Ian Anstice

Editorial

There’s a classic progression that happens when a council announces library service cuts:

1. Cuts are announced, normally involving lots of library closures
2. Protests against these cuts occur
3. Council reduces cuts, often changing closures to being run by volunteers or reductions in hours.
4. Cuts happen, with sometimes the protesters being co-opted as volunteers.

And, sadly, if you have stuck around the library scene long enough, as I have, then you see the cycle repeating. So, this week, Aberdeenshire is at (3); Perth & Kinross, Rutland, Coventry and Newport is at (2); Clackmannanshire is at (1, turning into 2). Meanwhile, Birmingham appears to be at (3) but when you look, the actual budgetary reduction is the same as before so basically no reductions have been made other than in their manner. The city has gone through the cycle a few times before so the heady days of the Library of Birmingham opening a decade ago appears to be well and truly gone. It’s notable as well that if a Scottish library cut is announced then the public protest, especially national Scottish protest, appears to be higher than South of the border. And heaven knows what’s going on in North Northamptonshire. This was one of the two councils created from the wreckage of Northamptonshire, and it looks like there’s still more destruction happening.

Right, now the good news. Thurrock has increased its opening hours due to Freeport funding, and Arts Council England funding is kicking in with a few places being currently refurbished. I’m also liking the report on eBooks, although its conclusions appear fairly self-evident. Anyone who has had to consider whether to buy a library eAudiobook or eBook for £50 or even £70 will know how painful digital lending is and it needs to improve, and this report will hopefully help do that.

Being less parochial, it’s sad to learn about the reduction in public library provision in Denmark but good to hear about things in Malaysia and to salivate over pictures of Swiss libraries. Hurricane Trump has started to hit US public libraries, with fears national funding will be stopped and what appears to be a purely revenge-driven sacking of the chief of National Archives. I also noticed a week ago that state cases against attempts to censor public library books have been entirely dropped. The storm is still growing there and we are likely to see more wreckage for quite a while to come.

Changes by local authority

• Aberdeenshire – 12 out of 13 closures, at least temporarily, stopped, although some libraries may be taken over by volunteers, Boddam Library will be closed, some others may also close.
• Birmingham – £2.285m cut: Overall library opening hours to be cut by one third, 7 libraries to be outsourced, 38 jobs to be lost.
• Clackmannanshire – 4 out of 5 libraries under threat
• Peterborough – Bretton Library floorspace to be reduced by one third.
• Thurrock – Tilbury Library opening hours increased due to FreePort funding.

National news

• In a world of overwhelming choice, I love the whittled-down book selection at my local street library – Guardian. “the library is the same – the masses of books too frequently inspires inertia” but a street library reduces choice and inertia. “I still buy the latest releases; I still use my library card. But there is something nice in the quietness of the local little library”
• Invest in libraries, invest in communities: the cost of cuts is too high – North Edinburgh News. Open letter from Alison Nolan, chief executive officer of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC). “Did you know that over the past decade, 53 public libraries across Scotland have closed their doors for good – without replacement?” … “No other community asset can deliver the vast economic and social benefits that a thriving public library service can, and so we would urge decision-makers to prioritise investment in their communities.” see also Library chief in plea to prevent council cuts` – We Love Stornoway.
• The National Archives to establish new hub for community-led research in the cultural heritage sector – Wired Gov. “This important work will connect our museums, archives, libraries and galleries more closely to the communities around them. Thanks to this grant from the AHRC, we’ll be able to support outreach work, so that more people are able to enjoy our cultural history.””
• Report: cheaper ebooks for libraries could “revolutionise the promotion of reading” – Libraries Connected. Arts Council England funded report. Increasing eBook lending increases access to reading [fairly obviously – Ed.], prolific book borrowers are also prolific book buyers. Call for more flexible licensing to allow eborrowing for book groups, author talks and literary festivals. Just 7% of registered library users are ebook borrowers.
• Val McDermid praises inspirational libraries ahead of campaign launch – National. “The author, who is best known for her Wire In The Blood series and Karen Pirie novels, was visiting the library in Kirkcaldy Galleries ahead of the launch of the Love Libraries campaign. The campaign, which begins on February 14 and runs until October, is designed to encourage more people to join libraries and make use of what they have to offer, and focuses on the benefits librarians bring to communities throughout the country.”

International news

• Denmark – The necessary nearness – an ode to bookmobiles – Christian Lauersen. A look at Danish mobile libraries. ” Currently, there are 15 bookmobiles in Denmark, down from 52 in 2000. The same trend can be seen in the number of library branches, where there were just over 1,000 branches in the 1980s, a number that Statistics Denmark reports has dropped to 420 in 2023.” … “in 2009, there were just over 13,000 weekly opening hours with staffed personnel, but this number had dropped to 9,400 weekly hours by 2023.”
  • Next Library Pilot Projects – The Changemaker Award 2025 – Next Library. “We’re seeking projects that ignite innovation and bring the Next Library concept to life between events. Whether it’s a brand-new idea or something you’ve already been experimenting with, it should have the potential to scale and inspire change in other libraries. Your idea should focus on practical, actionable change with a meaningful impact on your library’s community—something that can also be scaled or replicated across countries.”
• Malaysia – Public libraries now modern knowledge hubs – Sun. “Many centres feature cafes, lounges, activity spaces, auditoriums, gyms and jogging tracks: Librarians Association”
• Pakistan – Libraries fail to promote literary engagement – Express Tribune. “According to sources of the Express Tribune, out of 41 districts in Punjab, just 11 libraries are scattered across seven districts including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Okara, Sahiwal, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Bahawalpur alongside 100 e-libraries.”
• Switzerland – The most beautiful libraries in Switzerland – Swiss Info. “Libraries are thriving in Switzerland: the GGG City Library in Basel recorded over two million loans last year.” Those shown appear not to be public libraries but are rather nice.
• USA – National Library Lovers Month is a call to action by all Americans who value freedom – Davidson Local. “he Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent federal agency that is a primary funder for 123,000 public libraries and 35,000 museums in all 50 states and U.S.territories, has been called “unessential” by our current administration, and is threatened with elimination or with far-reaching cuts to staff, services, and funding sources.” … “Libraries are also under threat by organizations, such as Moms for Liberty (M4L), a well- funded organization bent on removing books and materials they consider unacceptable” … “I still love my books. But these days, loving the library means speaking out, making certain our leaders understand that the heartbeat of our American freedoms is our ability to learn, to know, to explore.”

• Barnes & Noble will open 60 new bookstores in 2025, breaking last year’s record as bookstore revival ramps up – Fast Company. “2025 marks a new era for Barnes & Noble and other bookstores thanks to a few factors, including digital fatigue, TikTok’s #BookTok, the loneliness epidemic, and a rise in so-called third spaces”
• Trump dismisses head of the National Archives – NBC. “President Donald Trump dismissed the head of the National Archives, a White House official said Friday night, following through on a vow last month to change the leadership atop the agency, which was involved in the criminal case that had accused Trump of mishandling classified documents.” Colleen Shogan says ““This evening, President Trump fired me. No cause or reason was cited.”. Archives had provided some documents to lawyers in cases against Trump.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Aberdeenshire libraries to be saved as community groups rally to protect local services – Aberdeen Live. “Residents were quick to take action after Aberdeenshire Council’s unexpected decision to close 13 libraries was announced in November with five petitions set up which collectively gathered thousands of signatures.”. 12 out of 13 closures stopped, although some libraries may be taken over by volunteers, Boddam Library will be closed.
• Bedford – Year of Reading: We meet Library Officer Carly Spearing – Bedford Council. “We recently began a dyslexia-friendly section and we’ll be checking the success of that, there are large print books, digital books that people can borrow online, a growing selection of graphic novels and manga, and our choice of books in foreign languages is bigger than ever.”
• Birmingham – Campaigners to fight on as library cuts approved – BBC. “The city council plans to save £2.285m annually from next year by reducing overall library opening times by a third and outsourcing the running of seven sites. Jim Wells, from the Friends of Erdington Library, said his group would still be “campaigning very strongly” to get a cut in opening times reversed.”
• The ‘bankrupt’ Labour council spending £283m on gold-plated pensions – Telegraph. “Rubbish in the streets, library doors slammed shut and vital support services decimated from cradle to grave. These are just some of the symptoms of a tough period for the residents of England’s second largest city.”. Several library mentions, with the blame for cuts going to the council, not national cuts.
• Cheshire East / Cheshire West and Chester – Centres aim to boost interest in county’s history – BBC. “While construction is taking place at both sites, libraries across Cheshire will be providing access to local history books and maps as well as free online access to family history websites.”
• Clackmannanshire – MSP takes stand against Clackmannanshire library closures – Alloa Advertiser. Green MSP “has taken a stand in the Scottish Parliament against the planned closure of four out of Clackmannanshire’s five libraries.” … “could include closing Alva and Tullibody libraries.”
• Coventry – Residents slam plans to move Coventry libraries as crime fears raised – Coventry Telegraph. “Children could be at risk from organised crime and people turned away from services if Coventry libraries are moved, residents have claimed. Campaigners also slammed council “vanity projects” and called plans “absurd” at a meeting this week. Hundreds have called for the council to scrap plans to relocate four city libraries: Holbrooks, Coundon, Canley and Bell Green. Locals fear staff and resources will be lost if the services are forced to share space in family and dementia “hubs” and a leisure centre.”
• Cumberland – Shelf life extended: Library furniture finds a new home – Cumberland Council. “As part of the £3.3 million Carlisle Library transformation, Cumberland Council has partnered with The Rebuild Site CIC to donate old furniture and equipment for repurposing in local community construction projects. In line with its commitment to sustainability and supporting local communities, Cumberland Council has donated surplus library furniture to The Rebuild Site CIC.”
• Derby – Derby Libraries’ £130k National Lottery Heritage Fund to ‘increase visitors, engage youngsters in history’ – Derby World. “The money will fund a two-year project at Derby Local Studies and Family History Library to encourage greater use of the library and create a fun way for young people to engage with their local heritage.”
• Dorset – Sturminster Newton Library to close for improvement works – Dorset Council. “This closure is necessary to carry out essential building work in preparation for the installation of new technology, “Extended Access,” which will enable library members to use the facilities beyond the staffed opening hours. The “Extended Access” service is set to launch later this spring.”
• Enfield – Save libraries and street cleaning in Enfield – Socialist Party. “with a Labour government in place, instead of demanding the resources to reinstate those much-needed services, they are doubling down – library cuts of £630,000, and a proposal to close eight libraries.”
• Glasgow – ‘Gies Back Our Books!’ – campaigners in Glasgow demand local library is reopened – Herald Scotland. “The ‘Gies Back Our Books’ campaign, which was launched in November 2024, has been “driven by the frustration of waiting, waiting and waiting some more for any sort of communication” from either the council or its arms-length culture body, Glasgow Life, about the future of library provision in their community.”
• Havering – Closing Libraries Is A Crime-Any Councillor Voting For Any Library To Be Closed Is A Cultural Vandal – Havering Daily. “They are stealing from the impoverished parent who needs a safe, free educational activity for their kids during the school holidays. They don’t want to get on a bus, they want to be able to walk there because it’s free and they are finding the cost-of-living crisis a nightmare.”
• Isle of Wight – Isle of Wight library to close for several days due to work – Isle of Wight County Press. Arts Council England funding: The funding will allow Ryde Library to enhance its children’s library and install an accessible toilet.
• Knowsley – Free family fun in Knowsley’s Libraries this half term – Knowsley News. “oin storyteller Robin Simpson for a magical reading of the Gingerbread Man, with puppets, silly songs, and the chance to make your own gingerbread man puppet to take home.”
• Leeds – Storytelling festival launches in Leeds – BBC. “The Leeds Storytelling Festival is described by the council as “a city-wide celebration of storytelling designed especially for families and children”. The event is a partnership between Leeds Libraries, theatre company Wrongsemble and the Livewire Poetry group and runs from Friday until 8 March.”
• Newport – Leader of Newport City Council handed massive petition – South Wales Argus. “The petition, carrying 4126 signatures, called for the Council to keep Caerleon Town Hall and Caerleon Library open.”

“It’s now more than seven months since there was a fire at Oundle’s public library and the building only reopened to offer a reduced service on 30 September after there had been quite a public outcry at the delay. All these months later and still there is no sign of that situation changing because the building still has no IT. This means: No computers are available for customers to access the internet; No tablets for visitors to use to access e-library services (although this seems to be a county-wide issue now); Staff working on small and inadequate laptop computers; No self-service units for customers to easily borrow or return books.

Last year’s fire (12 July 2024) was originally said to have started in the IT cabinet in the staff room and the room’s contents were destroyed. The building’s electricity and heating system have been repaired but the work to restore the staff room cannot happen until someone decides where and how the IT will be installed. It’s a Catch-22 situation and until decisions are made and expenditure is approved the public library remains in limbo, only able to provide a partial service.

Oundle Library serves a large rural area across North Northants, yet the Library Service and North Northamptonshire Council expect residents to travel to Corby or Kettering to access computer services. And despite customers asking time and again about when the IT will be restored at the library, no-one is prepared to give a date or even tell people what progress is being made. The lack of information and engagement with residents is startling, and many people are beginning to wonder (again) if this is a signal that the library will never reopen to offer a full service or that this is a prelude to its opening hours being reduced. What makes the situation worse is that the leader of North Northants Council, Jason Smithers, is the councillor for Oundle Ward.”

North Northamptonshire – Email received

• North Tyneside – World Book Day 2025: Hundreds of Free Books on offer for Children in North Tyneside – North Tyneside Council. “North Shields and Wallsend Community Hubs and Libraries will be official token exchange hubs, giving away hundreds of books to encourage children to read.” … “To add to the celebrations, North Shields Library will host a special ‘meet the author’ event for local schools, featuring Jack Jackman, author of Maisie vs Antarctica.”
• Northern Ireland – Sight and hearing information points launched at libraries across Mid Ulster Council area – Northern Ireland World. Deafblind UK and Libraries NI “are introducing dedicated information points in libraries across Mid Ulster, linking people living with sensory loss to vital resources and guidance.”
• Perth and Kinross – John Swinney backs fight to save Perthshire libraries – Courier. “The First Minister says SNP-run Perth and Kinross Council could use additional Holyrood funding to invest in closure-threatened libraries.” … “The First Minister said he “stands firmly” with the Save Our Rural Libraries campaigners. And he is suggesting Perth and Kinross Council use the funding boost it’s about to receive from the Scottish Government to invest in library services.”
• Peterborough – Street-cleaning and libraries staff reject pay offer – BBC. “About 80% of GMB Union members at Peterborough Limited, which provides services including street cleaning and libraries, turned down the latest offer. Union regional organiser Gordon White said the salary was less than the Real Living Wage, of £12.60 an hour, and members felt “unloved and unappreciated”.” … “The company is wholly owned by the council and its services also include museums and leisure centres.”
  • Library group calls on council to bring in experts – BBC. “the Friends of Woodston Library group said the council did not have the “resources or experience” to carry out the assessment in house.” … “Woodston Library and others locations remain on the council’s community assets review, which lists buildings that could be closed, sold or repurposed.”
  • Plans to cut library size recommended for approval – BBC. “Plans to cut the size of a library so it can double as a dementia resource centre have been recommended for approval. Peterborough City Council wants to convert Bretton Library in the Cresset Centre to accommodate the facility, which needs a base as the authority is selling its current building. Campaigners have said the library would no longer be fit for purpose if its floor space is reduced.”

• Rutland – Rutland County Council starts consultation on future of Ryhall Library – Lincs Online. “Ryhall Parish Council and a new campaign group have joined forces and want to explore ways they could take over the building as a community run venture and have been critical of the way the Liberal Democrat authority have been handling things. But now the authority has said a consultation will begin next week to explore ‘alternative options for delivering library services in Ryhall.’” see also Children make banners to help save Ryhall Library from closure – Lincs Online.
• Stockport – Family fun this half-term holiday in Stockport – Stockport Council. Silent discos, crafts.
• Suffolk – Opinion: How can Suffolk Libraries survive council reform? – East Anglian Daily Times. Subscription-wall.
  • Chance to have say on plans to improve library – East Anglian Daily Times. “People are being asked for their views on proposed improvements to Great Cornard Library. Suffolk Libraries is conducting a public consultation on plans to redesign and improve the children’s library and reception area.”
• Thurrock – 500 local people enjoy Tilbury Library open day – Thurrock Council. “More than 500 people joined the fun at a special event celebrating new extended opening hours for Tilbury Library. Thanks to funding from Thames FreePort, Tilbury Library is now open six days a week, with extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday.”
• West Sussex – VR project set up for library service’s centenary – BBC. “West Sussex Library Service’s centenary project, titled The Library of Possibilities and Wonder, is aiming to offer an “immersive adventure”, transporting people into a world of virtual books.”

Editorial

It’s worth bearing in mind what the fears for public libraries were back slightly more than a decade ago. There were people seriously thinking that there would not be British libraries in 2025, due to deep cuts in council budget and, perhaps even more worryingly, the advent of eBooks and the continuing impact of the digital revolution, not least the Internet. Well, the worst did not happen. The public library sector is still very much around. But it has changed. Printed books are still vitally important but the information side is now not a matter of necessity to many but rather more akin to a leisure choice. Their role of the building is changing, has always been changing, and is now more about events, groups, study spaces and, in some areas, council and other information/advice. Austerity did indeed hit, and hit hard, but somehow public libraries survived.

So, now we’re in 2025, we can be fairly that libraries are still going to be around in 2040. There will be change, some hard to stomach, some of the rest of it wonderful, but libraries will still be around. And I’m very glad of that. But, it’s going to be tough. When even the Greens – as they have done in Bristol – are proposing library cuts then we know it’s going to be hard. When even Labour continues with Austerity, we know it’s going to a challenge. But we are still here, serving and changing and sometimes even growing. And for that, we should be grateful and, just perhaps, a little bit optimistic.

Please email ianlibrarian at live dot co dot uk with your thoughts, views and comments

Changes by local authority

• Bridgend – Maesteg children’s library refurbished.
• Croydon – Opening hours increased.
• Haringey – Staff shortages lead to temporary closures and reduced opening hours
• Rutland – Ryhall Library to close due to lack of funds to bring library up to standard, consultation
• Westminster – Two “mini-hub” opened at Victoria and Channing Cross libraries in 2024,

National news

• £4,000 competition for friends groups – Library Campaign. “Could your Friends group use a £400 grant? We are celebrating our 40th birthday, and a recent bequest, by setting aside £4,000 to award to 10 groups that have good ideas to share. This might be campaigning and publicity, or it might be the many extra activities you contribute to library services that are not in crisis… In our experience, Friends groups don’t blow their own trumpets enough. We want to encourage you to do so. We are not asking for elaborate presentations – just enough to convey the necessary information. We know how busy you are.”
• Culture Secretary: Scotland’s library closures are a ‘concern for everybody’ – Scotsman. “Angus Robertson, Cabinet Secretary for Scotland, said the country’s network must be “supported and protected” but added that work was required to keep services relevant to communities amid falling visitor numbers and the changing way information was received.”
• Discounted Quick Reads on Sale Now – Reading Agency. Until 7 February.
• Fewer than half of parents think Reception pupils should know how to use books – Independent.
• Innovation Gathering 2025 – Libraries Connected. Tuesday 18 March, 10:00 – 16:00, The Studio, Birmingham. £60.

Invitation to Participate in an Anonymous Survey on Homeless Users in Public Libraries – I am writing to invite all public library staff to take part in an anonymous survey exploring the experiences and perspectives of public library staff in the UK regarding homeless users in public libraries. The findings from this survey will contribute to the research for an upcoming book, Public Libraries and Homelessness, which aims to shed light on this important topic and highlight the role of libraries in supporting vulnerable populations.

Your responses will remain entirely anonymous. Completing the survey should take approximately15 minutes. When participating, you will have the option to enter a prize draw for a chance to win one of two £15 Amazon vouchers. Your insights as a library professional are invaluable, and your participation would help ensure a diverse and representative understanding of the challenges and opportunities in this area. To participate, please click the link: https://forms.gle/1dVF5SHNA6CXQfA87

• The importance of public libraries for older adults: Supporting wellbeing later in life – CILIPS. ” research demonstrates that book reading during late adulthood has the potential to improve cognitive functioning …”
• “Join discussions on practical and esoteric issues in your field” – Apply for a position at IFLA – CILIP. “CILIP is offering members from the UK the opportunity to put themselves forward for 800+ roles across 50+ committees and groups at the International Federation of Library Associations & Institutions (IFLA) 2025 elections.”
• Librarians Change Lives – Bodleian Libraries. Tuesday 18 March, 5-7.30pm, Oxford. “This event celebrates and considers the current status of the profession of librarians at a time of great change and challenge to librarians and libraries worldwide. It forms part of the national #LibrariesChangeLives campaign, also marking the 175th anniversary of the 1850 Public Libraries Act.”
• National Library of Scotland unveils ‘landmark’ centenary programme – Herald. “Now in its 100th year, the National Library will use its centenary as a platform to celebrate and promote libraries of all kinds, beginning with a nationwide campaign encouraging people to support and champion their local libraries around Valentine’s Day.”
• Network Meeting – Buildings – Leases, Agreements & Licences – Community Libraries Network. Zoom, Tue 25 Feb 2025 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM. For volunteer libraries. “We will be focusing in on Buildings – Leases, Agreements & Licences and will be joined by a panel of representatives from community libraries who have recently been involved in negotiating and securing leases and agreements for their library buildings.”
• Pensioners missing meals, sheltering in libraries and more depressed due to benefit cuts – Morning Star. Unite survey.
• Picture books that encourage resilience – Book Trust. Useful list.
• Seeking: Volunteer Librarians – Wilbur and Niso Smith Foundation. “We are seeking volunteer librarians interested in reading some of the latest adventure novels to join the review panel for the 2025 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, Best Published Novel award”
• Tell me about your library – Facet Publishing. “Libraries hold a special place in the British public imagination. This book, signed with Facet Publishing, is a brief history of libraries in the UK. It examines how such an ideal was created and has been translated into the spaces, systems, staff, and books that are found in our local communities.” … ” seeking contributions from anyone who works in a public-facing library service, or from anyone who uses or has previously used library services.”
• Val McDermid and Damian Barr urge Scottish councils to halt library closures – Guardian. “The writers Val McDermid and Damian Barr have urged councils in Scotland to abandon plans to close more than 20 public libraries, with the worst affected in rural areas.” … “McDermid and Barr, the ambassadors for a campaign to promote public libraries led by the National Library of Scotland, said closures could have a devastating effect on the country’s cultural future and on equalities.” see also Val McDermid: ‘Libraries open windows that let us all fly’ – Scotsman.

“Libraries are like the NHS: they should be ringfenced, they should be protected in perpetuity, because we understand that their value is not just on the day that somebody goes, their value is for ever when you open a book and you learn something about yourself or about the world.”

Damian Barr

• Waterstones CEO James Daunt: ‘We have stubbornly held on in places like Middlesbrough long after M&S left’ – Telegraph. “I was a nice middle-class child who was taken down to Caledonian Road library to pick out my books from a very early age and had my nose in a book from the moment I could read,” he says. “Clearly if one is privileged enough to grow up, in my case with library books, it helps foster a love for reading.”
• Why you should be planning your nomination for the Information Literacy Award – Infolit. “Nominations for the 2025 Information Literacy Award open in the new year. The award is open to all practitioners, researchers and academics working in the information literacy field in the UK, both individuals and teams, and recognises excellent practice. “
• Youth Engagement Network Pilot Report – ASCEL. “The aim of the project is to connect library services from across the country with local children and young people from marginalised groups, who do not currently engage with their library, to shape activities that will encourage younger generations to access libraries.”

International news

• Australia – Library promotions – Public Libraries Connect. “”How do you library?” is a statewide campaign that aims to expand visitation and encourage deeper engagement and participation at libraries across Queensland by highlighting the diversity of services, programs, resources and surprising things people can do at their local library.  A suite of editable and generic assets for the How do you library? campaign features bold type, colours and playful illustrations that highlight the diversity of services, programs, resources and surprising things people are able to do at their library. “
• Kenya / USA – Sundance Doc ‘How to Build a Library’ and How the Story of Saving One Nairobi Library ‘Can Be the Blueprint’ for All of Africa — and the World – Variety. ” Maia Lekow and Christopher King’s “How to Build a Library,” which follows two Kenyan woman’s mission to restore a public library in the country’s capital, Nairobi.”
• Syria – ‘We were raided regularly’: with Assad gone, banned books return to Syria’s shelves – Guardian. “One book that was never banned was George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, despite the glaring parallels with the Assad regime’s totalitarian security apparatus. Taja’s own theory as to why the novel was allowed to be sold was simple: “They wanted us to imagine that they had the same capabilities, to watch us wherever we went.””
• USA – Department of Education dismisses book ban complaints, ends guidance – ABC News. US Government ceases investigating book bans. “The Trump administration’s Department of Education states that the books were targeted because school districts and parents “have established common-sense processes by which to evaluate and remove age-inappropriate materials.”

• Amid book bans and new technologies, pondering the future of libraries – WXXI News. “This hour, we discuss the present and future of American libraries with the outgoing (and longtime) director of the Rochester Public Library and Monroe County Library System, along with her successor and their colleagues.”
• “Civil rights fight of our time’: new film explores the battle over US libraries” – Guardian. “A Sarah Jessica Parker-produced documentary on the brave librarians fighting a wave of rightwing book bans has sparked conversation at Sundance”

Local news by authority

• Barnsley – Swish new libraries for two Dearne communities – Rotherham Advertiser. “Both have been subjected to improvement and modernisation work under Barnsley Council’s Libraries Refurbishment Programme.”
  • Goldthorpe Library to welcome back visitors next week following an exciting refurbishment – Barnsley Council. “the library has been transformed into a modern and flexible space. For families and our youngest visitors, the library now features an expanded children’s area with a sensory hideaway, soft seating and accessible book displays. For adults, new seating has been installed to sit and enjoy a book or join one of the library’s regular groups, either in the library space or the revamped first-floor meeting rooms. We’ve also installed areas designed for people to work and study.”
• Bath and North East Somerset – First Festival of Libraries in B&NES – Bath and North East Somerset Council. “Afternoon tea with authors, creative writing workshops and drama performances are among the exciting line-up of events for Bath & North East Somerset Council’s first-ever Festival of Libraries next month.”
• Bradford – Town’s Victorian library to be refurbished – BBC. “lkley Library will close on 17 February for the work to begin and is expected to be closed for several weeks. The refurbishment will include redecoration, new flooring, movable shelving and a fully accessible public toilet created and a kitchenette installed, Bradford Council said.”
• Bridgend – Maesteg Town Hall’s innovative new children’s library redefines spaces for young minds – Wales 247. “From a “Dynamic River” that flows through the library’s layout to tiered seating and storage inspired by the nearby mountains, every element of the design sparks curiosity and exploration”
• Bristol – Plans to halve Bristol’s libraries budget dropped ahead of major review into their future – Bristol Post. “It had appeared that there would still need to be £1.1million of cuts, which would inevitably mean the closure of some of the 27 branches. But the council has used reserves to plug the gap for the coming financial year from April and instead will set up a taskforce to come up with a grand plan for the future of the city’s libraries.” … “It seems likely, however, that some branches will still be shut in future following the review because large parts of the existing service often have only part-time hours and are plagued by regular unscheduled closures because of staff sickness. ”
  • Monthly bin collections and road closures: furious Bristol residents turn on Greens over council cuts – Guardian. “An initial raft of options, which included closing libraries and mothballing museums, provoked an immediate backlash, forcing the party to rule out the proposals for at least this coming budget.”
• Bromley – Health awareness and support available at Bromley libraries at the end of week-long initiative – London News Online. “This week, for the first time, libraries across Bromley have been taking part in the annual Health Information Week which runs until Sunday.” … “Representatives from local Primary Care Networks and the Integrated Care Board are visiting the appropriately-named ‘Better’ libraries to run sessions on using the NHS app, non-medical support and social prescribing.”
  • Bromley librarian shares poignant family history for Holocaust Memorial Day – Your World. “Bringing the past to life, Jackie, a retired Bromley librarian, told the children about her family’s experience of the Holocaust which was heart-breaking to hear. “
• Calderdale – Temporary changes at Todmorden Library – Calderdale Council. “temporary changes to library services, whilst work takes place to replace part of the building’s roof.”
• Cambridgeshire – The Library Presents reveals its most adventurous line-up so far – Cambridgeshire Council. “Returning in March, for its fifteenth season, the programme features a virtual reality dance game and a creative coding workshop alongside the much-loved performances of music, dance, puppetry and visual arts workshops that will appeal to The Library Presents’ loyal fans”
  • Cambridgeshire libraries to host puppet shows and VR events – Hunts Post. “March will see the return of the programme, which features a virtual reality dance game and a creative coding workshop, alongside performances of music, dance, puppetry, and visual arts workshops.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire libraries to hold World Book Day fancy dress swap – Standard. “Many of our libraries will be accepting donations of fancy dress in February and up to World Book Day itself. These will then be made available as soon as possible for anyone who would like a costume. What better way to share the fun, so you can play your part to save money and help with the climate emergency.””
• Croydon – Libraries open longer for more people to enjoy – Croydon Council. “Croydon Council has increased the number of days that some of the borough’s libraries are open, with some now providing residents with full time access five days a week.” … “The changes are a result of listening to residents, who told the Council that the previous opening hours, introduced in 2022, didn’t work with some libraries only open two days a week. The changes are part of the Council’s work to improve the library service and make it more accessible, including introducing self-service at three locations.”
• Devon – North Devon library book returned after 50 years – BBC. This week’s book-returned-very-late story.
  • Free February events at Crediton Library – Crediton Courier. ” free events at Crediton Library, organised by The Folklore Library and Archive, continues with another three chances to attend in February”
• East Sussex – Dame Jacqueline Wilson gives talk at Lewes Library event – Argus. ““I have joined various campaigns to get libraries in schools and spread the word that reading is lovely and helpful for children. I have always been involved with children’s charities.””
• Haringey – Interim library hours to be introduced – Haringey Council. “The shake-up follows the intermittent partial or full closure of some of Haringey’s facilities on isolated days in the last few months due solely to staff shortages. The temporary measure will see the borough’s branch libraries operate at least a four-day service, with the main libraries open for six (Wood Green) or seven days a week (Hornsey and Marcus Garvey). There will be two lunchtime closures at each branch library per week under these arrangements. It comes after careful consideration of staffing levels, room bookings and pre-booked events.”
• Havering -‘The HRA plan to close three libraries is a betrayal of residents, with the council choosing bin liners as a more important spend.’ – Havering Daily. “The announcement of the closures comes just a day after the HRA Cabinet gave council Officers authority to spend over £1m on food waste bin liners. With £260k of spend in the first year and £800k the next year.  Food waste collection isn’t an option, it is a new government requirement. However, many councils do not provide the liners.”
• Hertfordshire – Welwyn Garden City library to kick off 100 year celebrations – Welwyn Hatfield Times. “The programme of events has been created in collaboration with Hertfordshire’s residents and library users and includes celebrations of literature and poetry, events for children, young people and families, theatre, comedy and much more.”
• Jersey – ‘Public libraries can teach us a thing or two when it comes to promoting health and fitness for everyone’ – Jersey Evening Post. “Why is it that we have to pay to use a gym to improve physical fitness but it costs nothing to borrow books that provide intellectual stimulation?”
  • St Helier Children’s Library, Jersey – Designing Libraries. “Jersey Chief Librarian Ed Jewell explains the thinking behind the recently-revamped Children’s Library in St Helier and how the project progressed, and talks about reaction to the changes.” … ” It’s not unusual to see young jaws drop as they cross the threshold and to hear wails of disappointment as parents try to take small people home. “
• Leeds – The joy of libraries – Yorkshire Bylines. “I hope this piece will encourage people to get out and make more use their library, and all its facilities. They are a fantastic resource, and we should show that we appreciate them by using them”
• Lincolnshire – ‘Better’ supports Department for Education’s ‘Skills for Life’ Campaign in Lincolnshire this January – Your World. Registration wall. Career advice sessions in leisure centres and libraries.
• Merton – The importance of local libraries and how to support them – This is Local London / Young Reporter. “In Wimbledon each week I see many students, children and adults alike enjoying our local Wimbledon library, from reading, studying or simply enjoying themselves. Local libraries are facilities which can sometimes be taken for granted, however local libraries are an accessible source of information and make knowledge accessible to all, so how can you support your local library?”
• Newport – Upcoming meetings on future of two Newport public libraries – South Wales Argus. “It has been proposed to close Tredegar House and Caerleon library close 2025/26 council budget proposal.  The council is holding two public consultation meetings for residents to share their views on the plans.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk libraries forced to close due to IT network issues – Great Yarmouth Mercury. “The problem affects Norfolk County Council’s libraries which offer ‘open libraries’ access – where people can use their library cards and a PIN number to get in when the building is not staffed.” … “There have also been issues with the Spydus App” for those using Android devices.
  • Former library building gets new custodian – BBC. “An arts organisation has been chosen as the new custodian of a library building in the hope it will continue the “cultural legacy” of the ornate brick structure. The Garage Trust has been selected and will move from The Workshop at the Vancouver Quarter in King’s Lynn to the Carnegie Library building on London Road. A replacement library and community hub is currently being built in the town as part of a regeneration project funded by the government and Norfolk County Council” … “A new library and community hub is being built in the town centre on the site of the former Argos with funding from the King’s Lynn Town Deal, external.”
  • Nearly 150 people banned from Norfolk tips and libraries – North Norfolk News. “Bans at Norfolk’s libraries ranged from a day to a year, with the vast majority applied because of anti-social behaviour.”
• North Lincolnshire – Dolly Parton reading scheme hits million mark – BBC. “Helen Hastle, from the Dollywood Foundation UK, said the North Lincolnshire library was the first in the country to reach the millionth book milestone”
• North Somerset – North Somerset Library Services receive laptops to support digital inclusion – North Somerset Council. “North Somerset Council Library Services is excited to announce it has received a generous donation of laptops from the Good Things Foundation’s National Device Bank“
• Nottingham – Sherwood: Delayed library on track for summer opening – BBC. “The Labour-run council sold the site to local developer Hockley Developments, with an agreement the library would be built at no capital cost to the authority and that a 125-year lease would be agreed at a nominal rent …”
• Oldham – Oldham pledges its commitment to being one of the most inclusive digital towns in UK – Oldham Council. ” Residents and businesses are encouraged to continue their support for Donate IT Oldham, by donating any unwanted devices at any of Oldham’s libraries “
• Pembrokeshire – Consultation launched on changes to Pembrokeshire libraries – Tenby Observer. “Following a Library Needs Assessment last summer which asked the public about their library needs and about ways to reduce running costs as part of Council-wide savings requirements, it became clear that respondents did not support closing libraries, replacing staff with 24/7 access technology or reducing the book fund.”
• Rutland – Ryhall library services – Rutland Council. “Following condition surveys that have been carried out to support enhancements to our library buildings, we have found that the necessary works to bring Ryhall Library up to standard would exceed the available budget for this site. Because of this, Rutland County Council has notified the Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Arts Council that we must explore alternative options for delivering library services in Ryhall.” see also Ryhall Library users want to take over the service to stop its closure – Lincolnshire Online. “Ryhall villagers were blindsided this month after news broke that its popular library could face closure due to expensive repair works, which Rutland County Council says it cannot afford.” and Residents attend meeting to come up with ways to save Ryhall Library from closure – Lincolnshire Online and Six weeks to save Ryhall Library – Rayo.
• Shropshire – Shropshire Libraries to offer help with NHS App – Shropshire Council. “Thanks to the partnership with the NHS, Shropshire Libraries staff have been provided with the tools and support to play a key part in helping people to use the NHS App to better understand and manage their health. Ten libraries in Shropshire are offering support on how to use the NHS App as part of their digital offer. Support includes how to register, navigate and get the most out of the App.”
• Slough – ‘I’ll do everything I can to save the libraries’ – BBC. “The former child refugee learnt English in his local library and has said he will now do “everything in my power” to save Langley Library in Slough from closure.” … “He said his daughter goes to the library twice a week, and when he told her they wanted to close it she cried.”
• Suffolk – Withdrawal – Library Services in Suffolk – BidStats. “Suffolk County Council has taken the decision to withdraw the Library Services in Suffolk tender and not award a contract for which there has been a call for competition. The procurement process did not result in a successful outcome due to difficulties in aligning submissions with the service requirements and budgets. Therefore, it has been determined that it is not in the public interest to continue to award.The Council will continue to examine the Service with a view to revising the scope.” see Delay for decision about the future of Suffolk libraries – EADT.
• Surrey – Newly refurbished Woking Library celebrates with activities for all – Woking News and Mail. “Events will feature a calligraphy workshop, a Tai Chi taster session with the Chinese Association of Woking to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and an opportunity for children to encounter magnificent reptiles, alongside the library’s regular weekly activities such as Rhymetime, Storytime, digital buddy sessions and craft groups.”
• Warwickshire – Rugby Library and Makerspace – Designing Libraries. “The new space has clearly defined zones for quiet reading, soft seating areas to encourage social/ relaxing visits, while a bright children’s space with cocoon seating, character chairs, mobile shelving and book storage is always busy with curious and playful children.” … “the library and makerspace has received amazing feedback and the space is constantly filled with users of all ages and abilities.”
• Westminster – Westminster City Council to Open New Community Hub in Pimlico in 2026 – Westminster Council. “Westminster City Council has announced the planned opening of a brand-new community hub in the heart of Pimlico, set to launch in 2026. This transformative project is part of the Council’s ambitious Community Hubs Programme, striving to connect residents to the support they need across the city. The council opened two mini-hubs, at Victoria and Charing Cross libraries, in 2024.”
• West Sussex – West Sussex libraries centenary: what is your favourite book? – Sussex World. “With West Sussex libraries celebrating their centenary this year, we have invited some of our 2025 librarians to tell us about their favourite book.”
• York – Community membership – York Explore. “When you join us as a community member you are showing your support for Explore York Libraries and Archives and all the work we do.  There is a £1 joining fee which represents your share in our organisation. As a Community Member you’ll be joining an important conversation about how we develop Explore with local people.  You will elect three Community Directors to our Board who will represent you at all our Board meetings and keep in touch throughout the year via newsletter and events.”

Editorial

I had hoped headlines like that would be a thing of the past now that the Government has changed but it turns out it is not to be. I will leave it at that.

Changes by local authority

• Bristol – Up to £2.4m out of £4.7m budget to be cut
• Dudley – School Libraries Service moves into Halesowen Library, replacing subscription service.
• Norfolk – Kings Lynn and Yarmouth libraries to reopen this year in colocations
• Nottingham –  Aspley, Basford, Bilborough libraries may be passed to volunteers rather than closed.

National news

• Better World Books 2025 Literacy Grants – Better World Books. “Applications will be accepted through January 31, 2025. This is an opportunity to secure funding to amplify your organization’s work and to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of literacy and education.”
• Library events (Beta) – LibraryOn. “We’ve built this feature to list public library events from across the country. It’s currently in ‘beta’, which means we’re testing how it performs with people. It also means we don’t have all library events listed here yet.”
• The Public Library Brand: refuge, joy, connection, purpose, and expansion – Ned Potter. “.library usage positively contributes to externally validated measures of well-being. Our research found that patrons experience refuge, joy, connection, purpose, and expansion through their library use.”
• Snowflake to tour West Midlands libraries – British Theatre Guide. “The Birmingham Rep, Polka Theatre and Little Angel Theatre production of The Snowflake will tour 18 libraries across Birmingham and the West Midlands during January and February 2025. The show ran at the Rep and the tour has been devised to give more families the opportunity to see the tale inspired by Benji Davies’s children’s book of the same name. Tickets will be free or at a low cost because of funding from Arts Council England.”

International news

• Afghanistan – Public Libraries: A Growing Hub for Knowledge and Research – Bakhtar News Agency. “s. Last year, the ministry purchased 10,560 books, supported by various organizations, to enhance public libraries across the nation. Looking ahead, plans are underway to establish six new public library branches in different provinces and to procure advanced machines for scanning and preserving historical texts.”
• Australia – From fitness to finance sessions, local libraries evolving as patrons soar – ABC News. “Library program attendance has almost doubled nationally in recent years, with more than 6.1 million participants in 2022-23.”
• New Zealand – Age-restricted library books you might need your ID to borrow from Auckland’s libraries – New Zealand Herald. “Tucked away out the back of the Auckland Central Library is a selection of 29 books that, in the eyes of New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification (NZOFLC) moderators, could “cause injury to the public good” if not restricted to those over a certain age.” … ““Book bans and restrictions in New Zealand are rare, but when they’re applied, it’s about balancing the protection of readers, especially young people, with the importance of freedom of expression”
• Turkey – ‘A space specific to women’: Women’s library opens in Kurdish-majority Diyarbakır, Turkey – Medya News. ““We set out to create an area specific to women,” said Berivan Gülşen Sincar, co-mayor of Kayapınar Municipality, during the opening ceremony of the Library of Women’s Works on Tuesday in the Kurdish-majority city. The library aims to preserve women’s contributions.”
• Ukraine – Kremlin Sends Another Batch of Propaganda Materials to Libraries in Temporarily Occupied Mariupol – Sprotyv. “More than 1,000 copies of propaganda literature have been delivered to libraries in the temporarily occupied Mariupol from St. Petersburg. However, these so-called “institutions” can hardly be described as libraries. The Kremlin has transformed Ukrainian libraries into centers for Russification and tools for brainwashing the local population”
• USA – Digital audiobooks lead growth in library circulation for the second year – Audio Publishers Association. “Digital audiobooks account for 70% of adult audio circulation and 56% of youth audio circulation in libraries.”
  • “Hopefully, we can sit together and discuss what we consider is appropriate”: Inside Two Years of Nonstop Hell for Alpena Public Library – Book Riot. ” a loud reminder that it’s not buying personal copies of banned books nor distributing banned books via buses or vans or even Little Free Libraries which will solve the problem and save these public institutions of democracy. It’s showing up to board meetings, showing up at the polls, and using your voice to loudly push back against propaganda and bigotry intended to destabilize and defund public goods. Library workers have been seen as expendable and sometimes downright invisible, especially in an era of increased demands and stagnant, if not shrinking, budgets.”
  • Palisades Branch Library goes up in flames – Fox LA. Video.

Local news by authority

• Bristol – Bristol library closures seem inevitable despite fewer potential cuts than feared – Bristol Live. “Permanent closures of some of Bristol’s 27 libraries seem inevitable, despite the fact that savage proposed cuts could be less severe than feared, a city council meeting heard. Plans unveiled last week to halve the service’s current £4.7million budget would have left just seven to ten branches, plus the Central one, the council’s finance sub-committee was told.”
• Caerphilly – Leisure centres and libraries at risk of closure as council warns of £47 million black hole – ITV. see also ​Library Service review – Have your say – Caerphilly Council.
  • Ten libraries still under threat despite opposition to council reforms – Nation Cymru. “Sites in Aberbargoed, Abercarn, Abertridwr, Bedwas, Deri, Llanbradach, Machen, Nelson, Oakdale and Pengam may all still be subject to closure. The council is likely to push ahead with the reforms despite a clear majority of respondents disagreeing with the proposals during a recent public consultation.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire West library events to boost health and wellbeing – Standard. “The initiative, which runs from January 20 to January 26, 2025, aims to enhance mental and physical wellbeing with their range of activities. In collaboration with multiple partners such as Age UK, Brio Leisure, and Citizens Advice, the Library Service has ensured an inclusive event. From workshops to wellness walks and even volunteering information days, there will be something for everyone.”
  • Two Cheshire libraries to welcome crime writers and novelist – Standard. “Little Sutton Library will host Trevor Wood and Rob Parker, crime writers, while Neston Library will feature a conversation with Jasper Fforde, novelist.”
• Croydon – Croydon Tories close libraries – Socialist Party. “Croydon Tory council closed the doors on four libraries in November. The council announced that this closure would allow it to increase the opening hours and offer more services at the remaining nine libraries. They have also been forced to put on a shuttle service for residents whose local library has closed down, to ferry them to the nearest library. It’s only for particular days, but it shows the pressure councils are under from residents not to make cuts.”
• Denbighshire – Denbighshire Libraries launch 25 Book Challenge in 2025 – Free Press. “Participants will be encouraged to read books from 25 different genres and themes. The task will be set out in book bingo style, with categories such as prizewinning novels, books set in different countries, and works by Welsh authors. Bingo sheets can be picked up from local libraries. Readers will win incentives like a bookmark and a tote bag for reading 10, 20, and 25 books, while stocks last.”
• Derby – Sponsorship appeal for children’s literacy event – Marketing Derby. “Derby Libraries, which is part of Derby City Council, is looking for businesses to sponsor a children’s literacy event this summer.”
• Derbyshire – Library users encouraged to get ready for system switchover – Derbyshire Council. New library management system.
• Devon – Pop-up children’s library launches in Princesshay as roof works take place – Devon Live. Exeter Central Library: “A pop-up children’s library is launching in Princesshay during essential roof works at the main library. Work is scheduled to begin on January 27 and is expected to last approximately three months.”
  • The Devon County Council plans to move Seaton library – Mid Week Herald. “Council has announced plans to move Seaton Library from its current Queen Street location to a re-purposed premises central to the town, in partnership with Seaton Town Council.”
• Dudley – Dudley Schools Library Service moves to Halesowen Library – Stourbridge News. “The service was based in Dudley and was not previously accessible, but it will now be located at Halesowen Library – allowing teachers to browse and select items themselves rather than ordering and having them delivered as happened in the past.”. New system replaces an annual subscription service.
• Falkirk – Query over what future holds for Falkirk’s Hope Street library building – Falkirk Herald. Library may be moved into co-location. “if councillors agree to the proposals it leaves a question over the future of the Hope Street building which was gifted to the townspeople by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.”
• Glasgow – Opening of new Parkhead Library delayed due to ‘issue’ – Glasgow Times. “The opening of the new Parkhead Library has been delayed due to an ‘issue’. The facility was due to move into the new Parkhead Hub in Duke Street, which will bring together a range of community health and social care services, including the library. This move was due to happen on January 20 but now, Glasgow Life has announced that the date has been pushed back, due to a technical commissioning issue.”
  • Glasgow tea and coffee on offer at libraries as people invited in from the cold – Glasgow Live. “ibraries provide cosy spaces known as ‘welcome places’ for residents looking to drop in for heat – as fuel poverty is a major problem the city.”
• Halton – Runcorn and Widnes libraries to host World Book Day hubs – Runcorn and Widnes World. “Children will be given the opportunity to exchange their £1 World Book Day book token for a £1 book of their choice – for free.”
• Herefordshire – New name for library group – Ross Gazette. “The Ross Library Development Group has transitioned from a position of saving the library in June 2011 to where it is today, as being a supportive role for the town’s library and all that it offers to the community.”
• Isle of Wight – Library to fully reopen next month after maintenance and refurbishment – County Press. “The Lord Louis Library in Newport began repairs on October 14, and was expected to be finished by the end of December. Ahead of the grand reopening, the library will be closed on January 30, January 31 and February 1.”
• Lewisham – This Lewisham Station Library Faces Imminent Closure – Londonist. “since May 2022, the free library (which Michael is keen to point doesn’t work under the same concept as a book swap, because it doesn’t work on a book-for-book basis) has proved immensely popular. Michael reckons the turnover of books in the last two-and-a-half years is in the ballpark of 200,000.” Now the railway station wants removal due to fire concerns.
• Lincolnshire – Health Information Week at Libraries – Spalding Voice. Including NHS App training.
• Norfolk – Opening dates near for King’s Lynn and Yarmouth libraries – Eastern Daily Press. “Replacement libraries in Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn will be included in new, multi-million-pound community hubs which are being built inside former town centre shops.”
  • Get hands-on with technology at your local library throughout February – Norfolk Council. “DigiFest is an annual celebration of digital creativity in Norfolk libraries throughout February. With free events for children and young people aged up to 16, there is something for every aspiring digital mind. “
• North Yorkshire – ‘Slipper Social’ at Bedale Library to help prevent falls – Darlington and Stockton Times. “Free slippers will be on offer at a special event to help prevent slips, trips and falls later this month.”
• Nottingham – Fears over ‘two-tier’ Nottingham library service with volunteers to run some sites – Nottinghamshire Live. “Nottingham City Council has confirmed it wants to stop running some of its libraries and claims it has already received interest from voluntary groups about taking them on. A leading campaigner says he is “very disappointed” by the city council’s decision, which is set to affect more than 20 staff and caused 17 councillors to walk out of a Nottingham Labour meeting on Thursday (January 16).”
  • Some Nottingham libraries set to be run by volunteers as part of city council budget cuts – Nottingham Post. “Nottingham City Council has decided that it wants volunteers to run some of its historic libraries instead of them closing for good, Nottinghamshire Live understands. A fiery meeting of the Nottingham Labour group on Thursday (January 16) reportedly saw members vote to hand libraries in Bilborough, Aspley and Basford over to the voluntary sector.”
• Perth and Kinross – Hundreds attend protest against proposed Perth and Kinross library closures – Daily Record. “Over 300 campaigners gathered outside Perth Museum on Saturday, January 11 to protest against the proposed closure of five Perth and Kinross libraries”
  • Could 10% council tax rise help save Perth and Kinross libraries from axe? – Courier. “Councillor Jack Welch was one of a number of local and national politicians who attended Saturday’s demonstration. The Strathmore ward councillor said the council’s SNP administration was open to safeguarding library services. And he said a better than expected government funding package for next year, coupled with a potential 10% council tax rise, could make that achievable.”
• Peterborough – ‘Visit our library before deciding on its fate’ – BBC. “Woodston Library in Peterborough is at risk of closure after the city council announced budget cuts, including a proposal to reduce the current 10 static libraries it looks after down to three. Jennie Story, from Friends of Woodston Library, invited all 60 city councillors and MPs to attend on Saturday, to see how “important and needed the venue is”.”
• Portsmouth – Portsmouth Libraries to host NHS App drop-in sessions – Portsmouth Council. “Portsmouth Libraries will be hosting sessions throughout the year in partnership with local GP practices. Having staff from their GP practice present will mean patients can get full access on the NHS App, there and then, including being able to access their GP health record. HIVE Portsmouth’s Digital Champions, who are volunteers willing to share basic IT skills with their community, will also be on-hand to provide support at the sessions.”
• Somerset – Free library service to deliver books to lonely residents – County Gazette. “A free service delivering books to the housebound is being promoted to lonely residents. Somerset Council’s Home Library Service (HLS) is run by the council and a team of volunteers.”
• Southend – Southend Libraries hosts literature, photography, and family history events – Southend on Sea Council. “The Council is excited to announce two fascinating events as part of Southend Libraries’ 2025 schedule, catering to lovers of literature, photography, and family history.”
• Staffordshire – Libraries now offering people support to use NHS App – Staffordshire Council. “People who need that little bit of extra help to download and register on the NHS App can now do so at a library in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. The support is available at eight Staffordshire libraries, with several more expected to join in the coming months.”
• St Helens – St Helens libraries to host ‘Baby Rhyme Time’ sessions – St Helens Star. “Participants can enjoy a variety of activities that incorporate the NSPCC’s Look Say Sing Play campaign, including the use of rhymes, instruments, and toys.”
• Stirling – Stirling Council urged to rethink budget cuts that will see libraries lose 25 percent – Herald Scotland. “The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland (CILIPS) has now written to the council to request a change in approach and believe the 25% cut could have a disastrous effect on libraries in the Stirling area.”
• Suffolk – Explore the forest of stories: Our new early years reading programme – Suffolk Libraries. 0-5 years reading promotion. “The group of animals and their forest surroundings will feature in a beautiful map and set of stickers which families can collect from libraries for free from 13 January so they can begin their adventure in the Forest of Stories.”
  • Suffolk Libraries launches Discover More to help residents find local activities, events and services – Suffolk News.
• Sunderland – Library move opens space for museum and gardens – BBC. “Sunderland’s Museum and Winter Gardens will have extra room when the city’s library moves to the Culture House development on Keel Square in the autumn.”
• Tameside – Tameside Council launches ‘The big friendly book return’ – Tameside Correspondent. “Tameside Council has launched ‘The big friendly book return’ –  an initiative encouraging residents to return long-lost or well-loved library books. The program, aimed at children’s books borrowed from Tameside Libraries, begins immediately and offers amnesty for all overdue or damaged items. Simply drop them in the dedicated Big Friendly Book Return box at your local library or hand them over at the counter and your account will be cleared – no questions asked.” [And presumably ignore the Big Friendly Escape Arrows” taped on to the floor in the picture – Ed.]
• Torbay – Torbay libraries offer free clothes, food, and events – Torbay Today. “Free warm clothes, hygiene banks, community fridges stocked with free food, and hundreds of welcoming groups and events are amongst a wealth of offerings to be found in libraries across the resort. Libraries Unlimited, the charity that runs libraries in the county, is rolling out its Cold Days, Warm Libraries campaign for the third year running.”
• Westmorland and Furness – Temporary library service opens in Barrow – Westmorland and Furness Council. “A temporary library service has opened today (Wednesday) in place of the closed Roose Library in Barrow. Roose Library had to be closed due to fire damage caused following a suspected arson attack. Since the library building’s closure, Westmorland and Furness Council has been considering a number of options for a temporary library in place of the closed Roose Library, while it engages with the community on a long-term, permanent library offer.”
  • Council launches surveys to help shape future of library services – Westmorland and Furness Council. “The council is inviting everyone, current library users and non-users, adults and children, to share their views on what matters most to them, ensuring that our libraries continue to meet the diverse needs of our community.”
• West Sussex – West Sussex Libraries celebrate 100 years of service – Argus. “The county council adopted the Public Libraries Act 1919 on February 13, 1925, paving the way for a network of libraries in the county.” Events include an ACE funded “Library of Possibilities and Wonders virtual reality (VR) experience.”
• Wirral – Birkenhead Central Library to host ‘info marketplace’ for Health Information Week – Birkenhead News. “The event is part of the Health Information Week … national campaign promoting high-quality information for the public that takes place from 20-26 January 2025″
• Worcestershire – Primary School Library Visit: Fostering a lifelong love of reading – Worcestershire Council. “In 2024, Worcestershire’s libraries hosted 502 school visits, providing over 16,000 pupils with focused sessions that support national curriculum objectives.”

Editorial

I was sorry to read of hear of the loss of Marleen Kennedy, a fellow judge of mine in the CWA Dagger In the Library awards, so as a mark of respect I will not write an editorial this post.

Changes by local authority

• Buckinghamshire – Eight libraries to have 23% increase in hours via staffless technology.
• Cumberland – Carlisle to have £3m refurbishment
• Essex – Clacton Library may include more co-located services
• Guernsey – Postal service takes over staffing home library service.
• Lincolnshire – Gotham Library to be replaced with mobile service.
• Newham – Canning Old Town Library to become heritage centre
• Wakefield – Opening hours may be cut

National news

• Best of 2024: ‘If there’s nowhere else to go, this is where they come’: how Britain’s libraries provide much more than books – podcast – Guardian. “Every Monday and Friday for the rest of December we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2023, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. From July: In 2024, libraries are unofficial creches, homeless shelters, language schools and asylum support providers – filling the gaps left by a state that has reneged on its responsibilities. By Aida Edemariam”
• Co-creation boosts young people’s library engagement – Arts Professional. “Following a co-creation pilot programme between libraries and young people, researchers found 71% of participants reported gaining new knowledge and skills, such as writing, communication and digital marketing.” … “In a pilot project funded by Arts Council England (ACE) between January and August this year, nearly three-quarters (71%) of participants also reported gaining new knowledge and skills, such as writing, communication and digital marketing. The scheme, run by the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians (ASCEL), involved seven library services across England. It tested co-created approaches with 56 young people aged between 11 and 13, including some who were neuro-divergent.”
• Councils closing libraries across Scotland will ‘destroy communities’, say Greens – National Scot. “In November the Tory-run council in Aberdeenshire announced it could close 13 libraries, with seven more in Moray and Perthshire also threatened with closure in the coming months. Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell, who represents Central Scotland, has been a vocal supporter of a campaign aiming to save the seven local libraries across his region.”
• Council staff logging into work from beaches abroad while taxpayers foot the bill – Conservative Post. ” more than 2,000 requests for council staff to work from abroad have been approved since the pandemic began. Destinations include such “essential” work locations as Barbados, Jamaica, and Botswana” … “What’s resilient about a council worker in Thailand while your local library shutters its doors?”
• Education Secretary: Encourage your child to pick up a book at Christmas – Telegraph. Behind paywall. “total of 344 libraries in England have closed in the past 15 years”
• England council shake-up: five ways it could affect you – BBC. “Rayner’s plan is to make the system similar across England. So bins and libraries, planning and leisure centres will all fall under one, single council.”. For closing libraries and other council owned property: “The government says it wants to replace this right to bid with a right to buy, with funding available to purchase community assets.”
• English councils slash culture spending by 50% – Local Gov. “Spending on culture, heritage and libraries by English councils has been cut by more than half over the last 15 years, according to new research. New analysis by the Campaign for the Arts (CFTA) has found that since 2009-10, revenue expenditure on culture has fallen by 50.4% in real terms, from £42.42 to £21.05 per person.”
• Japanese Manga Translations in UK Public Libraries – Proceedings of Joint Conference on Digital Libraries – “The extent to which translated Japanese manga are held in public libraries worldwide can serve as an indicator of their international reception. This study utilized a list of translated Japanese manga compiled during our previous surveys to investigate the availability of these works in public libraries across the United Kingdom.”
• Leading library and digital inclusion charities forge new partnership – Libraries Connected. “Libraries Connected, the membership body for public libraries, and Good Things Foundation, the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity, have announced a new agreement that will see them work together more closely on fixing the digital divide.”
• Libraries Connected issues guidance to councils considering major changes to library services – Libraries Connected. “The guidance has been produced as part of a support package for library services within local authorities that have issued Section 114 certificates – effectively a declaration of bankruptcy – or are operating within severe financial constraints.”
• NAG’S 15th Collection Development Seminar and Public Library Forum – 40 Years of NAG: Looking Back, Looking Forward – National Acquisitions Group. 15 May, Leeds. Call for speakers. “Join us in celebrating NAG’s 40th birthday, in looking back at where we have come from, and looking forward to potential future developments.” https://nag.org.uk/forum-speakers/  Deadline 2nd Feb
• Secret network of Santa’s helpers is bringing missing people home this Christmas – Mirror. “Last week we distributed our safeguarding briefing to a library and within half an hour one of our helpers called us to tell us a missing person was there. “We were able to call the police, do the welfare checks to make sure they were OK and close the missing case. Libraries are wonderful. They do so much for the community. When it works, it works ­absolutely beautifully.”
• Sharing libraries: easy on the planet, easy on your pocket, and great for the community – Happiful. “We’re not talking about regular libraries here, where you can borrow books, magazines, newspapers, and more. Sharing libraries offer other useful items to local people, who are able to borrow and return them, free of charge or for a very low fee.”: toys, maternity clothes, tools, reusable cloth nappies. Gives environmental benefits, saves money, promotes equality of access and sense of community.
• This year marks a critical moment for Scotland’s libraries – Herald. “.. a shadow looms over many towns and villages in Scotland where the fate of local libraries hangs in the balance. The poignant plea of a child in Aberdeenshire, weeks before Christmas, wishing only for Santa to keep their library open speaks volumes about the urgency of the situation. Recent years have seen a troubling trend of closures and cuts to library services across the country”

“We need a national conversation — and national action — to ensure our libraries not only survive, but thrive. Let’s resolve that in 2025, we won’t be talking about closures and cuts but celebrating a renaissance in library services that reflects their true value to our communities. Anything less would be a failure we cannot afford.”

Alison Nolan, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC)

International news

• IFLA Publishes First Ever “Guidelines for Libraries Supporting Displaced Persons: Refugees, Migrants, Immigrants, Asylum Seekers” – Info Docket. “In this time of the largest global refugee crisis since the second world war-refugee numbers have doubled since 2016 based on the Global Refugee Forum 2023, the threat of starvation facing 343 million people in 74 countries in the world, numerous active armed conflicts, poverty, climate crisis – libraries have become more than ever a shelter for the body, mind and soul when people are making difficult decisions, chosen or forced, in order to survive.”
• Finland – Why libraries in Finland are free for everyone to use and how these libraries are served as public good – Economic Times / India Times. An awestruck look at Finnish public libraries.
• Ghana – Big dreams: He’s the founder of a leading African photobook library – NPR / Goats and Soda. “Ghanaian photojournalist Paul Ninson was thrilled — and surprised. When he came to New York to study photography five years ago, he found a trove of images of life in Africa, past and present, in the archives of the city’s libraries, galleries and museums. Here he was thousands of miles from Ghana surrounded by more visual history of Africa than he had ever seen back home. That paradox led to an idea: create a library of photobooks in Ghana to bring the African story home, allowing people to learn about their history and give them the tools to tell new stories of the continent.”
• India – BSK mobile librarians hold hunger strike – New Age. “Mobile librarians of Bishwa Sahitya Kendra and book lovers in Dhaka on Sunday staged hunger strike protesting at the move of the BSK to suspend its mobile libraries in the divisional cities.”
• Ireland – Big increase in people using North Tipp libraries – Offaly Express. ““Our libraries are doing very well,”… “They are now back to pre-Covid numbers. The libraries in Cloughjordan, Borrisokane and Nenagh are all doing extremely well. There are now about 100,000 visitors to Nenagh Library per year.”
  • Libraries close early as mark of respect – Anglo-Celt. “The late Marleen Kennedy worked as branch librarian in Bailieborough and Kingscourt. Libraries across Cavan will close early today (Friday) as a mark of respect to “dear friend and colleague” Marleen Kennedy, a branch librarian in Bailieborough and Kingscourt, who sadly passed away just before Chirstmas.”
• Mongolia – Development of public libraries in Mongolia (1921-1990) – International Journal of Librarianship.
• Turkiye – Türkiye’s cultural breakthroughs: Libraries, arts lead the way – Daily Sabah. “Türkiye’s libraries saw significant growth. The number of library members reached 6.6 million and the total area dedicated to library use expanded to 735,000 square meters. Public libraries across the country grew to 1,301, and the total number of books available in libraries reached 25.8 million. By the end of 2024, public libraries had welcomed over 38 million visitors.”
• Ukraine – UNDP-supported project helps 25,000 people learn digital skills in libraries – UNDP. “More than 25,000 people from 22 regions of Ukraine received training in Digital Education Hub libraries in 2024 and learned digital skills as part of a joint project of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine.”
• USA – Editorial: Wanted: A state librarian who’s eager to ban books – Valley News. “It will be interesting to see if Ayotte can find a library nominee willing to kiss the conservatives’ ring at the considerable risk not only of professional self-respect but also of impairing the freedom of New Hampshire residents to inform themselves as they see fit.”
  • 2024 Year in Review – American Libraries. Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont, and Washington passed laws against book bans. Cyberattacks and ransomware. “The master’s in library and information studies program at University College London (UCL) became the first outside North America to receive ALA accreditation.”
  • Efforts to ban books in Oregon libraries on the rise; library patrons and supporters are pushing back – Yachats News. A countrywide look at the current state of censorship in US public libraries.
  • Libraries unveil the books New Yorkers couldn’t put down in 2024 – NY1. “For the first time, the city’s three library systems — New York Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and Queens Public Library — have combined their data to reveal the year’s most popular titles.”
  • Public libraries: from cradle of democracy to community connections – Economics 2024. “Public libraries’ capacity for reinvention and renewal lies at the heart of their continuing role within society, despite the ongoing challenges of funding constraints and ideological opposition.”
  • The Top 10 Library Stories of 2024 – Publishers Weekly. Trump likely to cut/erase national funding for public libraries, six of the other nine stories are all to do with censorship/book bans.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Aberdeenshire libraries slated for closure cost council just £270k of £700m budget – Aberdeen Live. “According to the local authority’s books, the libraries set to be closed in 2025 cost the council 0.03% of their budget last year, with £190,000 allocated for staff salaries and £88,000 for building maintenance.”
• Birmingham – Library still ‘temporarily’ closed two years later – BBC. “A 130-year-old library which temporarily closed two years ago remains shut with no date given for its reopening. Spring Hill Library, housed in a grade II-listed, red brick Victorian building near Birmingham city centre, is shuttered due to what bosses call “issues with the building”. The city council is considering closing a number of its library buildings as part of efforts to drastically reduce its budget and Spring Hill has been recommended for permanent closure. The consultation is ongoing.”
• Bradford -Eccleshill Library will reopen on Thursday, January 2 – Telegraph and Argus. “Eccleshill Library closed in late October to allow for improvement works funded by Arts Council England. It will reopen on Thursday, January 2.” … “Both the adults and children’s areas have been fully refurbished as has the first-floor meeting room, and there is a new small meeting room on the ground floor. The shelving is now on wheels so can be moved aside to create a large event space on the ground floor.”
• Buckinghamshire – Eight Buckinghamshire libraries set for increase in opening hours – Bucks Free Press. Staffless technology allows “The libraries in Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Buckingham, Chesham, Hazlemere, Marlow, and Princes Risborough will see a 23 per cent increase in opening hours from June”
  • Aylesbury one of eight libraries adopting controversial cost-cutting scheme – Bucks Herald. “when the plans were first announced in 2023, they drew opposition from concerned charity groups, current library staff, and former librarians.”
  • Library job cuts and fee rises planned by council – BBC. “Conservative-controlled Buckinghamshire Council said about 15 full-time equivalent members of staff could be made redundant under a “Library Flex” cost-cutting plan agreed by cabinet members on Thursday. It said the idea could save £555,000 a year by 2026/27, following an initial investment of £500,000.
  • Job losses from library cuts to be minimised – council – Bucks Free Press. “Around 15 full-time equivalent members of staff could be made redundant under a cost-cutting plan the council is calling ‘Library Flex’ agreed by cabinet at a meeting on Thursday.”
• Cambridgeshire – Village library to close for refurbishment work – BBC. Yaxley to close for three months.
• Ceredigion – Library poised for summer move despite opposition – BBC. “Aberaeron library is expected to be in its new home in a county hall building on the edge of the town at Penmorfa by June, according to Ceredigion council. Many of the 900 people who took part in a public consultation opposed the move, but in October it was backed by senior councillors, as part of a £70,000 savings target for the library service. It is one of four full-time libraries in the county, and potential similar proposals were suggested for Lampeter, partly due to budget pressures.”
  • Date revealed for contentious library move – Nation Cymru. “The consultation attracted just under 900 responses, the vast majority against a move from the town hall, with concerns including a loss of footfall for local businesses, increased walking distance making it unusable for those with physical limitations, and users wanting to shop and socialise in the town centre at the same time as visiting the library.” Also, “potential similar proposals being mooted for Lampeter, partly due to ongoing budget pressures.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Designs for revamped Cheshire library to be submitted in new year – Chester Standard. Northwich. “Due to the scale and complexity of the works required, it is not currently possible to identify the full time-scale of the project at this stage, it is currently anticipated that the library will reopen to the public in 2026.””
• Coventry – Coventry library to close for weeks for ‘building improvements’ – Coventry Live. “Foleshill Library will be closed from Monday, January 20, and will reopen on Monday, February 3, due to planned building improvements.”
• Cumberland – Library will be ‘modern space’ after £3m revamp – BBC. “More than £3m is to be spent on the redesign of a city’s library almost 40 years after it first opened. Carlisle Library, which is located within the The Lanes shopping centre, is in need of “essential upgrades”, according to Cumberland Council. As well as structural work such as rewiring, the authority said the facility would be transformed into a “modern space” with a children’s zone, study spaces and adult learning classrooms. It is being funded by the government as part of a £19.7m Carlisle Town Deal programme.”
• Derbyshire – Plans to secure future of libraries to be discussed in new year – Derbyshire Council. “The library service was tasked with delivering £910,000 of savings by 2028-2029, and has already achieved £285,000, leaving a total of £625,000 to be saved through the implementation of the strategy, if it is agreed, over the next 4 years.” see also Final library cuts plan to be discussed by council – BBC. “The fact that we received more than 3,800 responses during the public consultation shows that Derbyshire people feel as passionately about the service as we do”
• Devon – Tiverton Library hosts community Christmas craft fair full of seasonal fun – Devon Live. “Tiverton Library put on a brilliant show, and all the folk of Tiverton have turned out here. Amazing choir and brilliant craft stalls—it’s a brilliant community event”
  • Library book returned after 31.5 years – Dawlish Gazette. “We are very grateful to the anonymous borrower who posted us back our copy of ‘Thomas’s ABC’ this week. “We checked the date label and note that this book was slightly overdue by 31.5 years.””
• East Lothian – Sofia and Ivy win Library Service writing competition – East Lothian Council. “The competition was part of Book Week Scotland, which runs every year in public libraries in November, organised by Scottish Book Trust. The theme for 2024 was Hope. More than 160 entries were received for the competition, which was publicised in all of our public and school libraries and by the East Lothian Courier.”
• Essex – More than 105k books presumed lost from libraries – BBC. “The authority has received £58,845 in fines from readers who failed to bring books back to its libraries this year, a Freedom of Information request revealed. A spokeswoman said it was “great” to see well-used library services, but warned people were “disappointed” when their favourite novels were unavailable.”
  • Redevelopment plans proposed for library – BBC. “Essex County Council has proposed changes for Clacton Library, with community space alongside the traditional library resources being proposed. The redevelopment is part of a wider £20m rejuvenation in the town centre. Lee Scott, Conservative cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration at the council, said: “We are excited to see the plans for the library progress alongside other regeneration work we are supporting in the area.””
• Gloucestershire – Lending library aims to help people reduce waste – BBC. “Stroud Library of Things (SLOTH), in Gloucestershire, will offer a variety of tools, DIY supplies, decorations and electronic goods for people to borrow for a fixed time at a low cost.”
• Guernsey – Postal workers rescue library home deliveries – BBC. “Guernsey Post said it had formed a partnership with the Guille-Alles Library in St Peter Port to continue the service established in 2018 to deliver books, audiobooks and other materials for free to people’s homes.”
• Haringey – Haringey Council compromises on library opening hours cuts – Tottenham Independent. Council opts for retaining one evening of opening for Wood Green, Marcus Garvey, Hornsey; Hornsey and Marcus Garvey libraries to remain opening on Sundays; cuts continue in other libraries.
• Hertfordshire – County’s most loaned library book of 2024 revealed – BBC. “Spare ranked above Rory Stewart and Adam Kay to top the biography category, according to information from the county council.”
  • Hertfordshire libraries say goodbye to newspapers – Hitchin Nub. “the only way to access the publications at the county’s network of libraries is on a computer screen.”
  • ‘Always welcoming’: New Abbots Langley Library support group set up to help ‘hub of our village’ – My Local News. “the new support group was established, which according to Abbots Langley resident and former Mayor of Watford John Horsfield, has “the simple aim of supporting the library in any way we can”.”
• Highland – Highland Libraries: A lifeline for communities and a treasure trove of history – Press and Journal. “In Moray, locals were stunned by a proposal last month to close seven libraries in the region. Meanwhile, in the Highlands, there are no plans to shut down any public libraries, which collectively attract nearly 2 million visitors annually. The Press and Journal met head of Highland Libraries, Julie Corcoran, who spoke about the “vital” service these facilities provide, in particular for vulnerable people.”
  • HLH Libraries partner with Samaritans for National Suicide Prevention Week – West Coast Today. Registration wall.
  • ‘Library cuts will have a disproportionate effect on students and job seekers’ – Ross-shire Journal. “Libraries are indispensable assets that serve as gateways to knowledge and lifelong learning. They provide free access to information, technology, and a space for community activities. Reducing financial support for these services will disproportionately affect those who rely on them the most, including students, job seekers, and vulnerable populations.”
  • Media and Caithness councillors praised by Thurso resident for fixing a ‘farcical situation’ – John O’Groat Journal. “The issue of the lack of printing facilities at Caithness libraries is now being resolved after a recent article highlighted the problem. A Thurso resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, contacted local councillors and the Caithness Courier to look into the “farcical situation” of broken printers which he says is not the fault of the staff at Wick and Thurso libraries.”
• Kirklees – Kirklees Libraries awarded prestigious ‘Library of Sanctuary’ status – Yorkshire Live. “The service was the first to receive the award in Yorkshire back in 2021, and has now been re-awarded the status for another three years. This award is issued by City of Sanctuary UK alongside other major refugee organisations. Library of Sanctuary status recognises the work done by library services to provide welcome and safe spaces for people fleeing conflict, climate change and persecution.”
• Leeds – Tiny bible features in Christmas book display – BBC. “The miniature book, which is not much bigger than a £2 coin and can fit in the palm of a hand, features in a collection of festive classics on view to visitors at Leeds Central Library.”
• Lincolnshire – Gotham library will reopen after fire – but mobile service will remain – Nottinghamshire Live. “A village library will not reopen following a fire last year. In February 2023, a blaze broke out in the Memorial Hall in Gotham, which housed a library, doctor’s surgery and dispensary in addition to the community hall. From March 27, 2023, the village has been serviced by a mobile library which regularly visits the Memorial Hall car park, with the next visit scheduled for January 13, 2025. Almost two years after the incident, a number of repairs and improvements have been carried out at the building which allowed the dispensary and doctor;s surgery to reopen in the building earlier this month. The hall itself is expected to open again for community use in February 2025. However, it has been confirmed by Nottinghamshire County Council that the library will not be reopening at the site.”
• Liverpool – ‘Spellow Library changed my life’ – BBC. “Manicurist Alex McCormick said she was sitting at home alone when she decided to start an online fundraiser to repair the damage done by vandals. “After seeing the library destroyed, my initial plan was to raise £500,” she said. “I didn’t think beyond that.” She had no idea that four months later, she would be the guest of honour at the Spellow reopening ceremony, having raised £250,000.”
• Milton Keynes – New lease of life for Milton Keynes Central Library – Milton Keynes Labour Party. “Milton Keynes City Council is set to approve plans for critical repairs and significant upgrades to the city’s Central Library, in a decision taking place next week. The £3.6M project will address essential infrastructure issues which include making the building watertight and operational for the long term.”
• Moray – Moray Council meeting halted as leader apologises in tears for library closure chaos – National. Paywall. “A MorayCouncil meeting was suspended after its leader broke down in tears due to the confusion surrounding the closure of Moray libraries last week.”
• Newham – Former Grade II-listed library to be renamed – BBC. “Newham residents are being asked by the council to help name a former Grade II-listed library. Canning Town Old Library on Barking Road is being refurbished and is set to reopen as a heritage centre with a café in 2026.”
• Norfolk – Cast of Norwich panto hosting free event at city library – Norwich Evening News. “The cast of Aladdin is set to delight audiences with dramatic readings of Christmas stories at Norfolk and Norwich Millenium Library.”
  • How can libraries become safe, supportive spaces for teenagers? – Reading Agency. Putting in bean bags, adding Reading Well leaflets by books, “Friendship bracelet workshops, inspired by Taylor Swift, attracted teens into the library”, school visits” but “The libraries recognise they are addressing a critical gap. Valentina and Emily both acknowledge that young people are a missing demographic in their libraries, and they’re an age group that libraries across the country are struggling to engage.”.
  • Former Norfolk libraries chief named in New Year Honours list – East Anglian Daily Times. “Jill Terrell, from Stowmarket, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) is among the recipients in this New Year’s honours for her contributions to library services in Suffolk and the East of England. Her role has seen her collaborate on a number of projects, including chair the Libraries Connected East branch.” 
  • Council leader warns future of Norfolk libraries in peril – Diss Mercury. “With £45m of cuts and savings needed to balance the books next year, Kay Mason Billig, Conservative leader at County Hall, said she was not able to promise libraries would be spared. Her comments came after Liberal Democrat county councillor Saul Penfold asked for reassurances about the future of libraries, and other services the council does not have a legal duty to provide, at a recent council meeting. “
• North Somerset – Somerset library twins with Ukrainian counterpart with festive celebrations – Somerset Leveller. “The twinning of The Campus library in North Somerset and the Central Children’s Library of Kharkiv is wonderful news, and the two libraries are already building a fantastic friendship. “This twinning provides an invaluable opportunity for us to develop joint initiatives, connect audiences and celebrate UK and Ukrainian literature and culture.”
• Oxfordshire – Library to relocate for refurbishment works – BBC. Henley Library. “The council said there would be moveable shelving enabling the space to be used for multiple purposes, as well as a bespoke children’s area once the work was completed.” … “The refurbishment project is fully funded through a combination of Central Government Decarbonisation Funds and developer funding provided by South Oxfordshire District Council.”
• Perthshire – Hundreds sign petition to save Auchterarder Library from closure – Daily Record. “Hundreds have signed a petition to save Auchterarder Library from closure. Earlier this month residents from under-threat Auchterarder, Birnam, Comrie and Scone came together to launch the Save our Rural Libraries campaign. Now an online petition on change.org to prevent Auchterarder’s “irreplaceable community hub” from being lost amassed over 600 signatures in less than a week.”
• Powys – Library to stay closed until the new year – Powys Council. “It had been due to open in its new temporary home, in the canalside cottages next to Y Lanfa, after a week’s break, but the planned set up has not been completed in time.”
• Sheffield – How many people banned from Sheffield’s leisure centres and libraries revealed – The Star. “In libraries, there are six people who are banned for anti-social behaviour, less than five for racially abusing a security steward in the Central Library and less than five for viewing porn sites on the library’s computers.”
• Slough – Cippenham and Langley libraries ‘not fit for purpose’ as council considers closures – Maidenhead Advertiser. “Papers for the cabinet meeting suggested a mobile library could be an alternative option to a library building. Councillor Wal Chahal (Con, Langley Marish) slammed a ‘shambolic’ consultation in 2021 – which prompted library cuts. Cippenham Library is open regularly just three days a week and Langley is open four days a week, after a review undertaken by the council’s Labour administration in 2021. Cllr Chahal said the consultation had caused libraries to ‘die on the vine’ and added, ‘what we have currently is not fit for purpose.’”
• Somerset – Council services move to library during upgrade – BBC. “Residents who need to speak to Somerset Council in person will be able to do so at Williton Library from Thursday. The council said its library, customer service point and children’s centre will move back to West Somerset House after the upgrade in March.”
  • Milverton urinals boxed in for toilets to be used for 12-month informal library trial – Wellington Weekly News. Villages “… men’s public toilets are to double up as a mini public library with the urinals boxed off to allow people to access its books.”
• Southampton – City’s libraries use e-bike book delivery service – BBC. “A city’s library service is encouraging people to sign up to its home delivery service that uses eco-friendly transport. The free Southampton scheme enables people who are unable to leave their homes to have books brought to their doors using e-bikes. The service is funded by Solent Future Transport Zone as part of a range of sustainable transport trials across the Solent area.”
• South Gloucestershire – Library cards given to Year 6 children in South Gloucestershire – South Gloucestershire Council. “South Gloucestershire Libraries are giving every child in Year 6 their own library card to encourage children to read for pleasure and build a love of reading into their lives. Having a library card and reading has been shown to have a significant impact on a child’s learning and life chances, supporting them to thrive. In the summer term, library cards were given to more than 3,000 children in Reception class. An additional 3,500 library cards will be given to young people in Year 6 this term to ensure the momentum and interest in reading is carried into the secondary phase.”
• St Helens – St Helens Arts in Libraries Project to be extended – St Helens Star. “The council’s cabinet has approved plans to extend the project for an additional year beyond the current end date of 2025/26. This extension could bring in a further £236,000 in funding, allowing the council to continue providing quality art projects across the borough.”
  • Four places we have to say goodbye to in 2024 – St Helens Star. Rainhill,  Garswood, Rainford and Parr libraries : “The decision to axe four libraries and also not to reopen Peter Street and Billinge libraries, which have already been closed for some time due to the expiry of a building lease and structural issues respectively, was strongly opposed by many in the communities affected, who expressed anger and sadness at what they branded a “disastrous decision”.  St Helens Council claims the new strategy will focus “on providing resources in areas of greatest need””
• Staffordshire – Most borrowed Staffordshire library books of 2024 revealed – Lichfield Live. “Crime and thriller titles continue to be a hit, with Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series taking the first four places. The Jack Reacher series also remain popular titles, with The Secret and No Plan B taking two of the top ten places.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries offering free Warm Welcome boxes – East Anglian Daily Times. Seven libraries take part as “The initiative, funded by almost £11,000 from East Suffolk Council, is part of Suffolk Libraries’ winter campaign.” … “The boxes contain useful items, including LED light bulbs, a blanket, a hot water bottle, a vacuum flask, hot chocolate, and cup-a-soups.”
  • Christmas appeal sees thousands of toys donated – BBC. “More than 3,800 toys have been donated to a children’s Christmas toy appeal. Suffolk Libraries and BBC Radio Suffolk celebrated the success of the second year of the Be Kind to a Kid Christmas appeal.”
  • Leiston Library to host new free singing workshops – East Anglian Daily Times. “The ‘Tonic: Singing for Health’ sessions, organised by Suffolk Libraries in collaboration with Cohere Arts, are aimed at adults facing health challenges.”
  • Physical newspapers in libraries – Suffolk Libraries. “From January 2025, Suffolk Libraries will no longer be buying physical newspapers for libraries.  Increasing financial pressures, coupled with the rising cost of newspapers means that providing daily and weekly newspapers in all our 45 libraries has become unsustainable. This is also coupled with the fact that the way people access news and information has changed in recent years and far fewer people are solely reliant on physical newspapers.  “
  • Romanian community plan education festival – BBC. “The first Romanian film festival, external for Suffolk was held in partnership with Ipswich County Library in September.”
  • Ukrainian refugee finds sanctuary at Suffolk library – East Anglian Daily Times. “”I felt very anxious but I met amazingly kind, friendly and sympathetic people. I am very grateful to my hosts as they advised me to visit a local library where I became a welcome guest.””
• Sutton – A bright future for Sutton as we go into 2025 – Sutton Council. “Nearly half a million books have been borrowed from our local libraries and almost 3,000 children took part in our summer reading club.”
• Wakefield – Reduced hours for libraries and museums considered – BBC. “Reducing the opening hours of libraries and museums is being considered by a council to cut costs. Wakefield Council said the change would mean venues opening slightly later or earlier to try and minimise the impact on visitors. Hannah Appleyard, the council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport said the authority needed to “make some changes to help us deliver a balanced budget”. Two surveys asking residents how they use the facilities will run until 14 March, before a final decision is made by councillors.”
• West Dunbartonshire – West Dunbartonshire Libraries awarded improvement grant – Clydebank Post. “This fund, managed by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), supports initiatives designed to inspire engagement in areas including digital upskilling, sustainability, and inclusivity. The West Dunbartonshire Libraries Empower Connections project aims to engage with new audiences and tackle child poverty and digital exclusion in the area.”
• West Sussex – West Sussex Libraries celebrate 100 years in 2025 – Sussex World. Council is “proud to say that it still boasts 36 libraries thanks to innovative thinking and thanks to embracing the new technologies. It means the service is in good heart to celebrate – and indeed blow its own trumpet – for a very special year ahead.”
• Wirral – ‘We took over our library when the council shut it’ – BBC. “Wallasey Village library was opened in 1938, but closed in 2022 alongside eight other branches on the peninsula because the local authority could no longer afford to run them. The community group decided to take it over instead and now the building has fully reopened, with a café, a community room, bookshop and a lending library. Trustee, Ray Lyons said the library project probably would not have been viable without the café.”
  • Community ‘in the dark’ over future of historic popular library – Liverpool Echo. “A community group linked to one of Wirral’s most popular libraries said they are still in the dark about what Wirral Council plans to do with it. Wallasey Central Library on Earlston Road first opened in 1910 after a £9,000 grant from iron and steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. In February 2024, the council decided in its budget this year to consider relocating the Wallasey Central library out of its current hub on Earlston Road as part of plans from April 2025 onwards. This could save £250,000 alongside plans to relocate Birkenhead Central Library.”
• Wolverhampton – Memories gathered to mark estate’s centenary – BBC. “The city council said the exhibition was part of the wider Know Your Neighbourhood Project and was planned for Low Hill Library next year.”
• Wrexham – Consultation on Wrexham libraries and community resource centres – Leader. “Like most other councils, Wrexham is under huge financial pressure and it’s getting harder to make ends meet. We have to do more with less following more than a decade of reduced funding, increased costs, inflation, interest rate rises, and more residents needing our support. So we’re having to rethink the way we do things and we’ve launched a new consultation. We urge you to have your say and complete the questionnaire or collect a paper copy from your local library. Thank you for your continued support! https://orlo.uk/34VQP“
• York – Our amazing year: ‘We had more footfall than Railway Museum and York Minster’ – York Press. “As  2024 draws to a close, we’re celebrating a decade of Explore Libraries, Archives, and Reading Cafés – ten years of transforming York’s public spaces into vibrant hubs of creativity, community connection, reading and learning.”
  • Library Services public engagement survey – York Council. “We’re calling residents, workers, and students in York to participate in an early engagement exercise to help shape the future of the city’s library services. This exercise launches on Friday 6 December 2024 and will remain open for 9 weeks.”

Editorial

It may seem to be a strange time to talk about the Summer but, as a small but select bunch of library staff know, the brochure for Reading Agency Summer Reading Challenge (SRC) materials arrived last week. It’s a big moment. One gets to look through to see the theme (embargoed so no news of that here) and what’s on offer.

The SRC is by far the biggest promotion for most library services offer and is the only real national library promotion that the average man on the street – if they’ve been a parent or a child in the last 25 years – will know about. Medals and certificates are handed out in their hundreds of thousands and the Challenge is the key thing in libraries during August, which is the busiest month in the library year.

But it’s not all wonderfulness. The last few years has seen first one then several then a significant number of library services cease purchasing the Reading Agency material. This, due to never-ceasing demands on the budget, is often due to the cost but also due to the materials themselves. The SRC, you see, has remained largely the same since it started 25 years ago. One still has a pack that one has puts stickers in after reading books/visiting the library and one still receives a certificate and medal for “completing” after, normally, reading six books. This was revolutionary back in the heady days of 1999 but not so much now. Some librarians get bored with doing the same thing year after year, even if the kids (who, after all, change every few years) don’t. And it’s increasingly obvious that the SRC is losing its appeal for older primary school children, who have so many more options available to them than they did in the pre-digital turn of the century.

The challenge for the Reading Agency is how to respond to this. They’re not a huge organisation and they don’t have much of a budget. And it’s hard to see what would appeal to older primary school children, at least in the price range feasible for local library services. To their credit, though, they are noticeably being more involved in getting feedback from libraries – who are, basically, their customers – and have responded to some of the suggestion in the materials for 2025.

But is it too little and too late? Is there anything actually else that they could do? It’s certainly easier to criticise from the outside than to actually create the resources and some of the materials I see from library services producing their own SRC are decidedly below par. although others are good. So I hope that this is the start of a turnaround for the SRC. Because it’s still the best public promotional campaign libraries have.

I just wish it was a more exciting theme.

Please send any comments, views, remarks, news or chocolate assortments to ianlibrarian at co dot uk. Thank you.

Changes by local authority

• Bedford – Library of Things to open in Bedford Central Library
• Derby – Volunteer libraries to be managed by Sporting Communities non-profit.
• East Lothian – Opening hours cut in several libraries
• Kirklees – Dewsbury Library to move to near town hall, despite public opposition.
• Slough – Cippenham and Langley may close (2 out of 4 libraries in service)

National news

• Basic library cleaning – Library Data Blog. “Download the basic libraries dataset – enhanced “
• Big Tasty Read: Book Recommendations – Reading Agency. “Big Tasty Read: Feast on a great read! The Reading Agency and BBC Arts are looking for suggestions of adult books with food as a key theme for a new campaign, The Big Tasty Read in 2025. Find out more and submit your suggestions by 11 December. Librarians can also support the selection of the books by volunteering to read and review the submitted titles. Apply by 11 December. “
• Creating Safer Libraries – Guidance Note – Libraries Connected. “Creating Safer Libraries, originally published in October 2023, offers clear, concise guidance on preventing, managing, and responding to disruptive and anti-social behaviour in public libraries. The 2024 updates include information about external communications and social media as well as additional links to guidance and useful organisations.”
• Engagement with UK public libraries is on the rise – SW Londoner. “The DCMS’ Annual Participation Survey showed a 6% rise in physical visits to public and mobile libraries, increasing from 19% in 2022-2023 to 25% in 2023-2024.”
• Librarians in plea over ‘never before seen cuts’ – BBC. “The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Scotland (CILIPS) has written to Finance Secretary Shona Robison warning of cuts at a level “never seen before”. A number of cash-strapped local authorities have proposed permanent closures, staff cuts and reduction in opening hours. Libraries earmarked for closure include 13 in Aberdeenshire, seven in Moray and five in Perth and Kinross. Councils say fewer people are using libraries and they are accessing books and information in new ways. However, six facilities were saved in North Lanarkshire in October, after the council reversed an earlier decision to close them.”
• Library guide to Bluesky – Ned Potter. “Bluesky has reached a critical mass, with enough users leaving Twitter and joining the platform for it be considered a legitimate X-replacement. This shift makes it worth considering setting up an account for your institution.”
• Scotland’s Libraries at Risk – CILIPS. “CILIPS have written to the Scottish Government to ask for urgent financial support for our public and school libraries following a series of severe cuts proposed by local authorities. These proposals include the closure of over 60% of branches in some areas. In addition to this, our school libraries have seen continued loss of staffing and resources as well as significant deprofessionalisation. We believe this is unsustainable.”
• A warm welcome in South London’s libraries and leisure centres this winter – London Daily News. Lists Warm Libraries offers in Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Lewisham, Merton and Wandsworth.

International news

• Global – Weird and Wonderful Libraries Around the World – Mind Food. New book ” ‘Hidden Libraries’ by Lonely Planet takes you on a completely new journey to discover 50 of the most unique and unusual libraries across the globe.”. Looks at Future Library (Norway), Lonely Library (China) and Beach Library (Bulgaria)
• Australia – Free gifts for kids with First 5 Forever – Bundaberg Now. “Running from December 2024 to March 2025, children aged five and under can collect a different gift each month from libraries across the region. Gifts will be available from the library counter on the first business day of each month and while stocks last.”
• Norway – Inclusive Public Libraries: How to Adequately Identify Accessibility Barriers? – Universal Design. “there is a need for library specific guidelines addressing the organization and presentation of the collection, signage, and to understand what users need to be self sufficient in the library when it is open outside opening hours and no staff is present.”
• USA – Can libraries help solve our connection crisis? – Reimagining the Civic Commons. ” the role of the library as a connector across differences is more important today than ever, particularly now that we walk around with a “library in our pocket” (our cellphones) and spend more and more time interacting digitally.”
  • The 2025 Guide to LinkedIn for Libraries: Latest Tips To Get More Organic Reach – Super Library Marketing. “40 percent of libraries say they post to the platform, a jump of 20 percentage points in a year.”
  • Libraries & Well-Being: A Case Study from The New York Public Library – New York Public Library. ” new report as part of an ongoing collaboration to study and advocate for the role of public libraries in the communities they serve.”
  • LibParlor Online Learning is live(!) & takeaways from launching a big project – ACRLog. “LPOL is a free, openly-available “living” curriculum for library workers who want to develop their research skills.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Views on future of Aberdeenshire libraries sought – BBC. “The council expressed “regret” last month over how it announced the planned closures of 13 library buildings, after a community backlash about a lack of consultation.” … “”Our aim through these discussions is to provide reassurance that our intention is to continue to provide an element of face-to-face contact with our communities in the future, albeit this might be in a different location or delivered in a different way.””
• Barnsley – Libraries and care leavers go from strength to strength in our latest performance report – Barnsley Council. “Barnsley’s libraries continue to attract visitors, with 13% more visits than the same time last year. Alongside our regular craft activities, the Summer Reading Challenge attracted 1,271 children to participate at their local library. ”
  • Barnsley Libraries shortlisted for a national award for pioneering oral history project – Barnsley Council. “Barnsley Libraries’ ‘Telling Stories’ project has been shortlisted for a prestigious ‘Fantastic for Families Best Age-Friendly’ Outreach Award.”
• Bedford – Borrow tools, games, cake tins and more: Library of Things coming to Bedford – Bedford Council. ” a new partnership with Share Bedford to bring a Library of Things to Bedford Central Library. This innovative service will launch in January 2025, offering residents the opportunity to borrow a wide range of items, from tools and gadgets to party supplies and outdoor equipment.”
• Cardiff – Strong performance from Capital’s library services in annual assessment – Cardiff Council. “The annual assessment found that Cardiff is in the top quartile of Welsh library authorities for attendance at events per capita and the total number of attendees has risen by 80% compared to 2022-23. The service is also in the top quartile for both adult and children’s issues, with adult book issues increasing by 16% and children’s issues by 5% compared to 2022-23.”
• Derby – 10 ‘crucial’ Derby libraries saved as organisation chosen to run them – Derby Telegraph. “Sporting Communities will create a trust to operate the library service and the organisation has already agreed leases with the city council, which will provide a financial support package to operate the community libraries.”
• Devon – Woman sexually assaulted outside Devon library – Devon Live. Teignmouth.
• East Lothian – Longniddry residents protest cuts to library hours – East Lothian Courier. “Saturday, with ward councillor Lachlan Bruce also showing his support. The concerned residents are campaigning to have recent changes to opening times – which saw Longniddry Library reduced to just one weekday and alternate Saturdays – reversed.”
• Gloucestershire – New scheme to start at Fairford and Tetbury libraries – Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Standard. Staffless opening hours.
• Hammersmith and Fulham – Happiness Hour a hit at Shepherds Bush Library – Hammersmith and Fulham Council. “These new interactive sessions use smart projectors to run dozens of games and activities.” … “the weekly sessions use smart projectors to offer a variety of activities with a range of benefits for both the young and old. This includes people with dementia, people with learning disabilities and more.”
• Haringey – Haringey libraries set to remain open with reduced hours – Haringey Council. “there are now proposals in place for a reduction in opening hours, with three out of the nine libraries in Haringey closing two days a week more than their current service model as part of a £675k cost-saving exercise.”
• Kirklees – Town’s library to be moved to new site – BBC. “Dewsbury Library would be shifted from its current site on Railway Street to the Walsh Building, next to Dewsbury Town Hall, where it would be set up alongside the town’s customer service centre, Kirklees Council said.” … “However, about 66% of the 301 people who responded to a council consultation said it was either “important” or “very important” that the library remained in its current location.”
• Merthyr Tydfil – Update issued on future of public libraries in Welsh county – Wales Online. “A report which went before full council summarised the assessment for Merthyr Tydfil’s library services in 2023/2024 which had been run by a leisure trust, but that has since been dissolved.” … “Merthyr’s library service meets 10 of the 13 core entitlements in full, two in part and does not meet one entitlement. Of the seven quality indicators with targets, Merthyr is achieving four in full, one in part and two were not achieved.” … “The entitlement that was not met was: “Libraries in Wales will ensure friendly, knowledgeable and qualified staff are on hand to help.” The report said that Merthyr Libraries had previously met this entitlement, but through financial constraints existing staff retired or left the service and were not replaced.”
• Moray – Moray Council attracts library closure protest – Grampian Online. Registration-wall.
  • Meet the Moray campaigners fighting for the future of their libraries – Press and Journal. “Leaders of the campaign to save seven libraries argue that these vital facilities have become an “easy target” for cuts.”
• North East Lincolnshire -Library could merge with leisure centre – council – BBC. “The draft proposals, to be consulted on next year, are part of a review of North East Lincolnshire Council’s libraries and public archive services. Plans also include a skills hub alongside the existing library service in Grimsby.”
• North Northamptonshire – Confusion over the future of town’s library – BBC. “In a post on Facebook, which has since been deleted, Raunds Library said it faced closure due to “financial pressures” on Creating Tomorrow Trust (CTT), its lead funding partner. A statement issued by North Northamptonshire Council insisted it was “business as usual for the library”, but CTT said it remained in discussion with the authority after a review of its arrangement to run the site.”
• North Somerset – Libraries at risk as North Somerset council tries to save £53m – North Somerset Times. “It is understood the proposed savings target for libraries is £217k in the financial year 2026/27, and £217k in the financial year 2027/28 and no savings are proposed to be delivered in the next financial year.” … “We’re currently looking at a range of options, including different delivery models, investing in outreach and reducing the number of library sites”
• North Yorkshire – Free slippers on offer at Pickering Library to prevent falls – Gazette and Herald. “North Yorkshire Council is working with North Yorkshire Sport to host slipper socials where people can collect a free pair of anti-slip slippers whilst chatting to other organisations that support older people.”
  • Newby & Scalby Library Volunteers Recognised in Parliament – This is the Coast. “Newby and Scalby Library and Information Centre’s volunteers have been praised in the House of Commons for their “enormous work” in promoting children’s literacy.” … “The library, located on Scalby Road in Scarborough, is run by 7 trustees and approximately 60 volunteers.”
• Nottingham – ‘No guarantees’ that four at-risk Nottingham libraries will be saved from closure – Nottinghamshire Live. “A consultation signed by an “unprecedented” number of people, more than 5,000, saw several charities, organisations and other voluntary groups come forward to express an interest in continuing to run the four threatened libraries in partnership with the council.” but councillor has “now said that discussions with the organisations interested in taking on libraries may not amount to anything”
  • City library opening delayed until summer 2025 – BBC. “a spokesman for the authority told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) the library service was now “working towards an opening date of summer 2025″.” … “Campaigner Des Conway branded the handling of the Sherwood Library project as the “nightmare on Spondon Street”.
• He added: “It means we’ve not had a library for four years and that’s totally unacceptable.””
  • Sherwood Library opening pushed back as Labour councillor claims people ‘deceived’ – Nottinghamshire Live. “the identification of over 100 snagging issues has caused repeated delays.” but councillor says “the library closure in Sherwood has been used as a saving already without a consultation process.”
• Nottinghamshire – New tier plan for organising Gedling borough library services approved – Gedling Eye. “A new plan for how to run libraries in Gedling borough has been approved – despite concern some will only be open for 12 hours a week.”
• Oldham – More than 23,000 people sought refuge at warm banks in Oldham last year – Manchester Evening News. ” Oldham libraries gave out 23,753 free hot drinks to people who needed them” … “The offer is available at all Oldham libraries, though the Central Library isn’t able to provide free hot drinks.”
  • Oldham – Children and Families Design our new Sustainable Library Card – Oldham Council. “Oldham Libraries are very pleased to be moving to 100% recycled and biodegradable library membership cards across all its 12 libraries.” … “Having tasked, an independent panel of creatives and environmental specialists, with judging over 200 hundred children’s and adult entries Oldham Libraries are now proud to announce the three winning designs”
• Oxfordshire – Goring Library reopens after six-week refurbishment – Oxford Mail. “The library, which reopened on November 16, has been given a complete redecoration, as well as some new additions, including moveable shelving to allow larger events to be held and charging ports. Surplus shelving and a counter from another library have also been repurposed to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the project.”
• Perth and Kinross – Perthshire library campaigners demand halt to ‘sham’ closures ahead of crunch budget talks – Courier. “The Save Our Rural Libraries campaign says it has written to councillors to express support for the proposed tax hike. But it says some of the additional funding should be ring-fenced to secure libraries for the future.”
• Powys – Library to close ahead of move to museum building – Powys Council. “Llandrindod Library is to close its doors for a month as it prepares to move a short distance and into the same building as Radnorshire Museum”
• Renfrewshire – Blockbuster first year for Paisley’s new central library – Renfrewshire News. “Television star Sean Batty and The Gruffalo both booked in to help celebrate a blockbuster first year for Paisley’s showpiece new central library. More than 115,000 visits have been made to the award-winning High Street venue, with almost 46,000 books borrowed, since it opened on November 30th last year. Almost 300 events have also taken place there, ranging from children’s storytelling sessions and talks by authors to technology tutorials to open new opportunities.”
• Salford – Pages of identity launches at Eccles library with a collection of Arabic literature – Salford Now. “Salford Community Libraries has collaborated with the Yemeni community association with the release of new book ‘Pages of identity’. Pages of identity is a new book collection across both Eccles and Pendleton library focusing on the Arabic language”
• Sandwell – Sandwell Police help board games group fighting loneliness – West Midlands Police. Games Drop-in group. “When officers heard the group – set up by Sandwell Libraries volunteers – needed new games, they asked their colleagues in Sandwell Police to help.”
• Shropshire – Need something special to wear this festive season? Oswestry library users can now borrow special evening wear thanks to new initiative – Shropshire Council. “, the project in collaboration with Shropshire Council’s Oswestry Library service launched on 25 November and will run for one month. During this time, attendees are invited to donate items to the shared wardrobe, browse a 200-item loanable festive collection, and provide feedback and pledge their support. “
• Slough – Slough Borough Council could close Cippenham and Langley libraries – Slough Observer. “In an announcement on Friday, December 6, Slough Borough Council said it is considering closing Cippenham and Langley libraries. If plans go ahead it means the number of libraries in Slough will be cut in half, with just Britwell library and The Curve left open.” … “A statement from Slough Borough Council said it considers that keeping four libraries open is ‘not affordable’ and making no changes would be ‘a risk to the council’s financial stability’.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries announces new Chair and Vice Chair – Suffolk Libraries. Chair is a long-standing library volunteer/supporter, deputy is a “sales and marketing professional by background who has worked exclusively in the private sector.”
• Wokingham – Former library to be used for new SEND hub – BBC. “The former Wokingham library in Denmark Street shut in September 2022 after the service moved to Carnival Place.”
• York – Residents invited to shape the future of library services – City of York Council. “The Council is calling on York residents, students and workers, other users and non-users, to participate in an early engagement exercise to help shape the future of the city’s library services. This exercise launches on 6 December 2024 and will remain open for nine weeks, closing on 7 February 2025.”