The End of August

National news

• Camilla laments library closures in visit to Edinburgh community hub – Evening Standard. “Camilla told a group of librarians, figures from the city’s annual literary festival and leading writers that she “wished” more people would open such facilities as she officially launched Ratho Library in Newbridge … “To actually see a new library like this… I wish a lot of other people would follow your example and open more libraries all over the country, because I think, sadly, a lot of them have been closing down.”

“The Combined Regions has commissioned the University of Sheffield to carry out research into public library collections in the UK. We are looking at how the current financial situation for local authorities across the country is impacting our library services’ budgets, spend and decision making in relation to their physical stock. We’re seeking Heads of Library Service to participate in the research project. We aim to report on the national picture and generate recommendations for public library stakeholders to better support our libraries. For more information, please contact Jo McKenna-Aspell (j.mckenna-aspell@sheffield.ac.uk)“

International news

• Ireland – Launch of Skills for Life Programme at Clare Libraries – Clare County Council. ““The Skills for Life programme is part of the national library strategy, ‘The Library is the place’. Libraries are an essential part of local communities and we are delighted to provide a range of workshops and resources for the public on all these topics.””
• USA – Reading for Pleasure Has Declined by a ‘Deeply Concerning’ 40 Percent Over the Past Two Decades – Smithsonian Magazine. “Reading for fun has been declining since the 1940s. However, the “sustained, steady” drop over the past 20 years is “deeply concerning,” says study co-author Jill Sonke, research director at the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida, in a statement. The results are troubling because reading has always been “one of the more accessible ways to support well-being,” adds co-author Daisy Fancourt, a behavioral health researcher at University College London, in the statement.”

Local news by authority

• Cambridgeshire – The Library Presents is back with more workshops and new artists than ever before – Council. “Tickets are currently on sale for the 16^th season of The Library Presents, the arts and entertainment programme that transform these community spaces across Cambridgeshire into immersive, theatre-style experiences. Returning this September, the programme features 33 different acts and includes a mix of live music, laugh-out-loud theatre, mind-blowing magic and dazzling dance. “
• Ceredigion – Library opening hours set to change – Cambrian News. “Aberystwyth library is set to have reduced opening hours with Aberaeron’s new facility at Penmorfa opening with an increase in hours if changes to library services in Ceredigion are pushed through” … “The contentious move of Aberaeron’s town library from the town centre to the Ceredigion council offices at Penmorfa was approved despite more than 900 people opposing the move in a public consultation.”
• Essex – Clacton Library set for major redevelopment with new hub – Clacton Gazette. “A new multi-purpose community hub will be built on the existing site, which will bring together a modern library, an Adult Community Learning (ACL) centre and registration services under one roof.”
• Inverclyde – Gourock Library to reopen after repairs from flooding – Greenock Telegraph. ” Library is set to reopen on Monday after repairs from recent flooding”
  • Inverclyde Libraries now has full access to BFI Replay – Greenock Telegraph. “The free streaming service for public libraries all over the UK has thousands of digitised videos and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive and other significant archives.”
• Isle of Wight – Lewes library visited by Virginia Woolf on sale for £1m – Argus. “It was “rescued from demolition” by the Friends of Lewes and has been home to the Franks family for some 40 years.”
• Liverpool – September update on rising library costs – Liverpool Echo. “Every service is feeling the squeeze. Now, even libraries are the subject of cost increases … The amended fees and charges for libraries comes amid an ongoing row between Liverpool Council and a community trust over the future of two sites it offloaded to keep them afloat. As of next week, the maximum fine imposed for late returns per borrowed item will increase by 10% to £2.20. The upper level cumulative fine for all items borrowed before borrowing rights are stripped will go up more, from £15 to £16.90. Reserving an item will go up from 70p for adults to 80p, children will not be charged.”
• Staffordshire – Children urged to complete Summer Reading Challenge and claim their rewards – Council. “More than 10,000 children signed up and libraries staff are now turning their attention to helping children complete the challenge before it ends on 15 September.”
• Warrington – Westbrook Library to be self-funding in two years – council – Warrington Guardian. “library service is forecasting a £125,000 overspend – while the council has confirmed a ‘self-funded’ plan for the site in Westbrook” … ““The recommendation for Westbrook Library is for it to remain open with the library team working with partner services and the Friends of Westbrook library to deliver activities at a neighbourhood level, facilitate the hiring of community spaces and develop stronger partnership use of the library.”
• Westmorland and Furness – 1920s murder mystery evenings set in the Lake District held next month – Whitehaven News. “Titled ‘Murder at Monksfell Manor,’ the mystery is written by award-winning crime writer Martin Edwards, author of the Lake District Cold Case Mysteries, which have recently been successfully relaunched in a new eBook edition. Martin will host the evening and will be happy to sign copies of his books.”
• West Northamptonshire – There’s still time to join the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge – Council.