Editorial

It’s worth bearing in mind what the fears for public libraries were back slightly more than a decade ago. There were people seriously thinking that there would not be British libraries in 2025, due to deep cuts in council budget and, perhaps even more worryingly, the advent of eBooks and the continuing impact of the digital revolution, not least the Internet. Well, the worst did not happen. The public library sector is still very much around. But it has changed. Printed books are still vitally important but the information side is now not a matter of necessity to many but rather more akin to a leisure choice. Their role of the building is changing, has always been changing, and is now more about events, groups, study spaces and, in some areas, council and other information/advice. Austerity did indeed hit, and hit hard, but somehow public libraries survived.

So, now we’re in 2025, we can be fairly that libraries are still going to be around in 2040. There will be change, some hard to stomach, some of the rest of it wonderful, but libraries will still be around. And I’m very glad of that. But, it’s going to be tough. When even the Greens – as they have done in Bristol – are proposing library cuts then we know it’s going to be hard. When even Labour continues with Austerity, we know it’s going to a challenge. But we are still here, serving and changing and sometimes even growing. And for that, we should be grateful and, just perhaps, a little bit optimistic.

Please email ianlibrarian at live dot co dot uk with your thoughts, views and comments

Changes by local authority

National news

Invitation to Participate in an Anonymous Survey on Homeless Users in Public Libraries – I am writing to invite all public library staff to take part in an anonymous survey exploring the experiences and perspectives of public library staff in the UK regarding homeless users in public libraries. The findings from this survey will contribute to the research for an upcoming book, Public Libraries and Homelessness, which aims to shed light on this important topic and highlight the role of libraries in supporting vulnerable populations.

Your responses will remain entirely anonymous. Completing the survey should take approximately15 minutes. When participating, you will have the option to enter a prize draw for a chance to win one of two £15 Amazon vouchers. Your insights as a library professional are invaluable, and your participation would help ensure a diverse and representative understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this area. To participate, please click the link: https://forms.gle/1dVF5SHNA6CXQfA87

“Libraries are like the NHS: they should be ringfenced, they should be protected in perpetuity, because we understand that their value is not just on the day that somebody goes, their value is for ever when you open a book and you learn something about yourself or about the world.”

Damian Barr

International news

Local news by authority

  • Barnsley – Swish new libraries for two Dearne communities – Rotherham Advertiser. “Both have been subjected to improvement and modernisation work under Barnsley Council’s Libraries Refurbishment Programme.”
    • Goldthorpe Library to welcome back visitors next week following an exciting refurbishment – Barnsley Council. “the library has been transformed into a modern and flexible space. For families and our youngest visitors, the library now features an expanded children’s area with a sensory hideaway, soft seating and accessible book displays. For adults, new seating has been installed to sit and enjoy a book or join one of the library’s regular groups, either in the library space or the revamped first-floor meeting rooms. We’ve also installed areas designed for people to work and study.”
  • Bath and North East Somerset – First Festival of Libraries in B&NES – Bath and North East Somerset Council. “Afternoon tea with authors, creative writing workshops and drama performances are among the exciting line-up of events for Bath & North East Somerset Council’s first-ever Festival of Libraries next month.”
  • Bradford – Town’s Victorian library to be refurbished – BBC. “lkley Library will close on 17 February for the work to begin and is expected to be closed for several weeks. The refurbishment will include redecoration, new flooring, movable shelving and a fully accessible public toilet created and a kitchenette installed, Bradford Council said.”
  • Bridgend – Maesteg Town Hall’s innovative new children’s library redefines spaces for young minds – Wales 247. “From a “Dynamic River” that flows through the library’s layout to tiered seating and storage inspired by the nearby mountains, every element of the design sparks curiosity and exploration”
  • Bristol – Plans to halve Bristol’s libraries budget dropped ahead of major review into their future – Bristol Post. “It had appeared that there would still need to be £1.1million of cuts, which would inevitably mean the closure of some of the 27 branches. But the council has used reserves to plug the gap for the coming financial year from April and instead will set up a taskforce to come up with a grand plan for the future of the city’s libraries.” … “It seems likely, however, that some branches will still be shut in future following the review because large parts of the existing service often have only part-time hours and are plagued by regular unscheduled closures because of staff sickness. ”
  • Bromley – Health awareness and support available at Bromley libraries at the end of week-long initiative – London News Online. “This week, for the first time, libraries across Bromley have been taking part in the annual Health Information Week which runs until Sunday.” … “Representatives from local Primary Care Networks and the Integrated Care Board are visiting the appropriately-named ‘Better’ libraries to run sessions on using the NHS app, non-medical support and social prescribing.”
  • Calderdale – Temporary changes at Todmorden Library – Calderdale Council. “temporary changes to library services, whilst work takes place to replace part of the building’s roof.”
  • Cambridgeshire – The Library Presents reveals its most adventurous line-up so far – Cambridgeshire Council. “Returning in March, for its fifteenth season, the programme features a virtual reality dance game and a creative coding workshop alongside the much-loved performances of music, dance, puppetry and visual arts workshops that will appeal to The Library Presents’ loyal fans”
  • Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire libraries to hold World Book Day fancy dress swap – Standard. “Many of our libraries will be accepting donations of fancy dress in February and up to World Book Day itself. These will then be made available as soon as possible for anyone who would like a costume. What better way to share the fun, so you can play your part to save money and help with the climate emergency.””
  • Croydon – Libraries open longer for more people to enjoy – Croydon Council. “Croydon Council has increased the number of days that some of the borough’s libraries are open, with some now providing residents with full time access five days a week.” … “The changes are a result of listening to residents, who told the Council that the previous opening hours, introduced in 2022, didn’t work with some libraries only open two days a week. The changes are part of the Council’s work to improve the library service and make it more accessible, including introducing self-service at three locations.”
  • Devon – North Devon library book returned after 50 years – BBC. This week’s book-returned-very-late story.
    • Free February events at Crediton Library – Crediton Courier. ” free events at Crediton Library, organised by The Folklore Library and Archive, continues with another three chances to attend in February”
  • East Sussex – Dame Jacqueline Wilson gives talk at Lewes Library event – Argus. ““I have joined various campaigns to get libraries in schools and spread the word that reading is lovely and helpful for children. I have always been involved with children’s charities.””
  • Haringey – Interim library hours to be introduced – Haringey Council. “The shake-up follows the intermittent partial or full closure of some of Haringey’s facilities on isolated days in the last few months due solely to staff shortages. The temporary measure will see the borough’s branch libraries operate at least a four-day service, with the main libraries open for six (Wood Green) or seven days a week (Hornsey and Marcus Garvey). There will be two lunchtime closures at each branch library per week under these arrangements. It comes after careful consideration of staffing levels, room bookings and pre-booked events.”
  • Havering -‘The HRA plan to close three libraries is a betrayal of residents, with the council choosing bin liners as a more important spend.’ – Havering Daily. “The announcement of the closures comes just a day after the HRA Cabinet gave council Officers authority to spend over £1m on food waste bin liners. With £260k of spend in the first year and £800k the next year.  Food waste collection isn’t an option, it is a new government requirement. However, many councils do not provide the liners.”
  • Hertfordshire – Welwyn Garden City library to kick off 100 year celebrations – Welwyn Hatfield Times. “The programme of events has been created in collaboration with Hertfordshire’s residents and library users and includes celebrations of literature and poetry, events for children, young people and families, theatre, comedy and much more.”
  • Jersey – ‘Public libraries can teach us a thing or two when it comes to promoting health and fitness for everyone’ – Jersey Evening Post. “Why is it that we have to pay to use a gym to improve physical fitness but it costs nothing to borrow books that provide intellectual stimulation?”
    • St Helier Children’s Library, Jersey – Designing Libraries. “Jersey Chief Librarian Ed Jewell explains the thinking behind the recently-revamped Children’s Library in St Helier and how the project progressed, and talks about reaction to the changes.” … ” It’s not unusual to see young jaws drop as they cross the threshold and to hear wails of disappointment as parents try to take small people home. “
  • Leeds – The joy of libraries – Yorkshire Bylines. “I hope this piece will encourage people to get out and make more use their library, and all its facilities. They are a fantastic resource, and we should show that we appreciate them by using them”
  • Lincolnshire – ‘Better’ supports Department for Education’s ‘Skills for Life’ Campaign in Lincolnshire this January – Your World. Registration wall. Career advice sessions in leisure centres and libraries.
  • Merton – The importance of local libraries and how to support them – This is Local London / Young Reporter. “In Wimbledon each week I see many students, children and adults alike enjoying our local Wimbledon library, from reading, studying or simply enjoying themselves. Local libraries are facilities which can sometimes be taken for granted, however local libraries are an accessible source of information and make knowledge accessible to all, so how can you support your local library?”
  • Newport – Upcoming meetings on future of two Newport public libraries – South Wales Argus. “It has been proposed to close Tredegar House and Caerleon library close 2025/26 council budget proposal.  The council is holding two public consultation meetings for residents to share their views on the plans.”
  • Norfolk – Norfolk libraries forced to close due to IT network issues – Great Yarmouth Mercury. “The problem affects Norfolk County Council’s libraries which offer ‘open libraries’ access – where people can use their library cards and a PIN number to get in when the building is not staffed.” … “There have also been issues with the Spydus App” for those using Android devices.
    • Former library building gets new custodian – BBC. “An arts organisation has been chosen as the new custodian of a library building in the hope it will continue the “cultural legacy” of the ornate brick structure. The Garage Trust has been selected and will move from The Workshop at the Vancouver Quarter in King’s Lynn to the Carnegie Library building on London Road. A replacement library and community hub is currently being built in the town as part of a regeneration project funded by the government and Norfolk County Council” … “A new library and community hub is being built in the town centre on the site of the former Argos with funding from the King’s Lynn Town Deal, external.”
    • Nearly 150 people banned from Norfolk tips and libraries – North Norfolk News. “Bans at Norfolk’s libraries ranged from a day to a year, with the vast majority applied because of anti-social behaviour.”
  • North Lincolnshire – Dolly Parton reading scheme hits million mark – BBC. “Helen Hastle, from the Dollywood Foundation UK, said the North Lincolnshire library was the first in the country to reach the millionth book milestone”
  • North Somerset – North Somerset Library Services receive laptops to support digital inclusion – North Somerset Council. “North Somerset Council Library Services is excited to announce it has received a generous donation of laptops from the Good Things Foundation’s National Device Bank
  • Nottingham – Sherwood: Delayed library on track for summer opening – BBC. “The Labour-run council sold the site to local developer Hockley Developments, with an agreement the library would be built at no capital cost to the authority and that a 125-year lease would be agreed at a nominal rent …”
  • Oldham – Oldham pledges its commitment to being one of the most inclusive digital towns in UK – Oldham Council. ” Residents and businesses are encouraged to continue their support for Donate IT Oldham, by donating any unwanted devices at any of Oldham’s libraries “
  • Pembrokeshire – Consultation launched on changes to Pembrokeshire libraries – Tenby Observer. “Following a Library Needs Assessment last summer which asked the public about their library needs and about ways to reduce running costs as part of Council-wide savings requirements, it became clear that respondents did not support closing libraries, replacing staff with 24/7 access technology or reducing the book fund.”
  • Rutland – Ryhall library services – Rutland Council. “Following condition surveys that have been carried out to support enhancements to our library buildings, we have found that the necessary works to bring Ryhall Library up to standard would exceed the available budget for this site. Because of this, Rutland County Council has notified the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Arts Council that we must explore alternative options for delivering library services in Ryhall.” see also Ryhall Library users want to take over the service to stop its closure – Lincolnshire Online. “Ryhall villagers were blindsided this month after news broke that its popular library could face closure due to expensive repair works, which Rutland County Council says it cannot afford.” and Residents attend meeting to come up with ways to save Ryhall Library from closure – Lincolnshire Online and Six weeks to save Ryhall Library – Rayo.
  • Shropshire – Shropshire Libraries to offer help with NHS App – Shropshire Council. “Thanks to the partnership with the NHS, Shropshire Libraries staff have been provided with the tools and support to play a key part in helping people to use the NHS App to better understand and manage their health. Ten libraries in Shropshire are offering support on how to use the NHS App as part of their digital offer. Support includes how to register, navigate and get the most out of the App.”
  • Slough – ‘I’ll do everything I can to save the libraries’ – BBC. “The former child refugee learnt English in his local library and has said he will now do “everything in my power” to save Langley Library in Slough from closure.” … “He said his daughter goes to the library twice a week, and when he told her they wanted to close it she cried.”
  • Suffolk – Withdrawal – Library Services in Suffolk – BidStats. “Suffolk County Council has taken the decision to withdraw the Library Services in Suffolk tender and not award a contract for which there has been a call for competition. The procurement process did not result in a successful outcome due to difficulties in aligning submissions with the service requirements and budgets. Therefore, it has been determined that it is not in the public interest to continue to award.The Council will continue to examine the Service with a view to revising the scope.” see Delay for decision about the future of Suffolk libraries – EADT.
  • Surrey – Newly refurbished Woking Library celebrates with activities for all – Woking News and Mail. “Events will feature a calligraphy workshop, a Tai Chi taster session with the Chinese Association of Woking to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and an opportunity for children to encounter magnificent reptiles, alongside the library’s regular weekly activities such as Rhymetime, Storytime, digital buddy sessions and craft groups.”
  • Warwickshire – Rugby Library and Makerspace – Designing Libraries. “The new space has clearly defined zones for quiet reading, soft seating areas to encourage social/ relaxing visits, while a bright children’s space with cocoon seating, character chairs, mobile shelving and book storage is always busy with curious and playful children.” … “the library and makerspace has received amazing feedback and the space is constantly filled with users of all ages and abilities.”
  • Westminster – Westminster City Council to Open New Community Hub in Pimlico in 2026 – Westminster Council. “Westminster City Council has announced the planned opening of a brand-new community hub in the heart of Pimlico, set to launch in 2026. This transformative project is part of the Council’s ambitious Community Hubs Programme, striving to connect residents to the support they need across the city. The council opened two mini-hubs, at Victoria and Charing Cross libraries, in 2024.”
  • West Sussex – West Sussex libraries centenary: what is your favourite book? – Sussex World. “With West Sussex libraries celebrating their centenary this year, we have invited some of our 2025 librarians to tell us about their favourite book.”
  • York – Community membership – York Explore. “When you join us as a community member you are showing your support for Explore York Libraries and Archives and all the work we do.  There is a £1 joining fee which represents your share in our organisation. As a Community Member you’ll be joining an important conversation about how we develop Explore with local people.  You will elect three Community Directors to our Board who will represent you at all our Board meetings and keep in touch throughout the year via newsletter and events.”