Rather than have an editorial this week, I was grateful to Dr Anjna Chouhan of Warwickshire Libraries for giving a few lines on being an NPO Creative Producer and on how she became a board member of the Arts Marketing Association.

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A Few Questions with Dr Anjna Chouhan, NPO Creative Producer (Area Librarian). Warwickshire County Council and new board member with the Arts Marketing Association

How did you get into working in libraries? I stepped into libraries after working as an academic in a museum. The world of libraries is so exciting and public facing, engaging, and has fantastic community networks. When Warwickshire Libraries was given NPO status, it felt like an ideal opportunity to be part of the library sector and champion its vast potential for cultural impact.  

What is a “Creative Producer”? In the context of Warwickshire Libraries, it’s someone who designs events while shaping and delivering strategy, as well as content across multiple platforms.

How important do you think the Arts are for Libraries? The arts enrich libraries’ existing offerings. They have the power to engage and inspire, forging communities, uniting stakeholders, and creating impactful encounters across all ages and backgrounds.

Which project are you most proud of? Our annual Park Life Reads festival stands out. In 2024, we held the event in a Nuneaton community centre, bringing together creatives, environmentalists, and literary enthusiasts alongside wellbeing experts. The results were remarkable: over 30% of the audience were first-time library engagers, 96% reported feeling happier, and 100% felt more confident participating in cultural activities. We also provided 200 free lunches and 100 free ice-creams, making the event truly accessible.

Photo (from left to right): Illustrator Emily Sutton and Dr Anjna Chouhan with their new children’s book “Shakespeare’s First Folio: All The Plays”.

Should libraries be more involved in marketing? Messaging around libraries is absolutely needed, so it would benefit the sector enormously to be better aware of networks and marketing support, like that offered by the AMA.

How can the Arts Marketing Association help? Whether it’s social media support, branding or general copy writing, the AMA is an incredibly valuable resource for libraries.

They provide training, support and advocacy for cultural marketers, with over 4,300 members from cultural organisations including libraries such as us at Warwickshire Libraries, The British Library, Suffolk Libraries, Libraries Unlimited and Gloucestershire Libraries.

How can librarians put themselves forward to be on a board / does someone approach you ? / how does it work? Being on a board is an honour and a significant responsibility. Organisations expect members to contribute both expertise and time. In my experience, opportunities arise through different routes. I’ve responded to open calls for board members at the AMA and gone through an election process. In another instance, I proactively approached a charity not actively seeking members. My advice to librarians: stay alert to opportunities and don’t hesitate to reach out to organisations about which you feel passionate.

Thank you to Dr Anjna Chouhan and the Arts Marketing Association for agreeing to this short interview.

Changes by local authority

National news

GLL Literary Foundation launch event
  • GLL Literary Foundation’s launch event celebrates children’s authors – GLL. “Children’s authors, librarians and notables from the publishing world gathered at Battersea Library in South London yesterday (20th March 2025) to celebrate the launch of the GLL Literary Foundation.” … “Each of the successful authors will receive a bursary of £750 alongside in-kind support worth up to £4,000 each, that includes being partnered with a local librarian mentor who will help deliver a series of author events and provide networking opportunities with local booksellers, publishers, literary festivals and schools. “
  • How libraries can support blind and partially sighted communities  – Reading Agency. “With funding from the Ulverscroft Foundation, we partnered with Vision Norfolk to run co-production groups with blind and partially sighted participants to support Reading Friends – our reading connection programme. These sessions gave us valuable insights on their experiences with reading and libraries. Here’s what we learned – and different ways libraries might apply these insights as part of Reading Friends group activities and more widely.  “
PTFS changes its name to Open Fifth
  • Labour civil war erupts as Lisa Nandy set to be ousted for ‘not working hard enough’ – Daily Express. Minister ultimately in charge of public libraries brief. “, a source said: “Lisa seems to work about two days a week on her portfolio.” She has also been criticised for reportedly being interested in the “sport” part of her brief in running the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.”
  • Libraries in the digital age – BBC. Podcast. “What is the purpose of libraries in the era of the internet and AI? Whether at a school or in a community, libraries used to be key providers of information and enjoyment for many. But now, in a digital age, more books and periodicals are available online than even the biggest library can hold. If terabytes of text can now be stored on a single laptop, do we need to think differently about the way we access and navigate books? Could well-designed AI tools be trusted to make sense of this information abundance in a similar way that a good librarian can?”

International news

USA – Executive order threatens Iowa’s book lending program at libraries

Local news by authority

  • Argyll – Four libraries to close in Argyll as locals fight to save services – Herald Scotland. “Live Argyll currently runs 13 libraries across Argyll with Capbeltown, Cardross, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Lochgilphead, Oban, Rosneath, Rothesay, Tarbert, Tiree, Tobermory, Sandbank and Islay Mobile Library all under their guidance. The business plan for the trust for 2025 to 2027 now lists just nine libraries with Tiree, Tarbert, Cardross and Rosneath all missing. West Coast Today reports the discovery was made when an applicant for the position of library assistant at Tiree was told the post had been withdrawn.”
  • Bromley – Author Michael Braccia to launch new novel at Dudley Library – Dudley News.
  • Cheshire West and Chester – First glimpse of what new Northwich Library will look like – Northwich and Winsford Guardian. “The work included asbestos removal, floor joist replacement, and timber frame repairs but has now been completed. The next phase will see the building redesigned – with CGI images of what it could look like being published online by Cheshire West and Chester Council.”
  • Cornwall – Sensory story bags introduced at Cornwall’s libraries – Cornish Times. “Sensory story bags, designed to engage people with sensory needs, are now available to borrow from Cornwall’s libraries. Cornwall Library Service has bought a collection of sensory stories created by Joanna Grace, founder of The Sensory Projects.”
  • Cumberland – Council seeks public input on Cumberland libraries – News and Star. “Cumberland Council plans to launch a public survey and host a series of engagement events to gather views on and explore the future of library services in the region.”
  • Contractor appointed for major transformation of Carlisle Library – Cumberland Council. “This major redevelopment, funded by the UK Government’s Carlisle Town Deal, represents a £3.3 million investment in the city’s cultural and educational future. The project aims to revitalise Carlisle Library into a cutting-edge learning and community hub, offering state-of-the-art facilities tailored to modern users’ needs”
  • Ealing – Celebrating libraries: cornerstone of communities – Ealing Council. “At a time when some boroughs are having to reduce their library services, we are committed to their future and continue to look at innovative ways to offer more than just books. That’s why we chose to invest £900,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Funding allocated to us by the government, for extensive refurbishments at Northolt and Acton libraries and the Dominion Centre in Southall …  Next week, we’ll be celebrating their fresh new look at reopening events in the libraries” … Making four libraries volunteer-run has “given communities an opportunity to get more involved in creating and running their local library in the way they decide” … Northolt Leisure Centre Library and Jubilee Gardens Library to be come volunteer as well.
  • Join the celebrations at new-look libraries – Around Ealing. “DJ workshops, dancing, live music and art activities will all be on offer – free of charge – to celebrate the reopening of 2 local libraries and the Dominion Centre after a revamp.”
  • Essex – Harwich Library transformation to finish this summer for 50th anniversary – Tendring District Council. “The £1.16 million transformation of Harwich Library is on course to finish this summer in time for its 50th anniversary. Harwich Library will expand by 182 sqm and sport two new classrooms for up to 40 learners, which can be used by community-based providers.”
  • Hartlepool – Welcome to Seaton Carew Community Hub – Hartlepool Council. “Featuring a fresh new look, upgraded facilities and a wider range of activities and services, this latest member of the Community Hubs family will be officially opened on Wednesday 2nd April at 10am.”
  • Highlands – Lochaber libraries blaze a trail for fundraising week – West Coast Today. Paywall.
  • Hounslow – Hounslow to transform local libraries into Community Hubs – Hounslow Council. “Community Hubs” and Libraries to be combined.
  • Lancashire – The membership of Lancashire libraries – Library Storytelling. An in-depth look at who uses Lancashire libraries and the use of data in analysing membership.
  • Manchester – First images: Chorlton Library to reopen after year-long restoration – Manchester Council. “An iconic building in the heart of Chorlton, this Grade II listed library has gone through a complete transformation to enhance the existing structure and refurbish the building. This process has unveiled long-hidden architectural treasures at the same time as upgrading facilities, to ensure it stays relevant for the next 100 years.”
  • Newcastle – Library opening hours cuts ‘will hit new writers’ – BBC. “From April, Newcastle City Library will close at 14:00 BST on a Saturday, rather than 16:00, as part of savings to “deliver a balanced budget”, the local authority said. Gateshead author Annie Doyle, who writes historical family saga novels based on her nana’s life growing up in the North East, said her “writing journey” began at the library.”
  • Newham – In praise of Warm Havens – We are Newham, we are helping – Newham Council. “5,000 additional visits to libraries during the extended opening hours” … “Some residents said they came to the library for the warmth and the unlimited hot drinks available at no cost. They also appreciated being able to use other services such as free Wi-Fi and phone charging. Others commented that they hadn’t had a hot drink since the previous day due to a lack of money, and they found the service extremely helpful.””
  • North East Lincolnshire – Water leak temporarily closes town’s library – BBC. “Grimsby Central Library has been forced to close temporarily after water leaked onto the premises following a period of rainfall overnight this week. North East Lincolnshire Council said an inspection revealed urgent remedial work was needed and the service would be “relocated as soon as possible”.”
  • North Northamptonshire – Year-long library roof repairs due to start – BBC. “Work to replace the roof on a Grade II listed library building will start next month and take more than a year to complete. The roof of Kettering Library and Art Gallery in Northamptonshire was damaged during heavy rain in 2023. North Northamptonshire Council earmarked almost £7m for the repairs and local firm Messenger will be using Collyweston slate from the county for the repairs.”

“Oundle Library is still in an awful state of disrepair nine months after the fire. The staff room is a shell. Although the library is open, there are no computers or printing in the building. If any printing is needed, it is brought by car from Corby Library. There’s been almost no noticeable moves to make things better.” North Northamptonshire – Oundle Library – Email received.