The evolution of Library Week
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
- Bradford – New Baildon Library likely to be delayed or cancelled due to budget cuts. 11% cut to opening hours, self-service machines introduced. 216 staff hours (6 FTE) cut. Clayton library reopens after refurbishment.
“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
- CILIP Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Celebration of the Profession – CILIP. 2-3.30pm, 15 October. Zoom.
- Full transparency: 10 lessons from the cyber-attack on the British Library – IMD. “When the British Library fell victim to a major ransomware attack it opted for a policy of full transparency. Here we outline what government organizations, NGOs, and businesses can learn from the incident, especially if they rely on legacy systems. “
- Green Libraries Week returns – DCMS Libraries. “Green Libraries Week returns to celebrate the work going on in libraries across the UK focused on sustainability, climate change and green action within their communities.”
- Libraries and buses under threat as chancellor warned over £54bn council black hole – Independent. “Day-to-day services such as libraries, buses, road maintenance, and youth centres will face further cuts, councils have warned, as they struggle to fund ballooning adult social care and children’s care costs. The County Councils Network (CCN), which represents 37 of England’s largest local authorities, is warning of a £54bn funding black hole across councils over the next five years.”
- Revitalizing the Local Library: Diverse Functions to Drive Community Engagement – Arch Daily. Various new libraries looked at: Peckham, Plumstead, Ogre Central Library (Latvia), Masoro (Rwanda), Brooklyn (USA).
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. “
Local news by authority
- Blackpool – Books and beyond! – Blackpool celebrates Green Libraries Week – Blackpool Council. ” hosting a range of fun and free activities throughout the week, which aim to raise awareness of climate issues and promote eco-conscious living.”
- Bolton – Atherton Children starting school to be issued with library cards – Atherton News. “All reception pupils are to be given cards to use at the 15 local libraries, making it easer for children to borrow books. There will also be ‘fun classes’ run alongside regular advice and support sessions.”
- Bradford – Free events are being planned at 16 of Lancashire’s libraries – Ilkley Chat. “A new reading adventure is coming to Ilkley library this month, The Secret Book Quest is a fun and free year-round reading challenge for ages 5-12, designed to inspire a lifelong love of reading.” … “Led by a vivid cast of beautifully illustrated characters, children can read their way through 10 themed zones including space, animals, and imagination. Collecting stickers as they go, they read 50 books to complete the challenge and decipher a secret code. Finishers will also receive a certificate and a special prize”
- Bradford children’s author says access to libraries must be protected – Hits Radio. ” Bradford children’s author Jenny York says libraries provide a vital service and should be protected: “I think the libraries do a brilliant job promoting reading for children, and it’s incredibly important for children to get into reading. “It improves their mental health and it’s just lots and lots of fun. And when I go into schools and explain that to children, they get on board.”
- Charity-run library to break trend of fewer hours – BBC. “The Beyond the Margin charity manages Holmewood Library on the Holmewood Estate, following Bradford Council’s decision to make library service savings”
- Libraries get self-checkouts but avoid ‘automation’ – BBC. “Self-checkouts have been introduced at libraries across Bradford as part of cost-cutting measures. Customers will now be able to serve themselves when borrowing from branches run by Bradford Council, but the authority stopped short of fully automating the libraries and said staff would be retained. An 11% reduction in opening hours was also agreed at a meeting on Tuesday as part of £175,000 budget savings.”
- Retirement flats approved despite library concerns – BBC. “Plans for a town centre retirement home have been approved, but there are fears a new library meant to be built alongside the development may be scrapped. On Thursday, Bradford Council approved the application by McCarthy Stone to build 46 retirement flats on the former Ian Clough Hall site in the centre of Baildon. The hall, which included the town’s library, was demolished last year – with owners Bradford Council selling the site for development.” … “with Bradford Council facing a huge budget gap, the new library was one of several schemes which had since been put on hold.”
- Village library opens doors after Arts Council funded refurbishment – Telegraph and Argus. Clayton: “The refurbishment has been funded by the Arts Council England Libraries Improvement Fund along with CIL funding – provided by developers as a condition of large scale planning approvals.”
- Brighton and Hove – Reclaiming the narrative this Black History Month – Brighton and Hove Council. “vibrant exhibitions, talks and activities with inspiring Black artists and authors.”
- Bromley – National Poetry Day – Spoken word artist at Bromley Library – GLL (press release). “Bromley Libraries Children’s Team celebrated National Poetry Day by hosting a schools’ event with Eileen Gbagbo, a spoken word artist and playwright (also part of Joseph Coelho’s ‘Diversifying Children’s Literature’ programme).”
- Ceredigion – Library moving to town’s outskirts despite outcry – BBC. “A town’s library will be moved from the town centre to its outskirts, despite more than 90% of people saying they oppose the plans. Ceredigion council said the relocation of Aberaeron library to the council’s offices – 650m (2,130 ft) away in Penmorfa – will help save £70,000.”
- Cheshire East – Children protest against closure of ‘vital’ Cheshire libraries – Cheshire Live. “Campaigners fighting proposals to close Bollington Library will be turning out in force to protest at a Cheshire East meeting next week – just days after local children demonstrated their opposition.” … “It is understood that four libraries – Bollington, Alderley Edge, Disley and Handforth – are all under threat of closure.”
- Cornwall – Callington Library launches singalong sessions to help tackle loneliness and isolation among older people – Cornish Times. “Sing Happy, which is open to anyone aged 65 and older, will start at the end of October.”
- Derby – New move to ensure Derby libraries stay open for years to come – Derbyshire Live. “Councillors are to be asked to approve a new operator for 10 of the city’s libraries when the council’s cabinet meets next week. The community libraries which were first split off from the other five city libraries in 2018, to be run by charity Direct Help and Advice, are about to become part of a trust.” … “The successful bidder will enter into a formal negotiation and lease agreement with the council, which could provide a financial support package to operate the community libraries, depending on the specific needs of the chosen operator.”
- Derbyshire – Derbyshire council welcomes more views on library service plans after over 1,300 responses – Derbyshire Times. “The council has identified a planned reduction to the Library Service budget of £625,000 between April, 2025, to March, 2029, as well as £285,000 of savings which need to be carried forward from previous years to achieve a savings total of £910,000 between 2024 and 2029.”
- Devon / Torbay – Libraries Unlimited announces new patron – Dartmouth Today. “Robin Ince has become a patron for Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs the libraries in Devon and Torbay.”
- Braunton library project connects resettled Afghan families with countryside and community – Devon Council. “North Devon-based project led by Honeyscribe in association with Libraries Unlimited, which runs libraries in Devon on our behalf, is helping resettled Afghan families connect with their local community. ‘The Gatherers’ has been running at Braunton Library and Braunton Countryside Centre throughout 2024.”
- Holsworthy Library opens recycling point to help raise money for its operation – The Post. ” enabling residents to donate old gadgets, coins, stamps and jewellery to help it continue to enrich lives and build communities.”
- Dudley – Spooktacular half term library fun – GLL (press release). “From Halloween craftmaking, storytelling and witches’ potion trails to batty bats, an articulated skeleton and 3d black cat creation, spine-tingling fun is guaranteed. There is also an opportunity to get prepared for fireworks night, decorate biscuits, grow a hedgehog and carve a pumpkin.”
- Gateshead – Temporary service changes at Gateshead Central Library – Gateshead Council. “Work to replace the life [sic – I really hope it’s a spelling mistake for “Lift” – Ed.] at Central Library will begin on Monday 7 October and will take approximately 5 weeks.”
- Get involved with Green Libraries Week – Gateshead Council. “each library highlighting the benefits of sustainable living through promotion of re-using and sharing resources with residents.”
- Haringey – Haringey launches recycling stations at libraries – Haringey Council. “Residents emphasised the need for more accessible recycling options for smaller household items, such as batteries, printer cartridges, and lightbulbs. While they are eager to recycle more, navigating the available options were proving to be complicated.” … “The new recycling stations are part of Haringey’s ongoing commitment to Destination 50 – making recycling easier for all residents and increasing our recycling rate to 50%.”
- Inverclyde – Greenock Central Library event supports people to manage their own healthcare – Inverclyde Council. NHS and “Alongside partners including Alzheimer Scotland; Inverclyde Community Link Workers; SAMH; Your Voice; Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland; and Inverclyde HSCP, libraries aim to support people to self-manage, maintain and improve their health and wellbeing.”
- Isle of Wight – IW Council libraries to celebrate Green Libraries Week with wide range of activities – Isle of Wight Observer. Crafts, planting, talks.
- Kirklees – What is happening with Mirfield Library: Mirfield campaigners ‘over the moon’ that controversial plans for their library have been scrapped – Dewsbury Reporter. “The plans were met with a great deal of backlash from communities across the borough, not least in Mirfield, where volunteers are heavily involved in the running of the library through a Friends of Mirfield Library group.”
- Lancashire – ‘Hugely busy’ weekend of free interactive events – BBC. Fun Palaces: “Free events are being planned at 16 of Lancashire’s libraries”.
- Fulwood Library shutting for major heating system repair work – Blog Preston. ““Fulwood library will be closed for around six weeks from 7pm on 9 October so that essential work to the building’s heating system can be carried out.”
- Liverpool – ‘You’ll never walk alone…’ Visiting Spellow Library – Children’s Commissioner. “At the heart of this community, a sanctuary of silence and peace, Spellow Library found itself at the epi-centre of the violence following the heartbreaking attacks.” … “With this in mind, I was really pleased to be able to visit the library with the Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, last week for the first time in the aftermath of the violence and the amazing reconstruction. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the community had pulled together to rebuild. They set out to raise £5,000 but ended up with an extraordinary £250,000. “
- Newcastle – Halloween at Newcastle Libraries – Newcastle Council. Spooky spider crafts.
- Perth and Kinross – Council warned of ‘extremely damaging’ library closures – BBC. “Plans to close seven libraries in Perth and Kinross would be “extremely damaging” and potentially illegal, the body representing Scotland’s librarians has warned. In a letter sent to all councillors, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS) said it was concerned that some communities could be left without libraries run by trained professionals.”
- Shropshire – Shropshire’s libraries celebrate Green Libraries Week – Shropshire Council. Talks, advice, crafts.
- Somerset – Mayor of Wellington declares new look library a ‘great privilege’ after £900K facelift – Wellington Weekly News.
- Somerset relaunches winter coat exchange to help families stay warm – Somerset Live. ““Following last year’s successful launch of this initiative, I am pleased that we are able to run this again as the colder and wet weather is starting to make itself felt and this can be challenging for many, especially those who can’t afford to stay warm.”. 1,022 coats donated last year.
- Staffordshire – National awards for Staffordshire Community Managed libraries – Staffordshire Council. “Both Norton Canes Library and Rising Brook Library have been recognised in The National Community Managed Library Network Annual Awards 2024.” … “Both libraries are managed by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust who manage nine of the county’s libraries.”
- New self access scheme launched at Stafford Library – Staffordshire Council. “he library will be open from 8am to 10am for self-access, allowing registered members to use the library’s facilities before regular staffed hours. More than 100 members have already signed up “
- Stockport – New pop-up library to open in Marple – Stockport Council. ” temporary library provision will be available in Marple Scout Hut [Marple Memorial Drive, Marple Memorial Park, Marple] to ensure local people can access vital library services whilst building of the new hub takes place.”
- Stoke on Trent – Next step in digital journey for city’s libraries – Stoke on Trent Council. “Access to printing facilities in libraries across Stoke-on-Trent are set to be improved by installing Wi-Fi printing. Stoke-on-Trent City Council were successfully awarded £300,000 from the Libraries Improvement Fund and one part of this project is to improve the printing facilities across all six libraries in the city.”
- Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries celebrates Green Libraries Week – Suffolk Libraries. “The very nature of the library service involves ‘recycling’ books and other items which are borrowed many times over but as a local charity with 45 branches at the heart of many communities, Suffolk Libraries recognises it has an important role in promoting sustainability and an appreciation of the wonderful Suffolk countryside.”
- Suffolk Libraries provides free warm spaces for third year with help from the East of England Co-op – Suffolk News. “free hot drinks and kindness racks.” Free personal hygiene products and snacks.
- Thurrock – Children’s author to visit libraries as part of Black History Month – Thurrock Council. Local author Toyin Owoseje reads her self-esteem book.
- Walsall – Bring Your Past to Life During October’s Family History Month – Walsall Council. “computers across all Walsall Libraries are equipped with Ancestry and Find My Past programs”
- Warwickshire – Warwickshire Libraries announces winners of latest bookmark competition and invites residents to enjoy free Green Libraries Week events – Warwickshire Council. “The bookmark competition encouraged participants in different age categories to create an imaginative bookmark design, with over 600 colourful entries submitted for consideration.” … “The winning designs will feature on a new suite of free paper bookmarks which will be available for the public at libraries across the county from Green Libraries Week.”. Fun Palaces.
- West Berkshire – Green Libraries Week 2024 – West Berkshire Council. ” children’s shows, craft activities to themed talks.”
- Westminster – A new approach to homelessness in Westminster – City of Westminster Council. “Creating a more joined up approach by working with public services such as GP surgeries, schools and libraries to identify vulnerable people before they become homeless.”
- Westmorland and Furness – Libraries launch eco-friendly book collection – BBC. “The books cover a range of subject such as climate change, renewable energy, eco-friendly lifestyles and nature conservation.”
- Decision to move Ulverston library to be debated – Cumbria Crack. “Members of the communities and environment scrutiny committee for Westmorland and Furness Council will discuss the decision taken by the cabinet to permanently relocate the town’s library service from the King’s Road building to the Coronation Hall after it was called in” … “five councillors have called in the decision”
- Holly Macve to perform at Barrow Library in November – Mail. Get It Loud In Libraries performance.
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