Editorial

It’s been Christmas Festival weekend in my non-library life, which means I have been a certain bearded character in a grotto for much of yesterday, a reindeer herder (not real reindeer – my daughter and her friends in full costume) in the evening and clearing the grotto out all day today. And yesterday was fantastic and lovely but I’m a bit tired so the library world can live without an editorial this week.

Please send in any news, comments or corrections to ianlibrarian at live.co.uk. Thank you.

Changes by local authority

National news

  • Britain’s high street ‘as we know it’ is dead – ‘people only want two things’ – Daily Star. ” Cafes, restaurants and charity shops – which can avail of cheaper rates – are usually the only new businesses taking up new leases.” … “Public authorities are also tentatively moving public-facing services (such as surgeries and libraries) on to high streets. This can both improve access to those civic functions and increase footfall to sustain local businesses.”” … ““Retail will always be important, but people want to see a variety of businesses and other services such as NHS diagnostic centres and libraries on their high street. “
  • Charities join forces to ‘poverty proof’ libraries – Libraries Connected. “Funded by a grant of £49,770 from Arts Council England, Children North East will carry out a full Poverty Proofing© audit of libraries in three English local authorities. ” Starting in Gateshead.
  • Children told refugees ‘enrich our country’ and drive ‘growth’ in Usborne book – Telegraph. “Publication stocked by local council libraries and sent to schools is described as ‘indoctrination’” Registration wall.
  • Libraries: Cornerstones of Our Communities we need – This is Local London. “With the loss of libraries, we will lose a great opportunity to connect with those who may live right next door. “
  • Will we still need our libraries in ten years time? – This is Local London / Young Reporter. “Libraries can only be described as absolute treasures in a world where technology is slowly taking over. I talked to Ann, a librarian at Osterley Library, in order to open a window into how the growing influence of technology is slowly invading its way into these precious spaces.” … ““If we could, with funding, make libraries more accessible to all age groups, perhaps we could be more equipped to protect them” … “The future of these priceless spaces are in our hands”
  • Yorkshire and Humber libraries reflect on a year of success – Libraries Connected. 10 million visits and 12 million physical/digital issues, various projects funded 2023-4.

International news

Local news by authority

  • Aberdeen – Aberdeen City Libraries is among 13 services in Scotland to receive funding from the 2024/25 Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) – Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. “Innovation Station, will see the development of an exciting technology hub within Central Library by providing opportunities for communities to access emerging technologies.” … “This project aims to be youth-led, with young people involved in the planning, development and delivery of the project alongside Library Teams. Young people will become advocates of and for the project across the city’s libraries.”
  • Aberdeenshire – Politics: Under threat libraries are vital community hubs – Grampian Online. “Aberdeenshire Council has announced it will be closing 13 libraries across the area – with five in the Aberdeenshire East constituency being impacted, writes MSP Gillian Martin. This news has come as a shock to many people including councillors who were not all informed of the decision, until the plans became public last week.” … “I have written to Aberdeenshire Council and to both Audit Scotland and the Scottish Government to ask how this decision could have been made without more scrutiny and a full and proper consultation process.”
  • Angus – Angus libraries win funding for new sensory facilities – Angus World. £17k. ” implementation of a suite of sensory packs across all seve [sic], Angus libraries, as well as two mobile libraries and via the Home Library Service.”
  • Bolton – Harwood Library to undergo huge investment to benefit all – Bolton News. “Harwood Library is to benefit from ward funding to undergo an upgrade and have specialist equipment installed to ensure more can use the services it offers.” … “Among the new equipment is a Lego tech machine set, rainbow sensory bricks, antimicrobial bean bags, a teepee and a clear acrylic notice board.”
  • Bridgend – Awen Libraries’ performance assessed by Welsh Government – Awen. “Welsh Government’s annual assessment (2023-24) of the library service in Bridgend County Borough has recognised its “impressive range of activities”, “support for people with a wide range of needs and interests, in particular those with additional learning needs” and “strong focus on children’s provision”.”
  • Bromley – Chislehurst Library closes until summer 2025 for refurbishment – News Shopper. “The library is set to close for several months due to ongoing refurbishment works and will not open until summer of next year, although no current reopening date has yet been confirmed. The space is set to receive an upgrade including an expansion to the children’s library and installation of a new public toilet and baby changing facilities, accessible entrance and windows.”
  • Camden – Much-cherished Highgate Library has reopened following £1.88m investment – Camden Council. “The library required extensive works with many of its services and infrastructure in need of replacement, which as well as making visiting less enjoyable, also led to high levels of heat loss from the building.”
  • Cheshire East – Future of Bollington library is made as councillors approve libraries strategy – Macclesfield Nub News. “Alderley Edge’s richest residents should consider putting their hands in their pockets to help fund Cheshire East’s libraries, a councillor said.” … “various town and parish councils have stepped in to help, and ‘top-up’ funding has provisionally been agreed for Alderley Edge, Bollington, Disley, Handforth, Macclesfield and Poynton libraries.” … “Talks are ongoing with Knutsford Town Council. Crewe and Nantwich already top up theirs.” … “Alderley Edge Parish Council reduced their precept last year by 6.5 per cent – one of the richest villages in the country ”
    • Libraries face new “tier” system amid more Cheshire East cost-cutting – Nantwich News. “Nantwich along with Crewe, Congleton, Macclesfield, and Wilmslow will be in tier one. Alsager, Holmes Chapel, Knutsford, Middlewich, Poynton and Sandbach will be in tier two with Alderley Edge, Bollington, Disley and Handforth in tier three. It is tier three – known as community libraries – which have taken the biggest hit as Cheshire East plans to fund these for just 1.5 days a week.”
  • Cornwall – Storytime sessions encouraging children to read – BBC. “Libraries in Cornwall are hosting storytelling sessions for children as a literacy charity said it had recorded its lowest ever number of young people that choose to read for pleasure. The National Literacy Trust survey found only one-in-three children in the UK said they enjoyed reading for pleasure, external said it was the lowest level of reading recorded in the past 20 years.”
  • Gloucestershire – Residents urged to have say on plans to access library services out of hours – Gloucestershire News Centre. “The technology, called Open Access, is being introduced to the libraries at Churchdown, Fairford, Prestbury, Quedgeley, and Tetbury in the coming year, enabling registered customers to use library services outside of ordinary staffed hours. It is already used at Bishops Cleeve and Oakley libraries so this would see the service extended to cover more areas.”
  • Haringey – Hundreds sign petition to retain opening hours at Alexandra Park Library – Haringey Community Press. “Richard Loren, a supporter of the petition, added that reducing the hours after the building had been recently refurbished made “no sense”. A new lift, accessible toilets, as well as improved facilities including a new children’s library were installed at the library last year. “
  • Kirklees – Dewsbury library plans take next step as new location confirmed – Examiner Live. “The library will be shifted from its current spot on Railway Street to the Walsh Building next to Dewsbury Town Hall where it will be co-located with the town’s customer service centre.”
  • Lincolnshire – Golden moment for volunteer behind sensory room – BBC. “Ms Burley, who has learning difficulties, helped develop the calming and colourful space at Cleethorpes library for neurodiverse children and adults.”
  • Merton – Discovering Libraries in Merton – This is Local London.
  • Midlothian – Midlothian libraries awarded funding for digital inclusion project – Midlothian View. £15k. “Digital Learning Stations will be installed in each library, equipped with tablets, notebooks, or laptops pre-loaded with interactive tutorials and courses on essential digital skills such as basic computer use and internet safety.”
  • Moray / Aberdeenshire – Moray and Banffshire public fight to save libraries – Northern Scot. ““I think the council have been a bit taken back about how strong the reaction has been. “If we were ever complacent about our library we’re certainly not now.” Ironically, the Keith protestors have been told by Moray Council they are no longer allowed to meet inside the library in case they disturb other users.” … “A thousand people – a quarter of Macduff’s population – have already signed an online petition in support of that library.”
  • Norfolk -Norfolk libraries celebrate National Tree Week with events – Eastern Daily Press. Registration-wall.
  • North East Lincolnshire – Results of first stage of Public Library and Archive Service review to go before councillors – North East Lincolnshire Council. “A large percentage of library users who responded said they would welcome gallery and exhibition space within libraries, and would also welcome libraries in shopping centres and  leisure centres. Respondents said they would like longer weekday and weekend opening hours, better public toilet facilities and more social spaces, reflecting a change in how people are using the libraries overall.”
  • North Northamptonshire – Statement of Reassurance for Raunds Library Customers – North Northamptonshire Council. “Currently the library is run as a three-way partnership arrangement between North Northamptonshire Council, CTT [Creating Tomorrow Trust] and RCLT [Raunds Community Library Trust]. As there are ongoing discussions between all three parties about future arrangements, North Northamptonshire Council is disappointed that RCLT have put out this statement on social media. It is not in the interests of effective partnership working for one partner to make statements about another without prior agreement. The content of it is misleading, and as such, North Northamptonshire Council has formally requested that RCLT take the post down.”
  • North Somerset – Public Document Pack – North Somerset Council. “£433,000 for the libraries budget, starting 2026-27 and staggered over 2 years.” page 44 PD08. Proposed £433k cut over 2 years due to “explore new delivery model reducing the number of library sites and exploring outreach and mobile delivery”.
  • Nottingham – Nottingham residents fight back against plans to close local libraries – West Bridgford Wire. “The results of the consultation indicate overwhelming opposition to the proposed changes. Many respondents highlighted the crucial role of libraries as community hubs, particularly for children, older adults, and people with disabilities. In areas with limited public amenities, the libraries provide warm, safe spaces and access to essential services like books, digital resources, and social activities. Concerns were also raised over the potential impact of reduced opening hours, with many fearing that cutting availability would lead to a decline in library use, creating a negative cycle that could justify further cuts in the future.”
    • Number of visitors who visited long-awaited £10.5m Nottingham library in first year revealed – Nottinghamshire Live. “Nearly 293,000 visitors have stepped through the doors of Nottingham’s Central Library in its first year, Nottingham City Council has revealed.” … “The new building hosts a stunning children’s library with an immersive storytelling room that helps bring books to life. It has been so lovely seeing families enjoy these areas and popping outside to use the new play area.”
  • Nottinghamshire – Nottinghamshire County Council ‘crystal clear’ it will not close county libraries as new 10-year plan considered – Newark Advertiser. “Nottinghamshire County Council says it is “crystal clear” it will not close libraries or cut services as a new 10-year plan is considered. As part of mapping out how it will run libraries over the next decade, the authority plans to designate 12 key sites as ‘hub libraries’ that offer a wide-range of activities and services six days a week.”
  • Orkney – Library forecourt to be transformed – Orkney Islands Council. £11k “to create an interactive Orcadian trail of native flora in the library forecourt.” … “five raised, wheelchair accessible planters being made for the native plants. Sensory panels, sound chimes and a wooden finger maze will also be installed.”
  • Perth and Kinross – Job losses unavoidable as Culture Perth and Kinross implements cuts to its library and museum services – Daily Record. “Every library in Perth and Kinross will be hit by cuts and job losses will be unavoidable as Culture Perth and Kinross seeks to reduce its budget by 12 per cent over the next three years.” Libraries not at risk of closure look set to have their opening hours reduced from next April.”
  • Peterborough – Council to debate community library under threat – BBC. “Woodston Library in Peterborough is one of several community buildings the city council has considered selling to plug a black hole in its finances. Some 764 people signed a petition to keep the facility open and to “develop the library as a real community hub”.” Eye Youth Centre and Library, Dogsthorpe Community Centre, Stanground Library and Woodston are “under consideration for sale”.
Peterborough – Woodston Library “our  community’s petition will finally be debated at Peterborough City Council’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday.  Where we will have five minutes to speak. We will meet at the steps at the rear of the Town Hall at 5.30pm, ahead of the meeting start time of 6pm.”