer to be voted on.
- Ireland – Louth Library Service joins National Public Libraries Open Day 2024 – Louth Live. 28 September. “will be joining 300+ branches nationwide to promote the role of public libraries in Irish society, raise awareness of the range of services they provide, and encourage people to become members. To coincide with National Public Libraries Open Day, the Take a Closer Look campaign is encouraging people to see first-hand the wide-ranging free services open to them through their libraries.” … “Library membership is free with no fines or any barrier to access”
- Switzerland – Swiss libraries receive over 46 million visits – Swiss Info. “Public libraries in Switzerland recorded 46.3 million admissions last year, 7.4 million more than in 2022. The total number of active users remained stable at 1.7 million” … “Switzerland has a total of 1,498 libraries, a slight increase on the previous year (1,484), says the statistical office. On average, the country has 16.7 libraries per 100,000 inhabitants.” … “A total of 8,607 people, or 4,337 full-time equivalents, worked in Swiss libraries, in addition to 2,339 volunteers.”
- USA – ‘We Are the Majority’: Intellectual Freedom Summit in D.C. reenergizes library advocates to fight censorship – American Libraries Magazine. “We are the majority and we have to start acting like it”
- Carnegie Returns to Its Roots with Millions in Grants to Public Libraries – Carnegie Corporation of New York. “will devote $4 million to three of the city’s public libraries in a set of grants that mark the philanthropy’s return to its roots.”
- New Urban Libraries Council (ULC) Brief: “The Role of Libraries as Public Spaces in Countering Misinformation, Disinformation, and Social Isolation in the Age of Generative AI” – Library Journal.
Local news by authority
- Barnsley – Libraries to close for refurbishment scheme – BBC. “Two libraries are to close as part of a £500,000 refurbishment to modernise the buildings and make them more energy efficient. Barnsley Council said the work would help transform Darfield and Goldthorpe libraries into modern and flexible spaces. Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, said they had made “great progress” since they began refurbishing libraries as part of the Barnsley Library Strategy.”
- Birmingham – Writers create protest magazine over library cuts – BBC. “The Brum Library Zine, which launches on Saturday, paired 35 writers with libraries across Birmingham and asked them to write a piece inspired by that library.”, one for each library under threat. Author says ” he saw librarians helping refugees to fill out forms, and children studying who did not have computers or quiet spaces at home. Library staff told him about socially isolated people who came in for regular chats.”
- Birmingham City Council’s plans for ‘minimum’ number of libraries – and what would happen to the rest – Birmingham Live. Library consultation until 27 September.
- Bolton – Warning as new computers to be installed at Bolton libraries – Bolton News. “From Monday, September 16, to Friday, September 20, new computers will be installed at community libraries.” computers will be unavailable while being upgarded per branch.
- Bristol – Congratulating our Summer Reading Challenge champions – Bristol Council. “To commemorate the end of the challenge, every library in Bristol nominated children or young people to represent them at an awards ceremony, which took place at Bristol Central Library on Tuesday 17 September. Each winner was presented a Summer Reading Challenge Book bag by Councillor Andrew Varney, the Lord Mayor of Bristol”
- Buckinghamshire – Residents last chance to comment on controversial plans to cut library staff across Buckinghamshire – Bucks Herald. Staffless technology to partially replace paid staff at Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Buckingham, Chesham, Hazlemere, Marlow and Princes Risborough.
- Bury – Age UK – Scam Awareness Talks in libraries during October – My News Desk. Three free drop-ins.
- Cambridgeshire – The Library Presents reveals the returning favourites and new delights set to perform in March, Wisbech and Chatteris – Fenland Citizen. “With 43 events taking place across 23 venues including March, Wisbech and Chatteris, The Library Presents offers something for everyone, from music and puppetry to dance, theatre, storytelling, and circus.”
- Cheshire West and Chester -End period poverty campaign gets boost as libraries and leisure centres come aboard – Northwich and Winsford Guardian. “Cheshire West and Chester (CWAC) libraries and Brio leisure centres, including Winsford Lifestyle Centre and Northwich Memorial Court, have now agreed to act as drop-off points for period products donated by the public.”
- Bump into culture at your local library this autumn – Dee Radio. “Cheshire West Libraries have partnered with Bee Friends of Frodsham to present a series of classical, light music and jazz concerts, performed by professional musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music”. Funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
- Croydon – Council is reported to government for library report failures – Inside Croydon. “The cobbled-together, evidence-lite and contradictory report recommending the closure of four of the borough’s public libraries now faces a legal challenge”. Library Campaign calls for “full DCMS investigation into [Croydon] council’s current library plans (such as they are) and intervention to secure improvements.”
- Devon – Honiton Library celebrates 50 years with party and 1974 quiz – Mid Week Herald. 100 attended.
- Enfield – Labour and Tories blame each other for plan to close eight Enfield libraries – Enfield Dispatch. “The opposition Conservatives called a fresh debate on the library closures but again failed to force a rethink on the proposal”
- Save Enfield libraries and leisure centre from Labour cuts – Socialist Party. “Enfield was the London borough with the most libraries – 16 in total. However, the Labour council has decided to close half. These cuts will save the council around £600,000, and earn it £3 million on property sales.”
- Falkirk – Crochet class will not return to Bo’ness library as cost of hire trebles – Falkirk Herald. “Bo’ness library’s community rooms recently reopened after being closed for nearly two years while a new lift was being installed. After waiting 104 weeks for the rooms to be ready, Lindsay McFarlane says her community crochet classes won’t be returning to Bo’ness because of the price hike.”. Cost increased from £10 per hour to £30.
- Hampshire – Libraries across Hampshire to face funding cuts – Hello Rayo. “Hampshire’s children’s services boss has argued people won’t suffer a ”significantly detrimental” impact despite a £200,000 cut in the budget for new library stock so core services can be prioritised.”
- Haringey – Fresh anger over cuts to library opening hours across Haringey – Haringey Community Press. “Haringey Council is looking for children and young people to give feedback in response to criticism over plans to reduce library opening hours.” No hard copies of consultation on show in libraries.
- Isle of Wight – Breastfeeding friendly spaces introduced in Isle of Wight Libraries – Isle of Wight County Press. “Since April, each of the council’s six libraries — Cowes, Freshwater, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, and Ventnor — has been equipped with specially allocated chairs for mothers to breastfeed their babies. Recently, feeding cushions have been added for extra comfort.”
- Kirklees – What is happening with Mirfield Library: Kirklees Council agrees u-turn on plan to shut Mirfield Library but warned communities left feeling ‘bruised’ – Dewsbury Reporter. “The local authority had been looking to make eight of Kirklees’ 24 libraries community-managed in a bid to make a saving of more than £900k” … “However, the plans were met with huge backlash from local communities, with a consultation revealing that volunteers and other members of the community were “overwhelmingly” against them.”
- Lancashire – Rishton Library vandalised for second time in two weeks – Lancashire Telegraph. “On Thursday night, September 12, the library had its windows smashed, as well as the doors, just weeks after reports were made that librarians had faced abuse by a group of young people. Windows had also been smashed previously and workers at the library, on High Street, said they had to make numerous complaints across several months after persistent disturbances.”
- Leicester – Free activities for Green Libraries Week – Leicester Council. “talk on why we travel by award-winning journalist, broadcaster and author Ash Bhardwa”, volunteering opportunities, events.
Nottinghamshire – Exciting refurbishment planned for Hucknall Library in late 2024 – Dispatch. “Funded by the Libraries Improvement Fund in collaboration with Nottinghamshire Council, the renovations will include providing access to a customer toilet and upgraded spaces and facilities to allow for improved flexibility and use of the building.”
Perth and Kinross – ‘Save Birnam Library’ protest shines light on Perth and Kinross closure fears – Courier. “Campaigners staged a protest outside Birnam Library on Friday amid fresh fears it’s facing closure. It comes as culture bosses consult communities across Perth and Kinross on what “possible future models of service delivery” might look like. Library users in Aberfeldy, Alyth, Auchterarder, Blairgowrie, Birnam, Comrie, Crieff, Kinross, Perth, Pitlochry and Scone are all being asked about their habits.” Councils says ““We know that library services are highly valued. However the current model of service provision is no longer sustainable.”
- Peterborough – Woodston Library recycles shark spied in monster exhibition – BBC. “The Friends of Woodston Library, a group campaigning to keep the site open, said the shark had given children who were unable to get to the cathedral a taste of what had been on display.”
- Sheffield – Volunteer libraries go from strength to strength in Sheffield – Star. “Since 2014, when volunteer management began in most of Sheffield’s suburban libraries, and despite dire predictions from the scheme’s detractors, none of the libraries that passed into volunteer hands has foundered.” … “Many of the shelves in the volunteer libraries are now filled with libraries’ own book stocks, reducing their reliance on council stocks and on the council’s libraries management systems, and ensuring that stock acquisition policies are managed from a place much closer to actual library users.” Many original volunteers now in their 70s or even 80s and so new volunteers wanted.
- South Gloucestershire – Thousands of South Gloucestershire children celebrate reading challenge success – South Gloucestershire Council. “More than 5,500 children have taken part”, councillors “attended a special event at Bradley Stoke Library to meet a group of local children and present them with medals and certificates.”
- Southwark – Southwark Recognised for Supporting Refugees and Named Borough of Sanctuary – Public Sector Executive. “This recognition as a Borough of Sanctuary follows the Libraries and Heritage Service becoming the first London-based services to be awarded Libraries of Sanctuary status.”
- Staffordshire – Family open day aims to show off local heritage – BBC. Perton Library. “part of the Staffordshire History Festival celebrations.”
- St Helens – Libraries that were cut by St Helens remain closed – St Helens Star. “None of the libraries closed by St Helens Council in the past year have reopened as community-managed venues” … “The council says it has no plans to close any further libraries and is in fact looking to invest in Haydock Library this year and move St Helens Library back to the Gamble Building from the World of Glass once interior work starts and is completed there.”
- Stoke on Trent – Volunteers to be recruited to help extend opening hours at Stoke-on-Trent libraries – Stoke Nub News. “Volunteers are set to be recruited to help extend opening hours at Stoke-on-Trent’s libraries. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has drawn up plans to increase the number of volunteers in its library service to boost the existing workforce. Council chiefs say this could allow them to reverse the cuts to library opening hours brought in this year”
- Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries launches silent auction for artwork by elusive Suffolk artist, The Hat – Suffolk Libraries. “Titled Day’s Eye, the painting was anonymously left on the steps of Framlingham Library, wrapped in The Hat’s signature brown paper with false postage details. It has been contributed to support the Suffolk Libraries’ Make a Difference With a Daisy campaign.”
- Wild Reads – Suffolk Libraries. ” in partnership with Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Take part in a series of events throughout the autumn months, for both adults and children.”
- Wakefield – Ossett Library to welcome back visitors after refurbishment – Wakefield Express. “The new library is on the first floor of Ossett Town Hall which has benefited from a refurbishment programme to the Grade II listed town hall building. ”
- Waltham Forest – The independent Essex library fighting to stay open against funding struggle – Essex Live. “South Chingford Community Library houses over 10,000 books and hosts weekly events for locals. They pride themselves on providing a safe, welcoming space for the community to connect. Run entirely by volunteers, the library first opened in 2012 after the original South Chingford Branch library closed due to budget cuts. It operates in the former Waltham Forest Direct Shop.” … “usly, London Borough of Waltham Forest covered the library’s rent under a lease. However, this support ended in September 2023. A spokesperson for the local authority stated that they had given “immense support” to the library over the past eleven years, including £500,000 in direct aid over the last five years, but were unable to continue funding.” … “the library needs to raise £65,000 annually to stay open after that.”
“We consider ourselves the hub of this area. We welcome everyone and encourage organisations to use our services. Many come here to escape loneliness, especially in the winter, and appreciate our warm, social environment. If we were to close, there would be no other place for people to go.”
Richard Ashen, chair of South Chingford Community Library’s Board of Trustees
- West Berkshire – Call out to local authors for West Berks Library showcase – Newbury Today. “If you have had a book published that you would like to promote, please contact them for further details – an early expression of interest is advised as space is limited. “
- Westmorland and Furness – Ulverston library service to move permanently into Coro – Beyond Radio. “A meeting of Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet approved a recommendation that Ulverston’s library service be permanently re-located to The Coro in the town.”
- War of words breaks out over Ulverston library between MP and council – Cumbria Crack. “Barrow’s MP has claimed Westmorland & Furness Council refused to defer its plans to relocate Ulverston’s library – a claim it has denied. Michelle Scrogham, the Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, said there was a £2 million offer to refurbish the closed-down facility.”
- Worcestershire – Worcestershire libraries get prepared for emergencies this ‘Save a Life September’ – Worcestershire Council. Trauma kits. “The first-aid equipment has been installed in nine libraries and there are plans to install more in other public places across the county. The kits are designed to help people stop the casualty bleeding before paramedics arrive.”
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