Some folk can’t be satisfied

Editorial

Once upon a time I was very hesitant about library trusts. This was back in the early 2010s when deep cuts led councils to experiment with many different types of library delivery. But, like (it or not) volunteer libraries, and often, unlike leisure-and-libraries-trusts, library trusts have proved resilient. And thay have also proved remarkably entrepreneurial and innovative. Suffolk is one of these and I have been quietly impressed for the last decade on the sheer amount of events and services that they have launched. They have also been very active in fund-raising and are, as one observer notes below, offering an excellent service at a cheaper rate than the council was previously able to do.

It is with surprise, and some anger, then, to see that Suffolk Council are hesitating about maintaining them, apparently because even Suffolk Libraries are not cheap enough. Ironically, the Council is run by Conservatives who would have been delighted back in 2010 to see how successful a trust could be. But that seems no longer enough. It looks like they want to pay even less for libraries, presumably fancying the idea of turning them volunteer instead and thus delivering a warning to everyone that some councillors will want you to bend so far to their demands that you break your back.

In other news, there are two councils reducing the number of closures previously announced, one (Havering) going through with closures despite public outcry and two more announcing new cuts. In good news, it’s good to see that the practice fancy dress swaps to time in with World Book Day is spreading. There’s also a scratch-card book bingo and one council combining Valentines day with a “love” for nature. All of the latter showing that the imagination of public library staff is wide and reasonably irrepressible. I love it.

Changes by local authority

• Aberdeenshire – Proposed closure of 13 libraries reduced to 3 closed
• Birmingham – Proposed closure of up to 25 libraries reduced to 2, with 7 more at risk and opening hours cut in all.
• Havering –  South Hornchurch, Gidea Park and Harold Wood closed, £288k cut.
• Warrington – £270k proposed cut
• Warwickshire – £150k cut by ending Sunday opening and replacing paid staff with volunteers.

National news

• Fight to save Scotland’s libraries taken to Holyrood – Morning Star. “The services have come under increasing pressure over the last decade as councils scramble to balance their budgets, prompting Green MSP Mark Ruskell to take a motion to Holyrood calling on the “Scottish government to help protect the future of Scotland’s libraries. Rallying outside ahead of the debate on Wednesday, Laura Anne Collier of Friends of Scotland’s Libraries said: “Campaigners from across the country have come together in solidarity to call for a serious national conversation about the vital role libraries play in the future of communities.”
• Libraries must remain the ‘beating heart’ of Scottish communities – Scottish Greens. ““Libraries are not only for borrowing books. They are the beating heart of our communities. They are vital, life-enhancing spaces where opportunities for learning, connection and support take place.”
• The power of nine: Creating a community of digital practice in library services – Arts Professional. “Public libraries are unique public spaces. They’re perfect venues to test the idea that digital technology and creative media can enrich the lives of individuals and communities.” … ” we supported Coventry in delivering a range of digital experiences and training sessions, which included VR content, community co-creation projects and staff skills development.”
• Report: cheaper ebooks for libraries could “revolutionise the promotion of reading” – Libraries Connected. “Arts Council England-funded research finds ebook lending increases access to reading. Data shows prolific borrowers are also heavy book buyers. Call for more flexible licensing to allow eborrowing for book groups, author talks and literary festivals”
• Scotsman Letters: Culture Secretary could do much to save our libraries – Scotsman. “Did I miss SNP Culture Secretary Angus Robertson’s support for your sister paper Scotland on Sunday’s “Save our Libraries” campaign launched in August 2021? Surely he must accept that years of the SNP council tax freezes have made life exceedingly difficult for councils trying to provide good local services. Sadly, the Save our Libraries campaign ran during the time of that “great reader” Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister …”
• Women’s Prize for Fiction partners with retailers and libraries to mark its 30th anniversary – BookSeller. “The Women’s Prize Trust will be expanding engagement opportunities for readers through libraries, under the new brand name “Readers’ Room”, which is supported by marketing leader Syl Saller CBE. Working with Libraries Connected, the prize will share free printed POS to boost engagement with the 562 backlist titles in the Women’s Prize library and the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction and Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction shortlists. Digital POS will be available for the longlist announcements.  ”

International news

• USA – Big Five publishers band together in legal challenge against library ‘book ban’ – BookSeller. “Major publishers, including Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Macmillan Publishers and Simon & Schuster, have filed a joint lawsuit in America challenging “book banning” in public and school libraries. ” see also Publishers sue state of Idaho over library book bans – Guardian. “Lawsuit says its definition of ‘harmful materials’ forbidden to under 18s is ‘vague and overbroad’ and puts librarians at risk”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Council scales back plans to shut 13 libraries – BBC. “Live Life Aberdeenshire, which runs services for the council, announced the planned closures of the 13 libraries in November last year. The latest plan suggests that three library buildings be declared surplus to requirements. Library buildings in Rosehearty, Kintore, Insch and Newtonhill could remain open through changes to working arrangements and a drive to recruit more volunteers.”
• Argyll and Bute – Helensburgh library moves to make way for gym – Lochside Press. “Helensburgh will be without a library for more than a week as gym equipment is transferred from the town’s leisure centre. LiveArgyll, the trust set up by Argyll and Bute Council which runs libraries and leisure facilities in the area, announced the move last night. It follows ‘significant damage’ to Helensburgh’s new £23m leisure centre caused by Storm Eorwyn, with water pouring in after large sections of the roof were ripped off by strong winds. The library is being moved to the pavilion in Hermitage Park, which is owned by the council, as a temporary measure – though there is no indication of how long the reconstruction of the leisure centre might take.”
• Barnsley – Library transformed into ‘modern, flexible space’ – Rotherham Advertiser. “New features include an expanded children’s area with a sensory hideaway, soft seating and accessible book displays, new seating for adults, revamped first-floor meeting rooms and nelwy installed areas designed for people to work and study..” … “supported by £500k from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.”
• Bedford – Love Libraries Month celebrates reading and community at Bedford Borough Libraries – Bedford Council. “Following the success of the first Love Libraries Month last year, Bedford Borough Libraries are excited to announce the return of a month-long celebration of reading and community this February. The initiative, part of the Bedford Borough Year of Reading 2025, will feature a diverse programme of author visits for adults, family activities, and engaging workshops for children.”
• Birmingham – Inside the new libraries plan for Birmingham – the 28 to stay open and the seven at risk – Birmingham Mail. “Twenty eight libraries are to stay open across Birmingham after a campaign led by activists, children and celebrity authors. But seven more remain ‘at risk’, two will close for good and opening hours at all of them will be reduced. Some jobs will go as part of the cost-cutting shake-up.” see also Community libraries and advice services proposed to be integrated into new service following consultation – Birmingham Council.
• Bolton – Library with ‘a tree growing out of the front’ to be repaired – Manchester Evening News. “Long-awaited repairs to a library from which ‘chunks of masonry’ have fallen to the pavement have been approved. A meeting of Bolton Council’s planning committee heard that Westhoughton library was in such a state of disrepair that ‘a tree was growing out of the front’.”
• Buckinghamshire – ‘Severe’ library cuts by Bucks Council months away – Bucks Free Press. “From June, staffed hours at eight libraries will be slashed and up to 15 staff potentially laid off under a plan called ‘Library Flex’, which will save Buckinghamshire Council £555,000 a year.”
• Cambridgeshire – Cherry Hinton Library reopens in new community hub – Cambridgeshire Council. “On Saturday (1 February), Cherry Hinton Library reopened as part of the new Cherry Hinton Community Hub, following refurbishment works to the building. A partnership project between Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council and Cherry Hinton Community Benefit Society, the existing building has been renovated and extended to provide a range of new facilities and modern spaces for the local community – including flexible library furniture which can be moved to adapt the space for events.”
  • Library invites people to imagine what town will look like in 30 years – Cambs Times. “The free event invites adults and children from all communities to use arts, crafts, film, and conversation to imagine and capture what the town and countryside might look and feel like in 30 years’ time.”
• City of London – Plundered books, ‘penny dreadfuls’, and our greatest playwright: Guildhall Library celebrates 600th anniversary – City of London Council.
• Coventry – Hundreds back calls to save “heart of the community” Coventry libraries – Coventry Telegraph. “Pleas to save four Coventry libraries will be heard by officials next week. Hundreds of people are calling on the council not to move the book-borrowing services out of their current buildings. One appeal backed by almost 200 people states libraries are the “heart of the community, safe spaces.” Locals have also raised a range of “concerns” about the change and its effects.”
• Darlington – Library shortlisted for national awards – Darlington Council. “The transformation of Darlington Library into a modern resource for the community has been shortlisted in the digital inclusion category of the 2025 Digital Culture Awards. Simon Moore, digital manager at the library, has also been shortlisted for the digital ambassador category for his work to open up tech opportunities to library users and help cement its role as a 21st-century place of knowledge and learning.”
• Denbighshire – State of council’s libraries reviewed – before opening hours slashed by 40% – Daily Post. “The cabinet made the decision to save £360k per year, despite a public consultation garnering 4,500 responses in which over 90% strongly disagreed with the proposals … But the scrutiny committee discussed the now outdated and arguably irrelevant report for over 15 minutes.” … “I haven’t got any solid evidence at present, but the vibe on the street in the local towns is people are missing having a library open, and it is a reason not to come into town, and (it is) obviously affecting footfall.””
• Dudley – Half term activities at Dudley Libraries – Dudley Council. “From making bunny headbands, 3D cats and dog finger puppets to Lego construction, rattle and rhyme, board games, film shows and storytimes, there’s a wide range of free activities to keep the family happy in Dudley’s libraries this half term.”
  • Brierley Hill offers World Book Day Costume Swap – Dudley Council. ““Customers can bring in an outfit that no longer fits and choose another one, without the expense or waste of having to buy new.””
• East Lothian – Councillor ‘would be very surprised’ to see libraries closed – East Lothian Courier. “A spokesperson for East Lothian Council later said: “Many teams across the council have been working differently to allow us to deliver necessary financial savings while continuing to provide services. “In terms of libraries, our larger libraries provide a wider range of services relating to housing, council tax, benefits and they operate as payment desks. “These opening hours are being maintained in line with our priorities to direct support to those most in need, while smaller branches have been opening on reduced hours.””
• Hampshire – Upgrades to public computers and printing in libraries – Hampshire Council. “This spring we are upgrading the public ‘Go Online’ computer terminals and installing a more convenient coin-free public printing system in all libraries.”
• Havering – Havering closes three libraries to save money despite protests – Time 107.5. “Libraries in South Hornchurch, Gidea Park and Harold Wood will be closed to save money, cabinet members agreed on Wednesday, 5th February. The three centres were chosen due to their low footfall” … “the council needed the £288,000 their closures would save, in light of a £71million budget gap it faces in the coming year.” … “Keeping the libraries open would cost the council around £850,000, Cllr Ford said, based on surveys and estimated repair costs.” see also ‘If The HRA Insist On Closing Libraries, They Will Lose The Next Election.’ – Havering Daily.
  • ‘As a librarian I see how they provide a lifeline for people of all ages and backgrounds.’ Havering Council Urged To Think Again Over Library Closures. – Havering Daily. “Corinne told the Havering Daily: “Libraries have been a haven and a refuge for me throughout my life. As a child I would go to the local library during the holidays and always found the atmosphere both peaceful and productive. …”
• Herefordshire – Work starts on library’s move to Shirehall – BBC. “Work can now begin on turning Hereford’s Shirehall into a library and learning centre after plans were approved, the council has said. The building is to be transformed into a new community space that will house Hereford’s public library.”
• Isle of Wight – Island libraries offer £50 book token prize in new reading challenge – County Press. “Isle of Wight Libraries are launching a Book Bingo challenge, offering a £50 book token as a prize. The initiative, starting on February 3, is aimed at encouraging reading across five Isle of Wight Council-run libraries: Freshwater, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, and Ventnor. The challenge involves a bingo card with 25 squares, each presenting a unique reading challenge concealed under a scratch-off panel.”
• Lancashire – 14 retro pics of Preston libraries in pre BookTok days, including the grand Harris Library – Lancashire Post.
• Leicester / Leicestershire / Rutland – Easy access for local people to university libraries – Leicester Council. “A new partnership between three universities and local councils means anyone aged 18+ and living in the city, county or Rutland will easily be able to access university libraries and borrow up to 10 books at a time.”
• Lincolnshire – Swap World Book Day costumes at Lincolnshire libraries – or make something new – In Your Area. “Lincolnshire Libraries’ World Book Day Costume Swap and Create Project stems from a previous collaboration between Lincoln Central Library and the Lincoln Sustainable Fashion Forum in 2024. This year it is being rolled out across more Lincolnshire libraries with funding from Libraries Connected and Arts Council England’s Microgrant programme.”
• Manchester – 90,000+ images on Manchester’s new local image website – Manchester Council. “Thanks to a £100,000 funding award from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in January 2024, Manchester Libraries has been able to develop the new Manchester Image Archive and to hire a project manager to oversee it.”
• Monmouthshire – Monmouth Library will remain at Rolls Hall after pressure from campaigners – South Wales Argus. “Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) had considered moving the library to the Museum at Shire Hall, but this sparked fears about reduced space, accessibility, and the library’s future as a community hub, leading to a meeting between the council, Friends of Monmouth Library and Monmouthshire MP Catherine Fookes.”
• Newport – Calls for rethink on Newport library and community centres – South Wales Argus. “Residents have less than a week left to have their say on Newport City Council’s draft budget proposals for 2025/26. Among the measures to save money are a proposed council tax increase of 6.7%, closing libraries in Caerleon and Tredegar House, and transferring several community centres to residents’ groups.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk library helps book find its way back home across the pond to the UK – NBC Connecticut. “A children’s book, titled “Animal Ark” destined to be returned to Norfolk, England, somehow wound up in Norfolk, Connecticut … The library staff were amazed by the sheer coincidence a book meant to go home to England landed on their counter at the same time the right delivery man surfaced in their library.” Two people who happened to be from Norfolk UK visited Norfolk USA and agreed to escort the book home.
  • Closure date announced for library ahead of move – BBC. “The library on Tollhouse Street in Great Yarmouth will shut on 14 March and later will reopen inside The Place, which is the former Palmers Department Store on the Market Place, although no date for its completion has been announced.”
• North Ayrshire – Library campaigners hand petition to North Ayrshire Council – Irvine Times. “The petition, with more than 2,000 signatures, has now been handed to the council’s Audit and Scrutiny Committee.”
• North Somerset – North Somerset libraries given free laptops to give away – North Somerset Times. “The service said it has received a generous donation of laptops from the Good Things Foundation’s National Device Bank. The initiative, in partnership with Opportunity North Somerset, aims to help residents who do not have access to technology.”
• Perthshire – Val McDermid on Perthshire library closures, childhood road trips and her ‘hate-love’ relationship with Fife – Courier. ““Closing libraries is like burning the seed corn,” says Val.” … “It’s not just writers who are made in libraries; it’s scientists, architects, doctors – anyone with curiosity about the world.”
• Rutland – Ryhall Library villagers plan demonstration as Rutland County Council consults on possible closure – Lincs Online. “Ryhall Parish Council and a newly sprouted campaign group have been rushing around to look at ways to save the building and offer a community library service instead, but feel like there has been little assistance from the county council.”
• Shropshire – Whitchurch library to re-open in St Mary’s Arcade this month – Whitchurch Herald. “Shropshire Council announced that the library will be located at Unit C, St Mary’s Arcade, and will open on Thursdays and Fridays starting from February 13, 2025. The library was closed after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found in part of the Civic Centre complex in 2023.”
• Slough – Slough Library: Hundreds of residents give feedback on consultation – Slough and South Bucks Observer. “There are still more than three weeks to go until the consultation closes, but so far, there have been more than 700 survey responses.”
• Somerset – Somerset libraries to hold nature events on Valentine’s Day – Greatest Hits Radio. “Libraries in Somerset are using Valentine’s Day (14th February) to encourage people to fall in love with the county and its rich natural heritage.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk County Council is being urged to do library deal – East Anglian Daily Times. “Come on SCC what are you playing at? We have one of the best run library services in the country, and a beacon of how libraries should be run. In other parts of the country, we’ve seen libraries closed but here, thanks to the great stewardship of the team running our libraries we’ve not seen a single one close.” … “uffolk County Council’s own public consultation last year told them that more than 93% of the 6,000 respondents were either satisfied or very satisfied with the existing service.” … “When libraries were run by Suffolk County Council, they cost over £9 million per year; SCC currently pays £6.8 million but have a vastly better offer with one more library than 13 years ago, longer opening hours and dozens of new services.” see also ‘Time is slipping away for county library deal’ – BBC.
  • AI tool launched by Suffolk Libraries to boost community wellbeing – East Anglian Daily Times. “The tool called Discover More, is designed to help people find nearby events, activities, and services. Developed in partnership with Suffolk Mind and Orbital Global, Discover More uses artificial intelligence (AI) to understand users’ needs and preferences.”
  • Have your say on plans for Great Cornard Library – Suffolk Libraries. “Suffolk Libraries is carrying out a public consultation on plans to redesign and improve the children’s library and reception area “
  • Media students organise and host gig in library – BBC. “The Book Clurb will be a live event for an invited audience at Ipswich County Library on 5 February, and streamed, external by Suffolk New College (SNC) from 19:00 to 20:00 GMT”
• Suffolk Libraries to host mental health and wellbeing courses – East Anglian Daily Times. “The initiative, in collaboration with the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s (NSFT) Recovery College, follows a successful pilot at Ipswich Library last year.”
• Sutton – Transforming Sutton Council’s libraries offer – LGA. “During 2023 to 2024, self-access technology was installed across Sutton’s libraries, extending opening hours by 63 per cent and enabling the council to keep all its eight libraries open. Self-access is popular with customers.” … “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. “
• Warrington – Closure of Stockton Heath tip among cuts planned by council – Warrington Guardian. “a review of library services, planned to save £270,000 in 2025-26,” Liberal Democrat opposition says “, we can’t support the proposed cuts of £270,000 from libraries – the hearts of our communities, which will impact our children’s lives.”
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire agrees cuts to libraries… a day after promoting National Storytelling Week – Warwickshire World. “Plans to end the Sunday opening of Warwickshire libraries and make others volunteer-run had opposition councillors accusing the ruling Conservative group of being short sighted for going along with the recommendations.”
  • Visit Kenilworth Library on 12 February to discover the unique power of storytelling with Human Books – Warwickshire Council.
  • Warwickshire’s new electric mobile libraries hit the road – Leamington Observer. “Two new electric mobile libraries are hitting Warwickshire’s roads. The colourful and modern vehicles replace the previous diesel ones. They are similar in size and offer the same reliable service. They also provide the same number of books including plenty of new titles suitable for all ages … Libraries in Rugby, Leamington (both noon-4pm) and Nuneaton (10am-2pm) currently open for four hours on Sundays, except for those directly before a Bank Holiday. The proposal is to “review” that in the financial year starting April 2026 with the aim of clawing back £50,000. The other £100,000 would come from a “targeted expansion of the community managed library network” from April 2027.”
• West Dunbartonshire – West Dunbartonshire libraries awarded funding to address digital exclusion – West Dunbartonshire Council. “The Libraries Empower Connections project, developed by libraries staff, has been awarded £11,575 and is one of thirteen initiatives across Scotland awarded a share of £200,000 from the Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF).”
• Westmorland and Furness – Barrow, Ulverston libraries give World Book Day costume swap – Westmorland Gazette. “A rail will be put up at all participating libraries throughout February half-term, giving people the opportunity to take or donate any clothes that could help.”