Editorial

In a shocking expose from the ever-balanced and fair Fox News, we discover that American public libraries are drug-infested sex dens. This must come as something of a surprise to their users. Also, to their library staff too, it seems, as many have taken to Twitter to ask where these libraries are (including, suspiciously, wanting their precise addresses, presumably for private research purposes).

After we have stopped laughing, it’s worth considering where this headline is coming from. It’s from the classic exaggeration/slander/don’t-look-behind-the-curtain realm of propaganda. To impose one’s views on a democratic country, there needs to be a reason, and this is it for libraries: we are a bunch of pro-drug gender extremists that need to be controlled. It’s nothing to do with freedom of speech, heaven’s no, it’s protecting the children. Thankfully, it has not quite come to this in this country, but it’s getting closer each day. Heck, it’ll probably be an item on officially-not-a-news-channel GB News any day now.

Changes by local authority

• North Northamptonshire – Higham Ferrers volunteer library opens.
• Shropshire – Oswestry Library refurbished with interview pods and mobile shelving due to £237k LIF funding in 2023.; School Library Service to be closed.
• South Gloucestershire – Original cut of £473k reduced to £273k: £25k cut to books, 40 hours opening cut. Management cuts, enquiry service closed.

National news

• CILIP Appoints Louis Coiffait-Gunn as new CEO – CILIP. “Louis was introduced to public libraries at a young age as his grandmother was a librarian in a neighbouring village. As he currently finishes a period of parental leave, he has continued this tradition by taking his baby to storytime at libraries across Hackney.”
• CloudLibrary finds a new home in OCLC – Bibliotheca.
• Fun Palaces Workshops – Fun Palaces. Various workshops on who to involve, what they are, where and how, funding, sustainability and advertising.

Libraries, join the Blue Peter Book Club this May! We are inviting librarians to join this online workshop at 4pm on 16 April 2024 to hear about how you can get involved in the Blue Peter Book Club and encourage children in your library to explore the world of books together. There are some exciting things lined up for the Book Club in May with opportunities for public, community and school libraries to join in, and we want you to be the first to hear about them. Join us in this webinar to find out more about the Book Club, the selected books, and how your library can take part and support children to earn their book badge. The webinar will be recorded and shared to catch up on. Register today – https://bit.ly/3PLG0AU

The Reading Agency, by email.

• Sir Roly Keating to step down as Chief Executive of the British Library in April 2025 – British Library. “Under Sir Roly’s leadership, the Library has undergone a transformation in its public impact and its visibility across the UK and internationally. With a focus on openness, creativity and innovation, his tenure has seen the establishment of major new partnerships including the Knowledge Quarter around its London HQ, the Business & IP Centre National Network and the Living Knowledge Network of public and national libraries across the UK.”
• The vorfreude secret: 30 zero-effort ways to fill your life with joy – Guardian. ““Making a regular trip to your local library is a great way to insert vorfreude into your life””
• ‘Weathervanes of their Communities’ – The Sanderson Review, public libraries and information literacy futures – Edinburgh Napier University. “Recent independent reviews of public library services in England have argued for a more comprehensive and cohesive strategy to promote the many benefits of these services. However a critical lack of quality data to support these conclusions, particularly on the impact of information literacy formation, means that such reviews are in danger of missing further opportunities to develop the wide and varied roles public libraries play in their communities.”

International news

• Pakistan -Tall tales but no dessert: the storyteller of Karachi and his ice-cream cart library – Guardian. “About 15,000 children have attended more than 700 Kahaani Sawaari storytelling sessions since the project was launched in 2021. Erum Kazi, GoRead’s programme director, says parents have told her how their children have developed a love for reading since the scheme began”
• Ukraine – Send a mobile library to Ukraine – Crowdfunder. “To date over 600 public libraries and 2,000 school libraries have been damaged or destroyed by Russian troops” … “When we asked our partners in Ukraine how we could help, they said they needed a mobile library. With a mobile library they could continue to provide a service when their library buildings have been destroyed or damaged.”. £10,000 needed for reconditioned mobile library: £160 given at time of accessing webpage.

• USA- ALA Releases State of America’s Libraries 2024 Report – American Libraries. “ALA recorded 1,247 attempts to censor materials and services at libraries, schools, and universities in 2023. Of the 4,240 unique titles that were challenged or banned in 2023, here are the top 10 most frequently challenged”
  • Analysis: A Statehouse rite of spring — a showdown over libraries – Idaho Ed News. “The 2024 legislative session is ending the way the 2023 session did. And the way the 2022 session did. With a showdown over libraries. Something that has become an informal rite of spring at the Statehouse. On Wednesday, the Senate and the House passed a bill that would require school and public libraries to take steps to keep obscene materials away from minors. House Bill 710 now goes to Gov. Brad Little, who vetoed a library bill at the end of the 2023 session.”
  • MAGA Rage Targeting Local Librarians Is Getting Uglier – New Republic. Podcast.

• Post Covid futures planning for libraries: Part 2 – From planning ideas to implementation – Charleston Hub. “there is simply no way to gather data or evidence from the future until it arrives.” Various tools used.
  • The Week in Libraries: April 12, 2024 – Publishers Weekly. Wave of book banning “unprecedented”. Idaho law to move material parents challenge to other sections. Alabama fires library staff and withdraws funding to libraries who do not do likewise. Missouri removal of books challenged in court. Texas librarian is taking court action after being sacked for refusing to remove book.

Local news by authority

• Birmingham – Birmingham City Council leader issues stark warning on future of city’s libraries – Birmingham Live. ““We’ve seen some really good examples of partnership working already around libraries – my own library in Glebe Farm, Tile Cross has been delivered for the last six or seven years now in partnership with one of our local voluntary organisations. It’s actually opened up a whole series of other activities that now take place in the Glebe Farm Library which has almost become a bit of a community hub.””
  • Inside the battle over the future of Birmingham’s libraries amid budget ‘pushback’ – Birmingham Mail. “hundreds of residents of all ages protested by holding “read-ins” at libraries in Acocks Green and Kings Heath, which Mr Simpson said “shows the level of anger and concern” within communities.”. Overall, cuts are bewildering, but ” When you bring it down to what it means for your high street, people can see this is something we need to stand up and express ourselves about,””
  • Reason Birmingham Library is turning orange tonight revealed – Birmingham Mail. “It’s to mark Vaisakhi in the city. The spring festival, also known as ‘Baisakhi’, celebrates the founding of the Sikh community.”
• Bolton – Bolton’s libraries were the fun place to be in 1980 – Bolton News. “We have been into the archive and chosen a selection of photographs from 1980 which show some of the many varied events which ere held at libraries around the town to stimulate young imaginations.”
• Bristol – Bristol Lib Dems’ election campaign promises changes to buses, libraries and schools – Bristol Post. Election in May. Lib Dem’s “six missions for Bristol which includes improving access to dentists, providing more special school places, investing in libraries, and calling for bus franchising. They have also promised to plant one million trees over the next decade.”
• Calderdale – Applause for librarian who has been working for Calderdale Council for an impressive half a century – Halifax Courier. Linda Smith started at 16, just weeks before Calderdale Council was formed.

• Devon – Devon libraries launch reading adventure for under-fives – Tavistock Today. “Almost 7,000 children have so far signed up to read 50 books on The Secret Book Quest, and we are hoping to reach just as many little ones with Libro’s Friends.”
• Flintshire – Flintshire Council strikes “short-term” deal with Aura for running of county’s leisure and library services – Deeside. “The authority is understood to be planning to bring the management of libraries, museums, and play areas back in-house, while exploring an “alternative delivery model” for leisure services.” .. ” the council had offered the company £1 million to continue delivering leisure services in the short-term from April, which would last for approximately three months. But proposals related to libraries, museums, and play areas were described as “less clear”, with Aura unwilling to use its reserves to fund services.”
• Gloucestershire – Library of Things helping Charlton Kings residents save money – BBC. “The Library of Things was launched by CK Futures – a division of the parish council – Vision 21 project Planet Cheltenham, and Gloucestershire Libraries. Residents can borrow pressure washers, carpet cleaners, tools and even chocolate fountains, alongside the library’s books.”
• Hackney – Stoke Newington Library’s refurbishment gets £500k funding boost – Hackney Citizen. “The cash will go towards a redesign of the library’s interiors, with the council hoping to kit it out with the “best facilities possible”. Those include improved reading rooms, study spaces, a new children’s area, and a cultural and digital hub. The community library service will also get its own integrated space.”
• Lancashire – Rawtenstall Library to close it’s doors for ‘investigation into staircase’ – Lancashire Live. “Rawtenstall Library will close for around four weeks from Monday, while investigative work is undertaken on the staircase. A precise schedule for the closure will not be given until the work begins. However, customers are being reassured that fines for overdue loans from Rawtenstall Library will be waived while the building is shut.”
• Monmouthshire – Borrowing a laptop as easy as borrowing a library book with Monmouthshire County Council – Monmouthshire Council. “The laptops that will be available were initially purchased during the COVID-19 pandemic to help pupils continue their learning remotely. Now, residents can use them to access online resources from the comfort of their own homes.”
• Norfolk – Norwich man threatened to kill library staff in The Forum – Eastern Daily Press. “Jamie Turner, 32, became violent and abusive when he was asked to leave the Millennium Library at The Forum in Norwich on January 7. Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told he assaulted one member of staff telling them: “If I see you in the street I’ll kill you.””
• North Northamptonshire – Doors open at new community library and well-being hub in Higham Ferrers – Northamptonshire Telegraph. First library provision in town since 2019.
• North Yorkshire – Discover Skipton’s hidden heritage with three new trails – Craven Herald and Pioneer/Yahoo. “The four trails produced for the HSHAZ programme join three other North Yorkshire trails based on collections from Harrogate, Scarborough libraries and one for Northallerton curated by North Yorkshire County Record Office on the ‘What Was Here?’ app, created by East Riding of Yorkshire Archives, which is free to download now on Google Play and the App Store. Check out the accompanying website at www.whatwashere.org.”
  • Blood Pressure Testing Introduced at Whitby Library – This is the Coast. “Whitby Library is offering a walk-in blood pressure point for the public to make use of which could alleviate the pressures on doctor’s surgeries.”
• Sheffield – Stocksbridge 519 library plan approved – BBC. “The three-storey building will replace the town’s existing library and community shop.” Existing library to be demolished to make way for £24m new build.
• Shropshire – Library to close for a week while council spends Arts Council money on new shelves – Shropshire Star. “Last year Shropshire Council was awarded £236,950 by Arts Council England to install new equipment that will make library spaces more accommodating and accessible to the wider community.” … “Shropshire Council has used the funds to purchase 1:1 interview pods with supporting technology, enabling private consultations with the public” … “It has also purchased new mobile shelving to create flexible space to accommodate health and wellbeing sessions offered through social prescribing and creative health models.”
  • Anger as school library service cut to save money – BBC. “Parents and teachers have reacted angrily to a decision by Shropshire Council to end a service providing schools with new books and learning material. The School Library Service has a catalogue of more than 250,000 books, artefacts, DVDs and online resources. Two-thirds of schools across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin pay to use it. Shropshire Council, however, has said it can no longer afford to subsidise the service. An online petition has been started by the head teacher of Christ Church CE Primary School in Cressage, which paid about £1,300 for the service last year.”
  • Whitchurch Library ‘pop up’ service expanded – Shropshire Council. “Library staff have been running a temporary ‘pop-up’ service on market day every Friday morning since Whitchurch Civic Centre was forced to close for safety reasons in September 2023”
• South Gloucestershire – What South Gloucestershire Council library cuts mean for your branch – Bristol Post. “The local authority is slashing £273K from its annual spending on the vital community facilities, including £25K for books”… “South Gloucestershire’s libraries will be closed for an extra 40 hours every week in total as part of huge cuts. But that is about half of what was originally proposed. This is becauser the authority managed to find some savings elsewhere to cushion the blow for the books budget, which was initially going to be slashed by a quarter – £50,000 – but will now go down by £25,000.”
• Suffolk – New Stoke Library Open Day – Suffolk Libraries. “The new library occupies a slightly bigger space and has new carpets and furniture with flexible wheeled shelving to make it easier to hold events and activities in the library.”
  • Suffolk Libraries shortlisted for national library awards – Suffolk Libraries. “The Be Kind to a Kid appeal was run by Suffolk Libraries in partnership with BBC Radio Suffolk in late 2023. All the county’s libraries acted as collection points for 2,500 donated new toys which were then passed on to over 20 local charities and organisations who then got them to families in need to ensure their children got an extra much-needed Christmas gift.”
• Surrey – Weybridge Library and Weybridge Centre co-locating as part of Hub plans – Elmbridge Council. “there will be a temporary relocation of Weybridge Library into the Weybridge Centre for the Community, while it undergoes a major refurbishment to create the Weybridge Hub, which is expected to open in Spring 2025. “
• Wakefield – Wordfest 2024: Popular celebration to bring hundreds of free events to Wakefield libraries next month – Wakefield Express. “Hundreds of free and exciting events, from author talks and storytelling, film showings and music, will be held in the district’s libraries and other community settings during the month-long festival celebrating words – which aims to encourage residents of all ages to explore their own creativity. The annual celebration has become a staple within the community, with a full programme that has been developed with community partners and features activities across the district.”

Editorial

There’s a lot of good news for various library services in England this week, with the announcement of the third round of the Libraries Improvement Fund. 43 library services received a share of £10.5m funding with £245,417 being the average amount given, ranging from £499,999 for Camden to a humble £50,000 for Bradford. Looking at what the money is being spent on – well, let’s say makers of moveable shelving units are celebrating as are the normal digital suspects. That old stand-by “Maker spaces” is a phrase used on more than one occasion as is the newly popular word “sensory”. Closer to my heart, there’s a few refurbishments and nicer children’s libraries coming from this. There’s also some very location specific stuff like a new place for sheet music or space for an exhibition. All in all, though, all of the projects that there are details about look defendable and there is reason for delight here.

Of course, me being me, there is also cynicism. The public library service has been increasingly grossly underfunded for over a decade and, in a healthily supported sector, a lot of the projects would not have needed this special one-off funding. And, while the support is to be welcomed, there at least two hints as to the real reasons for the money. The first is that the announcement seems to have caught quite a few councils unawares. As I write this a few days later, quite a few haven’t yet had time to produce press releases about it. This suggests the announcement was to tie in with a central government timetable rather than the local council one. Perhaps it was always so. More tellingly of course, the funding was used this week to defend in parliament the government’s questionable stewardship of the sector. The amount – ten million – also seems to be the lowest that can be given in double figures, with a few hundred extra thousand given so as not to make it too obvious. Kind of like a reverse of Camden’s frankly hilarious cheek at asking for £499,999, the very maximum that could have been asked for, to the pound. I salute you, Camden.

Changes by local authority

• Dudley – £144k LIF grant for Lye Library to have moveable shelving, refurbishment, VR headsets and hublets (source: GLL)
• East Riding – £246k LIF grant for Sensory areas and moveable shelves to Bridlington North and Bridlington Central libraries
• Flintshire – May return library service in-house from Aura Leisure Trust.
• Hackney – £499k LIF grant for refurbishment of Stoke Newington Library
• Haringey – Hornsey Library children’s section closed due to RAAC.
• Lancashire – £165k LIF grant for Burnley Library moving sheet music collection into disused children’s library
• Isle of Wight – £150k LIF grant to improve accessibility of Cowes and Ryde libraries.
• Newcastle – £382k LIF grant for a new reading facility in a disused part of the Walker Activity Dome.
• North Somerset – £309k LIF grant to replace old mobile with electric one.
• Reading – £495k LIF grant for more digital equipment.
• Redbridge – £380k LIF grant for Fulwell Cross Library refurbishment, redesign and digital inc. makerspace, Tovertafel, children’s library.
• Shropshire – Broseley Library increases hours due to town council funding.
• Trafford – £347k LIF grant for Sale Library refurbishment and installing Cosgrove Hall Films exhibition.
• Wakefield – £446k LIF grant for improving children’s library, designed to be inclusive of those with sensory and physical disabilities
• Warwickshire – £372k LIF grant for new Mobile for those with additional/more complex needs
• Wigan – £110k LIF grant for Leigh Library refurbishment
• Wiltshire – Eleven libraries will become “family hubs” to help 0-19 (0-25 if SEND)

National news

• Dozens of library services and 26 museums to receive £33m government funding – Guardian. ““With upgraded buildings and technology, we can expect to see many more people experiencing and enjoying what their local library service has to offer.””
• Forty-three libraries win slice of £33m funding boost – BookSeller. Libraries Connected say ““We do need to see much wider and longer-term investment in the library network, however. Without a more secure financial settlement for local government, libraries will remain particularly vulnerable to cuts and closures. The next government must take decisive action to avoid a crisis in our libraries over the coming years.””

“We are again disappointed by UNITE’s decision to call for strike action. We have made every effort to engage with the union and listen to their views.  However, it should be noted that the UNITE strike does not reflect the opinion of the vast majority of our colleagues; with UNITE membership across our organisation sitting at less than 3% of the workforce. A well-received pay award was made in 2023, which was underpinned by the Real Living Wage and we are proud to be one of only 14,000 organisations in the UK to be accredited as a Real Living Wage employer.  The Real Living Wage for 2024 is set and we will implement this in April of this year. 

Over the past 30 years, we have developed terms and conditions of employment that work for our business and our employees.  Our people have choices about how they work and engage with us.  This commitment to our staff is underlined by the fact we have been awarded Investors in People Gold status. We do not offer zero hours contracts, as erroneously suggested by UNITE.  We do offer flexible working arrangements and give staff the opportunity to transfer from flexible contracts to permanent contracts via our You Choose scheme, which is open to all. Planned changes to GLL’s sick pay scheme will be implemented as part of our 2024 pay award. Our focus remains on ensuring that a quality library service continues to be delivered to local communities in Bromley and Greenwich and that was the case on 26 March.

GLL spokesperson on strike action in Bromley an Greenwich

• Libraries to get near £800k boost – BBC. Makerspace money for Hull: “Michelle Alford, library services director for Hull Culture and Leisure Ltd said the funding would create “exciting centres of digital innovation” in more of its branch libraries.”.
• Library staff celebrating victory after strike sees 20% increase in sick pay – Morning Star. “The Unite members walked out on Tuesday this week and staged a mass picket at Woolwich Centre Library in London. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “While this is a welcome step in the right direction, Unite won’t stop here. “Our members deserve better pay and conditions and GLL is in a position to improve its offers across the board. “Outstanding disputes with GLL include a pay increase and better treatment for staff on zero-hours contracts.””

Local authorities in England have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service which meets local needs. It is for each local authority to consider how best to deliver this. His Majesty’s Government has provided an additional £600 million on top of the £64 billion Local Government Finance Settlement for 2024-25 — an increase of 7.5% in cash terms. This uplift will help to reduce pressure on councils’ budgets, and protect services including public libraries.

In addition, DCMS announced on 25 March that 43 library services in England would benefit from Round 3 of the Libraries Improvement Fund which is allocating £10.5 million across this financial year and next. The Fund has allocated £20.5 million since 2021 to public library services across England to support them to upgrade their buildings and improve digital infrastructure so that they are better placed to respond to the changing ways people want to use them.

Julia Lopez MP, Parliamentary Secretary, DCMS

• The National Literacy Trust announces new three-year strategy with emphasis on early-years literacy – BookSeller. “The new strategy also emphasises literacy in the early years, building on the Trust’s Libraries for Primaries campaign, which aims to ensure that primary schools across the UK have libraries or dedicated library spaces.”
• Nearly 70 museums and libraries across England to benefit from £33 million boost – Gov.uk. 43 library services receive funding from Libraries Improvement Fund. “Nearly £400,000 has been awarded to Newcastle Libraries to create a new reading facility in a disused part of the Walker Activity Dome. It will also support increased opening hours and create a flexible community space.” Funding list below:

• Public Library Forum 2024 – National Acquisitions Group. London, Thursday 16 May. “A full programme is available below with a broad range of topics including Oldham’s NAG Grant project “Language Barrier Breakers” and LibrariesUnlimited’s “The Secret Book Quest” alongside “The Life of a Dewey Number” with Jo Maxwell from BDS.”
• Regional Offer Launch – Libraries Connected. Recording of webinar. “To mark the first six months of the Regional Development Programme, we are launching a set of offers for Regional Networks. Our aim is to build an understanding of how the Regional Development Team can support you to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.”
• What Libraries Risk When They Go Digital – Time. “Digitization has been a transformative tool for scholars and a valuable shield against the dangers that threaten paper-based historical records. But it is time to consider the vulnerabilities of digital repositories as well. Fires, theft, and physical neglect are no longer the only major threats archives face: now we must also add ransomware to the list.”
• Yorkshire museums and libraries to get £3m funding boost – BBC. “Wakefield Libraries will receive nearly £450,000 for a children’s library which Wakefield Council said would deliver a “transformative experience” for children and families and cater for “those with sensory and physical disabilities”.”

International news

• Lithuania – The Bank of Buttons at Panevezys Elena Mezginaite Public Library (Lithuania) – Naple Sister Libraries. Button swap.
• USA – America’s action figure librarian walks a good book for exercise – Herald Net. Nancy Pearl interview.
  • Bills targeting book bans raise concerns about the penalties libraries could face – NBC. “The rise in book bans has prompted lawmakers to push back with bills in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and New Mexico. They follow Illinois and California, where such legislation has been signed into law. Experts are raising concerns, however, as some of the legislation would fine school districts or withhold library funding if their provisions are not followed …”
  • Public libraries demand reversal of proposed cuts – New York City Council. “Leaders of the library systems insist the cuts will mean further reductions to service and delaying indefinitely the reopening of more than a half dozen branches undergoing renovations. The city’s public libraries are facing a $58.3 million budget cut for 2025.”
  • Your local library queers children – Christian Post. “By suggesting children can be born in the wrong bodies, libraries put children on the path to experimental medical treatments that will leave them permanently damaged. “Queer” is a nebulous word that justifies exposing children to any sexual behavior, including adult fetishes”
  • ‘When you make people feel comfortable, you create more than a library.’ – Model D. “”When you make people feel comfortable like that, you create more than a library,” Lewis says. “A library like that is a safe place for kids when they’re wandering the streets, it’s a place to get information about life challenges, it’s a place that provides stability.””

Local news by authority

• Brighton and Hove – Library selling archived items to prevent decay – BBC. “The upper and lower galleries at Hove Library are unsuitable for storing older materials, a review has revealed. Councillor Leslie Pumm said the collections were underused and selling them would help protect “valuable” stock. Money raised from the public auction will be used to maintain the library.”
• Cambridgeshire – Find out who the public wanted to see perform in Cambridgeshire libraries this spring… – Camebridgeshire Council.

• Essex – Rayleigh High Street library to host new Barclays service – Echo series. “Barclays has announced it will now operate a service four days a week from Rayleigh Library, in the High Street, following a series of branch closures in the area.”
• Flintshire – Flintshire Council assurances over leisure services – Leader. “In a letter seen by the Leader Aura Leisure – which runs most leisure centres in Flintshire – has claimed the council is “contemplating” withdrawing funding support for it. The organisation, which runs the Buckley, Mold, Flint and Deeside leisure centres, has issued a letter to its employees, saying its funding agreement with Flintshire Council ends on March 31.”
• Gateshead – Crawcrook Library reopening next week – Gateshead Council. “Since the building closed for refurbishment in January, its lighting, decoration and internal fittings have been upgraded to create improved space for community activities and book borrowing.” … “Pelaw Library is also currently closed for refurbishment and expected to reopen within the next few weeks”

• Haringey – Update: Hornsey Library – Haringey Council. “The adults’ section at Hornsey Library remains closed while the council works with contractors to address issues around the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in a section of the roof.”
• Hartlepool – It’s so quick and easy with Wi-Fi Print – Hartlepool Council.
• Lancashire – New poem inspired by town unveiled at Nelson library – Lancashire Telegraph. “The event and installation are taking place thanks to Nelson Library, Lancashire Cultural Services, Lancashire Libraries and Lancashire County Council.”
• Manchester – Take a walkthrough tour of Manchester Libraries online – Manchester Council. “The 3D virtual tours of all 22 Manchester libraries, allows people to explore the venues, their layout and the architecture before a potential visit, and all from the comfort of home.”
• Manchester Libraries nominated for Libraries Connected Awards – Manclibraries Blog. Nominations are for Manchester Libraries Bookgifting service and  Central Library events programme.

• Middlesbrough – Major overhaul gives Acklam Library 21st century IT boost – Middlesbrough Council. “The modern, vibrant space now has improved computer access, facilities for teaching and workshop-based sessions, dedicated space for users to bring their own devices to study with access to WiFi printing and a height-adjustable desk.”
• Northern Ireland – Libraries NI chiefs defend stocking children’s books dealing with transgender issues – Belfast Telegraph. “Library bosses in Northern Ireland have defended placing books on transgender issues aimed at children aged six and under in their catalogue. Libraries NI chief executive Jim O’Hagan and the chairperson of the Library Board Bonnie Anley said their policy is to “meet the needs of the entire community”.”
• North Tyneside – Site investigations underway ahead of ‘eagerly’ awaited redevelopment of Tynemouth library – Chronicle. Library closed in 2020. “A substation to the rear of the library needs to be moved and replaced with a modern version before construction work can start. Northern Powergrid has now begun site investigations.”
• Violence, threats and abuse to North East library staff – Northeast Bylines. “North Tyneside Council refuted any suggestion that it had failed to protect staff in the workplace, and told NEB that there had been 41 incidents at its libraries and CFCs in 2023 and that 26 individuals had been excluded over five years”. Description of incident.
• North Yorkshire – Community and library join force to raise support awareness – York Press. “Pickering Library has built on a popular existing drop-in with Age UK and partnered with Ryedale Charities Together, Pickering Town Council and Pickering Town CIC to host a Community One Stop event on the first Thursday of every month from 10am to noon.”
• Pembrokeshire – Budget saving changes to some Pembrokeshire library services backed – Tenby Today. “The latest proposals included reductions to library opening hours equivalent to one full day per week at Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven and Tenby libraries, if the respective town councils “elect not to make an equivalent financial contribution towards maintaining these opening hours”.”
• Shropshire – Library extends its opening hours – Shropshire Star. “The running of the library was taken by Broseley Town Council a number of years ago, and local councillors say this has enabled them to increase its opening hours while other libraries in Shropshire are being forced to cut hours.”

“We are not looking to take away Performing Arts Library’s statutory status as it doesn’t have any, indeed no performing arts library does as they were not included in the 1964 Act”

Somerset – Correction to BBC article

• Swindon – Flooded Swindon library set to reopen before end of summer – BBC. West Swindon Library connected to GLL-run leisure centre. Wiring is damaged and council says GLL is responsible for repairing it.
• Suffolk – Chantry Library is raising awareness of bowel cancer – Suffolk Libraries.
  • New fundraising campaign gets a boost from Emma Freud and Richard Curtis – Suffolk Libraries. ” Both Emma and Richard have bought daisies to ’Make a Difference with a Daisy’. Make a Difference With a Daisy focuses on the humble daisy as a symbol of resilience and positivity. The aim is to create a giant daisy chain installation, featuring hundreds of individual metal daisies representing the joined-up network of libraries and the Suffolk communities they connect.”
  • Suffolk Libraries to expand its wellbeing service thanks to Arts Council funding – Suffolk Libraries. “These will be free to access physical activity classes available to everyone. ” … “free to loan sports equipment and videos/guidance ” … ” offering space and time in libraries so that SME employers can dedicate more time to staff wellbeing, including free physical activity sessions.”
• Tower Hamlets – Satisfaction levels soar for library service – Tower Hamlets Council. “Since 2018, all the satisfaction key indicators have increased with the biggest jumps in attractiveness of the library inside from 85% in 2018 to 91% and computer facilities from 68% to 72%. Overall satisfaction with the service stood at 92% in 2018 and has now risen to 95%.”
• West Lothian – Library and council office visits surge in West Lothian after Covid disruption – Edinburgh Reporter. “Actual book issues have still to rise to pre-pandemic issues but library visits alone for the last year were around the 450,000 mark. “It’s been a slow return to pre pandemic levels,””
• Westmorland and Furness – App to help neurodiverse people access libraries – BBC. “As well as enabling people to reserve books and read newspapers for free online, the app also offers virtual tours of libraries.” … “The tours and app, which is called CWF Libraries, were funded by a £17,000 grant from LibraryOn”
• Wiltshire – New plans for £3m scheme to support families in Salisbury Library and Leisure Centre – Salisbury Journal / Yahoo. “The plans will involve turning libraries and leisure centres across the county into hubs for families to be offered activities for young children, parenting support and mental health support.” “Family Hubs” will include Amesbury Library. Bradford on Avon Library, Calne Library, Chippenham Monkton Park and Library, Devizes Library, Downton Library, Malmesbury Library, Marlborough Library, Royal Wootton Bassett library, Salisbury Library, Warminster Library.

Editorial

Some weird news from Slough, where the Curve, which only opened in 2016 at a cost of £22m, that the council may be considering closing it cut costs. If so, this shows the weird current financial logic forced upon councils by reduced funding from central government combined with increasing social care costs where costs are more important than value or previous investment. There’s a hardening of attitudes towards library budgets in some councils. For instance, more news this week of councils reducing staff pay by introducing staff-less technology. I remember the days when allowing the public in through card-and-pin-entry was seen as an addition to normal opening hours. Not so much any more, the gloves are off.

Interestingly, in Birmingham which recently announced perhaps the deepest cuts in local government history, the opposition to library closures appears to be coalescing around keeping the service alive through alternative service models rather than protest/volunteering/demand for return of budget. Such trusts have been a bit hit and miss if combined with Leisure, apart from with GLL, which is big enough to have obvious economies of scale. Stand-alone library trusts – Devon (Libraries Unlimited), Suffolk (Suffolk Libraries) and York (York Explore) – have had a far more positive record while no less than seven single-council leisure-and-library trusts have been forced back into council control.

Changes by local authority

• Lewisham – Lewisham Library to be remodelled (consultation).
• Pembrokeshire – Opening hour cuts in 7 libraries. Some town councils funding hours, staffless technology to reduce staffing in Pembroke Dock.
• Redcar and Cleveland – £400k cut, volunteer-supported Laburnum Road Community Library may become community centre.
• Sheffield – Opening hours increased.
• Slough – Curve to close.
• Surrey – Camberley and Egham libraries have staffless opening.
• Westmorland and Furness – Roose Library still closed with no firm new plans after arson in May 2023.
• Worcestershire – Wythall, Pershore, Bromsgrove, Hagley, Alvechurch, Rubery, and Warndon and St John’s libraries have staffless opening.

National news

• Books and beyond – Municipal Journal. Sponsored content. “GLL, a co-operative and charitable social enterprise, has diversified and grown over the past decade, to become the largest single provider of public library services in the country.” … ” visitors to some of our libraries don’t just have the option to borrow books, they might borrow a sewing machine, power washer or a drill.” … “The Literary Foundation will support authors who are local to the libraries that we operate, helping them to create their brand, deliver events and reach a wider audience. It will provide library users with the unique opportunity to see stories written, attend author-driven events and read diverse books authored by home-grown talent.”
• British Library cyber attacks: Lessons learned – Arts Professional. see also The British Library looks to the future as it reveals the incalculable damage of its ransomware attack – Diginomica. ” Despite that, library visits are dwindling in the UK – down to 100 million annually in 2021-22 from 299 million ten years earlier, but that is partly because nearly 800 libraries have closed since 2010, due to austerity. Even so, those attendance figures still outnumber those for cinema and football combined, so don’t write off libraries just yet – though Statista data suggests that the most common age group for users is 45-64.”
• Daily Mail Comment: Fund our libraries, not diversity tsars – Daily Mail. Councils “have almost doubled their spending on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) roles that most council taxpayers would regard as superfluous in such straitened times. In the great gamut of public spending a rise from £12million a year to £23million may not seem enormous. But with libraries closing and social care being squeezed it shows a warped sense of priorities.”
• Expression of interest: Ukrainian–UK public library twinning programme – Libraries Connected. “here is a strong appetite for twinning with Ukrainian libraries to show solidarity, exchange skills and experience and connect audiences.”
• Libraries Connected Awards Shortlist 2024 – Libraries Connected. Nominations for the various awards, including brief descriptions.

• Protecting Local Libraries: Designing a New Strategy Placing Public Libraries at the Heart of Communities – Public Policy Exchange. “In the five years to 2020/2021, the number of statutory libraries open 10 hours or more a week in England, Scotland and Wales fell by 681, leaving the total number at 3,064. In the same period, the number of annual library visits fell by 59% and the number of print books issued fell 40%. “
• Public Library Forum 2024 – National Acquisitions Group. Thursday 16 May, London.
• Pyjamarama is back for 2024 – Booktrust. 17 May. “Thousands of children all around the country – in schools, nurseries, community groups and at home – will spend the day reading, enjoying, and sharing stories all in the comfort of their pyjamas to raise vital funds to help every child enjoy story time”
• Review into Arts Council England spending announced – Shropshire Star. “The use of public money by Arts Council England (ACE) will be reviewed by the Government. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced on Friday that Dame Mary Archer, the wife of Lord Jeffrey Archer and former chairwoman of the Science Museum Group, will lead the review.”

International news

• Croatia – The Reading Challenge at City Library “Ivan Vidali” (Croatia) – Naple Sister Libraries. “Children collect points for every book they read and receive prizes based on the number of points they’ve collected during the summer.”

• India – Admn to foster love for books with 43 public libraries in villages – Times of India. £1.1m to be spent on new libraries in villages in Ludhiana.
• Ireland – Library is a vital resource and hub in the community – Echo. ““Libraries are very strong in Ireland. Community engagement keeps it that way,” said Aoife. “The Clondalkin library is a vital community hub, a resource for the community, there is something for everybody,” said Aoife.”

• Kenya – Kenyan Libraries Should Incorporate Queer Literature Without Exception – Business Today. “… acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals remains a contentious issue in predominantly conservative African societies. Library materials and programs related to sexual orientation and gender identity often provoke controversy, leading to self-censorship among librarians and exclusion of LGBTQIA+ resources. Public libraries, including school and academic libraries, must commit to serving and representing their entire community, irrespective of sexual orientation or gender identity. They should provide welcoming environments and resources that cater to the diverse needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Ultimately, libraries have a responsibility to ensure equitable access to information and services for all patrons, fostering inclusivity and respect within their communities.”
• Poland – Digital Books in Polish Public Libraries: Case Study of Partnership with the Commercial Distributor Legimi – Public Library Quarterly. ” Arrangements for Legimi’s services are negotiated mainly through library consortia. Currently, approximately 42% of all libraries in Poland provide digital books through Legimi.”
• South Africa – Libraries Get Dressed Up for National Library Week – Good Things Guy. “This year, SALW also runs at the same time as Fine Free Week, which means that those who haven’t returned outstanding items can do so without paying any fines—a welcomed sigh of relief for anyone who’s sweated over an overdue book in Cape Town.”

“The beautiful irony of a library after all, is that they are both a place for solitude and community in a single space.”

• Ukraine – No more Pushkin, Dostoyevsky, or Tolstoy: Ukrainian libraries clean out shelves – Le Monde. “Like all the country’s libraries, hers received official recommendations to remove authors who support the invasion or Russian supremacy from its shelves in the name of martial law. “For any educated person, removing a book from a library is a difficult thing to do,” argued the sexagenarian, whose commitment to her country is beyond doubt. Yet she feels like the entire world is watching her. No other war has ever turned literature and poetry into such a minefield.”
  • Book Aid International to Donate Another 15,000 Books to PEN Ukraine’s Unbreakable Libraries Project – Publishers Weekly. “Ensuring continued access to books for Ukrainians who are facing immeasurable challenges must remain at the forefront of this collaboration. I urge more publishers to join this important initiative by donating books, funds and spreading the word.”
  • Why Suppression of Libraries Corrupts a Nation – Library Journal. “While annihilation of libraries has historically featured as a component of war, this war revealed a new form of destruction, where the invader corrupts the library into an instrument of aggression. In occupied Ukraine, libraries are increasingly used as a means of spreading Russian propaganda. The Russian government has spent millions to publish sources justifying the war, to control Ukrainians in occupied areas and also to mobilize the population at home. With the closure of many schools in the occupied lands, libraries also are forced to conduct events celebrating Russia and diminishing the history of Ukraine, encouraging youth to turn away from their roots.”
• USA – Dungeons & Dragons kits coming to WA libraries, with an event planned in Yakima – Yakima Herald-Republic. “Renton-based Wizards of the Coast is donating 75 kits, each including materials such as character sheets, organizer instructions, a demo adventure and a learn-to-play guide, according to the news release.”
  • American Library Association says book ban challenges in 2023 broke new record – Yahoo / The Hill. “The ALA announced Thursday that 2023 saw 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship, up 65 percent from the previous record in 2022 of 2,571 unique titles.”
  • Critics: NYC library systems must slash ‘obscene’ exec salaries to avoid service cuts – Yahoo / New York Post.”New York Public Library President Anthony Marx earns $984,338 [£773k! – Ed.] annually, Brooklyn Public Library President Linda Johnson pockets $652,035 and Queens Public Library President Dennis Walcott rakes in $336,953″
  • Libraries struggle to afford the demand for e-books, seek new state laws in fight with publishers – Independent. “Librarians in several states have been pushing for legislation to rein in the costs and restrictions on electronic material, which has been growing in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic. Patrons are stuck on long waiting lists for audio and e-books, and digital offerings are limited.”
  • Safety Net – Longreads. One of the best articles I’ve ever read on being a US librarian: “I love it because every day requires me to meet humanity face to face. It reminds me that I am actually living in an actual society where I am responsible to other people.”
  • ‘So happy you’re here’: how a librarian became an advocate for mental health – Guardian. ““I grew up in libraries, raised by libraries, loved everything about libraries,” he said in an interview. “It is a place where you can just be as you are, you can come on inside, you can take joy in that as an introvert [or] an extrovert.” … “After months of his fans promoting Threets to PBS, home of the iconic TV series Reading Rainbow, he announced he would serve as the network’s resident librarian for a social media series. “

Local news by authority

• Birmingham – Charity challenges legality of Birmingham library closures – Arts Professional. “The Library Campaign says Birmingham City Council’s plan to close 25 of its local libraries as part of far-reaching budget cuts would breach the Public Libraries and Museums Act.”
  • Birmingham residents plan ‘resistance’ to possible library closures as budget fallout continues – Birmingham Mail. “Dozens of concerned Acocks Green residents met on Saturday, March 9, to discuss how to fight back if closures do go ahead and how important libraries are to the wider community. The Save Acocks Green Library Campaign says they are part of a “rapidly emerging trend” of grassroots campaigns which have begun to recently emerge across Birmingham.”
  • Hope for Birmingham’s under-threat libraries as ‘alternative model’ explored – Birmingham Mail. “Katherine Iroh, Labour councillor for Billesley, has now seen more than 1,200 people sign her petition to save Yardley Wood Library and said she discussed the possibility of saving libraries through an “alternative model” with cabinet member Cllr Saima Suleman.” … “We are looking at a community asset transfer where a community organisation (or a group of community organisations) sets up a trust which runs the library and applies for grants to help with the costs”

• Cambridgeshire – Libraries and community centres benefit from £5m investment – Hunts Post. “Libraries in Bar Hill, St Ives, Littleport and Whittlesey along with youth centres in Whittlesey (Scaldgate) and Ramsey (Ailwyn) as well as The Horizon Resource Centre in Cambridge will see a range of energy efficiency and environmentally friendly heating upgrades.” … “The projects will be funded by a grant of more than £1.2m from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme following a successful bid by council officers.”
  • High Sheriff Dr Bharatkumar Khetani visited Wisbech and March Libraries to spread the word of the excellent work each venue does – Fenland Cirizen. “The purpose of these visits was to spread the word of the excellent work each library does, made possible by hardworking staff and volunteers” … “Both the Mayor and High Sheriff were also intrigued by events for adults, including monthly Engage talks (the most recent of which saw 50 attendees) and tea and tablets sessions, where staff provide assistance to beginners with smart devices.”
• Camden – KFC turns Kentish Town library into a mock-up restaurant – Ham and High. “Fran Bernhardt, of the food charity Sustain, said this move was a “flagrant disregard of local children’s needs” and “an outrageous example where profits have been prioritised over people”. Speaking to The Times, Ms Bernhardt said: “Councils must champion residents’ health by stopping companies like KFC from flooding our high streets with unhealthy foods.””
• Central Bedfordshire – Police install terminals for supermarket shoppers to report crime – BBC. “”When we trialled this in the library we found a high level of people who were reporting domestic abuse,” Mr Akinbusoye said. “For some reason they were not doing that at home or in other areas.””

Conwy – Library protest to campaign against 25% reduction in opening hours – Conwy Herald. “Dr Samah Massalhan, a consultant at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, who lives in Llanfairfechan with her partner Steve Wilson and their two children Carys, six, and Jonathan, three, is organising a “read-in” at Llanfairfechan Library this Saturday 16 March.”

• Essex – Essex libraries honoured with national award for supporting asylum seekers – Your Harlow. Library of Sanctuary. “includes sanctuary library cards, which grant free access to books, online services and computers in any Essex library without the need for documentation. Welcome leaflets, joining forms and membership information have also been made available in 21 different languages.”
• Highland – Caithness Talking Newspapers now delivered to Wick and Thurso libraries – John O’Groat Journal. “Spoken-word versions of the Groat and Courier are now available at Wick and Thurso libraries thanks to a far north charity for people with hearing or sight loss. Hearing and Sight Care has delivered special tape players to both libraries and has arranged for Caithness Talking Newspapers to be delivered weekly.”

“Libraries NI, like many other public bodies, proclaims that its resources are tight and that it is short of money. I was therefore very disappointed to discover from the exposé in yesterday’s Belfast ‘News Letter‘ that Libraries NI has thought it appropriate to spend thousands upon thousands of pounds on books promoting the trans agenda, with toddlers no less … Why is Libraries NI in the business of corrupting young people through a trans agenda”

Northern Ireland: They Work For You: Jim Allister Traditional Unionist Voice 

• Kirklees – Fears for future of eight libraries in borough – BBC. “Cynthia Collinson, chair of Friends of Mirfield Library, told the BBC they feared the library would be left with a lack of support. “We can run day to day, putting books on shelves et cetera, but we do not have the expertise of managing a library of this size,” she said. “My fear is it might have to close, and it would just be cutting off a lifeline for so many vulnerable people.””
• Lewisham – Lewisham Library – Lewisham Council. “We plan to transform the library into an exciting multi-use space for the community. As well as retaining the core library and archive services that we know are so important to residents, the venue will also offer fantastic opportunities for local entrepreneurs, arts organisations and community groups, as well as plenty of space to host cultural events. “
• Manchester – Historic Chorlton Library refurbishment plans unveiled – Manchester Council. “Work to the Grade II listed building will enhance the existing structure of the building and the fabulous dome which has been hidden for years will be unveiled when it reopens as part of the refurbishment plans.” see also ‘Unique’ south Manchester library set for major revamp – with closures announced – Manchester Evening News.
  • View our new virtual tours – Manclibraries Blog. “You can now take 3D walkthrough virtual tours of all 22 Manchester Libraries, enabling you to explore our fabulous venues, discover the nuances and architecture, and find out much more about them before you physically visit, all from the comfort of your screen.”

• North Somerset – Creative wellbeing courses at North Somerset Libraries inspire local residents – North Somerset Council. “North Somerset libraries recently offered several six-week courses in different creative pursuits for adults who may be struggling with their wellbeing”
• Nottingham – Children’s play area opens outside Nottingham Central Library – BBC.
• Nottingham City Council leader David Mellen to step down – West Bridgford Wire. “uccesses such as the opening of the new Nottingham Central Library” … ” an advocate for reading and literacy and have long supported the development of the Nottingham Imagination Library that has given more than half a million free books to children aged 0-5 in our city”
• Pembrokeshire – Library service reductions backed by Pembrokeshire councillors – Milford Mercury. “over the last 11 years of financial austerity, the Library Service has reduced its costs considerably,” listing a wide range of changes including  reducing opening hours of some libraries, working with Town and Community Councils and the local community to create Community Managed Library Partnerships, and negotiating financial contributions from Town and Community Councils to support the running of libraries.” … “Further opening hour cuts in 7 libraries. Some town councils funding hours, staffless technology to reduce staffing in Pembroke Dock.”
• Redcar and Cleveland – Campaign launched to save library from council cuts – BBC. “Redcar and Cleveland Council have proposed turning Laburnum Road Community Library into a community-run centre from April. The move is part of a wider £400k cost cutting proposal which would affect several libraries in the region. One campaigner said that the closure of Laburnum Road’s library would be a “disaster for the community”.”
• Sheffield – New opening times for Sheffield libraries approved by users – The Star. “The new standardised opening times affect libraries in Chapeltown, Crystal Peaks, Darnall, Ecclesall, Firth Park, Highfield, Hillsborough, Manor, Parson Cross, Stocksbridge and Woodseats. They have been increased from 31 to 34 hours a week.” … “Libraries will also close on Tuesday or Wednesday morning one day a month to allow for staff training time. Running training on Thursday, when branches are closed, was ruled out as it would mean full-time staff working six days a week.”
  • Community Hub Libraries to keep five day week opening hours – Sheffield Council. “Following a review of library services, feedback from local residents has been largely positive and resulted in these times being made permanent. The decision was made at a Communities, Parks and Leisure Committee meeting on Monday 11^th March, and will better reflect the demand patterns of library users. Council-run Community Hub Libraries* are now open on the same days and times across the city”
• Shropshire – Oakengates Library to relocate while theatre is redeveloped – Shropshire Star. “Oakengates Library is preparing to move to a temporary location while work takes place on the town’s theatre.”

• Somerset – Nailsea’s former library building gets a new lease of life – Somerset Live. “Sale of the building follows the library’s successful move to a nearby site on Colliers Walk, previously occupied by HSBC. The move means the library is now in a more accessible and energy efficient multi-functional space, which has already proven popular with the community. This replaces the old building, which could no longer meet the needs of local people or access legislation and would have cost around £1m for the council to bring to standard. Sale of the old building has secured income to support future library costs, ensuring this valued provision can continue for years to come. It has also cleared the way for new owners to refurbish or redevelop the building, offering something new to Nailsea.”
• Suffolk – Maggie is making a difference – Suffolk Libraries. “An intrepid library manager is undertaking a sponsored walk taking in every library in the Ipswich and Kesgrave area to raise money on Suffolk Libraries Day.” … “Suffolk Libraries Day is the annual event to celebrate Suffolk Libraries and raise money to support the work of the library service in the community”
  • Essential lifeline of libraries in rural communities – Rural Services Network. “exemplifies the transformative potential of libraries in addressing mental health and wellbeing within the community. Distinguished as one of the few library services in the UK to offer a dedicated mental health and wellbeing service, Suffolk Libraries actively supports both staff and patrons through comprehensive access to current and trustworthy mental health information and resources…”
  • New opening hours for Kessingland Library – Suffolk Libraries. “Following consultation with customers the hours are changing from Monday 18 March. The main difference is that the library is opening earlier on a Tuesday and Friday. This change is designed to meet customer needs and make the hours more consistent. It also means the library will be open for one extra hour per week with the library closing earlier on some days to enable the earlier opening.”
• Surrey – Surrey Libraires Super Access extended to two new locations – Surrey Council. “Both libraries have been fitted with new technology that allows registered library members, who have had a short introduction to the new system, to access the library during the new, extended opening hours which are in addition to the existing staff hours. “
• Wandsworth – New community space at Northcote Library adds to offer for local community – Wandsworth Council. “Northcote Library has been open to the public since April 2023, but as part of the council’s commitment to investing in local spaces, a new community space has been recently completed alongside the library. This ensures residents have another space to hire for community groups, local businesses and residents, with brand new facilities.”
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire Libraries launches new creative practitioner role to engage with county’s Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller communities – Warwickshire Council. ” a new commission opportunity for a part-time creative practitioner”, funding as a NPO via Arts Council England.
• Westmorland and Furness – Ulverston’s temporary library to expand in The Coro – Cumbria Crack. “The existing temporary pop-up arrangements in the Ante Room in The Coro and in the nearby Indoor Market Hall will be transferring to the Supper Room, creating a single location for the temporary library, which people said they would prefer to the current split sites.”. Council investigating final solution for Ulverston Library. ““Which ever option is eventually chosen, it will involve significant cost, with hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pounds of public money needing to be invested. We therefore need to make sure we get this right.” see also New temporary library for Ulverston nears completion – Westmorland and Furness Council.
  • Boys to face no action over library fire, say police – BBC. “Three boys who were arrested after a library fire are to face no further action, according to police. Roose Library in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, has remained shut since the blaze in May last year.”
  • Ulverston and Roose libraries’ future discussed by hundreds – NW Mail. “On Monday (March 11) evening, hundreds of residents attended the Red Rose Club in Ulverston for a meeting to discuss the closures of Ulverston and Roose libraries. The meeting was organised by councillor Michelle Scrogham who said residents ‘do not want’ a library service to replace their town libraries. “
• Worcestershire – Great news for St John’s library members as Libraries Unlocked launches this week – Worcestershire Council. Continued conversion of libraries to unstaffed technology. Technology to allow library to be open unstaffed – BBC. Malvern Library.

Editorial

Central Government is allowing councils to sell assets directly in order to maintain services. Normally, it would only be able to do this for new initiatives. While of course the Government has doubtless far more nobler ideals for this than simply keeping spending and thus taxes down before the General Election, CILIP has warned it could result in a fire sale of buildings, including libraries, which could have costly consequences further down the line.

One similar attempt to save money, by passing the services to another organisation to manage, have been reversed in a couple of cases just this week. Two library services which were transferred to leisure trusts have returned to their parent council, in at least one case permanently. Warrington has reportedly spent £5m in the full return of Livewire back in to the council and Merthyr Tydfil have brought back Wellbeing Merthyr in-house. In that latter case, they’re looking for a new organisation to take it over. One hopes they settle the strike over pay there first.

All of this, sometimes counterproductive, scrabbling for finance is part of why Irish libraries have started holding their nose while looking at their larger neighbour. John Dolan, who managed Birmingham Libraries back before the Coalition Government, can’t help but see the irony of this. He has emailed with the following, on which I will end this post:

“You may know that one of my earliest and biggest projects as a freelance libraries consultant was indeed in Ireland. In 2012 as a consequence of the 2008 financial crisis, the government abolished the Library Council of Ireland. They retained five staff and took them into the Local Government Management Agency. Some are still in the team.

They contacted me initially to help with a “review” of the state of libraries – somewhat threatening. They then realised there was more mileage in creating a forward development/action plan. I worked with them for almost two years. They were an amazing group to work with, not to mention all the County Librarians and the many staff and user groups all over the country who were engaged in a massive programme of consultation and ideas sharing. We turned the thinking round. The result was a five year Government-backed plan with a ministerial launch. I’m grateful to be credited in the acknowledgments.

The point is that they have kept the momentum and the strategy and are now on the third such plan which supports a nationwide, consistent, coherent, centrally directed, locally delivered library service. This, as you know, is something we’ve never managed in England in spite of several reviews, plans and so on. “

John Dolan

Changes by local authority

• Hampshire – 22% physical stock budget cut, 67% digital budget cut.
• Lewisham – Grove Park Library reopened, managed by S&B Childcare.
• Merthyr Tydfil – Wellbeing Merthyr (formerly Merthry Tydfil Leisure Trust) to return all leisure/library services to council. with alternative provider being sought.
• Surrey – Weybridge Library will move into co-location in new Weybridge Hub.
• Warrington – Livewire Trust (leisure and libraries) brought back fully into council control at cost of £5m.
• Wirral – Pensby Library to be run by charity Pioneer People Wirral.

National news

• The 12th Century Library Thief Who Anticipated Today’s Hackers – Time. “Richard the Lionheart (Richard I) was the king of England at the end of the 12th century. He was also a famous library thief.”. French King made mistake of bringing his government archive to war: “When Phillip lost the battle, Richard absconded with the French archive and transported the French crown’s documents to the Tower of London.” … “From then on, the archive stayed put in Paris”

“The British Library ransomware attack invites us to remember that our most beloved textual collections are not, and never have been, above the fray of politics, power structures, and capitalism.”

Time

• CILIP sounds alarm over ‘fire sale’ of library buildings – Bookseller. “The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), has sounded the alarm over a potential “fire sale” of library buildings following the government announcement of “exceptional financial support” to 19 councils, including Birmingham, Bradford and Nottingham. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has announced that 19 councils in England will benefit from an “Exceptional Financial Support (EFS)” framework for the fiscal year 2024-25, totalling around £1.5bn. CILIP said: “Rather than representing new investment or capital support, the framework allows the councils involved to use capital receipts from the sale of assets or borrowing to cover their day-to-day costs up to this amount.”
• Gen Z may love reading, but that won’t save the UK’s struggling libraries – City AM. “any of the things that make libraries so valued have to be sacrificed: opening hours are reduced, the professional expertise of librarians is replaced with volunteers and, perhaps most devastating for our Gen Z aesthetes, beautiful buildings must be sold. In Norfolk, for example, recent news over the relocation of the King’s Lynn central library from its Gothic-style red-brick home to a former Argos in the city centre – where surely no self-respecting Gen Z intellectual would be caught dead – has caused public outcry”
• Nationwide bedtime routines enhanced as CBeebies Bedtime Stories digital library is created – BBC. “CBeebies Bedtime Stories has launched a new partnership with BookTrust to deliver unique reading corners in libraries across the UK. The partnership launches today with Strictly Come Dancing Star Carlos Gu swapping the glittering Tower Ballroom for the cosy confines of Blackpool Central Library, to perform a live reading in an event hosted by CBeebies House favourites … Across the UK, the partnership will introduce more CBeebies Bedtime Stories legacy reading corners and BookTrust Storytime engagement at libraries in Leeds, Hartlepool, Sandwell, Leicester, Brent and Somerset.”

“I very much hope that people will take up offers at public libraries. An Age Concern report looked at digital availability for the over-70s and found that people who went to the library were far more able to get online. I thank Lloyds Bank, which is bringing its online training to Barnstaple library; anyone who would like to join should contact my office.” Digital Exclusion debate, Westminster Hall, Parliament

Selaine Saxby Conservative, North Devon

• Northern Bookshelf Live – Meet Authors Rose Wilding and Karen Powell – Bury Council. “The Northern Bookshelf is a new scheme from New Writing North which connects the best writers with libraries and readers across the North of England. These events are an opportunity for book lovers to meet quality northern writers.”

• Public Libraries 2023: Netloan Customer Survey Results – Lorensbergs. “Almost 80% are seeing increases in support needs for employment related queries, benefit applications, other government services, or basic digital skills” … “Nearly 40% of libraries are seeing increased in-person activity driven by factors beyond general post-Covid recovery” … “Average PC session time offered to adult library users is 120 minutes. ” … “95% of libraries felt printing was essential or very important for meeting users’ needs;”

“only a quarter felt councils are regularly thinking ‘Libraries First’ for digital access and skills development. Yet nearly 80% report helping customers sent to them by numerous departments for this purpose”

Public Libraries 2023: Netloan Customer Survey Results

• Why public libraries are essential – Scottish Booktrust. “Scottish Book Trust programmes come to life when they are delivered by enthusiastic, skilled people across Scotland and many of those people work in libraries. Read on to find out about just some of the ways that Scottish Book Trust team has the privilege of supporting public libraries across Scotland. “

International news

• Canada – CBC Report: “1 Million Books and 4 Months Later, Toronto’s Library Recovers From a Cyberattack” – Library Journal. “In the case of the Toronto Public Library, victims include the employees themselves. Cybercriminals not only encrypted library files, but stole employee data, including social insurance numbers, home addresses and copies of government-issued identification documents that they’d provided to their employer. The library is still investigating the full extent of the data breach, including whether any customer, donor or volunteer information was taken.”
• China – Rural libraries open exciting chapter for children – China Daily. “a new place to spend their winter vacation — a library in a karst cave built by a local charity group. Located in Banwan village and blending in with the surrounding landscape, the library became a must-visit place for tourists ”
  • Snohetta opens the Beijing City Library, containing the world’s largest climatized reading space – Arch Daily. Sixteen images. “At its center, a 16-meter-tall forum welcomes visitors and serves as the main circulation artery within the building. Surrounded by curved stepped terraces, the forum mirrors the landscape of the nearby Tonghui River. The terraces serve as an informal zone for relaxing, talking, or reading while staying connected to the larger space. Smaller semi-private reading areas are embedded into the ‘hills.’”
• France – Atelier WOA creates long timber-framed library in France – De Zeen. “Large wooden beams frame the interiors of L’échappée, a multimedia library in France designed by local practice Atelier WOA as an alternative to “institutional and cold” public buildings. Occupying a long narrow site in Herblay sur Seine, L’échappée – meaning “escapade” in English – faces a road to the north with a stone and glass facade and opens up to a field to the south with a large wooden colonnade.”. Design ” aligns with the French government sustainability law to ensure all new public buildings are built from at least 50 per cent timber or other natural materials.”
• India – How Noida’s Public libraries are providing a haven for competitive exam aspirants – Hindustan Times. “As a new, swanky public library opened in Noida earlier this month, the staffers expected some fiction-loving bibliomaniacs to be one of the first visitors at the place. However, a group of five adolescents looking to refer to books about quantitative aptitude and calculus walked in and made themselves comfortable.”

• Ireland – Clare Library’s Grow In Popularity With 360 Thousand Items Borrowed Last Year – Clare FM. Radio interview here.
• Kyrgyzstan – More than 4.8 million people visit public libraries in 2023 – Akipress. “The libraries of Kyrgyzstan kept 19 million 485,725 books in 2023, which is 64,892 books more than in 2022, the Ministry of Culture reported …”
• Ukraine – Russia destroyed 131 Ukrainian libraries – Odessa Journal. “The Russian army has destroyed 131 public libraries in Ukraine, and nearly 750 more are in need of repair. This was reported by the chief librarian of the National Library of Ukraine” … “According to her, 156 libraries have been restored in Ukraine so far. She also mentioned that when libraries are destroyed, their premises are converted into village councils, churches, modular buildings, and so on.”

• USA – Viral TikTok Librarian Resigns Over Mental Health Concerns – Complex. “Threets became popular for sharing videos about his life as a librarian and spreading what he calls “library joy.””
  • Cleveland Public Library’s new Woodland Branch brings excellent design to city’s struggling East Side – Cleveland.com. “Numerous public surveys show that Americans take a dim view of institutions from healthcare to the courts, policing, local government and the media. Public libraries, however, are largely exempt from the general odium. A national poll of 1,000 voters across the political spectrum conducted by the American Library Association in 2022 showed that nine in ten respondents viewed librarians positively …”

• Libraries (Yes, Libraries) Are Leading the Crusade for New Music Discovery – Spin. “In an age where small clubs have dwindled and our digitized culture keeps us plugged in and inside, it’s near impossible to discover new, local, independent musicians. But libraries–one of the last bastions of community connectivity–are taking on this culturally essential task, creating opportunities for independent musicians, and introducing us to the next “big” thing.”

• Meet the Boston Public Library’s chef in residence – Axios Boston. “The Boston Public Library launched a chef-in-residence program to help locals learn how to make nutritious, simple meals without straying from their cultural traditions. Why it matters: Glorya Fernandez, the chef-in-residence, isn’t an award-winning chef from an elite culinary school, but a master in making cooking accessible for Bostonians. Driving the news: Fernandez started her one-year residency this month in the BPL’s Nutrition Lab.”
  • The Week in Libraries: March 1, 2024 – Publishers Weekly. Censorship – “this legislator introduced a bill to stop ALA from giving money to local libraries to buy books because he doesn’t like the books”” – ” “Will [libraries] become arms of the state, only communicating those messages that a political actor believes is appropriate?” ; legal moves to make eBooks cheaper and more available; popular librarian quits after online bullying.
  • Why David Byrne believes libraries are vital for thriving arts – Far Out. “While discussions often revolve around the preservation of music venues, cinemas, and other artistic spaces, Byrne emphasises the crucial role that libraries play in fostering creativity, knowledge, and community engagement. Libraries serve as hubs for learning, exploration, and cultural exchange, making them essential assets that deserve support and protection.”

Local news by authority

• Birmingham – Save Kings Heath Library – Change.org. “Of the 35 community libraries in Birmingham, Kings Heath is ranked 4th by estimated footfall, has the 7th highest membership, and the 3rd highest number of books lent and relent. It is a thriving, successful library, and a valuable community asset. If libraries need to modernise, it could be adapted more easily than others due to its high membership and footfall. ”
  • 35 Birmingham libraries at risk amid Birmingham City Council cuts – full list & how you can you help save them – Birmingham World.
  • Rallying call for Brummies to ‘stand up to £367m budget cuts’ at mass weekend protest – Birmingham Mail. “A rallying cry has gone out to residents, shoppers, affected workers, unions and culture buffs across Birmingham to join a mass demo against council cuts. It’s the first big protest since the city council unveiled devastating cuts to services affecting children and families, libraries, youth services, roads and parks and the arts.”
• Cambridgeshire – Daniel Zeichner MP visits Cambridge Central Library to support digital inclusion – Cambridge Network. “All Cambridgeshire County Council’s Libraries are registered as digital inclusion hubs with the Good Things Foundation and offer a range of services to support digital inclusion. Your local library can provide access to the National Data Bank, offers digital advice, connectivity, devices, and support to anyone who requires assistance with gaining digital skills and confidence”
• Ceredigion – Concerns over plans to move town libraries and halve mobile service – Cambrian News. “Plans to scrap a school library service, halve the amount of mobile library vans, and move town libraries into shared buildings have been approved as part of Ceredigion’s final budgets despite councillor concerns.”
• Cheshire East – Cheshire East Council agrees budget plans to protect vital services – Cheshire East Council. “The budget outlines £30m in savings across council services to ensure financial sustainability. For example, it will look at ways to generate income from assets such as libraries, review the costs to its garden waste scheme and reduce council office accommodation. “
• Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire Constabulary working hard to keep women and girls safe across the county – Cheshire Police. “More than 200 venues – such as libraries, leisure centres and train stations – across Cheshire have been certified as safe space champions, with training provided to these venues in order to create responsible guardians who can recognise risk and how to safely intervene – they also help promote safety to the public.”

• East Dunbartonshire – Libraries to host climate themed events throughout March as part of “Shelf Life” initiative – East Dunbartonshire Council. “Funded by the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC) which secured climate engagement funding from the Scottish Government, the Shelf Life initiative aims to raise aware of issues such as recycling, sustainability and climate change. Events will include workshops that support upcycling, repair and traditional skills, and author and artist events featuring climate-themed texts to generate engaging conversation. “
• East Riding – Bridlington and ER Libraries to launch Little Readers scheme for pre-school children – Bridlington Echo. “From Friday, 1 March,  parents can collect a free passport and bookmark for pre-school children and meet the gorgeous new character Hoot, the owl who loves to read. Parents will be able to use their passport to collect a special Hoot stamp each time they visit the library and get a super certificate for every five stamps; there are ten different designs to collect.”
• Hampshire – Young Reporter: Libraries face potential budget cuts by Saba Ghandi – Hampshire Chronicle. “From March 31, 2024, the council is planning to reduce physical stock by 22 per cent and digital stock by 67 per cent.” … “As the decrease in physical stock will mainly be targeted at replacing hardback covers with paperback covers, the rapid decrease in digital stock might be something to worry about. Since the pandemic, the rate of digital library usage has more than doubled according to the council. “
• Hillingdon – Labour ‘still committed to halting Uxbridge Library move’ – Hillingdon and Uxbridge Times. “The move, from the High Street, was endorsed on Thursday (22) at the budget meeting when spending plans and council tax level were announced by the ruling Conservative group. Labour had been supporting a petition to oppose the library’s relocation. Conservatives say the opposition group had failed to identify an additional £400,000 running cost for the present building.”
• Lancashire – Crowdfund appeal for Lancaster children’s library – Lancaster Guardian. “On the crowdfunding page it says: “We aim to create a more attractive and friendly space which will attract more young children to use the wide range of resources and support on offer. “We need to purchase materials, revise and finalise draft sketches and create and hang the completed artwork.” If the bid is successful the County Council will matchfund the library’s contribution. If you would like to help crowdfund this project (minimum pledge is £2) visit https://www.spacehive.com/renovatelancasterchildrenslibrary” £642 pledged in 3 weeks of £1586 asked for.
• Lewisham – Grove Park Library users ‘very pleased’ with new space after months of closure – Yahoo. “The library was shut last summer after the previous leaseholder issued notice to end the lease period. Following the closure, which lasted for several months, the library reopened at the beginning of 2024, managed day to day by Lewisham Council’s new community partner S&B Childcare. The library is also celebrating its 70th anniversary since first opening in 1953.”
• Merthyr Tydfil – Library and leisure centre staff to strike over ‘decade-old’ failure to honour pay rise – Morning Star. “Union members at Merthyr Leisure Trust say they have long been owed a pay uplift of about £1 an hour, in line with local government staff. The ballot result comes after the council announced plans on its Facebook page to offload the leisure trust to a private provider without any consultation on Tuesday evening.”
  • Leisure and cultural services in Merthyr Tydfil set to return to council control – Merthry Tydfil Herald. ” the council said it has agreed to work with Wellbeing Merthyr (formerly Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Trust) on a managed end of the existing contract for the county borough’s leisure and cultural services by March 31, 2024, which will see facilities return to the council. The statement said due to the end of the current arrangement with Wellbeing Merthyr and the council being proactive in the need to safeguard leisure services, in January it said it had no choice but to find an alternative provider to manage the newly-refurbished Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre for an interim period.”
• North Tyneside – Pupils to be taught in library while school shut – BBC. “North Tyneside Council has closed Wideopen Library to accommodate two classes from Hazlewood Community Primary School.” … “The council’s mobile library will be visiting the Wideopen site every Tuesday and Thursday during normal opening times.” [“Wideopen Library is closed”??? – Ed.]
• North Yorkshire – Families invited to join local libraries in celebrating British Science Week – Richmondshire Today. “Space-themed quizzes, treasure hunts and a date with the popular code-a-pillar are among the events”
• Nottingham – Call for ‘no-strings’ support for ‘bankrupt’ Nottingham City Council – BBC. Group visits Downing Street asking for money to save the council. Cuts ot services, including libraries, blamed on central government funding cuts.

• Wollaton LIbrary to re-open after refurbishment as students lend a hand – Nottingham Council. “Wollaton Library will reopen to the public on Monday (4 March) following its closure for essential maintenance work. During this time, Nottingham City Council’s library service worked with Nottingham College lecturers and students to repaint the building and replace the shelving, repurposing some previously used at the old Central Library.”
• Perth and Kinross – ‘Save Birnam library’ campaigners stage protest against council cuts – Courier. “Around 100 people staged a protest outside Birnam library as Perth and Kinross councillors prepare to set next year’s budget” … “Councillors set aside £173,000 last year to keep the libraries in Alyth, Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie, North Inch (Perth) and Pitlochry open. However, they also allocated £150,000 for a council-wide review of its leisure and cultural assets. And the outcome of that study included a shake-up of library provision.”
• Richmond – Charitable cost of living events in Richmond – SW Londoner. “The events, which in the past have been attended by up to 40-50 people, include clothes swapping, or ‘swishing,’ handicraft sessions such as quilting and flower printing, yoga, as well as finance and mindfulness workshops. They are being held in libraries across Richmond, Twickenham and Teddington to not only encourage the use of libraries but a sense of community and education with hot drinks and snacks provided.”
• Somerset – Somerton Library celebrates five years of being volunteer-led – BBC. “In a statement, Somerset Council said: “We work closely with a range of community library partners to deliver 13 of our 32 statutory libraries in their communities, most of which have paid and trained staff working alongside dedicated local volunteers. “They enable additional opening hours, activities and events, as well as helping to raise funding for their local library.”

• Suffolk – Share your stories and memories of Ipswich County Library – Suffolk Libraries. “Local people are being encouraged to share their memories and stories for an exhibition which will honour the library’s past, present, and future. With support from Suffolk Archives, Suffolk Libraries staff are curating a display in the library exhibiting historic books, objects, and memorabilia relating to the library building. The exhibition will commemorate the library’s spirit and its place in the town’s history, providing a safe space for transient communities for 100 years and beyond.”
• Shadow Storytelling: sensory puppetry theatre workshop with Kirsty Tallent – Suffolk Libraries. ” Learn to use sensory theatre techniques to create a story told through shadow puppetry. Workshop includes a free lunch, drinks, and snacks.” HAF funded. see also Let Your Creativity Bloom: nature writing workshop with Poppy Stevens – Suffolk Libraries and Gorey Stories: special effects workshop with Lorna-Jane Garside – Suffolk Libraries and A Secret Space: photography and image transfer workshop with Gillian Allard – Suffolk Libraries.
• Surrey – Weybridge library and Weybridge Centre to co-locate as part of Hub plans – Elmbridge Council. “From April, there will be a temporary relocation of Weybridge library into the Weybridge Centre for the Community, while it undergoes a major refurbishment to create the Weybridge Hub, which is expected to open in Spring 2025. Information on the Weybridge Hub. We are working with Surrey County Council to ensure a smooth transition, making sure the library and Centres services can share space and continue to offer valued services to the local community.”
• Warrington – Council completes insourcing of LiveWire leisure, libraries and lifestyle services – Warrington Worldwide. “Council has successfully brought leisure, libraries and lifestyle services provided by LiveWire back ‘in-house’ at a cost of more than £5m.” … “The decision follows a difficult trading period for LiveWire following the COVID-19 pandemic and increased electric and gas prices, resulting in the council having to provide financial support. In December last year the council’s Cabinet agreed to the insourcing of LiveWire at a cost of more than £5m stating that failure to do so would put services at risk.”
• Westmorland and Furness – Money spent to house Ulverston temporary library service revealed – Westmoreland Gazette. Councillor says “£12k had been spent on refurbishing the alternative library service, which ‘could have been spent fixing the electrical faults’ in the existing closed building.” … “Cllr Scrogham advised that £12k has been spent in The Coro refurbishing the Ante Room and Supper Room to house the temporary libraries, which ‘could have been spent fixing the electrical faults in the Kings Road library.’ “
• West Sussex – Boost your wellbeing this March with West Sussex Libraries – West Sussex Council.
• Wirral – Charity to reopen ‘much-loved’ Pensby Library – Wirral Globe. “Local charity Pioneer People Wirral has been working with Wirral Council for nearly two years to take over the management of Pensby Library. The building is undergoing some essential repairs and will then be subject to a full re-fit.”
• York – ‘My shock at York budget threat to city libraries’ – Press / Letters. Library reader says “Frankly I’m shocked that, as a result of council budget cuts, our libraries are yet again under threat of serious cuts or closure of some branches …”
  • “Will any libraries close?’ – York council challenged on library cuts – The Press. “Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors – who voted against the cuts to library funding – today demanded to know which areas of the city library service the council now expected to see cut. Cllr Darryl Smalley, who was executive member responsible for libraries under the previous Lib Dem/ Green administration, said: “Under the Liberal Democrats, funding for York’s libraries was protected every single year. It’s shameful that Labour’s first act is to cut their budget.” … “Explore chief executive Jenny Layfield, who spoke against the cuts at last week’s meeting, said she was ‘disappointed’ they had been voted through and that a way could not have been found to protect libraries.”

Editorial

Some huge budgetary reductions have been announced or elaborated upon this week, with consultations either in progress or about to be. It looks like Nottingham, fresh from opening a new central library, now has no money to pay for many of the others, meaning that up to 12 out of its 15 can no longer be afforded. Two Welsh councils have announced cuts: Conwy a 25% reduction in opening hours and Ceredigion a halving of its fleet of four mobiles, ending its service to schools and co-locating library services into other council buildings. Greenwich, with its library service operated by GLL/Better, said that it may reduce its funding there by £1.5m. Whether GLL will go the same way as York Explore and contest this cut remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the huge previously announced reduction to Birmingham libraries, with up to 25 libraries threatened, is facing protests as are Hillingdon Council, who are more normally known for upgrading its libraries, for proposing to greatly reduce the size of Uxbridge Library. Libraries that are already volunteer run are also proving not be immune, with Derby is looking at moving theirs to a trust model and Kirklees being accused of betraying its volunteers by removing funding from libraries already run by them.

On the plus front, Hackney is putting some serious investment in to its libraries, with Stoke Newington at last (it’s been proposed since at least 2017) closed for refurbishment and repairs. It’s also good news for libraries on the coast. I love the location of Brighton and Hove’s lido library, now reopened, and Portsmouth has reopened it’s North End Library, both after repairs refurbishment. It also looks to be a return to the good times in Guernsey, although presumably it’s always pretty good on that blessed island. Libraries are also being used in novel (excuse the pun) ways, with musical instruments being lent out in Glasgow and ukeleles in Tameside. Service expansion wise, there’s green bin help being provided in Gloucestershire (although this appears to be more of a desperation measure), blood pressure monitors in Ruislip, measle vaccinations in Lambeth and hearing aid batteries being given out in Moray.

Changes by library authority

• Ceredigion – £187k cut: 2 out of 4 mobile libraries to be withdrawn, school library service to end, libraries to be co-located.
• Conwy – Proposed 25% cut to opening hours, £157k cut.
• Greenwich – Possible £1.5m cut.
• Hackney – £4.4m total investment in library service: Stoke Newington Library to close for two years for roof and fabric repairs (originally announced in 2020)
• Nottingham – Report that council is consulting on closing 12 out of 15 libraries.
• Portsmouth – North End Library refurbished.

National news

• The 3 London boroughs getting faster internet in libraries and leisure centres and better CCTV – My London News. ““The introduction of the new fibre network across Wandsworth, Richmond and Merton will improve public safety and connectivity and lay the foundations to positively transform local services in the future across the boroughs”. Twickenham and Kew libraries named.

“The public library is a promise that a government makes to its citizens that they not only have a right to participate in society, but to gain the skills that make that participation possible”

Nick Poole reported by Tracie D Hall

• ACE warns NPOs of ‘political statement’ dangers – Arts Professional. “Updates to Arts Council England’s policies warn that “political statements” made by individuals linked to an organisation can cause “reputational risk” and breach funding agreements.” see also Statement: our Relationship Framework with funded organisations – Arts Council England and ACE backtracks on Relationship Framework, planning updated version ‘as soon as possible’ – BookSeller. ” in light of what we’ve heard this week, we’re looking again at some of the language we’ve used, and will clarify it to fully reflect our original intention. “We’ll publish an updated version of the Relationship Framework as soon as possible.” and Art is always political – BookSeller / Comment.
• British Library confirms PLR payments will be made by March deadline following cyber attack – BookSeller. “The British Library (BL) has confirmed that Public Lending Right (PLR) statements and payments will be made in advance of the March statutory deadline, following concerns that these could have been impacted by a cyber attack.”

• DCMS to conduct full-scale review into Arts Council England – BookSeller. “In 2022 Jacob Rees-Mogg, then minister for Brexit opportunities and government efficiency, launched a review programme to decide the future of public bodies such as ACE. ACE has been earmarked for review in the 2023/24 financial year as part of this review programme.  “
• King’s Honours and Points of Light Awards – Libraries Connected. “The King’s Honours and Points of Light Awards celebrate amazing people and can generate a positive buzz about public libraries. Nominating library staff and volunteers for a national award is a great way to show someone who has really made a difference through their work in libraries that their efforts have been recognised and appreciated. At this webinar, colleagues from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) outlined the different awards available, talk through the process of making a nomination, and shared their top tips.”

• Lorraine host Ranvir Singh slammed for laughing at people who go to libraries – Metro. “When Jay mentioned that he would go to the library to work on his book, Ranvir scoffed, laughed and said: ‘The library! ‘You’re such an old school soul. Who goes to the library anymore?’ Well it turns out plenty of people do — and they were not forgiving.”
• The number of drivers caught exceeding 20mph limit in first month of new education scheme – Wales Online. “Currently, the guidance is that the speed drivers will be stopped at is 26mph, 2mph more than the usual speed the limit will be enforced at. They are spoken to in a nearby public facility, such as a fire station, police station, or library, in a session that lasts around 10 minutes.”
• Ten poems about libraries – Candlestick Press. “Libraries are treasured places. We may remember visiting a local library in childhood to explore an early delight in reading. Or perhaps we have come to value them in later life, as a calm sanctuary where we can daydream among beloved books.” … “The poems are selected and introduced by poet Lorraine Mariner who has worked at the National Poetry Library in London for many years.”

International news

• India – Investing in Smart Cities: Enhancing Public Libraries for Quality Services in India – Public Library Quarterly. “A survey of 100 Smart Cities Mission projects was conducted to gather data on budget allocation and expenditure for public libraries, construction and renovation projects, and IT infrastructure and outreach programs. Results reveal investments in 27 library projects across 12 states geographically distributed throughout India, spanning new library establishments, renovations, digitization efforts, and IT integration with library services. “
• Ireland – Libraries told to consider ways for employees to escape aggressive right-wing protests – Irish Examiner. “Libraries across Ireland were told they should consider having safe rooms for staff or at the very least effective ways for employees to escape in the face of aggressive right-wing protests. In an advisory, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) also suggested the use of panic buttons and lone worker devices especially for small libraries where only a single person might be working.”
• Palestine – Israeli Occupation looted manuscripts, books about Palestine’s history: Palestinian National Library – Egypt Today. “the Israeli occupation government is still destroying Palestinian monuments and all the historical Palestinian presence and cultural heritage, and has stolen many manuscripts, books and documents.”
• Taiwan – Unveiling Community Resilience: The Integral Role of Public Libraries – Journal of Library Administration. Almost unintelligible academic language used in abstract: seems to say good things about City Library in Taipei.
• USA – Public Libraries under MAGA Threat: Banning what Matters – Informed Comment. ” there is, however, one institution that’s almost entirely benign: the public library. As I wish one could say about our medical system, it does no harm (though many right-wingers disagree with me, as we shall see).”
  • Announcing a New Project: “Reasons to Love Libraries” – School Library Journal. “Telling the fuller story about libraries will shed light on much more. Working to serve their communities, libraries are encountering great need, from food insecurity and mental health support to ­critical access to information and services: ­universal, human issues that should have us ­coming together to help resolve.”

• Public Libraries Under MAGA Threat – Counterpunch. “I trundled to my neighborhood library, silently thanking Andrew Carnegie and the good people of San Francisco that I still have a library to go to and promising myself not to let any MAGA-minded fools take it away.”
  • Stop Picking on Public Libraries – Nation. “the all-American penchant for banning books didn’t begin in the Trump era. Just ask almost anyone who lived through the Red Scare days of the 1950s (not to speak of the first Red Scare of 1917–20). But the last few years have seen a remarkable acceleration of attempts to keep certain books off the shelves of public and school libraries.”
  • This Week In Libraries – Publisher’s Weekly. “Less than two months into 2024, lawmakers in at least 13 states have introduced legislation that could disrupt libraries’ services and censor their materials” (NBC). “a Florida school that recently sent parents a permission slip requesting approval for students to listen “to a book written by an African American.” … bu”t survey of library funding says “Budgets grew across all areas in 2023, and while it’s too early to predict what those gains bode, the upward trend is largely encouraging,”
  • Visualization of Hot Topics and Global Trends in Community Librarianship (With an Emphasis on the Role of Public Libraries) – Public Library Quarterly. Extract, charged article.

Local news by authority

• Barnsley – Barnsley Book Festival celebrates successful launch – Yorkshire Evening Post. “Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Mama G hosted two completely packed story time sessions.” … “Barnsley Book Festival is supported using public funding by Arts Council England as part of Barnsley Libraries’ National Portfolio Organisation activity.”

• Birmingham – Save Birmingham Libraries – Change. “Birmingham City Council has unveiled plans to close twenty-five neighbourhoood libraries and consolidate services into a handful of what they bill as ‘Community Living Rooms’. Closing these essential services will affect the most vulnerable in our communities and is certain to affect the education and life chances of young people in some of our city’s most socially deprived areas. As journalist Caitlin Moran wrote in response to the last wave of library closures: “a library in the middle of a community is a cross between an emergency exit, a life raft and a festival”.” 3495 signatures at time of checking.
  • Birmingham City Council eyes up plans to close libraries to cut costs – Planet Radio. “Plans have been floated at the feasibility of closing 25 of the city’s 36 libraries, which could help bring £300 million into the budget over the next three years. According to proposals, a total of 11 libraries would be left open to the public – with one library remaining open per constituency.”
  • Campaigners plead with councillors to rethink plans to close twenty-five Birmingham libraries – ITV. “In an interview with ITV News Central, school librarian Caroline Chilton spoke about Kings Heath library: “It’s massively important. When our students reach us at 11, the majority of children who come in are avid readers, say Kings Heath library was somewhere they grew up coming to.” When asked about the impact of a potential closure, Ms Chilton added: “Just devastated for the community, for all of us.””
• Bradford – Interactive mystery show for children coming to Bradford libraries this Easter – Yahoo News. “Leeds Opera Festival has announced the tour of its new immersive experience, The Book of Eternity. The story is written by leading children’s mystery author Clare Povey.” … tour of “20 libraries across Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and Kirklees.”
• Brighton and Hove – Saltdean Library welcomes customers back to historic Lido building – Brighton and Hove Council. “The brand new library space benefits from a full restoration complete with comfortable furniture and a new layout, creating a bright and modern community hub everyone can enjoy.”

• Ceredigion – Councillors question plans to cut library services and close buildings – Cambrian News. “Councillors have questioned plans to scrap a school library service, halve the amount of mobile library vans, and move town libraries into shared buildings as Ceredigion County Council continues to try and find savings in its budget. Members of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard that the council wants to slash the libraries budget by £187,000 in a bid to balance the books.”
• Conwy – Conwy Council proposes slashing library opening hours – Rhyl Journal. ” could slash library opening hours by 25 per cent in a bid to save more money – following a proposed public consultation due to be rubber-stamped by cabinet next week.” … “The move would see a restructure with staff redundancies, but the reduced hours would mean Conwy clawing back £157,126 annually. But a council report has revealed that, if the cuts were made, no savings would be made until 2025/26 because of the cost of making redundancies and paying off staff.”
• Cornwall – Bodmin’s historic library reopens after £760k makeover – BBC. “A community interest company (CIC) has reopened an historic Bodmin Building. The Old Library has been closed for six months whilst a £760,000 renovation took place. IntoBodmin said it transformed the structure into a community and arts space that includes a cafe, co-working and events spaces and room hire for groups and local businesses.” [So, basically a modern library but without all those books – Ed.]
• Croydon – Croydon Council denies library closures are to do with paying off debt – East London Lines. “four out of 13 public libraries in Croydon are set to be closed within the next few months, but the council has denied that the reason for the closures has to do with paying off their £1.6bn debt. In a webinar held last week, Kristian Aspinall, Director of Culture and Community Safety said the libraries’ closure is “for the ability to spend more on people and services, and less on buildings” as opposed to a way of decreasing the debt.”
• Derby – New plan to keep Derby’s libraries open gets the green light – Derby Telegraph. “Derby’s Labour council leaders say their new “trust” plan will help ensure a better and more sustainable future for ten city libraries and save them from closure. Councillors have approved plans for all of the city’s 10 community-led libraries to be run by a single trust in the near future. The separate organisation, yet to be appointed, could either run the community libraries itself or establish another organisation to do so.”
• Glasgow – Glasgow’s Mitchell Library lets kids borrow instruments – Glasgow Times. “The library has teamed up with Music Broth, Scotland’s first musical instrument library, as part of the We Make Music Instrument Libraries project, Glasgow Life confirmed. The project is supported and workshops fully funded by the Creative Scotland Youth Music Initiative and the Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG), aiming to increase access to musical instruments into libraries across Scotland.”
• Gloucestershire – People struggling to renew green bin collections told ‘council doesn’t have enough staff – go to the library or get kids to sort it’ – Gloucestershire Live. Council has insufficient trained staff to answer phoneline. At cabinet meeting: “There are lots of people who do not know how to use IT and one woman was asked to go to the library”
  • Stroud Library has a temporary new home – Punchline Gloucester. “A pop up library has opened in Five Valleys Shopping Centre following the sudden closure of Stroud Library. The town’s library closed with immediate effect following the discovery of RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) in the building.”
• Greenwich – Dirtier streets and library cuts: Greenwich Council reveals plans to save £33.7m – Greenwich Wire. ” The council is in negotiations with Greenwich Leisure Limited, its contactor, and thinks it could save £1.05 million next year by closing sites (“co-locating services”) and cutting services. More details could emerge after April.”
• Guernsey – Guernsey’s Guille-Alles Library celebrates surge in visitors – ITV. “The library’s annual report recorded a significant increase in footfall, which is higher than pre-pandemic levels of 2019. There were around 162,000 visits to Guille-Alles last year – a 6.5% increase from 2022.”
• Hackney – Stoke Newington Library closing for refurbishment as part of £4.4m investment plan – Hackney Council. “Stoke Newington Library is set to temporarily close its doors to the public for a renovation project which includes repairs made to the roof and fabric of the community facility. The Council’s £4.4 million investment into the borough’s libraries is at the heart of Hackney’s new library strategy which aims to modernise the borough’s libraries and ensure they are flexible, innovative and inclusive spaces that cater to the needs of residents. Stoke Newington Library will close from Sunday 31 March for up to two years to accommodate the major capital works that are needed to repair the roof and fabric of the Grade 2 listed building which was built in 1892 and houses Stoke Newington’s World War One Memorial. “
• Highlands – Your views: Libraries in the Highlands and council’s £863k overspend on former employees – Inverness Courier. Letter from SLIC: “It’s no secret that Scotland’s libraries, along with the rest of our world-class culture sector, are currently embroiled in a perfect storm: budget pressures, reduced income generation, and rising costs have created a potent force for our services to contend with. That’s why we’ve written to councillors across the Highlands, ahead of final decisions being taken on 2024/25 public spending, to not only remind them of the vast benefits a thriving public library service can provide, but to highlight those who stand to lose the most if our services are cut even further – communities across the Highlands.”
• Hillingdon – Uxbridge Library protests planned as council decides on move that would cut move it to single floor – My London News. “The proposal will see the current library, which is spread over a purpose-built multi-storey building, moved onto a single floor. While the council has said that this will mean a ‘step-free experience’ allowing for better access, some residents have raised concerns that there could be a loss of space and therefore fewer books and services on offer.”
  • Hillingdon Council forced to leave chamber as public gallery erupts over Uxbridge Library decision – MyLondon. “The councillors present at the meeting, including leader Ian Edwards, seemed all too aware of the anger of those sitting in the audience. At one stage during Cllr Lavery’s speech, he mentioned that users of the library had been contacted by email about the move, which was met with indignation by many in the crowd. Indignation turned to fury when the decision was handed down – the library would move to the Civic Centre. The crowd interrupted into a cacophony of heckling. Chants of ‘shame on you’ could be heard rippling through the audience and as the leader attempted to bring order to proceedings, the fury only grew. The berated panel were forced to leave the chamber until order had been restored.”
  • Libraries, including Ruislip, launch free blood pressure monitor loan scheme – Harrow Online.
• Kirklees – Councillor accuses Kirklees Council of “betraying” volunteers who helped save community libraries – Huddersfield Hub. Volunteers libraries will have their funding removed. They “all have strong ‘Friends of’ groups and teams of volunteers and the council says the move would save £912,000 in 2025-26 if community groups can be found to take them on. In previous years when the Library Service came under pressure to cut staff, dozens of volunteers signed up to help fill the void. There are now 400 volunteers working in libraries across Kirklees. While the community libraries would be independently-run, they would still have access to the council’s stock of books and have “some management support.””
• Lambeth – Get protection from Measles with Lambeth Libraries – Love Lambeth. “Community catch-up clinics in Lambeth Libraries this half-term”
• Lancashire – Children to vote for their top reads as part of exciting award – Lancashire Council. “The Brilliant Book Award 2024 has been launched, marking its fifth year of nurturing love of reading by celebrating recently published stories for children aged six to seven years.”
• Leicester – Leicester libraries launch new app – Leicester Council. “The free ‘Leicester Libraries;’ app will make it easy and convenient for library members to check their accounts, renew and reserve books, or search an extensive catalogue of e-books, newspapers, magazines and audiobooks that all available to read online for free.” … “The new app has been developed with funding from LibraryOn, following a successful bid by Leicester City Council’s libraries service.”
• Merton – Cost of living events continue in Merton – Merton Council. “To date, over 2,500 Merton residents have attended twelve cost of living events in our borough: six were held in 2022 and a further six in 2023. At events, residents are invited to come and meet community organisations and council teams in our libraries and Merton Civic Centre for in-person, one-to-one support”
• Moray – NHS hearing aid battery pick-up point available in some Moray libraries – Moray Council. ” free service, offering up to two packs of size 13 and size 312 batteries for collection, is run by Moray Council in collaboration with NHS Grampian”
• North Northamptonshire – New Library: Oundle Library – Naple Sister Libraries. 141 public libraries in Europe now participating in the programme.
• North Somerset – Successful sale of the old Nailsea Library – North Somerset Council. “Sale of the building follows the library’s successful move to a nearby site on Colliers Walk, previously occupied by HSBC. The move means the library is now in a more accessible and energy efficient multi-functional space, which has already proven popular with the community. This replaces the old building, which could no longer meet the needs of local people or access legislation and would have cost around £1m for the council to bring to standard. “
• Nottingham – Nottingham library closures now expected amid council’s financial crisis – Nottingham Post. “The closure of some of Nottingham’s libraries is now expected as the city council continues to battle a financial crisis. The council’s leader says people are “not living in the real world” if they think enough savings will be made without closing facilities.” … “The review of the libraries is not yet defined, but if we think that we’re going to get more than a million pounds out of our libraries without closing some of them, then we’re not living in the real world. So that’s another thing that could be taken away”
  • Calls for volunteers to be able to run Nottingham libraries amid closure plan – Nottingham Post. Various responses about cuts including suggestions to cut senior officer salaries; volunteers; the fault being councils spending too much; it’s central government’s fault; spending too much on the news central library.

• Nottingham City Council reportedly consulting on keeping just three libraries open – Nottingham Post. “Nottingham City Council is reportedly planning to consult on keeping just three of its libraries open amid a multi-million pound hole in its budget. The leader of the authority has previously acknowledged that closing libraries will be inevitable to generate the savings required. One campaigner now claims that, at a monthly meeting with union representatives on Thursday (February 15), Councillor David Mellen said there would be a twelve-week consultation on whether to close 12 branch libraries. Of the 15 libraries operated by Nottingham City Council, it is claimed that the consultation could seek views on the closure of all of them apart from the new Central Library, the upcoming Sherwood Library and the Aspley Library. The meeting was attended by representatives from UNISON, GMB and Unite.”
• Portsmouth – Author adds the Sparkes to library reopening – Portsmouth Council. “Schoolchildren and award-winning author Ali Sparkes helped officially reopen a newly refurbished North End Library.” … “he main library floor has been re-carpeted, the wooden bookshelves re-stained, and new computer chairs added. The children’s library has been brightened up with new book boxes and there is new seating and tables for adults. A self-contained office ‘pod’ is also coming soon for meetings and calls, funded by Arts Council England’s Library Improvements Fund.”

• St Helens – St Helens Council criticised for job adverts after library closures – St Helens Star. “Across the borough’s remaining seven libraries, the council stated aims to provide a new library strategy with a “modern forward-thinking service”, and six jobs were advertised in some of these centres over the weekend.” Salaries of new posts are more than the running costs of individual closed libraries. “some residents called the post “disrespectful” and “insensitive”, while another described it as “utterly baffling”.
• Suffolk – Get moving to support Suffolk Libraries – Suffolk Libraries. “Suffolk Libraries is looking for families and individuals to take part in the Rotary Club’s Orwell Challenge in June and also has ten places up for grabs for this year’s Ipswich Half Marathon in September.”
  • Live at the Library returns! Suffolk Libraries announces two live music gigs – Suffolk Libraries.

• Tameside – Strum on Down to the Ukulele Loan Scheme Launch – Tameside Council. “hanks to a generous donation from the North West Ukulele Project, you can now borrow one of the instruments for free. Just like a book, you can have it one  for three weeks, and renew or return it to any Tameside library.”

• Warwickshire – Warwickshire Libraries’ Great Winter Get Together – Warwickshire Council. “There is a packed timetable with different activities and events taking place at libraries across the county every day. From author talks to advice sessions, craft activities to IT information and support. Along with activities for children and families, with jigsaws and games for all ages.”
• West Northamptonshire – Rare Roman bracelet and Iron Age axe head now on display to the public – Northampton Chronicle. “a new temporary exhibition which is touring around four libraries.”
• York – ‘Please don’t cut the funding for our libraries’ – Yahoo News. ” write in response to City of York Council’s proposal to cut £300,000 in each of the next two years from its funding contract with Explore library services (The Press online, January 17). Like many others I completely rely on my local branch library for internet access and printing documents. Because I use library services nearly every day, I joined the local library volunteers as a ‘thank you’. Library volunteers save library services £240k each year. We give up our valuable time freely because it is such an important service and invaluable to the local community.”
  • ‘Charge students council tax to save York libraries?’ – York Press / Letters. “Places without libraries die, they become soulless – what I do not understand is that the council is saying there is no money and yet we are a city with lots of student flats and the owners of those flats do not pay council taxes (they say that students are exempt) however the students still get full use of all facilities offered by the council.”
  • Firm that runs libraries in city warns against cuts of £600,000 – Yorkshire Post.
  • ‘Leave our libraries alone!’ – York library users speak out against cuts – Yahoo News. “If councillors do cut funding, she says, they will be ‘truly diminishing people’s lives’.” … ““It’s just such a happy place to be. And it’s always really busy, with things for different people. It’s a lifeline.””
  • York library service fears cuts could make them ‘financially unviable’ – Press. “The letter, sent to every city councillor in York and signed by Explore York chief executive Jenny Layfield on behalf of her board of directors, urged the authority to ‘exclude reductions in library services from your budget proposals’. The letter said the library service had already been hard hit by inflation and price hikes.” Staff have had pay rises lower than inflation. “But the letter has provoked a stinging response from the council’s Labour executive, which has accused Explore of showing ‘disregard for precarious council funding’.”