Ten Public Libraries Services Are About To Be Reformed

Editorial

The local council elections have led to Reform being in charge of ten councils who control UK library services. These are Derbyshire, Doncaster, Durham, Kent, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, North Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and West Northamptonshire. The Reform Party policy document does not mention public libraries but some of the other stated aims may well impact the sector so one can speculate what this will mean. It will be interesting for instance if librarians will still be able to work from home (although perhaps they will) and there may well be raised councillor eyebrows at book displays to do with climate change or DEI. While it’s possible that the new Lancashire councillors may not entirely welcome their libraries being a Library of Sanctuary, it’s great news that Reform commit to repairing broken public services. That’s at least ten services in line for extra funding then.

But the biggest thing to watch will be on library book stock. There have already been numerous challenges to libraries stocking titles perceived to be promoting LGBT and it’s difficult to see at least some of the new Reform councillors not thinking of asking for a review of their own library stock. Of course, on the other hand, Reform’s policies specifically attack “political bias or cancel culture” so perhaps no such revisions will take place due to this commitment to free speech. If for some reason, however, LGBT stock does come under the spotlight, it will be a huge challenge to CILIP’s commitment to intellectual freedom. Whether a library denuded of LGBT titles would pass the ACE Libraries Development Framework will also be in question. The chief librarians, and their staff, will presumably have very little choice in the matter either way apart from taking early retirement for unspecified reasons. And then there’s the question of if any affected public library service still offers the legally required “comprehensive and efficient” service if certain books are taken off the shelves. Now that would be an interesting one for Baroness Twycross, assuming she’s still in post.

Changes by local authority

• Northern Ireland – £750k to redevelop Enniskillen Library.

National news

• Book exchange libraries to be reinstated at some Tube stations after mayor orders review of his own fire rules – Standard. “ransport for London said on Tuesday that the “book swap” libraries would be reinstated at 15 Tube stations in May after it agreed a “fire-proof storage solution” with the fire brigade.”
• Dump ‘Reform’ into the nearest dustbin – Forward to the British Socialist Revolution – News Line. Reform “will still need to face up to the structural issues with their budgets. And when they do, the consequences are easy to predict: fewer bin collections, more potholes, more closed libraries – and massive rises in taxes.”
• The Library of Ancient Wisdom — in the court of Nineveh, knowledge was power – Financial Times. “Ashurbanipal’s library is a useful reminder that authoritarian rule has always meant controlling knowledge, whether by seizing clay tablets or deleting websites.”
• Local elections 2025: full mayoral and council results for England – Guardian. Library services now under Reform control are Derbyshire, Doncaster, Durham, Kent, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, North Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and West Northamptonshire.
• Public Library Closures – They Work For You. “DCMS estimates the number of static libraries that have permanently closed (and not been replaced by or relocated to a new static library) in England in each of the last 10 years is as follows: …
• The Reading Agency and BBC Arts launch the Big Tasty Read as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, celebrating the power of food through books  – Reading Agency. “The Big Tasty Read – a new national celebration of reading and collaboration between national charity The Reading Agency and BBC Arts – will launch at this summer’s Bradford Literature Festival (27 June – 6 July 2025), using the universal appeal of food to inspire reading and bring communities together. Delivered as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, the campaign will continue with an exciting programme of events led by Bradford Council’s Bradford Libraries, engaging audiences across the district and beyond. “
• Reform policies: What will Nigel Farage’s party actually do after local election wins? – Independent. “It has promised a British DOGE (Department for Government Efficiency) in each local authority it gains control of. Ms Jenkyns will likely be responsible for rolling out the first as mayor of Greater Lincolnshire. The party hopes it will discover “wasteful” spending on diversity and inclusivity programmes, allowing it to slash spending and cut local taxes in turn” … “vowed staff working for Reform-controlled councils will be ordered back to their offices”

International news

• Global – What’s Going On in Library Marketing – Info Today. A look at what’s happening mainly in the USA/Australia/UK, including LibraryOn.
• Canada – Mysterious smell plaguing local library prompts closure – CBC. “A mysterious odour has been plaguing a local library branch, leading to intermittent closures over the past year, the county’s top librarian says. Now, officials are shutting down the branch in Stoney Point for the near future to finally pinpoint the source of the smell. “It’s sort of time to do some very serious exploratory testing and see if we can’t deal with this for once and for all,” says Adam Craig, Essex County’s chief librarian.”
• Tariffs could cost Ottawa Public Library 33,000 new items – Ottawa Citizen. “could lose purchasing power for tens of thousands of items if Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs on print books from the United States.”
• USA -2025 Library Systems Report – American Libraries. “the library technology industry showed its maturity in 2024. Businesses have become increasingly stable and robust products delivered rich functionality. But decades of consolidation have created a narrower slate of competitors, resulting in a smaller number of products available for each type and size of library. The marketplace is seeing more specialized solutions but fewer options.”
  • Federal Court Halts Dismantling of IMLS in ALA Lawsuit – American Libraries. ” the US District Court for the District of Columbia temporarily blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), as directed by a March 14 executive order. The temporary restraining order was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by ALA and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the largest union representing library workers.”
  • Imagining A Louisville Without Libraries And Museums – Voice Tribune. “a Louisville without libraries and museums would be a less curious, less connected, less compassionate place. These institutions don’t just educate, they humanize. They remind us of where we’ve been and point us toward where we could go. Without them, we’d still be a city, but we’d be a city with far less heart. And so, I would like to encourage our readers to support and keep these most precious cornerstones of our community in mind, especially as we approach a time in our history when they are being increasingly disregarded and even deemed “unnecessary.” “

Local news by authority

• Bradford – Keighley Library reopening after £150,000-plus refurbishment – Keighley News. “Work to the Grade II-listed building included a new counter, flooring and furniture, plus redecoration. Also, a revised layout features dedicated study spaces, a purpose-built children’s area and flexible accommodation for events and activities. The refurb was financed with UK Shared Prosperity Fund cash.”
• Brighton and Hove – Campaign started to save community libraries in Brighton – Rayo. “Sarah Craven-Antill set up the petition – Stop the Closure of Brighton’s Community Libraries – on the Change.org website. She has already started a campaign to protect Rottingdean library from council cuts but wants to expand the campaign city-wide. The Rottingdean petition has attracted more than 2,250 signatures – more than the 1,250 required to trigger a council debate. Now Mrs Craven-Antill wants to show same support for all libraries with the new petition which has more than 12) [sic – Ed.] signatures already.”
• Bromley – Librarian’s quirky tales of local landmarks brings Bromley’s history to life – London News Online. “Christine Davis, who is based at Mottingham Library, is an enthusiastic amateur historian who is well-known to colleagues and customers due to her love of architecture and her popular monthly talks on London’s past.”
• Caerphilly – Don’t close our library: We won’t play Labour’s ‘Hunger Games’ – Socialist Party. “Labour Caerphilly council proposes to close ten libraries, saving £500,000 over three years, claiming to concentrate resources into hubs – that they expect people to travel miles to. Our debate was organised as ten one-minute exchanges on how we can stop this – followed by an open discussion. The Plaid Cymru councillor didn’t address the issue. She told us we were a deprived area – which didn’t sit well with our pride.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Unearthed: The Power of Gardening to tour Cheshire libraries – Northwich and Winsford Guardian. “The free exhibition, titled Unearthed: The Power of Gardening, will be touring Cheshire West and Chester libraries from May 2025 to March 2026. It aims to explore the transformative, enriching, and sometimes radical power of gardening. Cheshire West and Chester Libraries Service is one of 30 services across the UK that will be celebrating gardening as part of the Living Knowledge Network, in partnership with the British Library’s major exhibition from May 2 to August 10, 2025.”
• Devon – Devon libraries launch free summer challenge for children – Tavistock Times Gazette. “Based on Libraries Unlimited’s popular reading challenge for five to twelve-year-olds ‘The Secret Book Quest’, The Summer Book Quest sees beloved characters Pip, Zena and Libro head off on a new adventure. The theme for the first year is The Deep Sea Adventure, based on the Underwater Zone in The Secret Book Quest.”
  • Braunton crowned South West Library of the Year – BBC. “Braunton Library was singled out in the British Book Awards 2025 for its creativity and work in the community. The library hosts numerous groups, including a Lego club for children, knit and natter and coffee and crochet groups for adults, as well as creative writing sessions.”
• Dudley – 40th anniversary celebration for Stourbridge Library – Express and Star. “Anyone who has been involved with the library over the last four decades is invited to come along from 2pm-4pm. There will be refreshments, photo displays and plenty of opportunity to reminisce.”
• East Dunbartonshire – Local libraries hosting events to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day – East Dunbartonshire Council. “Victory tea”, talks, bunting, etc.
• Glasgow – VR displays and hands-on demos to bring science to life at Glasgow festival – Glasgow Times. “Glasgow’s 33 libraries will also play a part in this year’s programme, with displays of STEM-related books planned for the duration of the festival.”
• Gloucestershire – Guinea pig visits proving a hit with library group – BBC. “A group of guinea pigs have been visiting an over-50s group at a local library. Lisa Pontins-Medes, an assistant at Newent Library in Gloucestershire, has been bringing her six pet guinea pigs to work to spend time with the group. She also takes them to schools, cafes and other groups around the town, where they have become something of a hit.” Lovely video.
• Haringey – There’s lots on in Haringey libraries this month – Haringey Council.
  • New Borough Vision officially launched – Haringey Council. “The vision sets out how the council will work together with partners, residents, and Haringey’s thriving voluntary and community sector to create a borough where everyone can belong and thrive.”
• Jersey – Chief librarian cites rise in book vandalism in UK from US influence – Jersey Evening Post. “Speaking in his capacity as president of Libraries Connected, that represents British public libraries, Mr Jewell said “anecdotal evidence” from his charity members were pointing to an increase in demand to remove or vandalise certain books on public library shelves.” … “LGBTQ+ materials were the large focus of the censorship and vandalism”
• Kensington and Chelsea – Digital clinic at North Kensington Library – Kensington and Chelsea Council. Age UK drop-in.
• Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries: events, talks, readings, art shows and other activities for May 2025 – Brixton Buzz.
• Leicester – Library marks 120 years with week of free activities – Leicester Council. “the Bishop Street library is inviting local families to step back in time and experience the library as it might have been in 1905, with the help of Edwardian toys, writing implements and archive materials loaned by Leicester Museums.” and other events.
  • Bid to protect Leicester libraries and visitor attractions from cuts rejected – Leicester Mercury. “Leicester City Council has thrown out a bid to protect its libraries, community centres and visitor attractions from cuts amid a backdrop of residents’ protests” .. “assistant mayor for health, culture, libraries and community centres, Vi Dempster said the Labour group has done “everything possible” to protect frontline services “from years and years of austerity”. But, the hard-up council is now having to look at libraries and community centres to “ensure that they are a long-term sustainable resource for our communities”.”
  • Union slams council’s ‘ill-judged and short-sighted’ planned cuts to libraries – Leicester Mercury. “Union officials have claimed council plans to close Leicester libraries and community centres are “ill-judged and short-sighted”. The Leicester City branch of Unison fears that if approved, “communities would be significantly harmed”, but council bosses say no final decision has been made.”
• Lincolnshire – Currently reading – Lincolnshire Council. “Let the Lincolnshire Libraries team help you to find your next favourite read from the thousands of books and e-books they have available for you to borrow for free …”
• Merton – The continued importance of libraries in our community – This is Local London. “There are only seven libraries in all of Merton, leaving only one library for every 31,000 people. This is concerning, not least because the current budgeting for libraries means they would never be able to accommodate this many people, but also because it demonstrates a decline in public interest in libraries. Whilst it may be tempting to assume that this is due to more people wanting to buy and own the physical books they read, as well as being able to read them online, this is not necessarily true – it is also a symptom of a declining interest in reading in general in our local community.”
• Newcastle – Babies to receive free books in Dolly Parton pilot project – Newcastle Council. “While the pilot project is currently only offering books to children born from May 2025 to April 2026, families are being reminded that they already have access to a huge range of stories and services – for free – through their local libraries.”
• Norfolk – New Young Gardeners Club launched by Sheringham Library – North Norfolk News. “The Little Shoots launch event took place on April 22. The event was a success with children helping to prepare planters and then digging to set the plants. They then filled their own pots with seeds to grow at home. Sunflower seeds donated by Recovery College were planted under the library windows to finish the event.”
• North East Lincolnshire – Don’t miss our pop-up events to give your views on library and archive review – North East Lincolnshire Council. “people are now being asked for their views on options, all at an early stage, to develop the library service alongside other services in Grimsby and Cleethorpes to include community spaces where all ages feel welcome.” … “Meanwhile in Waltham, the option of a community library model is being explored.”
• Northern Ireland – Over £750,000 secured to redevelop Enniskillen Library – Impartial Reporter. “750,000 in funding has been secured to redevelop Enniskillen Library. The fundraising amount was today announced by Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, and will see a state of the art library building erected in Enniskillen.”
• North Yorkshire – North Yorkshire Libraries mark ‘Local and Community History Month’ this May with special events and exhibitions – Scarborough News. Talks, displays, reminiscence, model railway, spoken recordings …
• Nottingham – Councillor calls on own ruling group to open problem-plagued library by July – Notts TV. Ongoing delays at Sherwood Library. “Cllr Adele Williams (Lab), who represents the Sherwood ward, has now set up a petition calling on the ruling Labour Group to commit to a concrete opening date. She said the petition would be used to advocate for getting the library open by July 15. The petition will be presented to the council’s leadership at Full Council on Monday, May 12.”
  • Work ‘ground to a halt’ on Nottingham library that was supposed to open last year – Nottingham Post. “Work on the new Sherwood Library is said to have “ground to a halt” as Nottingham City Council appears unable to commit to its last promised opening date. The library was originally set to open in the summer of 2024, but there have been repeated delays and a row between the city council and developer.”
• Orkney – ‘Share the Vision’ team spotlights resources at Orkney Library for sight-impaired readers – Orkney Council. “Simon Savidge will be posting about his visits to libraries on his social media platforms, charting his journey, his experiences as he visits locations in each of the countries of the UK, and, most importantly, the lived experience of people with sight loss.”
• Rutland – Ryhall Library could close and move to another location according to Rutland County Council paperwork – Lincs Online. “The doors of Ryhall’s existing library should be shut and the service moved to another location, the county council is recommending. Villagers say they feel blindsided by the recommendation which has appeared on Rutland County Council paperwork today without any heads up or correspondence with the parish council.”
• Slough – Slough council: man makes impassioned plea for libraries – Slough Observer. “The closure of Langley and Cippenham libraries are among the options for the future of Slough’s library service being considered by council leaders. Burnham resident Chandra Kondepudi presented councillors with a petition against the plans signed by 2,028 people – telling them libraries ‘should never be up for negotiation’. Mr Kondepudi said: “A library is not just a building – it is where a mother takes her child to fall in love with books, it is where a teenager studies in silence because home might be noisy.”
• Somerset – Somerset Libraries Winter Coat Exchange: A heartwarming success – Somerset Council. “This year, the Somerset Council initiative saw an incredible 2,470 coats for both adults and children donated and 2,086 coats taken by people in need – more than double the figure received last year.”
• Staffordshire – Libraries to host celebration events for VE Day 80th anniversary – Staffordshire Council. ” talks, crafts and creative writing sessions, exhibits and even a flypast of a Lancaster bomber.”
  • Libraries go green again for May – Staffordshire Council. “Following the success of last year’s Green Libraries Month, this year promises even more exciting events, talks, arts and crafts workshops running right across the county.”
• Walsall – Discover your family roots through Walsall Archives this Local History Month – Walsall Council. Exhibition and quizzes.
• Warrington – Campaigners say hundreds attended library closure consultation as children object – Warrington Guardian. Westbrook Library to be closed. “The news was met with anger by Westbrook residents, who have rallied to support the library during a consultation period and fight back against its planned closure. This has included hundreds of residents attending drop-in consultation sessions, as well as children from nearby schools protesting.”
• Wigan – 28 brilliant archive pictures from Wigan’s libraries over the decades – Wigan Today. “A whole host of activities takes place at the venues, including art exhibitions, story time, puppet shows and even visits from some famous faces.”
• Warwickshire – Free ‘Unearthed: The Power of Gardening’ display blooms at Warwickshire Libraries – Warwickshire Council. Along with BL display, there will be poetry writing, creative writing, paper rose making and compost workshops.
• Wirral – Six more libraries could close as Wirral Council consider further cuts – Wirral Globe. “The local authority is planning to only operate eight libraries going forward under plans that have been revealed on May 2. This is after cuts to the council service of £250,000 were approved unanimously earlier this year.” … “The local authority closed nine libraries as part of budget cuts in 2022. Only two of these have since reopened as public-facing libraries in Wallasey Village and Pensby.”