There’s another word for it

Editorial

There was a time when it looked like all public libraries would go fines-free sooner or later. Now, that seems a bit optimistic. It’s sad to see that Stoke on Trent are reactivating fines for the first time since Covid. This appears to be fundamentally an income-generating move. Which is, sadly, fair enough, considering the cuts that many library services are going through. In other austerity news, Leicester have announced that they’re closing, or passing to volunteers, six libraries while consolidating funding in their remaining ones, including introducing staff-less hours. And Bradford have reduced their opening hours and Havering are closing some of its libraries. Yay though for Blackburn With Darwen which is upgrading a library/theatre and also those library services which are showing off their Libraries Improvement Fund works from the last round. And of course there’s the next LIF round coming.

Perhaps, though, there needs to be another less politically-loaded word being used other than “austerity” in that last paragraph but it’s a challenge. The political orthodoxy since at least 2010, Labour and Conservative, is that spending needs reducing in order to reduce debt. This is opposed to the view that one can spend one’s way out of recession, ideally by investment, as championed by Keynes and Roosevelt, with a side-order of World War Two rearmament. The obvious flaw, though, to the current ideology is that it’s blatantly not worked for 15 years and has included some of the lowest earnings increases since the Napoleonic Wars combined with precious little debt repayment. At least, when one invests, one gets wealthier front-line workers and better services out of that. The current alternative is neither that nor, evidently, repayment. Doesn’t seem all that sensible or adult to me. So I’ll stick with “austerity”. As` also the Government, sadly, appears to be doing.

There has to be another word for what’s happening in the USA though. Cutting funding to public libraries, is in the right playbook but encouraging censorship is something else. And there’s even concerns expressed in Canada – apart from the ones about them being invaded by the USA (last seen in the worst-case Fallout game timeline) – that the tariffs will increase costs of books and other library goods/services. Yes, definitely another word is needed there.

Changes by local authority

• Blackburn With Darwen – Investment in Blackburn Library and Library Theatre.
• Leicester – 6 libraries (Evington, Knighton, and Rushey Mead, along with the Tudor Centre, Eyres Monsell Community Centre, and Gilmorton Community Rooms) may close or turn volunteer.
• Stoke on Trent – Returns to fining adults.

National news

• Don’t bank on it: Major banks telling customers to use pop-up services in libraries and churches as they shut 254 branches – Sun. “Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland, which are all part of Lloyds Banking Group, will shut at least 254 bank branches in 2025 and 2026”. Colchester: “Lloyds customers can speak to a Community Banker at the local library on a Wednesday once a fortnight”
• How Reading Sparks is Inspiring Young Readers – Reading Agency. “a fun programme that mixes science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) with creativity and reading. ” … “These are special projects that shine a light on cool areas of STEM. Our first spotlight was robotics and coding, using Lego – specifically, something called Lego Spike Prime.”. A look at the pilot ptojects.

• The importance of public libraries for older adults: Supporting wellbeing later in life – CILIPS. “as a cognitively and emotionally enriching activity, books offer a vast array of choice for older adults to pursue their personal interests and preferences. Yet for these benefits of reading to be realised, older adults need to have access to quality books to support and enrich later life – highlighting the essential role of public libraries.”
• Library resource pack: Dying Matters Awareness Week – Hospice UK.
• Meet the passionate volunteers saving our libraries – and the users who depend on them – Lancs Live. “At Mill Hill a team of around 15 volunteers man the desk and ensure the library runs smoothly. The building is often packed with youngsters after school and locals can come along for a brew and a biscuit.”
• ‘Meta has stolen books’: authors to protest in London against AI trained using ‘shadow library’ – Guardian. “Meta has stolen books so that their AI can reproduce creative content, potentially putting these same authors out of business”
• Miniature libraries are popping up across the UK, boosting community book sharing – Country Living. “To celebrate Penguin’s 90th birthday, 90 new Little Book Stops will open around the country — and there’s still time to nominate your local town or village.”
• To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help public libraries expand outreach work – They Work For You. Answer is that they can apply to Libraries Improvement Fund, “such as electric tuk-tuks in Portsmouth”

International news

• Australia – ALIA National Simultaneous Storytime 2025 – Australia Library and Information Association. “Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. Now in its 25th successful year …”
  • Beyond books: the surprising things to borrow from public libraries – Northern Daily Leader. Paywall.

• Ireland – Why Irish Libraries offer so much more than books – Times. Paywall. “Irish investment in libraries is mentioned by every library staff member I speak to, particularly in contrast to Britain …”

• USA – Elon Musk’s DOGE teams cut critical funding from America’s libraries, officials say – CBS. “Wednesday night, word came that more than a dozen Institute grants were terminated — “seemingly at random,” the union said. Three states, California, Connecticut and Washington, received the first termination notices for their state library grants, according to a statement from the union” see also Libraries are under siege: How Trump’s cuts put community hubs in peril – USA Today.

• Building and Sustaining Homeschooling Centers at Three U.S. Public Libraries – Information Today. “public libraries are increasingly a place where homeschooling families spend time and seek resources to aid in the education of their children. In this article, three public libraries (one located in New York and two in California) will share information regarding the programs, resources, and policies they have developed to serve the growing needs of this community.”
  • Rightwing groups across US push new bans to limit ‘obscene’ books in libraries – Guardian. “Critics say bans would hinder rights as proponents would impose their beliefs on others who don’t share their views”
  • Trump’s attack on libraries was predictable. Its consequences could be devastating – Guardian. “To understand why this matters so deeply, it’s crucial to recognize what IMLS actually does. Established in 1996, it is the primary federal agency providing crucial financial support to libraries and museums nationwide. It invests hundreds of millions of dollars annually to help institutions develop literacy programs, workforce training, digital resources, cultural preservation and civic engagement initiatives. Cutting this funding is more than just budget trimming. It means dismantling essential community infrastructure.”
  • US Naval Academy removes 400 books from library in anti-diversity purge – Guardian. Any book covering diversity, equality or inclusion removed on Trump’s orders.

Local news by authority

• Argyll and Bute – Frustration at closure of island’s only library – BBC. “Live Argyll, which runs community and leisure services on behalf of Argyll and Bute Council, shut the site in November after the sole librarian retired. The charity has published a business plan for the next two years, but Tiree’s library was not included on the list of its facilities.”
• Barnsley – Barnsley Libraries – Impact of The Libraries Improvement Fund – DCMS. “The Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) will open for expressions of interest on Tuesday 6 May 2025 … To mark the publication of the guidance for Round 4, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the completed projects from earlier rounds starting with Barnsley Libraries who were able to upgrade their libraries with the support of LIF funding.”
• Bedford – Bookworms boost Bedford libraries to record-breaking February – Bedford Independent. “Love Libraries Month saw a record-breaking February in Bedford Borough, with more than 30,000 visits recorded across the borough’s libraries – and the highest-ever monthly footfall at Bedford Central Library since records began in 2022.” See Bedford Borough Year of Reading 2025.
• Blackburn With Darwen – Library Theatre with fascinating history set for major investment under £100m scheme – Lancashire Post. “A proposed double-storey extension – better linking the library and theatre, opening up the spaces for wider community uses … Improvements to the historic library that would focus on repairing and retaining the character and original features while helping to create more space … increased sustainability”.
• Bradford – Bradford libraries have reduced their hours from this week – Telegraph and Argus. “Libraries are reducing opening hours by an average of six hours per week, based on the preference of the public following consultation to focus reduced hours on Saturday and during the week rather than at lunchtimes.”
  • Library use rises as cuts to opening hours begin – BBC. “Each of the council’s 10 libraries has had its opening hours reduced by six hours a week, under changes introduced at the start of April. Yet a spokesperson for the library service said the buildings had been “diversifying” to serve modern community needs and the result was that visitor numbers had increased over the past few years. Christine May, the council’s head of libraries, said the sites were “no longer just places to borrow books”.”
• Bridgend – Bridgend’s Library Service Named Best In Wales – Awen Libraries. “Awen Libraries was selected for the success of its first-ever 21 Book Challenge, which has encouraged adults to explore new book titles and authors, discover a variety of new genres and expand their reading horizons.” … “While overall visitor numbers rose by more than 15% between 2022 and 2024, the number of books borrowed also increased by 45% in the same period.”
• Brighton and Hove – Hundreds back campaign to protect popular library from closure – Argus. “More than 1,400 people have signed a petition to try to protect Rottingdean library from closure.”
• Camden – Bafta-winning actor Lee Montague dies aged 97 – BBC. “Keats Community Library said they were “deeply sad” to announce Montague’s death, describing him as a “highly respected actor” who was also “vital to our success”.”
• Central Bedfordshire – Library Services Manager – Central Bedfordshire Council. Vacancy. Full time. From £53k.
• Cheshire East – Nantwich Library to stage benefits “support” drop-ins – Nantwich News. “Nantwich Library is to host a number of benefits and financial support drop-in sessions. They are aimed at helping people find out what you are entitled to as families across the borough face rising bills.”
• Devon – Devon toys and boards libraries an example for Cornwall to follow – Cornwall Live. Not a public library service but shows popularity of reuse: toy libraries at beaches.
  • Braunton Library named best in the South West for community and creativity – Devon Live. “From Lego clubs to floral bookmarks Braunton Library’s bold ideas and deep roots in nature just won it the title of regional library of the year” … “t triumphed over three other regional finalists—two of which, Bideford and Exeter, are also based in Devon and run by the charity Libraries Unlimited, which oversees the public libraries in Devon and Torbay.” … “The standout feature that secured Braunton’s regional win was its involvement in The Gatherers —a project celebrating the natural world and its role in mental health and community wellbeing. Residents were encouraged to collect flowers from gardens, allotments and hedgerows, with participants later pressing the blooms into bookmarks using old library books.”
• Dudley – Dudley Libraries offer free Easter activities for children – Dudley Council.
• Ealing – Join the celebrations at new-look libraries – Ealing Council. “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. Acton and Northolt libraries, along with the Southall Dominion Centre closed at the end of last year to undergo a £900,000 transformation.”
• Edinburgh – New temporary library proposed at Davidson’s Mains Primary School – Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce. “A new temporary library is being proposed at Davidson’s Mains Primary School, providing Blackhall Library’s key services while plans are developed for a long-term replacement for the previous building at Hillhouse Road. Blackhall Library has been closed since September 2023, following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RACC).”
• Guernsey – ‘Major transformation’ for library’s study area – BBC. “The study facilities at the Guille-Allès Library in St Peter Port are undergoing a “major transformation”. A library spokesperson said a refurbishment of the Hayward Room had been carried out with the aim of making it brighter and more welcoming for students, remote workers and lifelong learners. The upgrade include new carpet, improved lighting and a new ceiling on the lower level.”
• Haringey – Celebrate International Children’s Book Day at your local library – Haringey Council. Crafts and events. “We have recently launched a new Library of the Month campaign. “
• Hartlepool – Hartlepool’s Seaton Carew Community Hub opens to the public after £250,000 renovations – Hartlepool Mail. “The library has a brand new layout including a communal space, adult lending library, children’s area, public computers and a meeting room.” £200k Libraries Improvement Fund. £50k from Council for the roof.
• Havering – Potential closure of the Gidea Park Library – Hansard. Petition debated: “The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to ensure that the Gidea Park library in the parliamentary constituency of Romford is not closed, but rather protected and enhanced as a centre of culture, learning, and local service provision for the people of Gidea Park.”. DCMS reply is that if public wish to report it as breach of statutory duty then they can do so.
  • Goodbye Gidea Park Library-Sad Day As Library Closes Its Doors After 60 Years. – Havering Daily. “Gidea Park Library closed its doors for the final time, after serving the adults and children in the community for over sixty years. “
  • Havering library closures: Librarian fears for community’s future – Romford Recorder. “Corinna Guthrie, a librarian for Essex Libraries, said she is “deeply saddened” by the closure of Gidea Park, South Hornchurch and Harold Wood libraries, which she worries will have an impact on different community groups in the borough. The libraries shut for good on March 31 after Havering Council recommended their closure at a cabinet meeting in February.” … “All three of the libraries in question hold a special place in my heart, and their closure has filled me with sadness, coupled with fear for the future of our communities.”
• Leicester – Leicester council plans £2.1m cuts to libraries and community centres – East Midlands Business Link. “The proposal includes transferring 11 facilities to community organisations while retaining 12 sites as “multi-service centres” and keeping the city’s Central Library.”. “Libraries in Evington, Knighton, and Rushey Mead, along with the Tudor Centre, Eyres Monsell Community Centre, and Gilmorton Community Rooms” may go volunteer. “With its library relocated, the St Matthew’s Centre may close, while the Fosse Neighbourhood Centre in Newfoundpool could be sold. The council plans to invest £1 million in the 12 sites it will retain, with five locations—including Beaumont Leys Library Hub and Highfields Library Hub—set to operate with staff hours 40 per week. Additional self-service hours will be available at select locations.”
  • Proposals for Leicester city libraries and community centres – Leicester Council.
• Liverpool – Liverpool Libraries have lots to do for all the family this Easter – Explore Liverpool.

• Nottinghamshire – Inspire: The best libraries in and around Mansfield, Ashfield and Bassetlaw – Chad. “Here are the Inspire libraries located throughout the North Nottinghamshire area, ranked based on Google reviews.”
• Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire library managers up for national award – Oxford Mail. “Witney Library’s Jake Tilling and Hook Norton Library’s Karen Seymour have been recognised at the Libraries Connected Awards for their efforts in the county council’s Making Every Contact Count initiative.”
• Pembrokeshire – Inspiring a love of reading with local authors – Pembrokeshire Council. “took part in the Books Council of Wales ‘Stars of the Shelves’ Initiative – to bring school children into libraries to meet local authors.” … “There was overwhelmingly positive feedback from the pupils who took part, and it is fantastic to see our young people fostering enthusiasm for reading and writing.””
  • Updates to Pembrokeshire library services ahead of change – Western Telegraph. “Pembrokeshire Libraries has joined an all-Wales Public Library Service consortium, with the change of supplier supported by Welsh Government grant funding.”
• Rutland – Rutland Council delays decision over controversial library closure but cash may have been found – Oakham Nub News. “Campaigners fighting to save their village library are feeling hopeful after a senior member of Rutland County Council said money to keep the library open ‘may have been found’. The authority had said a decision on the future of Ryhall Library would be made next week but has put out a statement to say it would be delaying the decision to ‘consider opportunities that merit further exploration with community leaders.’ ”
• Shropshire – Check out my threads! The local library where you can borrow a new outfit – Positive News. ““There’s something about the library,” she said.“It’s not an intimidating boutique or the busy, noisy high street. I’ve had people tell me that sometimes they’ll go into a shop and even the music makes them feel like they don’t fit in there. We want this to feel welcoming and accessible to everybody.”” … “registered as a Community Interest Company and moved the shared wardrobe to its new home at Oswestry library, run by volunteers and backed by a crowdfunding campaign and a grant from Shropshire council.”
• Staffordshire – Tour of prison poetry and artwork to visit Staffordshire Libraries – Staffordshire Council. “The ‘We Roar’ prison collaboration features work created by people in prison and will be available at Stafford library in May and Perton library in June. ”
• Stockport – New self-service printing launched in Stockport libraries – Stockport Council.
• Stoke on Trent – Libraries take another step in digital transformation with Wi-Fi printing – Stoke on Trent Council. “The city council was awarded £300,000 from the Libraries Improvement Fund, which is funded via Arts Council England, and part of this project has involved improving the printing facilities across the city’s six libraries.”
  • Stoke-on-Trent libraries bring back fines from today for first time since Covid – Stoke Sentinel. “”At the moment there is no clear evidence nationally on the impact of removing fines on membership, issues or stock retention. To note this is only for adult members not children, this is still fine free. It is always difficult to predict what income would be generated from fines.”
• Suffolk – Sudbury Town Council urges rethink on Suffolk County Council’s library service takeover due to local government reform – Suffolk News.
• Vale of Glamorgan – First Minister visits Barry Library Makerspace – Welsh Libraries. “The Vale of Glamorgan Council welcomed the Welsh Government First Minister Eluned Morgan and Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt to see the innovative facilities on offer at Barry Library. The visit highlighted the digital learning opportunities available to Vale residents at Barry and Penarth libraries – including the brand-new Makerspaces.”
• Warrington – Library could close as part of bid to save £30m – BBC. “Warrington Council is seeking to close Westbrook Library and also introduce a tiered system, which would see some libraries employing paid staff for fewer hours while others would have no on-site staff at all.” … “Libraries in Bewsey and Dallam, Birchwood, Great Sankey, Orford, and Woolston would become self-service, without “dedicated” library staff, the authority said.”
  • Hundreds of residents protest proposed closure of Westbrook Library – Warrington Guardian. “Between 150 and 200 people attended the first drop-in consultation about changes to library services on Friday, in Westbrook.”
• Warwickshire – Changes to Warwickshire Libraries online services to begin from 9 April – Warwickshire Council. “Warwickshire County Council’s library service is about to begin implementing a significant changeover of its online systems, including its website and app, from Wednesday 9 April – Tuesday 29 April 2025 … Due to unforeseen circumstances, Borrowbox will also now be unavailable during the changeover period to anyone who is not logged into this online service before 8 April … The new library management system will provide a quicker and more user-friendly experience with several new features, including a new Library App which will enable customers to use a digital library card, making issues and renewals much more efficient.”
• West Sussex – West Sussex authors top your ‘most popular’ list – West Sussex Council. “West Sussex residents nominated their most-loved authors and Griffiths, Austen and James were the top three in a list that spans such diverse genres as fantasy, crime fiction, children’s and horror, as well as domestic noir, historical romance and humour.”
• York – Where Did All the Libraries Go? – York Vision. “Transferring services online still doesn’t tackle the issue of accessibility for the people who utilise the technology support that in-person libraries provide, therefore cutting off these groups even more. The facilities libraries provide to communities, separate from those of book loaning, must be appreciated for any real change to be done. The government must see the benefits these centers provide so cuts can be reduced and, wherever possible, prevented.”