31 libraries, 1 mobile and others under threat in seven services announced in 1 week

Editoral

There are announcements of 31 libraries and 1 mobile library under threat over five different library services, plus further cuts in a sixth and the loss of an archive/local studies library in a seventh in just one week. This is up there with the peak of Austerity in 2012, but with the noticeable difference that the majority of cuts are in Scotland, perhaps because services north of the border escaped relatively unscathed the first time around.

When you’ve digested that, check out the link to the ONS statistics showing how many libraries are in each service in England and Wales, plus a dataset (3159 libraries as of May this year, fewer doubtless now) and even an estimate of the walking time to each library needed. It shows a rough correlation between how urban an area is and the number of libraries, which makes sense.

Changes by local authority

• Aberdeenshire – 13 of 31 to close (Balmedie, Boddam, Cairnbulg, Cruden Bay, Insch, Inverbervie, Kintore, Macduff, New Pitsligo, Newmachar, Newtonhill, Rosehearty and Striche)
• Bradford – Local Studies Library and Archive Service building sold off with no current replacement
• Ealing – Greenford, Jubilee Gardens, Wood End and Northolt Leisure libraries to be run by volunteers.
• Moray – 7 out 11 libraries under threat – Burghead, Cullen, Dufftown, Fochabers, Keith, Lossiemouth and Tomintoul
• Perth and Kinross – 7 libraries under threat, £191k cut.
• West Berkshire – Mobile library to be end
• Wrexham – £185k cut.

National news

• Access to local amenities in England and Wales: October 2024 – ONS. Shows number of libraries per 100,000 in England and Wales, shaded on a map. Clickable by council. Dataset is here. Shows 3159 libraries in England and Wales as of May 2024. Also has walking times.
• Libraries celebrate microgrant success – Libraries Connected. “The 15 successful projects include an inter-generational creative programme exploring the history of gaming, a World Book Day costume swap, and a new lending library of screen-free audiobook devices for children.”
• Libraries recognised for community contributions in annual award ceremony – Herald Scotland. “Shetland Libraries and the National Library of Scotland (NLS) have been recognised for their work with young people and supporting communities.”
• Libraries should capitalise on appeal as community hubs, report recommends – Arts Professional.
• Local government funding in England – Institute for Government. “Unlike central government, local authorities cannot borrow to finance day-to-day spending, and so they must either run balanced budgets or draw down reserves – money built up by underspending in earlier years – so as not to exceed their annual revenue.  Local government in England has limited revenue-raising powers compared to other wealthy countries. In 2018, every other G7 nation collected more taxes at either a local or regional level.¹  7% of the UK’s taxes were collected, or intended to be collected, locally in 2014, compared to 12% collected locally or federally in Italy, 32% in Germany, and almost 50% in Canada.”… “Local authority ‘spending power’ – the amount of money authorities have to spend from government grants, council tax and business rates – fell by 17.5% between 2009/10 and 2019/20, before partially recovering. However, in 2021/22 it was still 10.2% below 2009/10 levels.”

International news

• China – Accessibility services needs of visually impaired patrons in public libraries: a grounded theory study of China – Library Hi Tech. “The purpose of this research is to assess the service capabilities of visually impaired patrons in public libraries and to improve the accessibility of services provided by public libraries for visually impaired patrons.”
• Ghana – Exclusive: CEO of GLA insists government has made significant investments in Ghana’s libraries – Joy News. “The CEO of Ghana Library Authority, insists the government has made significant investments in Ghana’s libraries” (Youtube interview).
• Ireland – Christy Brown book returned to Irish library after 53 years – BBC. “Fines for overdue book returns were abolished in all Irish public libraries in January 2019. “At that time, we would have seen some overdue books returned but I can confidently say that none of them were on loan for over 50 years,”
  • Taoiseach Simon Harris Officially Opens Clare’s New County Library and Cultural Centre – Clare Council. “The 2,321 square metre, landmark building in the county town of Ennis, comprises a public library spread over two floors; a 100 square metre art gallery; and the headquarters of Clare Libraries and Arts Services.” 17 million Euros.
• Lithuania – New life for old books: Lithuanian libraries to hold auctions for discarded publications – LRT. “The first auctions are expected to start early next year. The country’s libraries discard around 2 million publications every year. The Ministry of Culture changed the procedure in reaction to outrage from some people who noticed that libraries were simply throwing away and pulping a large amount of books without offering them to anyone to take.”
• USA – Why libraries need librarians – Vox. “Public librarians have to be coders, social workers, and book rec machines. They’re irreplaceable”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – From knitting to unravelling crime: Aberdeen celebrates Book Week Scotland – Aberdeen Council. “Subjects as diverse as knitting, crime-solving and the world of bridges are on the menu as Aberdeen City Libraries celebrate Book Week Scotland this November.”
• Aberdeenshire – Plan to close 13 Aberdeenshire libraries announced – BBC. “Live Life Aberdeenshire, which delivers services for the council, said the locations were seeing lower numbers of users in recent years. The library buildings identified are in Balmedie, Boddam, Cairnbulg, Cruden Bay, Insch, Inverbervie, Kintore, Macduff, New Pitsligo, Newmachar, Newtonhill, Rosehearty and Strichen. Live Life Aberdeenshire said 18 libraries in “main towns” would remain.”

“Community Hubs in which Libraries are part of are in the midst of a reorganisation. Hubs are currently focused on delivering core council services and enquiries with other ‘partner’ organisations working in them to deliver other services, LA’s staff main focus is on resident enquiries with very limited knowledge and interest in core library functions. This all now now sits within the People and Resilience – Care, Community and Health Integration portfolio. This will continue in the future with books becoming progressively less important and side-lined. The proposals are to move four of the remaining six locations with library provision in them over to community management with some LA staff representation in them primarily to handle resident enquiries . This will leave only two locations in LA control Dagenham Library and Barking Learning Centre. The proposals are due to go to LBBD Cabinet shortly. With the aim on implementation of the plans by April 2025.”

Barking and Dagenham – CILIP Library services Changes Tracker

“… Bradford Council has agreed to sell Margaret McMillan Tower as part of its money raising/saving exercise. The ground floor of this building houses two very important organisations. One is the Council’s Local Studies Library and the other is the Bradford office of the West Yorkshire Archive Service. Both contain large sources of information for people carrying out personal and professional research, and some of the WYAS information is not available anywhere else. The Archives have already closed to the public, and Local Studies will be closing some time in the near future. As far as we know no alternative accommodation has yet been confirmed. Apparently, the officer who agreed that the building would be sold had no real idea what an archive is and had not realised that specially controlled storage facilities have to be created and approved. This takes considerable time.”

Bradford – Letter seen from Bradford Historical and Antiquarian Society to Telegraph and Argus

• Cornwall – Recycle your small electricals at libraries and leisure centres across Cornwall – Cornwall Council. “Cornwall Council has teamed up with REPIC to provide temporary collection points for small electrical items. This includes most items with a plug, battery or cable. The items that are collected will then be sent away and recycled.”
• Croydon – Croydon library closures spark devastation after ‘sham’ consultation process – SW Londoner. “Four libraries were forced to close on Friday as part of Croydon Council’s efforts to create a more efficient library service, despite significant objections from residents.”
• Denbighshire – MS shows support for Denbighshire libraries series of events – Free Press. “Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, is encouraging his constituents to attend these events and meet the authors.” [MS = Member of the Senedd – Ed.]
• Devon – Libraries Unlimited launches first ever Book Awards – Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette. “he Book Awards aim to highlight and promote reading by spotlighting the most borrowed books of the past year and inviting the public to vote for their favourites.”
  • Cold Days, Warm Libraries returns for 2024 – Kingsbridge Today.
• Ealing – Changes to Library Services – Ealing Council. “Following the success of Northfields, Hanwell, Perivale and West Ealing libraries now being effectively run by community groups, this report sets out proposals to deliver community managed libraries at Greenford, Jubilee Gardens, Wood End and
  Northolt Leisure libraries, or in the event that there are no satisfactory applications, to consult on implementing self-operated library (SOL) technology.” … “The recommendations in this report result in an efficiency [sic – Ed.] of £0.134m each year for 3 years”
• East Riding – East Riding Libraries shortlisted at National Fantastic for Families Awards – East Riding Council. “East Riding Libraries have been nominated for their Children’s Festival of Words in 2023, where they hosted multiple events throughout the summer.”
• Hertfordshire – Author Ken Follett CBE officially opens brand new Ware library – Hertfordshire Council. ” “Libraries have long been important to me and they play a crucial role in making the UK a literate country. I’m delighted to celebrate the opening of a new one.””
• Lambeth – ‘Pub library’ launches in Brixton to meet demand for books in bars – London News Online. “The LiBARary, from Brixton Brewery in Station Road, will host a pop-up mini library in the brewery’s taproom, alongside a programme of events hosted by some of the city’s best literary and bookish talent. The South London brewery’s own research has found that more than half of Londoners would consider visiting their local pub if it created a space for them to read whilst having a drink.”
• Leeds – Hundreds of free comics offered at city libraries – BBC. “About 1,000 titles suitable for all ages will be available to pick up from 10 libraries in the city from Friday as part of Thought Bubble Comic Art Festival. The initiative, now in its 15th year, has seen more than 10,000 free comics and graphic novels distributed since 2009.”
• Manchester – How libraries are being used to combat the cost of living crisis this winter – Manchester Evening News. Warm Spaces in libraries.
• Medway – More than 10 tonnes of small electricals saved and recycled at Medway’s libraries and community hubs – Medway Council. “More than 19,000 small electricals have been recycled and reused in Medway, thanks to the small electrical recycling bins at Medway’s libraries and community hubs. The project launched in November 2023 and encouraged residents across Medway to visit their local library to use the dedicated recycling bins for their unwanted or broken small electricals.”
• Moray – Moray Council proposing to close seven libraries – Burghead, Cullen, Dufftown, Fochabers, Keith, Lossiemouth and Tomintoul all at risk – Forres Gazette. 7 out of 11 libraries under threat. 3 week consultation. “Having got wind of the plans this past Monday, users of Keith Library held their own meeting yesterday morning. Despite the very short notice, about 35 members of the public showed up to voice their opposition.”
• Nottingham – Nottingham Libraries: Future for four facilities due in April 2025 – West Bridgford Wire. 5000 have replied to consultation on libraries: “Nottingham City Council, which declared itself effectively bankrupt last year, is looking to cut £1.5m from its libraries service over the next two years.”
• Nottinghamshire – “Unacceptable”: Gedling MP Michael Payne raises concerns over proposed library changes on last day for public to have say – Gedling Eye. “MP has expressed serious concerns over a council’s proposals to introduce a tier system for the borough’s libraries that could see some closed and replaced with mobile services or ‘pop-up’ facilities staffed by volunteers.”
• Perth and Kinross – Rally opposing Scone library closure attended by around 100 people – Daily Record. “Around 100 people attended a rally in Scone at the weekend to oppose the closure of the town’s library. Scone and six other Perth and Kinross libraries – North Inch (Perth), Dunkeld, Alyth, Auchterarder, Comrie and Coupar Angus – are facing an uncertain future following a decision by PKC in February to allocate £191,000 of its 2024/25 budget to Culture Perth and Kinross to find “local solutions for library services””
• Reading – Reading Central Library opening date and toy service future – Reading Chronicle.
• Suffolk – Delay for decision about the future of Suffolk libraries – EADT. “the current contract expires in May next year – and the new contract had been due to be unveiled this month to give a six-month lead-in time for the new deal. The county council has now admitted that this deadline cannot be met – and has not been able to give a date when the contract will be signed.”
  • Suffolk Libraries responds to National Literacy report into reading for pleasure amongst children and young people – Suffolk Libraries. “It’s been proven that learning to read and visiting libraries from a very young age can make a real difference to a child’s education and achievement in later life. “
• Warwickshire – Visit Warwickshire Libraries this month to enjoy exciting activities for families and young people – Warwickshire Council. “including a storytelling fair and the opportunity to learn how to create podcasts and sound effects from industry professionals.”
• West Berkshire – Council proposes ending mobile library service – BBC. “West Berkshire Council has proposed retiring its mobile library from April 2025.The council hopes to replace it with what it calls more effective library service options for residents, particularly in rural areas.” Council has had Mobile for 40 years.
• Wiltshire – Families with pre-schoolers encouraged to visit their local library – Wiltshire Council. “Council is encouraging families with pre-schoolers to visit their local library and join in with a wide range of events to support pre-schoolers’ social skills and learning including baby days, story sharers and rhymetime sessions.”
• Wrexham – Consultation launched on Wrexham libraries amid budget gap – Leader.”amid reduced funding combined with increased costs, inflation, interest rate rises, and more residents needing its support, they are having to look at the way things are run. From Monday (November 18), they are set to launch a new consultation, which will close on January 19, 2025, with the council asking local residents to help shape the future of the facilities. “