“No easy answers”

Editorial

“No easy answers” is how Chris Bryant, the relevant minister for public libraries, describes his views on the sector in his foreword to Libraries Annual Report 2024. Well, there is Chris, but not one that the current government is apparently willing to consider. This is to restore some of the 50% of total funding that has been taken from the sector since 2010. Faced with an unwillingness by all parties to face the currently politically long-term unfashionable view that you get what you pay for, the short debate on public libraries in the House of Lords this week was not likely to come up with any real solutions, especially as it was for just one hour, with normal speakers only been given one minute each. That doesn’t sound much, and it isn’t, but it’s more time than in the whole of the last government.

All of the politicians seemed to like libraries and, in most cases really value them, but it was all tinkering around the edges. Suggestions were varied. Quite a few suggested getting better data on the sector. This will need making it a statutory duty on public authorities to send in reports, which could happen as there would be no cost involved, which appears to be the over-riding factor. What this would actually achieve is questionable though: people know when their libraries are being expanded and closed and everyone knows how bleak things are. No-one suggested library standards presumably because everyone had forgotten about them.

There was a suggestion for an actual libraries minister which could help by creating an advocate. There was also the odd idea of a national “front door” for public libraries as well. Odd, because this appeared to be the same thing as LibraryOn, the unpublicised national website that resulted from more than a decade of research on having a single digital presence. There was a lot of negative comments about how complicated the sector was but with no suggestions about how to simplify it. There were also the standard comments about how things could be improved by replacing (sorry, supplementing) paid library staff with volunteers and one member who thought that too much political correctness was to blame for 14 years of problems.

The most memorable thing for me was the comedy appearances (somehow he managed two) by Lord Ed Vaizey, who many may remember as the most notorious minister ever vaguely in charge of libraries. He kept up his low standards (sorry, I said “standards” again) by saying that some libraries deserved closing so it’s not a big problem. Ed’s big suggestion was that doubling public lending right is the most important thing that the government could do for public libraries. At least that brought a smile to my face. A pained one, accompanied by cynical laughter, but a smile nonetheless. It was the only one I had throughout the hour.

Changes by local authority

• Barnsley – Darfield and Goldthorpe libraries to be refurbished.
• Bradford – Holme Wood Library taken over by community enterprise.
• Coventry – Four libraries to close and to move to co-locations.
• Croydon – Four libraries ( Bradmore Way, Farm Fields, Canterbury Road and Wickham Road) confirmed as closing.
• Essex – Harwich Library to be refurbished.
• Lambeth – Further £1.7m refurbishment
• Westmorland and Furness – Ulverston Library to close: library services to be moved to The Coro.
• York – £600k cut to York Libraries in 2025/6

National news

• Borrowing books and e-books survey for library users – Libraries Connected. “We are trying to find out more about people’s experiences of our lending offer to help us improve it and ensure that it meets the needs of borrowers. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete.“
• CILIPS Research Fund – CILIPS. “The CILIPS Research Fund offers a unique opportunity to support research that contributes to Library and Information Sector advocacy in Scotland. The Fund was launched at our 2022 Annual Conference and makes available up to £10,000 per year in funding for researchers, practitioners, activists, students and other interested professionals whose work seeks to advance library advocacy.”
• Libraries Annual Report 2023/24 – DCMS. “We cannot shy away from the challenges that libraries have faced. The amount councils are spending on public libraries in England has fallen by almost half in real terms between 2009/10 and 2022/23. I do not have an easy answer for this. Money is in short supply and councils face many competing urgent needs. But I will work across local and central government to support libraries and promote their vital role in delivering strategic objectives: to break down barriers to opportunity and to unlock economic growth.” (Chris Bryant MP – Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism)

• Libraries are a boundless resource. We mustn’t let their lights go out – Big Issue. “There is a depressing metronomic regularity to the news, but it’s not a surprise. Libraries are in crisis. And the country greets the details with a polite frown and a shrug. Because, you know, it’s libraries and nobody ever died because of a library closing, did they? Well…”

“If Keir Starmer wanted to push back against the grey cloud that has descended because of his doom-laden warnings, he could seek to make libraries hubs of positivity and growth. The network is there. But maybe not for long. Once the libraries go, they’re gone. “

• Libraries are a vital asset for a thriving society – Guardian / Letters. Library visits reduced criminal activity; Brent library service not as bad as Zadie Smith says; suggestion Labour ministers read Burning the Books by Richard Ovenden.
• Local libraries – so much more than just books – Sussex Bylines. “So how successful have the county councils of East and West Sussex been in preserving their local libraries? Although both were Conservative-led over the period measured by the BBC report, the differences between the two are startling. The number of council-run services in East Sussex declined from 25 to 17 between 2016 and 2023, whereas West Sussex retained all its 36 libraries over the period, (although there may have been some reduction in opening hours). ” … ” a volunteer with community-run Ringmer library, expressed it best when describing the sense of dread about the threatened closure of the venue in 2018: “It was like that space was just being torn out of the community.””

• Public libraries are precious, they taught me about my neighbours – Time Times. Paywall.
• Queen Camilla wows in blue dress as she welcomes famous author to Clarence House – Express. “The meeting comes after Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author of Millions, Framed, Cosmic and The Wonder Brothers, was appointed the position of Waterstones Children’s Laureate earlier this year.”
• Short debate: Plans to publish a new strategy for public libraries – Parliament Live. One hour debate. (Baroness Sanderson) Lack of recognition/awareness of libraries amongst government and the public. Not enough data. “The Story Shell is a huge, air-filled sculpture in the shape of a seashell which will host magical art space experiences.”. “Lacking even the most basic overview of library provision”, push for making every child a library member and for British Library to be given funding to research a “front door” for public libraries. Some push for more volunteers and for a less confusing network for libraries and push for a national framework. In Hansard, the word “sausages” appears more frequently than “libraries”. Ed Vaizey puts in a comedy appearance suggesting that numbers of libraries cuts are misleading and that it’s good to close some, with the suggestion to double public lending right fees.

International news

• Australia – Webinar: Empowering Communities – Harnessing Social Marketing for Public Libraries – Raeco Library Solutions.

Local news by authority

• Barnsley – Libraries in Darfield and Goldthorpe to benefit from our Libraries Refurbishment Programme – Barnsley Council. “Darfield and Goldthorpe libraries are set to be transformed into modern and flexible library spaces”
  • Once Upon a Tide: The Story Shell brings art space fun with Barnsley Libraries – Yorkshire Post.
• Birmingham – Labour city councillor suspended for criticising party on library and day centre cuts – Birmingham Live. “Brooks, who represents Harborne, has been increasingly vocal about his opposition to planned council cuts that would see the library in his ward close and a vital day centre service shut. He was unrepentant, saying he would fight the allegations but was determined to continue standing up for residents in his constituency, who were angered and upset about local closure plans and the way consultations had been conducted.”

• Blaenau Gwent – Abertillery Library and Community Hub moving to town centre – South Wales Argus. “The new Abertillery Library and Community Education Centre will have the same great team assisting you and, if you have any questions, customers are advised to please go to Aneurin Leisure where you can find frequently asked questions for libraries and learning.”

“Whilst being more in the centre of Abertillery will bring some benefits the proximity of parking will become an issue, especially as Blaenau Gwent is more rural than most people imagine.”

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• Bradford – New managers want to bring library space ‘to life’ – BBC. “Beyond the Margin has been announced as the new manager of Holme Wood Library, on Broadstone Way. The charity, which according to its website aims to support “disadvantaged and marginalised people” through education and creative learning, will host an opening event for residents on 26 September.”
• Coventry – Coventry libraries to be relocated as council plans huge change – Coventry Telegraph. “The council wants to move the services out of buildings in Bell Green, Canley, Coundon and Holbrooks. The book-borrowing outlets would be based alongside other council services at venues including a leisure centre, plans say.” … “Three of the libraries would likely move to smaller spaces and have fewer books available.”
• Croydon – Four Croydon libraries to go – as resources focus on borough’s most popular ones – London News Online. “Four libraries across Croydon are to close to save cash. Croydon council says the closures will allow it to increase the opening hours of its nine most visited libraries, according to a paper published on its website. The council first proposed the closure of the Bradmore Green (Coulsdon), Sanderstead, Broad Green and Shirley libraries in January of this year. Following a public consultation and impact assessment, Croydon confirmed these libraries will close on October 25. The libraries are, respectively, in Bradmore Way, Farm Fields, Canterbury Road and Wickham Road”
  • Perry’s ‘cruel closures’ of one-quarter of borough’s libraries – Inside Croydon.
• Essex – Library to relocate services during refurbishment – BBC. “The refurbishment scheme was planned as part of the Dovercourt Capital Regeneration Projects, external, led by the county council and Tendring District Council” see also New images show what refurbished Harwich Library could look like – Harwich and Manningtree Standard.

• Hampshire – People won’t suffer despite 200k library budget cut, council argue – Hampshire Chronicle. £200k cut to book budget. “Councillors heard the cost of running the library service for 2023/24 is £12.6 million, with £9.9 million coming from core funding and £2.7 million income from additional library services. Some £1.2 million is dedicated to buying new stock, with £900,000 spent on new physical stock and £300,000 on digital resources such as eBooks and eAudiobooks.”
• Kirklees – Volunteers badly treated on libraries – councillor – BBC. “Kirklees Council had proposed putting local volunteers in charge of eight of its 24 libraries, but made a U-turn after a study found people were “overwhelmingly” against the idea. Its new proposal is to reduce staff across all of its 24 libraries, as it tries to make savings of more than £900,000. At a meeting to discuss the plans, Conservative councillor John Taylor said while he was pleased to see the Labour administration had listened to communities, relations had been strained with community groups left feeling “bruised”.”
  • Kirklees Council approves plans to reshape library service for the future – Kirklees Council. “A new, delivery model was presented to cabinet today where all libraries will remain as part of the statutory network but, potentially, with reduced staffing instead of no staff at all.  Any community that wishes to continue talks to transfer to a community managed operating model would still be supported to do so. “
• Lambeth – Lambeth Council to invest £1.7 million in library refurbishment and innovation – Brixton Buzz. “Recent refurbishment works have already taken place at Durning and Streatham libraries, and a £1million overhaul of Brixton library was completed in August. This latest investment marks the start of a major and ongoing programme of refurbishment and asset replacement across all libraries.”

• Norfolk -King’s Lynn Carnegie library will not become flats, West Norfolk councillor Simon Ring promises – Lynn News.
• North East Lincolnshire – Ongoing libraries public computer outage ‘escalated to highest level’ – Grimsby Live. ” a month-long public computer outage at several libraries.”
• Northumberland – North’s ‘biggest book club’ coming to Northumberland – Hexham Courant. “The Big Read will be travelling to libraries across the North of England this autumn, including Hexham Library, in Northumberland, on September 25.” More than 1,000 copies of book will be given away.
• North Yorkshire – Bedale Community Library stars on BBC Breakfast television – Darlington and Stockton Times. “The library, in Bedale, has been run by volunteers since 2017 and has become a remarkable success story with more than 23,000 visits last year. However many libraries across the country have either closed or are under threat. The BBC programme looked at the issues, basing reporter Jayne McCubbin in Bedale Library to talk to volunteers, trustees and users of the library including a group of children who joined in for a junk modelling session.”
• Nottingham – Plans revealed to transform Nottingham’s former City Library into student accommodation and hot food takeaway – West Bridgford Wire.
  • Issues at new library ‘to be fixed in three weeks’ – BBC. “The new Sherwood Library has experienced issues including a leak, cracked windows and faulty fire access hatches. A protest was staged outside the library building on 19 August, where families expressed their frustration and anger at the situation”
• Somerset – Somerset Libraries relaunch Winter Coat Exchange scheme – Somerset Council. “As children settle in to the new school year, a ‘Back to School’ appeal has been launched for children’s/teen coats that may have been outgrown, but the scheme welcomes donations of coats for all ages.”
• Staffordshire – Libraries see surge in health and wellbeing e-books – Staffordshire Council. “The service has published their list as part of World Suicide Prevention Day “
• Stirling – Plea for public opinion on Stirling libraries – Brig News. “, local residents can shape the once uncertain future of Stirling’s libraries in the new consultation on the Engage Stirling website. Paper copies are also available in libraries.”
• Warrington – Number of Warrington libraries have increased since 2016 – Warrington Guardian. “According to the figures, Warrington had a total of 11 statutory libraries in 2016, which increased to 13 in 2023 – a gain of two. But the figures say three of the remaining libraries were operating with reduced hours in 2023, compared to 2016. Furthermore, the figures show the staff headcount has increased by four.”
• Warwickshire – Visit Warwickshire Libraries this October to get involved in thrilling “Body in the Library” murder mystery events – Warwickshire Council. £20 tickets, 5 libraries.
  • Customers set to benefit from new look at Atherstone Library – Warwickshire Council. Painting and shelving.
• Westmorland and Furness – Plans to protect Ulverston library service and Coro backed by Cabinet – Westmorland and Furness Council. “A meeting of Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet yesterday (10 September) approved a recommendation that Ulverston’s library service be permanently re-located to The Coro in the town.”
  • Ulverston town councillors ‘disappointed’ with library decision – Westmorland Gazette. ““We’re disappointed. We had hoped that we could’ve deferred and then discussed some of the further issues that the cabinet really haven’t taken on board we feel.””
• York – Library service funding cuts delayed to next year – BBC. “Explore York, which runs the city’s libraries and archives, will have to cut £600,000 next year rather than over a two-year period as originally planned.” … “more than 3,000 people had signed the opposition group’s petition opposing the cuts, showing the depth of feeling on the issue.”