Editorial

Next week is Green Libraries Week. I always tell people that public libraries were the first Green shop – we re-use books and share resources for the good of the community. OK, that makes us the first Communist shop as well, but I think it’s probably political better to emphasise the environmental side. Green Libraries Week is basically taking over the Libraries Week slot this year. One hopes that the break will mean that a revitalised Libraries Week starts again next year. The Week has its roots back in the first wave of protest at library cuts last decade and has been incrementally tamed by the libraries service, who cannot be political, until it is effectively no more. But it’s possible, as Ireland has shown, for a Libraries Week to be an effective non-political tool to promote the service. That England has failed where other countries (Australia also springs to mind) have succeeded is a sign of the poor state of affairs, largely financial, that this country is in. We can hope for better next year, although noises coming out of central government are downright discouraging. In the meantime, let’s go Green.

Other than Green Libraries Week, in the news this week are the Fun Palaces, which appear to be reducing in popularity in public libraries, probably due to the amount of staff time they take. Then, locally, we have Bradford who apparently have decided to issue all their press releases for the year in one week. Overall, the news is bad – cuts in opening hours and staffing, potential cancellation of a new library – but there’s also a reopening of a refurbished library. There’s lots of local reasons why all this came together but one can’t help but think that an uninformed outsider may think that in England, there is sometimes no joined up thinking even on the individual council level.

Finally, a US survey of public libraries, suggests that using the toilet is the third biggest reason for people to use the service. Now, there’s a humbling bit of information. But, what the hey, it’s all part of being part of a free shopfront public library service. At least it gives us, forgive me, something to feel flushed with success about.

Changes by local authority

“100 days in: CILIP Chief Executive Louis Coiffait-Gunn shares his thoughts

CILIP Chief Executive Louis Coiffait-Gunn has marked his first 100 days in the job by sharing his early impressions in an article for CILIP’s Information Professional magazine.

Picking out highlights to build on and looking at where the profession is headed, Louis points to a committed and dedicated workforce, and a public library service that is loved and well used – despite the obvious funding difficulties that many service are operating under.

He also talks about the positive impact library and information professionals have on their communities, but warns that more needs to be done to ensure this work is seen and valued by decision makers. He says: “I’ve been struck by the sheer breadth of what different CILIP members do, including but going far beyond the stereotypical building full of books.

“The public benefit is huge, but often hard to track, given how many different agendas are being served and how intangible the impact can be at times. It’s also clearly a proud service sector, often quietly providing support to different groups of users, sometimes without them realising it. That’s particularly true of online services, where members’ hard work to provide access to trustworthy information isn’t always obvious to users.”

A general election was called just two weeks after Louis became CILIP CEO, and the newly installed government is presenting new opportunities for CILIP and its members. Louis points to ongoing work to engage with ministers and MPs, saying: “As the new government provides more detail about its policy proposals, we’ll be keeping a close eye on opportunities and risks relevant to different groups of members.

“This sector knows all about delivering across departmental silos, the challenge will be getting recognition and funding for it. I’m keen for us to work with partners to make a persuasive case for a bigger funding pie, rather than argue over slices.”

He adds that being part of the CILIP community helps strengthen the overall aims of the profession, saying: “Given this is such a wonderfully broad and varied profession, CILIP aims to make a positive difference on the key priorities of each group of members. However, the only way we can be effective across such a range of issues is by prioritising and by harnessing the expertise of our members.”

You can read the full article, and find out how you can contribute to  CILIP’s Libraries Change Lives campaign and the Libraries at Risk register at  https://www.cilip.org.uk/news/683165/Louis-Coiffait-Gunn-100-days-at-CILIP.htm.

National news

International news

  • USA – Who uses libraries? Even in the stacks, there’s a political divide – Washington Post. “After digging ourselves out from under an avalanche of your queries about libraries, we gathered detailed data on the size of their collections, their budgets and the populations they serve.” … Most used are books (47%), computers (27%) and toilets (19%).
    • The Week in Libraries: October 4, 2024 – Publishers Weekly. Various book bannings, legal challenges for and against censorship. “A near-unanimous 92% of Americans with a favorable attitude toward bookstores also have a favorable attitude toward libraries. “

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