Editorial

This is another shortened editorial thing in two weeks. The reason this weekend is not dogs or gardening but my daughter, Iona, whose 18th birthday it was on Friday and whose big party – around 80 of her closest friends – took a fair bit of prep and clearing up. It was wonderful though, as is she.

Please email any advertising enquiries, comments, news or opinions to ianlibrarian@live.co.uk

Changes by local authority

National news

  • Dolly Parton, Nick Poole and Pamela Tulloch awarded CILIP Honorary Fellowships – BookSeller. “American country singer Dolly Parton, former CILIP chief executive Nick Poole and Scottish libraries champion Pamela Tullock have been awarded Honorary Fellowships by CILIP.”
  • James Cracknell: London’s libraries and how to save them – On London. “Enfield Council is considering big cuts to its service as it struggles to make ends meet and other boroughs face the same predicament” … Remembers cuts in Barnet where he “will never forget how cold-hearted the senior councillors came across as when defending their decision to close half the borough’s libraries, apparently unswayed by the tears and the anger they had just seen from their own residents” … “Enfield’s need to save money is undeniable, with the library cuts helping to plug a predicted £10 million hole in the next year’s budget. But the projected annual saving of up to £630,000 is, curiously, less than the £675,000 neighbouring Haringey is predicting to save from its own library cuts, which are to be achieved without closing a single building.” … “In Lewisham, eight library closures have been avoided over the years after community groups were handed the keys.”

International news

  • USA – Brittany Rogers on How Libraries Helped Her Feel Safe and Embrace Her Queerness – Lit Hub. “The library had always been my sanctuary; from the time my mother got me my first library card in elementary school, I sought out a new branch when I needed comfort, or time to research on a computer that wasn’t dial-up, or a book that I couldn’t afford to purchase outright. At least twice a week I found myself perusing the dusty stacks, searching for a new world to get lost in.”

Local news by authority

  • Barnsley – Barnsley Libraries reflect on the successes of National Portfolio Organisation creative commissions so far – Barnsley Council. “Barnsley Libraries has commissioned Fly Girl Films, who in a creative collaboration worked with a group of young people to co-produce a film about transforming climate anxiety into positive action. During the project, seven young people contributed to the storyboard and filming process, bringing their unique perspectives to the big screen.”
  • Blackpool – Blackpool among worst areas in the North West for library access – Gazette. “Libraries Connected has used Office for National Statistics data to look at library provision across the UK … The ONS’ figures show Blackpool had eight open libraries as of August, or one for every 17,800 people in the area … 26% of Blackpool residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home – the lowest proportion in the North West.”
  • Bradford – Eccleshill Library to close for a major refurbishment – Telegraph and Argus. “The work will include the installation of new facilities such as an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities on the ground floor, new moveable shelving to allow more events and activities to take place onsite, and redecoration of the entire library space.”
  • Brighton and Hove – Brighton & Hove libraries awarded Library Service of Sanctuary status – Brighton and Hove Council. “The award extended the ‘Library of Sanctuary’ status to all 13 of our city’s libraries, recognising them as a safe and welcoming environment for anyone seeking sanctuary, fleeing violence or persecution. The status was formerly held by Jubilee Library only, which in 2019 became the second library service in the country to receive ‘Library of Sanctuary’ award.”
  • Cambridgeshire – Listed library is sold to ‘creative-minded’ bidder – BBC. “The 19th Century Mill Road Library building in Cambridge has stood empty for several years. Cambridgeshire County Council said the buyer had offered “significantly more” than the £700,000 guide price.”
  • Cardiff – Warm Welcome points return to Cardiff hubs and libraries this winter – In Your Area. “As the weather cools, from Monday, October 21, hubs and libraries will once again offer a warm welcome to customers, offering a safe and warm environment where they can meet others to chat, read a book, take advantage of services, and find out about the support available”
  • Cheshire East – Campaigners optimistic of avoiding drastic cuts to library opening times – Cheshire Live. “Campaigners are optimistic about retaining Bollington Library’s existing opening hours after fears the service would be slashed to just a day and a half. Cheshire East is currently consulting with the public on plans to introduce a tiering system for its libraries with warnings those in the lowest tier – Alderley Edge, Bollington, Disley and Handforth –could find their opening times reduced dramatically.”
  • Cheshire West and Chester – Libraries boosted reading over summer holidays – Dee Radio. “By the end of the Summer Reading Challenge an impressive 4,649 children had signed up to take part and 2,192 had completed, figures both slightly up on last year. This year an amazing 127,052 children’s books were borrowed across our borough over the holidays, which was 7% up.”
  • Cornwall – Cornwall among worst areas in the South West for library access – Radar. “27% of Cornwall residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home – the lowest proportion in the South West.”
  • Derby -Blue Peter Book Badge initiative launched for October half-term with Shared Reading and Derby Libraries – In Your Area. “Children aged five to seven can join a free reading session where Shared Reading volunteers will be on hand to help them apply for their very own Blue Peter Book Badge.”
  • Devon – Enjoy a cosy film at your local library – Exeter Council. “A new winter season of low-cost ‘Films at the Library’ is being rolled out across Exeter and Devon. Now in its seventh successful season, the cosy in-house screenings will take place at 10 libraries across the county, including St Thomas Library in Exeter.”
  • Doncaster – Fight to reopen library in ‘deprived’ area – BBC. “Campaigners have questioned why their local council cannot reopen a library in a “deprived” area which closed five years ago. Wheatley Community Library in Doncaster has remained empty since 2019 and the building’s function is currently under review. The Friends of Wheatley said they believed it still had a future as a library and community centre where events could be held.”
  • Dudley – Dudley libraries to host spooky half-term fun sessions for Halloween – Stourbridge News. “Little ones can enjoy Halloween craftmaking and storytelling sessions and witches’ potion trails, carve a pumpkin and decorate biscuits at libraries across the borough, which are run by GLL.”
  • Ealing – Three Ealing libraries to get £900K ‘flexible’ makeover – Ealing Times. “Libraries at Acton Town Hall, Northolt and the Dominion Centre are to be given a £900,000 makeover by Ealing Council to create space for community and cultural events.” … “Changes will include mobile bookshelves, replacing traditional fixed shelves” … “Acton and Northolt libraries will be closed from Monday, November 4 until March, for work to take place, but they will move to smaller temporary new homes.”
  • Greenwich – Greenwich among best areas in the country for library access – Radar. “63% of Greenwich residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home – one of the highest proportions in the country.”
  • Hampshire – Hampshire Libraries celebrates 100 years in the county – Hampshire Chronicle. “Whether that’s by attending an event at one of the county council’s 40 libraries, contributing to a “letter to libraries” display or enjoying one of the books in the special collection.”
  • Hertfordshire – New Ware Library Opens Its Doors – Hertfordshire Council. “delighted to announce the grand reopening of the Ware Library today, 14 October. The library has moved to a new, more central location on High Street, just a three-minute walk from its previous site. This move brings a host of modern and accessible facilities to the community, ensuring a fresh and vibrant experience for all visitors.”
  • Lancashire – Library warm hubs to return for third year – BBC. “For the third year running, they are being offered as warm spaces for those struggling with energy bills. At Fleetwood Library last year, up to 85 hot drinks were served each day.”
  • Liverpool – Liverpool Welcomes Groundbreaking Black British Ballet Exhibition – Culture Liverpool. “The City’s Central Library is to host the exhibition, from 31st October to 30th November, which will be one of the showpiece events of Liverpool’s Black History Month celebrations” … “The touring exhibition, funded by a £245,500 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will visit 25 libraries across the UK, with Liverpool Central Library being one of the key stops.”
  • Manchester – Manchester and Ukraine libraries twinned – BBC. “Manchester Libraries has linked up with the Lviv Regional Youth Library to share information about language, literature and culture, and develop joint initiatives. Councillor John Hacking, Manchester City Council’s executive member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said: “We have a strong Ukrainian community, and we have been eager to show solidarity and connect with them in this way.” He said libraries were “the bedrock of communities and an important resource for our young people”.”
  • Newham – Agenda and decisions – Newham Council. Proposed library cut of £770k, including some closures p.48 appendix B of item 7
  • North Ayrshire – Concerns over proposed library closures raised by charity – The Week In. “CILIPS – Scotland’s Library and Information Professionals – have sent a letter to all councillors in the region outlining their ‘deep concerns’ over the proposals to remove the services in villages and towns.”
  • Northern Ireland – Book Week NI is back – read all about it – BBC. “Book Week is a joint initiative between the BBC and Libraries NI and celebrates the joys and benefits of reading and the role that libraries play in community life. It will involve activities and events across the library network as well as some special BBC programming.”
  • North Somerset – Nearly two-thirds of North Somerset residents do not have a local library – Midsomer Norton Journal. “38% of North Somerset residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home. Despite this, 74% were within half an hour of a library, and 92% of residents could reach one within an hour’s walk.”
  • Northumberland – Northumberland Libraries to celebrate 100 years with play – Hexham Courant. ” it is partnering with Théâtre Sans Frontières and the Queen’s Hall Adult Drama Group to put on a drama performance.”
  • Nottingham- Nottingham among best areas in the East Midlands for library access – Radar. “Analysis from the Office for National Statistics shows 61% of Nottingham residents had a library within a 15-minute walk of their home – one of the highest proportions in the East Midlands.”
  • Nottinghamshire – Have your say on a new ten-year library strategy – Nottinghamshire Council. “Nottinghamshire County Council has unveiled a draft ten-year plan aimed at enhancing local library services and is seeking residents’ feedback to shape the final document.” … “The strategy proposes a tiered service model, encompassing hub libraries, community libraries and library access points, each tailored to meet specific community needs.”
    • Council considers ‘tiered’ library service – BBC. “The paper says book loans have remained “stable” since 2011 despite the “continued development of the digital world”.” … “In a new 10-year strategy, external, council bosses said they would allocate 12 sites in key population centres as “hub libraries” offering a wide-range of activities and services. Smaller sites would be classed as community libraries, access points and mobile locations.”
  • Redcar and Cleveland – Library to be run by community group – BBC. “Redcar and Cleveland Council agreed earlier this year that Laburnum Road Library should be handed over to such a group as part of wider plans to cut its annual budget by £400,000.” … “The council said the library was closed in September due to refurbishment works and it would be opened under new management “as soon as possible”.”
  • Shropshire – Library to get temporary home in shopping centre – BBC. “Last year, engineers found reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in the Civic Centre complex where the library was based. Since then, a pop-up stand has been used to provide a book pick-up and drop-off service. Shropshire Council has now put forward a plan to open a temporary library in St Mary’s Arcade.”
  • South Gloucestershire – Reduced staffed opening hours for libraries and One Stop Shops – The Week In. “Libraries in South Gloucestershire will remain open on the same days as they are now, but from 4th November the number of staffed hours will be reduced. The council says staffed opening hours for each library have been selected following a 12-week public consultation to ensure libraries remain as accessible as possible to the community, while helping to meet the ongoing budgetary constraints.”
  • Staffordshire – Major refurbishment of Staffordshire library nears completion – Staffordshire Council. “A £1.3million refurbishment of Burton Library is nearing completion with the main part of the building newly fitted out and ready to reopen next month. The project has seen the transformation of the library space for people of all ages and various community groups. An allocation of £265,000 was secured from the central government Libraries Improvement Fund with Staffordshire County Council investing the remainder.”
  • Stirling – Huge response to Stirling libraries survey as deadline looms – Daily Record. “Almost 1,700 people of all ages have already taken part in a survey as part of a consultation on the future of Stirling Council’s libraries. And even if you aren’t a current library user, you are being encouraged to share your views with two weeks to go before the survey closes at midnight on Friday November 1. Paper copies are also available in libraries.”
  • Surrey – Surrey Libraries triumph with 2024 Summer Reading Challenge success – Surrey News. “ver 500 events and activities” … “This year, Surrey Libraries experienced a significant rise in school visits for the Summer Reading Challenge, with a 15% increase from 2023 to 2024. The number of Summer Reading Challenge events also saw a remarkable growth of 52%, expanding from 330 in 2023 to over 500 this year. These events, including popular storytimes, provided more opportunities for children to engage with their local library. This year, the number of children participating in the Summer Reading Challenge events increased by 34%, growing from 16,149 in 2023 to 21,654 this year with over 525,000 children’s books issued during the summer. “
  • West Dunbartonshire – Library project shortlisted for Project Excellence Award – West Dunbartonshire Council. “West Dunbartonshire Libraries was nominated for its innovative project, in partnership with the Young Women’s Movement (YWM), which saw young women in Clydebank using their art for activism.” … “shortlisted for a Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) Project Excellence Award.”
  • Westmorland and Furness – Council chiefs press ahead with Ulverston library plans – Cumbria Crack. “Members of the cabinet for Westmorland and Furness Council ratified the decision to move the library service from the King’s Road building into Coronation Hall at a meeting on October 15.”
  • Wiltshire – Wiltshire Council’s library service marks historical links to the Canadian Army and Winnie-the-Pooh at a special event – Wiltshire Council. “The first Wiltshire library headquarters was not just any building but an ex-Canadian Army hut, purchased by Wiltshire County Council in 1919 from Old Sarum Aerodrome for £100. “