Caerphilly’s has the “ambitious vision” of closing 12 out of its 16 libraries
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
- Bridgend – Betws Library being refurbished.
- Caerphilly – 12 out of 16 libraries under threat (New Tredegar, Deri, Aberbargoed, Pengam, Oakdale, Newbridge, Nelson, Abercarn, Abertridwr, Bedwas, Llanbradach, Machen). £600k cut.
- Herefordshire – Hereford Library closed to two year renovation.
- Redbridge – South Woodford Library closed for one year due to RAAC.
- York – New Clifton Explore Library opens.
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
- Global – Sydney entry beaten by ‘spectacular’ Beijing building in library of the year award – Guardian. “Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun just shrugs and smiles after his council’s ‘magnificent’ Yellamundie is outshone by $300m Beijing Library”
- Australia – Public libraries in social work practice: Partnerships for social justice – Charles Sturt University. “In Australia, early adopters include City of Melbourne Library addressing homelessness in the city, and Charles Sturt University’s Social Work in Libraries (SWiL) programme that uses student placements to make meaningful differences to marginalised populations in regional communities.”
- Ireland – Waterford Libraries to bring cuddly mascot to life with new augmented reality app – Waterford Live. “Funded by Creative Waterford and developed by the extended reality team in Walton Institute in collaboration with Waterford Libraries, the RagnallAR app uses augmented reality to bring a life-size model of Ragnall, to whichever physical location the (smartphone) user is in.”
- Ukraine – Libraries Connected provides vital support to Ukraine’s besieged library sector – Libraries Connected. “Over 1,000 cultural heritage sites in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed since the start of the full-scale Russian engagement, including hundreds of libraries. This partnership with Library Country Ukraine Charitable Foundation allows the UK library community to provide practical support to libraries in Ukraine.”
- USA – Autism in April at public libraries: Shifting from awareness to acceptance – Journal of Librarianship and Information Science. “many event descriptions use language that is not in alignment with autistic individuals’ preferences, and opportunities for autistic patrons of all ages are limited.”
- Libraries are starting to decrease the number of holds on ebooks – Good eReader. “Libraries are feeling the pinch of audiobook and ebook lending, especially for the largest branches. This has resulted in dozens of libraries to lower the number of titles a user can make. Earlier in the year, Seattle Public Library lowered the number of holds from 25 to 10. This past week, the Toronto Public Library has lowered the maximum number of holds that a reader can place in its digital reading platform, OverDrive and Libby, from 30 to 15.”
- Parents rights group threatens people who offer banned books in free libraries – LGBTQ Nation. Censorship comes to the USA’s “Little Free Libraries”.
- Spreading Joy at the Public Library – Public Libraries Online. “Library joy is more than a feeling; it is a choice and call to everyday practices of connection, empowerment, and wellbeing. And it isn’t a heavy lift—in fact, it can all start with a few tiny seeds”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeen – Aberdeen City Library team shortlisted for national award for excellence – Aberdeen Live. “Aberdeen City Library and Information Services has been shortlisted for the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)’s Library Service Excellence Award for its approach to developing library services for, and with, young people.”
- Barnsley – Recycle your electricals and cables with our pop-up collection points – Barnsley Council. “Between Monday 14 October and Saturday 19 October, our collection points will be in the Glass Works and our libraries, including the Lightbox and each library in our principal towns, for residents to recycle their unwanted and unused cables and electronics.”
- 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.]
- Rhymney Library Hub to Host Wellbeing and Decarbonisation Event for Green Libraries Week – Caerphilly Council.
- Croydon – Groups invited to create new community bases in former library buildings – Croydon Council. Four closed libraries now vacant. Local groups asked to bid for them.
- Cumberland – New footpath will guide the way to transformed library – Hartlepool Council. “A new footpath has been created to link Seaton Carew Library directly with nearby Seaton Park, thanks to the generosity of construction company Wates.”
- Devon – Holsworthy Library marks 100 years of service – Cornish and Devon Post. “the ceremony marked 100 years of libraries in Devon, the history of libraries in Holsworthy stretches even further back.” see also 100 years of the Devon County Library Service – Great British Life and ‘This year marks 100 years of Devon’s Library service’ – Exmouth Journal.
- Axminster Library launches “Dyslexia friendly” backpacks – Mid Week Herald. “Initially, the library will have three different “Dyslexia Friendly Backpacks” for different ages: 0-5, 5-8 and 8-12 which will contain games, coloured overlays, parent/carer support books, electronic reading pens, headphones and lots of dyslexia friendly books”
- Devon project supports Afghan families – Arts Professional. Braunton Library.
- Dudley – Delve into the past at Dudley History Festival – Dudley Council. “Each of the thirteen libraries and the Dudley Archive Centre will be hosting at least one specialist talk over the period and the range of topics covered is broad.”
- East Lothian – Book Week Scotland 2024 Programme of Events – East Lothian Council.
- Enfield – Bambos Charalambous becomes second local MP to criticise council’s library closures plan – Enfield Dispatch. “The Southgate and Wood Green MP joins Enfield North’s Feryal Clark in opposing Enfield Council’s plan to close eight libraries”
- Fury as library users react to news of council’s planned closures – Enfield Dispatch. “Residents concerned by the proposed closure of eight borough libraries have voiced their anger” … “The council is currently consulting on the proposed closures of Bullsmoor, Enfield Highway, Enfield Island Village, Bowes Road, Southgate, Winchmore Hill, Oakwood and John Jackson libraries, which it says will save up to £630,000 per year and generate up to £3.25m from property sales.”
- Falkirk – Scottish culture minister hears how Falkirk area libraries help tackle poverty – Falkirk Herald. “forward-thinking, inclusive community wellbeing initiative”
- Gloucestershire – Library relocation prompts record-breaking visitor numbers – Stroud Times. Stroud Library now in Five Valleys shopping centre. “Opening at the centre six months ago, it moved from its old location in Lansdown to a more central and accessible site, designed to meet the needs of people who use it.” … “The move has seen footfall up 53 per cent year on year. From April-June 2023 there were 17,362 visitors, but this figure rocketed up to 35,778 visitors from April-June 2024, with 815 new members.” … “There was an 11% increase in footfall throughout the network of 32 libraries during the year. In 2022-23, there were 1,253,362 visitors to libraries, and this rose to 1,381,108 in 2023-24.”
- Gloucestershire’s sports-themed Library Challenge deemed a success – Forester. 7,000 children took part. “Children received a free journal by taking part in the challenge and nine exciting sports-themed tasks and stamps could be collected for each completed task, with special rewards available at each level. More than 2,000 children achieved ‘gold’ level, entering them into a special prize draw, including tickets and vouchers for local activities and attractions.”
- Greenwich – Greenwich panto dame tells LGBTQ+ stories to kids but trolls think it’s wrong – News Shopper. Mama G: “A panto dame who performs LGBTQ+ stories to kids says “I’m a role model” despite facing “backlash and homophobic abuse by trolls”.”
“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
- Groundbreaking Greenwich project shared in Amsterdam – GLL (press release). “Patrick Malone, Libraries Development Manager in the borough of Greenwich, has just returned from the prestigious European Culture Challenge conference in Amsterdam. He was there to share details of an innovative scheme he initiated earlier this year which was designed to encourage the general public to vote. In this project, three main libraries in Greenwich partnered with Woolwich-based charity ‘WSUP’ – which offers practical and emotional support to those facing hardship – to help people register for photo ID and engage with the voting process.”
- Guernsey – Library hosting digital events for islanders – BBC. “DigiFest begins at the Guille-Allès Library begins on Monday 14 October, external and ties in with Get Online Week, the UK’s largest digital inclusion campaign. The events include talks on data protection and computer programming, as well as workshops for parents and grandparents about keeping children safe online.”
- Halton – Halton Libraries celebrate ‘super summer’ of reading – Runcorn and Widnes World. “The Summer Reading Challenge, themed ‘Marvellous Makers’, saw 803 children signing up to read six books over the summer, with 529 successfully completing the challenge.”… “Halton Libraries engaged 3,510 children and adults over the six-week summer holidays, issuing 17,900 children and teen books.”
- Haringey – Council launches ‘green hubs’ at Haringey libraries to help residents recycle – Haringey Community Press. “Residents emphasised the need for more accessible recycling options for smaller household items, such as batteries, printer cartridges and lightbulbs. These items often contain valuable materials that can be reused, recycled, or recovered.”
- Havering – Havering Council leader Ray Morgon comments on library closures – Romford Recorder. “The leader of Havering Council said library closures “may be a necessity” as the town hall looks to make difficult cuts to services.”
- Herefordshire – Library to relocate services during renovation – BBC. “Hereford Library will undergo a two-year renovation and will see the current temporary library at the Museum Resource and Learning Centre on Friars Street close on Saturday. The new temporary library space at Hereford Town Hall will open on 22 October 2024 while the Shirehall is revamped.”
- Lancashire – Spot on Lancashire’s library tour this autumn coming to Morecambe, Heysham, Bolton-le-Sands and Borwick – Lancaster Guardian.
- Leeds – Sustainability by the book for Green Libraries Week – Leeds Council. “As part of Green Libraries Week, titles offering everything from top gardening tips, environmentally friendly recipes and information about the climate emergency will be among the Green Reads on show at libraries and community hubs across the city.”
- Newcastle – Health and Wellbeing in your Libraries – Newcastle Council. Summary of relevant library services.
- Norfolk – Hunstanton to benefit from affordable housing and new library, says West Norfolk Council – Lynn News. Behind subscription wall.
- North Ayrshire – Libraries and halls consultation resumes – West Coast Today. Subscription wall.
- Nottingham – Fears 2024 opening of Sherwood Library ‘increasingly unlikely’ as problems continue – Nottingham Post. “Earlier this year it was reported how work on the library had been hampered after the scheme’s previous contractor, Dako Construction, collapsed into administration. While a new contractor was soon found and the library building was handed back to the council at the end of 2023 for the final fit-out, a planned summer opening was missed when the defects were discovered.”
- Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire celebrates Get Online Week 2024 – Oxfordshire Council. “To celebrate this campaign and digital inclusion as a whole, Oxfordshire County Council’s libraries and community groups have organised events to help people learn more about the online world:”
- Redbridge – South Woodford Library & Gym to close for one year – Romford Recorder. “Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was discovered at South Woodford Library and Gym during a structural inspection on September 5.”
- Southampton – Southampton libraries offer free home delivery service – Southern Daily Echo. “The service, which delivers books to the homes of those unable to visit libraries due to health or disability reasons, is now using electric cargo bikes or vans for deliveries.”
- South Gloucestershire – New staffed opening hours from November announced for South Gloucestershire’s libraries and one stop shops – South Gloucestershire Council. “from 4 November 2024, the number of staffed hours will be reduced. The staffed opening hours for each library have been selected following a twelve-week public consultation” … “Seven of the 12 libraries in South Gloucestershire will receive additional funding from local Town and Parish Councils, subject to contract, meaning that they will be able to continue to run a children’s activity, remain staffed for an extra two hours per week or both. ”
- South Lanarkshire – A welly good idea – South Lanarkshire View. “why not donate them to your local library, who in conjunction with South Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership (CPP), have brought back Welly Swap for another year.”
- Southwark – ‘Super-library’ to have leaky roof replaced – BBC. ” Southwark Council said in a cabinet report that leaks from the mineral felt roof on Canada Water Library caused timber to rot and external cladding panels to detach from the walling. It plans to spend £1.7m replacing the felt with a metal roof. The council said there were “ongoing legal proceedings regarding works to the roof of Canada Water Library”. Architects say “”We specified a conventional polymer modified asphalt waterproofing. This would have been normal construction for the shape and form of this flat roof. “Southwark Council, however, made a cost saving by agreeing to a ‘high-performance’ felt roof.”
- Suffolk – Five ways Suffolk Libraries can help you with your mental health and wellbeing – Suffolk Libraries.
- 10 ways libraries are saving the world – Suffolk Libraries. “ibraries have long been about reducing, reusing, recycling. It’s kind of their whole thing… but these days, books are just the beginning of the story at Suffolk Libraries …”
- Machine will offer free health checks at library – BBC. “… the machine at Lowestoft Library, in Suffolk, provided quick, free health checks in the centre of town. In the first two weeks, nearly 140 people have used it with 11% assessed with high blood pressure and encouraged to take action. The Lowestoft Healthy Hearts project is a collaboration between health partners, including Suffolk County Council, Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board and East Suffolk Council.”
- Suffolk Libraries ‘Warm Welcome’ campaign returns for winter with free hot drinks – East Anglian Daily Times. “The campaign has been bolstered this year by a £5,000 grant from the East of England Co-op, which will be used to provide free tea, coffee, sugar, milk, breakfast bars, and period products. Last year, 19,397 hot drinks were handed out by Suffolk Libraries, a testament to the impact of the campaign over the past two winters.”
- Surrey – Surrey Libraries celebrates Green Libraries Week (7-14 October) with four ‘Libraries of Things’ – Surrey News. “A total of four ‘Libraries of Things’ will now be open for borrowing useful household items from”
- Tameside – Writing Underlined at Ashton Library’s Local Authors Day – Tameside Council. “The authors who’ll be attending include David Beckler, Heather Burnside, Caroline England, Dolores Gordon-Smith, Joan Harthan, Keith Healicon, Mark Henderson, Michael Holbrook, Johanne Lee, Simon Michael, Chris McDonald-Frost, Bonnie Meekums, Sophie Parkes and JA Winterford.”
- Warwickshire – Warwickshire libraries set to host “Body in the Library” murder mystery events – Warwickshire World.
- Westmorland and Furness – Council chiefs told to reconsider Ulverston Library plans – Cumbria Crack. “Members of the communities and environment scrutiny committee for Westmorland and Furness Council recommended the cabinet reconsider its decision to permanently relocate the town’s library service from the King’s Road building to the Coronation Hall.”
- Wiltshire – Discover what your local library has to offer for Libraries Week – Salisbury Radio.
- Worcestershire – New online book club launched by Worcestershire Libraries – Bromsgrove Advertiser. “The Worcestershire Book Chat will kick off on Tuesday (October 15), offering an online platform for readers to discuss monthly titles selected by Worcestershire County Council’s Library Service.”
- York – New £5.3 million library opens in York suburb – York Press. “Clifton Explore opened last month (September), offering library services and a warm space for those in the area. The new facility in Rawcliffe Drive will also see a number of community partners based in the building, including The Snappy Trust, Accessible Arts and Media, and York Learning.”
- Professional artists lead experimental project inspired by York’s history – York Press. “Acomb Explore Library has launched a free ‘Creative Cafés’ project for adults, led by Izzy Williamson and Gracie Richmond, from the end of this month (October) at the facility in Front Street.”
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