Childhood memories
Editorial
It’s been a difficult week for me. There was the sad news of the passing of my mother on Wednesday followed by the funeral of my father on Friday. Part of the mourning process is remembering the past. There’s a lot that went on but Mum and Dad were always keen on me using the library. There was the mobile library in Newport that visited my primary school (and which I still feel guilt for not returning a book to as we moved to Wiltshire shortly after), the hot pavement over a small bridge leading to Salisbury Library where I discovered with joy the kinderbox full of Asterix and Tintin books.
Returning to South Wales, there were the trips to Newport Central where I watched the librarians with wonder as they zipped their fingers through the multiple tables of Browne Issue tickets with ease. Then, a bit later, when I visited alone as a teenager to rip through the Science Fiction session. I also remember being either treated with suspicion or ignored at another library closer to home but then I guess me being a teenager in a library so close to a Comprehensive School may well have been a stressing experience to the staff at the time. That, and the offhand reply to a query on Economics at a library (“It’s at 330” before the member of staff returned to his chat with a colleague) has always stayed with me as a lesson in how important customer service is. After all, I still remember it 40 years on.
The thing, though, is that public libraries have always been with me throughout my life. My childhood and teen years were very difficult times but I found comfort, even rescue, in the pages provided for free there. I hope future generations will be able to do the same.
Please send any thoughts, comments, news and revisions to me at ianlibrarian at live.co.uk, thank you
Local news by authority
- Bristol – Up to £2.4m of £4.7m libraries budget to be cut.
- Devon – Seaton Library to close and to move to co-location.
- Newport – Plan to close 3 out of 8 libraries and make a fourth volunteer.
National news
- Autocar offers one-time fee for libraries – In Publishing. ““We are delighted that this long-term solution for libraries is now available alongside annual subscriptions.”
- Consultation on the proposed rate per loan for the 2023 to 2024 Public Lending Right scheme year – Gov.uk. “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.”
- Libraries offer us more than just books – Guardian / Letters. “Some 175 years after the Public Libraries Act, libraries remain critical for promoting literacy, particularly among those with less access to books at home. It is a sad reflection of austerity that so many public libraries have closed. The government has much to remedy in the public realm, but should not neglect the importance of the library sector, which, like the NHS, stands as a marker of a society that prioritises the needs of all, irrespective of individual circumstances.”
- A library without books is like a book without pages – Mercator. “Libraries are meant to make children like books, not hate them. But, in seeking to fulfil this first laudable remit in a rather wrong-headed way, are librarians today all too often doing the precise reverse?” .. “here is an increasing trend in public libraries for staff to be told by managers that they “must ‘free up’ their bookshelves from books so they aren’t cluttered and confusing to library patrons; to achieve this goal, it is proposed that those librarians who can discard the most books are given rewards … at one seminar on the theme of ‘creative libraries’, they were told that they must evolve their institution towards the day when libraries won’t have any books and ‘readers’ will visit the library for very different reasons.” Like what? Just to use the free toilets?”
International news
- Australia – All aboard with How do you library? – Public Libraries Connect. “We are counting down the days till the launch of the How do you library? campaign. We now have more than 30 councils actively involved in the campaign”
- USA – The psychology behind the well-being benefits of libraries – Phys Org. “”You walk into a library and find a calm, stable, quiet presence, and patrons reported having an appreciation for that,” Pawelski says. “They also reported having their positive emotions bolstered and that the library is a place of engagement and flow and concentration. They even reported having a sense of stronger relationships.””
Local news by authority
- Bradford – Photos show Bradford library’s new look after big transformation – Telegraph and Argus. “Eccleshill Library has totally transformed its adults and children’s areas while there’s now meeting rooms, accessible facilities, a new public toilet, and space for events. It hopes to offer people a “world of stories, learning, and culture”. The project was funded by Arts Council England’s Libraries Improvement Fund.”
- Bristol – City libraries at risk of closure as council grapples with funding crisis – The Week In. “The authority is proposing to slash up to £2.4m from the existing £4.7m that libraries receive a year, although it has not yet said what this will mean. But it is very unlikely that all 27 branches will remain open if councillors approve the plans.” … “The service was previously threatened with swingeing cuts in 2018 and 2022 but on both occasions council leaders dropped the plans amid huge public opposition.” … “It is understood that one of the options rejected in 2022 to cut the libraries budget by £1.5m – less than currently proposed – would have resulted in 14 permanent branch closures.”
- Buckinghamshire – Bucks Council confirms number of jobs at risk due to library changes – Bucks Herald. “Around 15 full-time equivalent members of staff could be made redundant under a cost-cutting plan the council is calling ‘Library Flex’ agreed by cabinet at a meeting on Thursday (2 January).”
- Caerphilly – Libraries, leisure centres may shut, residents told – BBC. “Consultants have been hired to develop a “transformation agenda” ” … “Ten libraries in the area are also at risk, and the council appears likely to push ahead despite a clear majority of respondents disagreeing with the proposals. The council said it would like to reduce the number of library sites to a handful of regional “hubs” that will “provide a more sustainable and resilient” service. Those sites have been earmarked for Bargoed, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Rhymney, Risca and Ystrad Mynach.”
- Coventry – Digital Spaces comes to Coventry Libraries and Information Service – Coventry Council. “Digital Spaces is an ambitious new programme developed in association with Arts Council England, BFI and The Space. Launching in 2025, this forward-thinking initiative will deliver an array of digital experiences in Libraries. From awe-inspiring VR showcases and hands-on immersive filmmaking masterclasses, to opportunities for creating new digital content.”
- Croydon – Croydon Central Library: More Than Just Books – This is Local London. “roydon Central Library helps remind us of the importance of physical spaces for learning, connection, and growth by offering something for everyone, whether you’re an avid reader, a curious child, or just someone looking for a quiet spot to relax.”
- Cumberland – Library to close for £3.3m revamp – BBC. “he revamp is being funded by the government as part of a £19.7m Carlisle Town Deal programme. Designs include a children’s zone, new study spaces and adult learning classrooms. Structural works will also be undertaken, including rewiring, at the site located within The Lanes shopping centre.”
- Devon – Library to open earlier through colder months – Dawlish Gazette. “Newton Abbot Library will be open from 8am on Thursdays.”
- Coastal town’s library being moved to save money – BBC. “Seaton Library will close its Queen Street site after 15 years and move to “more affordable premises” at the former Marshlands Day Centre on Harbour Road. Devon County Council said it would be part of a hub with other public services.”
- Glasgow – Libraries offer warm rooms and free hot drinks amid sub-zero temperatures – STV News. ““All Glasgow Libraries continue to offer refreshments as part of the Welcome Places approach between November 14 and March 31, in line with the end of the winter 2024 to 2025 period. Where required, additional programmed activity aimed at families has been provided at libraries to support the cost-of-living crisis.””
- Historic Glasgow library goes up for sale – Glasgow Times. “Parkhead Library, Baths, and Wash House – all located at 64-80 Tollcross Road – are now on the market. The category B listed building is being marketed as a development opportunity ‘suitable for a variety of uses’ by City Property Glasgow (CPG).”
- Isle of Wight – Local libraries support BBC Radio Solent’s Soapbox Appeal – Island Echo. “To support efforts of fighting hygiene poverty, 6 council-run libraries on the Island — located in Cowes, Freshwater, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, and Ventnor — have become designated drop-off points for donations.”
- Libraries to launch “exciting” new newsletter in 2025 – Island Echo. “will be delivered directly to subscribers’ email inboxes every 2 months, offering a wealth of information including library news, event updates, book reviews, details about library services, and exclusive interviews with library staff.”
- Jersey New children’s library opens in Jersey after refit – BBC. Some beautiful pictures of refurbishment at Jersey Library.
- Leeds – Library kicks off zine appeal ahead of fan-tastic new exhibition – Leeds Council. “Librarians at Leeds Central Library are calling on supporters across the region to raid their collections at home and submit some of their favourite zines, which could be displayed in Voice of the Fans when it opens at the library in May.”
- Midlothian – First baby to be registered in 2025 joins the library – Midlothian Council. “Harris also today became the newest and youngest member of Midlothian Libraries when his parents signed him up under the Every Child a Library Member (ECALM) programme.”
- Newcastle – Chinese New Year at Newcastle Libraries – Newcastle Council. Lion Dance, crafts, storytime.
- Newport – Library cuts, community centre handovers: How Newport Council will save money – South Wales Argus. “… cutting the number of council libraries in Newport – on the basis demands for the service have “changed significantly over the last six years, with many members moving away from visiting physical sites”. The council wants to “consolidate” the service and keep open four “compass” sites: the city’s Central Library, Rogerstone Library, Bettws and Malpas Court, and Ringland. The “well-used” Caerleon Library has been earmarked for closure, but could remain open as a volunteer-led library if a local group takes over the building via Community Asset Transfer arrangements.”
- Oxfordshire – Library moves to art gallery while building is refurbished – Henley Standard. “The Old Fire Station Gallery in Market Place opened as a temporary library on Monday and will remain in its new form until early spring. The gallery, which is owned by Henley Town Council, has been set up with shelving units, a seating area, a children’s reading area and a computer.”
- Perth – Library closure campaigners to stage Perth Museum protest – Courier. “Protesters from four of the affected communities – Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie and Scone – have banded together under the one ‘Save Our Rural Libraries’ banner. And they’re urging others to join them, warning “your library could be next”.”
- Sheffield – 50 people banned from Yorkshire city’s leisure centres and libraries – Yorkshire Live. Reasons for library bans are: Anti-social behaviour: 6; Racially abusing a security steward at the Central Library: less than 5; Viewing porn sites on the library’s computers: less than 5.
- Slough – Petition to save Langley and Cippenham libraries fetches hundreds of signatures – Maidenhead Advertiser.
- Suffolk – Library service makes £45k from charges and fines – BBC. “Figures released by the service revealed the income made last year would not be enough to fund replacing all of the 7,683 books that were lost. Paul Howarth, director of audiences and content at Suffolk Libraries, said the main reason it issued charges was to encourage people to return the books for others to enjoy. In 2024, the service made £45,888 from overdue charges and lost books.”
- Sutton – Transforming Sutton Council’s libraries offer – Local.gov. “Implementing self-access resulted in the service being able to deliver savings in excess of £300 thousand in year one due to reduced staffing costs. The capital budget for installing the required technology was £363 thousand. “
- West Berkshire – Axing mobile library ‘real problem’ for elderly – BBC. “West Berkshire Council is considering ending its mobile library service, which travels to 76 locations including public service stops, schools, nurseries, sheltered housing, a community cafe and a hospital. The council said the proposal to stop the service would save £42,080 per year. But David Bowyer, a pensioner in his 90s who lives in Beech Hill, said it would make taking out books “very difficult”.”
- West Sussex – Crawley Library to host a free writing-for-children workshop – West Sussex Council. “West Sussex County Council’s Crawley library has won an ‘All Stories’ national competition to host a fully-funded workshop aimed at encouraging and supporting aspiring writers from under-represented backgrounds. The workshop, on Saturday 1 February 2025 at 10am will be presented by Sussex-born author Patrice Lawrence.”
- Worcestershire – ‘Read & Unwind Time’ at your local library – Worcestershire Council. “If you love reading but sometimes struggle to find time to sit down with a book, why not try out the new Read & Unwind Time at your local library, where you will find the space to read, away from the distractions of everyday life, in the company of fellow readers. With no set book or obligation to talk, Read & Unwind Time is an opportunity to read your own book, at your own pace, in a relaxed environment and as part of a community of people who share your love of books.”
- Wrexham – Two weeks remaining for consultation on the future of our libraries – Leader. Article by Wrexham MP: “There are two weeks remaining for the Wrexham County Borough consultation on the future of our libraries and community resource centres. You can fill in the consultation online here and the consultation ends on the 19th January. Please take time to complete this so that as many voices are heard as possible. Our libraries and community resource centres provide connections, services and support for everyone, whatever their age. As a Community Councillor in Offa, I have seen first hand how important the community resource centre has been to local residents and it is something that I have utilised myself.”
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