Editorial

From 2010, as libraries underwent budget stress the like of which they’d never seen except in wartime (and perhaps not even then), there were a lot of experiments on how to run them cheaper. One of these models were volunteer-run libraries, which now number in their hundreds. Another model were library trusts, of which all four (Devon, Northern Ireland, Suffolk and York) are still with us. And then there was the idea of saving money by having libraries run by a for-profit company (I was never sure how that was supposed to work), which had but one, unsuccessful, example.

Yet another idea was, and is still, being tried – the library service run by a leisure trust. Leisure centres, swimming pools, theatres and the like. This has been more hit and miss, with some apparently doing well, such as Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL, trading as “Better”) which has taken over five services in a decade. But an increasing number – not so well.

To my knowledge there are 22 single-council leisure trusts running libraries within the UK, with more than half being in Scotland. But there used to be 30, with 8 having been returned back to council control, with the last one of these – Flintshire – ending this week. And there may be more. At least one – Aneurin Leisure Trust (Blaenau Gwent) has recently announced it’s in serious financial difficulties.

Please email me your news, comments and offers of large amounts of money via ianlibrarian@live.co.uk

Changes by local authority

National news

  • Consultation on the proposed rate per loan for the 2023 to 2024 Public Lending Right scheme year – DCMS. “The British Library Board has proposed a rate per loan of 11.76 pence for payments in the 2023 to 2024 scheme year. This is a reduction of 1.93 pence, from 13.69 pence (in 2022/23). This reflects the slightly raised amount of funding available (but the PLR fund remains relatively unchanged), and an increase in the estimated number of loans of books registered for PLR.”
  • Developing a library strategic response to Artificial Intelligence – Elucidate. “AI is ‘the defining technology of our generation’ according to a recent joint statement by the UK and US governments. We all understand that it is likely to impact library and information work profoundly, so it is important to try and be more than reactive and think strategically about the opportunities and problems it is creating. The article poses nine key questions for consideration, and reflects on some answers that might support a more strategic library approach to AI. “
  • Introducing the first ever Michael Rosen Day – Michael Rosen. “Join us on Tuesday 12 November for a day of poetry, stories and creativity to celebrate 50 years since Michael’s first book. With bespoke resources and activities for children of all ages, we want to see as many schools, libraries and other settings across the country getting involved and getting creative, with all things Michael.”

“Public libraries are funded by local authorities and each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources. I will work with my colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to get local government back on its feet after fourteen years of savage and drastic underfunding. We will do the basics right, providing councils with more stability through multi-year funding settlements and ending unnecessarily expensive competitive bidding for tiny pots of money.”

Chris Bryant, The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport
  • Leisure centres, pools and libraries facing threat of closure as ‘no fat left to cut’ for councils – Cambrian News. “Council chiefs warned of “no fat left to cut” with leisure centres and libraries across Wales facing the threat of closure due to “unprecedented” financial constraints. The Senedd culture committee took evidence on 24 October as part of an inquiry on the impact of cuts on the arts, culture and sport.” … “WGLA warning of a £432m funding gap across Welsh council services”
  • Libraries to offer warm spaces for third year running – Arts Professional. “Libraries Connected said it is partnering with the Warm Welcome Campaign, which began in 2022 when energy prices rose because of the war in Ukraine. The first warm spaces will open next week after the clocks go back at the weekend. “
  • Rebecca Lawrence appointed as new Chief Executive of the British Library – British Library. Previously in Crown Prosecution Service, Policing and Crime, Civil Service. “She brings skills and experience from more than 25 years at the forefront of reforming and delivering public services, with particular strengths in leadership and digital transformation. “

International news

  • 9th IFLA Green Library Award 2024 Results – IFLA. Winner is “The Missoula Public Library exemplifies sustainability through its innovative programming and green practices.”, second is “The Stadtbibliothek Paderborn / Paderborn City Library renovated a 460-year-old building, and upcycled scrap by products for furniture.”
  • Afghanistan – Taliban issue list of 400 banned books to libraries – Amu. “The banned books reportedly cover a wide range of subjects, including those related to the Shia branch of Islam, modern governance, political freedoms, and figures like Ahmad Shah Massoud, a prominent resistance leader. Titles exploring democracy, social and civil rights, art, literature, and poetry are also among those targeted.”
  • Australia – The enduring importance of public libraries in the digital age – SBS News. “More than just a place to borrow books, modern libraries have reinvented themselves to fit into the digital age. One library in Sydney – shortlisted as one of the world’s best- says demand for its services has never been higher.”
  • France- When 50 Librarians Biked Across France – School Library Journal. “Cyclo-biblio – a library-to-library bike tour designed by and for librarians” … “a volunteer-led nonprofit with an organizational team of librarians scattered across France from the Loire Valley to the southern part of the country. The goal? A rolling unconference providing exposure to multiple libraries”
  • Sweden – Sweden’s libraries caught in a political row about drag story hour – Conversation. “Drag story hour is “nothing other than indoctrination and sexualisation of children”, claimed Sweden Democrats politician Jonathan Sager during a session of the local parliament in Kalmar, southern Sweden, in 2022. He was reacting to plans to organise a drag story hour event at the local library, where drag queens would read to children, challenging norms of gender and sexuality. He called (unsuccessfully) for the event to be cancelled.” … “Sweden is experiencing a backlash against drag story hour events.”
  • USA – Public libraries level the playing field for students and job seekers – Seattle Times. “Community members can gain valuable skills at the library to set them up for success inside and outside of the classroom. KCLS offers free learning resources for students in grades K-12 through Study Zone. This volunteer-driven program includes tutoring, homework help, math clubs, programs to practice reading out loud and English language learning classes. College students and adult learners may access free online learning support, get assistance with résumés and cover letters, finish high school through the library, and find entrepreneurial training to launch a small business.”

Local news by authority

“We have just written our fifth letter in a month to the DCMS about the impending disaster in Croydon. As we said in the last newsletter, this cash-strapped borough is pushing the strangest library “plan” we think we have ever seen. In brief, it will close four libraries, redeploy the staff to work wonders at the remaining libraries and “mitigate” the loss of the four with plethora of highly unlikely “outreach” activities that don’t yet exist, in places that have not been identified (let alone secured). The libraries are to close in early November. The non-existent “outreach schedule” will not be launched until April next year. We are getting distressing messages from local people who can’t find out what is going on, and will be severely affected by the closures.” Croydon – Library Campaign newsletter.

Peterborough – Local school children petition to save Woodston Library – Friends of Woodston Library. The community’s petition has gained over 860 signatures in five weeks, and the petition from the children would see that increase by over 110.  We are hopeful the children petition will be included, particularly as we have the youngest Councillor and the youngest MP in the country. (press release)
  • Reading – Reading’s Southcote Library set to be completely demolished – Reading Chronicle. “The Southcote Library building has been empty since 2018 when books and other services were moved into the nearby Southcote Community Hub.”
  • Somerset – Council could make up to 450 employees redundant – BBC. “Somerset Council has opened a formal 45-day consultation on compulsory redundancies. The potential job losses are in addition to the 195 voluntary redundancies announced earlier this year. The news comes as part of the council’s plans to restructure and rein in its projected budget overspend by saving £30-£40m by April, to avoid going bust.”
  • Staffordshire – Read all about it! 16 qualified librarians across 43 Staffordshire libraries – Stoke Sentinel. “A senior county councillor has said Staffordshire has a “gold-plated” library service after the number of qualified librarians was questioned. More than 25 of Staffordshire’s 43 libraries are now community-managed services, where day to day running is carried out by a community group while the county council remains responsible for providing books, other stock and IT services and paying utility and maintenance costs.”
    • Half term family learning fun available in libraries – Staffordshire Council. “Families can drop-in and get stuck in, with everything from playing 1970s number games, such as Connect 4 and Skittles, making a lavender bag and making fruit kebabs and bread from scratch.”
  • 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.”
  • Surrey – Library to reopen in summer after Raac work – BBC. “Redhill Library in Warwick Quadrant will reopen following a full refurbishment and works to address the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete discovered in 2023. The newly-refurbished library will have a children’s area, meeting rooms, a public computer and study area.” … “The library is also temporarily moving to the Belfry Shopping Centre from its stopgap site at Consort House.”
  • Warrington – Warrington twins with Ukraine library – Warrington Council. “The borough has been twinned with a library in the city of Chortkiv, located in western Ukraine, on the banks of the Seret River. It forms part of a national initiative led by Libraries Connected, which is seeing more than 20 areas in the UK twinning with Ukraine libraries to share information, exchange skills, connect audiences, develop joint initiatives and celebrate UK and Ukrainian language, literature and culture.”
  • Westmorland and Furness – Libraries call for shipyard memories to bring history to life – Westmorland and Furness Council. ” calling on Barrow Shipyard workers and local veterans to share their memories, stories, and items as part of their Memory Lane Project.”
  • Wiltshire – Free thermal cameras lent in home heat loss scheme – BBC. “Wiltshire Council has made 11 devices free to use from libraries across the county. The camera can be used with a smartphone or tablet and a special app, external. Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling said being able to fix cold spots in the home is especially important this winter as energy bills continue to rise.”
  • Woking – Temporary Woking library closure – Woking News and Mail. “It will be closed until November 3 and a click and collect service will be available on site so customers can still return items and collect reservations.”
  • Worcestershire – Councillors fear for future of libraries in Worcester – Worcester News. “St John’s councillor Richard Udall and Warndon councillor Jill Desarayah both fear their libraries are under threat. However, Worcestershire County Council has said it is looking to increase library provision. The councillor spoke after statistics showed three-quarters of Worcester residents do not have a library within walking distance.”
    • Helping children and young people to reach their potential – Worcestershire Council. ““Worcestershire Libraries were instrumental in helping me connect with the community, they offered me spaces to perform, access to poetry workshops, and even introduced me to a broader audience than I ever could have reached on my own.” Caleb’s role as Young Poet Laureate taught them invaluable life skills. “