There is no editorial this week as I need to walk the dogs and do the garden. And whoever writes Caerphilly’s press releases needs to have a long hard think about themselves.

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

Changes by local authority

National news

  • 2025 Libraries Connected Awards open for nominations – Libraries Connected. “our Awards celebrate the achievements of people working in public libraries”
  • Available Author Events – Reading Agency. “If you work for a library or school and are interested in one of the events below, get in touch using the contact information provided.” Mainly online and some physical.
  • Call for presentations – LILAC. Cardiff University, 14-16 April. “We would specifically like to encourage proposals from individuals from groups that are traditionally under-represented in academia, and from those that have not presented at LILAC, or any conference, before. We make conference bursaries available to the following sectors: health, school, further education and public library staff.”
  • The crisis facing Britain’s brilliant librarians – Telegraph. “Budget cuts, clumsy tech rollouts and a lack of respect – librarians face a storm of issues, and many are quitting. What can be done?”
  • Culture Nature England: public libraries help communities connect with nature – Libraries Connected. “Twenty-six English public library services will launch new projects this month to help their communities build connections with nature.” … “Among the Culture Nature England projects are an immersive sound and vision experience exploring nature and wildlife in Somerset, the development of an urban meadow in a deprived area of Blackpool and an investigation into the natural and archaeological history of Elmdon Nature Park in Solihull. Other projects include developing library gardens, making them bee friendly, creating places for growing food, running seed swaps, walks and talks in local green spaces, nature literary trails and mindfulness activities in nature.”
  • Library Advocacy: A Beginner’s Guide – Libraries Connected. “We’re delighted to share our new publication, Library Advocacy: A Beginner’s Guide. This short guide is full of ideas and inspiration to strengthen local advocacy efforts and help libraries raise their profile. The advice comes from extensive conversations with experienced heads of service as well as experts from other areas of local government and the wider public sector.”
  • Library Lifeline part 21: Things we learned at the Inclusive Libraries Conference – Literacy Trust. “the School Library Association’s Member Development Librarian, Dawn Woods, as she reports her thoughts, insights and takeaway tips for schools and libraries”
  • New exhibition celebrates ballet’s black trailblazers – Libraries Connected. “Funded by a £245,500 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Into the Light: Pioneers of Black British Ballet will bring together archive photography, film, newspaper articles and posters alongside new video and audio interviews to trace the history of black British ballet from the 1940s to the present day. A unique partnership between creative agency Oxygen Arts and Libraries Connected, the exhibition will tour 25 libraries. It will start in Stockport and Redbridge this October and continue until November 2025.”
  • Offers for libraries and book clubs – Reading Agency. “We have fantastic opportunities for libraries, schools and book clubs to get free book and display materials from our publisher partners. Browse our current offers below …”
  • Reading Agency Publisher Roadshows – Reading Agency. “The Reading Agency’s Adult Publisher Roadshow (26 November) and The Reading Agency’s Children’s and Young People Publisher Roadshow (27 November) are opportunities for librarians and teachers to hear from our publishing partners and authors about their most exciting titles and to ask questions about promotional opportunities and more. Last year we had over 1,600 delegates (mainly librarians) who took part across the two days with over 90% of respondents to our feedback survey last year finding the day useful or extremely useful. “
  • The Reading Agency Reveals Authors for 2025 Quick Reads – Reading Agency. “They are Leila Aboulela, Cathy Bramley, Fiona Cummins, Dr Alex George, Abir Mukherjee and Cathy Rentzenbrink”
  • These libraries and leisure centres faced disaster as councils cut services. Then volunteers stepped in – Big Issue. “Community asset transfers have become increasingly common in the UK, as locals rally together to save vital services from austerity’s swingeing cuts” … “Volunteers have taken over more than 500 at-risk libraries over the past decade and a half. Jesmond Library, also in Newcastle, is part of this tally. In 2012, the Newcastle City Council agreed to a brutal £100m cuts package as part of the national government’s austerity programme. Ten council-run libraries would close, the council said: a decision described by locals as “shameful” and “unforgivable” …”

International news

“And in South Carolina, we see how public libraries are evolving to better serve the growing and diverse needs of its community members.”

Local news by authority

  • Bridgend – Betws Library to close for refurbishment – Awen Libraries. “Betws Library, which is managed by Awen Cultural Trust in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council, will be closed from 18th October until early February 2025 to undergo a refurbishment. With almost £150,000 being invested, the work is being funded by a Welsh Government Transformation Capital Grant with match funding provided by Awen Cultural Trust.”
  • Bristol – Bristol’s Library Crisis: A Tale of Closures, Staffing Shortages, and Deprivation – Joanna’s Newsletter. “Over the past three years, Bristol’s libraries have faced increasing closures, with the city’s most deprived areas bearing the brunt. As resources dwindle and staffing shortages persist, the communities that rely most on these vital services are losing access. This article explores the trends behind library closures across Bristol, including staffing challenges, recruitment efforts, and the socioeconomic factors driving the disparity.”
  • Bromley – Bromley Children’s Librarian takes the helm – GLL (press release). “Bromley Children’s Librarian Jenny Hawke has just been appointed Chair of the National CILIP Youth Libraries Group”
  • Buckinghamshire – Artists Call Out – Arts Unites: Our Stories – Buckinghamshire Council. “Buckinghamshire Libraries are seeking two mixed media artists for the Art Unites: Our Stories project, funded by Arts Council England. This community co-creation initiative invites Buckinghamshire communities to explore various artistic media inspired by local heritage, stories, and memories. “
  • Caerphilly – Council could axe 12 libraries across borough as part of ‘strategic vision’ – Caerphilly Observer. “Caerphilly County Borough Council is hoping to ‘maximise resources’ by centralising libraries and closing those in smaller towns and villages. The council is set to open a public consultation on the future of 12 libraries across the borough, as it looks to make £45 million in savings over the next two years.” … “Currently, the borough has 18 libraries, one of the highest numbers of any area in Wales.” Potential £600k cut. “The council says closing these would allow it to increase its focus on the six remaining libraries” see also Have your say on ambitious vision for Library Service – Caerphilly Council [Council doublespeak really is ridiculous at times – Ed.]
Cambridgeshire – Partnership project between Cambridgeshire Libraries, Cambridge University Library and the New York Public Library. CUL were showing an exhibition of Darwin’s correspondence, in Cambridge and New York. In the spirit of Darwin we invited public library users in the two cities to exchange local nature observations on postcards over the course of a year – a chance for people to connect to the nature around them and with each other.

“I’d rather get called these disgusting comments than my audience and I’m way more of a confident person than I was because of it. I’m proud that I can be a role model for kids, educate adults about LGBTQ+, and help make the world a better place.”

Mama G