Ian Anstice

Editorial

It’s that joyful time of year in the election period when all the manifestos have been published and librarians can again play the game of pressing CTRL and F with the search term “libr” on them and see if it comes up with any results. So what does such a tactic show this year?

As normal, all of the party manifestos largely treat libraries as an afterthought but there are some interesting differences between them. The Conservative manifesto only mentions the already announced £250 million to be shared between museums and libraries and anything else cultural. That sounds nice but this amount is over five years and the amount for libraries will be far less per year than recent cuts in it overseen by the same party.

So, not much joy there then, but more than with the Liberal Democrats who mention libraries only as a location for the collection of free sanitary products. Let that sink in for a while before we move on.

The Greens, who I would have thought would have been right behind libraries, mention the word once for tool/equipment collection points and once to point out that they’ll keep libraries thriving. Labour, on the other hand, have clearly been alerted to the sector as they promise £1 billion – not just £250 million – for libraries, galleries and museums but also specifically mention updated IT for public libraries and the reintroduction of library standards.

Well, OK, I am probably being unfair on the Lib Dems who doubtless will spend more on local services than the Conservatives, who have shown a deep desire to cut them more andmore over the last decade. And libraries under the Greens would likely see a renaissance of the sort they have not seen since Carnegie more than a century ago. But the clear gold star goes to Labour who actually appear to show some understanding of the sector beyond that of the typical person polled at a street corner.

A shame then that, if current polling is to be believed, none of these parties stand a chance and the Conservatives will get in with a comfortable majority. Their track record has been demonstrably negative for the sector since 2010 and there is nothing in their manifesto or demeanour that suggests this will change. It suggests that, nationally, libraries should expect, best case scenario, another five more years of only slightly better conditions than now and, worse case, a continued deep decline in funding by a government continuing its policy of neglect for libraries. Library services and librarians should make their long term plans with that in mind.

NB It’s purdah time so I need to reiterate again and specially that this editorial reflects entirely my own views outside of work – and not that of my employer or anyone else in the library sector.

Changes by authority

• Bromley – £320k refurbishment for Bromley Central Library.
• Hertfordshire – Hatfield Library to move to new site.
• Hounslow – Joins London Libraries Consortium.
• Surrey – Cuts expected: some to turn volunteer and some to be co-located.
• West Dunbartonshire – One Stop Shops to co-locate into several libraries.

Party Manifestos

“We will ensure libraries are preserved for future generations and updated with Wi-Fi and computers. We will reintroduce library standards so that government can assess and guide councils in delivering the best possible service.”

“We will invest in the towns and communities neglected for too long, with a £1 billion Cultural Capital Fund to transform libraries, museums and galleries across the country”

Labour Party Manifesto 2019

“£250 million to support local libraries and museums ”

Conservative Party Manifesto 2019

“End period poverty by removing VAT on sanitary products and providing them for free in schools, hospitals, hostels, shelters, libraries, leisure centres, stadiums, GP surgeries, food banks, colleges and universities. “

Liberal Democratic Party Manifesto 2019

” Encourage a shift from models of ownership to usership, such as with car-sharing platforms and neighbourhood libraries for tools and equipment “

” We will support councils to also use this funding to nurture arts and culture in their areas, keeping local museums, theatres, libraries and art galleries open and thriving. “

Green Party Manifesto 2019

National news

• Complaint concerning CCHQ misrepresentation on social media – CILIP. “I am writing on behalf of CILIP, the UK’s library and information association, to complain in the strongest possible terms about the action taken last night by the Conservative Party in re-branding the @CCHQPress twitter account as ‘fact checking UK’ alongside the televised Leaders Debate.” … “We are therefore submitting this formal complaint on the basis that in taking this action, your Communications Team and any Party Leadership that sanctioned this action are in clear and material breach of your own Conservative Party Code of Conduct.”
• Ken Follett: Author makes plea to save our libraries – Daily Express. “My family was not poor, but a book was either two and six, or five shillings, and young families like ours did not have much disposable income. So I would only get books for my birthday and at Christmas. Then, one glorious day, I discovered libraries and their promise of unlimited free books for ever. Suddenly, it was Christmas every day. In fact, I would say the first big thrill of my life was joining Canton Library in Cardiff, aged seven”
• Libraries leading the way in exploring challenging issues – Carnegie UK Trust. “The £500k programme will support 14 projects across 16 library services to partner with universities to engage their local communities with research. Projects will cover a wide variety of topics from fake news and air quality to the menopause and multilingualism.”
• McDonnell: Labour’s broadband plan is just like a public library – Wired. ““The development of free libraries – the ability to access information, and at the same time to engage culturally with the rest of the community has always been a principle that we’re trying to advocate,” says McDonnell when asked why Labour would make its proposed national broadband service free of charge – a world first, if actually implemented. “It’s the same principle of the NHS.””
• Mozfest 2019 – Libraries Connected. “The Mozilla Festival (also known as MozFest) covers a range of topics focusing on creating a better internet. The theme for this year’s Mozilla Festival was healthy AI. The sessions were organised in broad topics as in previous years – web literacy, openness, digital inclusion, decentralisation, privacy and security, youth zone, queering, neurodiversity, dialogues and debates. Libraries Connected gave bursaries to six library workers to attend the festival.”
• Participation in Summer Reading Challenge up 2.6% – BookSeller. “The Reading Agency has reported 722,731 children took part in public libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge this summer, representing a 2.64% increase on last year’s participation.” … “Following an 8% fall last year,” …”Next year the theme of the 2020 Summer Reading Challenge will be “Silly Squad”, celebrating funny books with bespoke artwork from Laura Ellen Anderson, children’s book author and illustrator behind the Amelia Fang series published by Egmont.”
• Public Library Champion of the Year 2019: Remarkable Community Support at Carrickfergus Library – Lorensbergs. “The ways in which Jillian McFrederick and her team at Carrickfergus Library engage and serve their community are truly inspirational. Particularly noteworthy is the wide range of demographics that are supported through the many library programmes and activities.”
• The Summer Reading Challenge encourages 722,731 children to read this summer – Reading Agency. “This year’s overall figure includes 37,177 children under 4 taking part with special pre-school materials – an increase of 32% on last year.” … “95% of library authorities across England, Scotland and Wales took part this summer.”

International news

• Australia – Can you dig through spaghetti to save a ribbon? @UTSLibrary – Mechanical Dolphin. “At a time when we recognise the need to preserve digital as well as physical heritage, it would ensure that the Library Spectogram doesn’t just become “a nice thing one library had once”, yet another great innovation which is celebrated on social media and shown off at conferences, but ends up on the scrapheap when steps aren’t taking to nurture and sustain it.”
• European Union – Streaming provider AVA Library launches VOD platform with European Festival films – free streaming for library users in Serbia, England, Czechia, Finland, Portugal and Ireland – AVA (press release). “AVA Library presents eu.ava.watch, a streaming platform that provides library users across Europe with access to a variety of festival films, very rarely available on other VoD (video on demand) platforms.” … “To start streaming films on AVA EU platform, users should have a membership in one of the libraries that are participating in the project or ask a local library to join AVA. “. The English one is Sheffield.
• Global – Why The Library Intimidates Me – Interview with a non-user – Princh. “I would say that not being a strong reader definitely plays a part in it. I wouldn’t say the library intimidates me, but it makes me feel out of place because I am not an avid book reader or currently studying.” … “In my experience, I would say many libraries appear to be old and kind of dungy. I believe that they need a “face lift” to more modern times.”
• India – 2 Kerala men, who started a library in forest, face ostracisation – News Minute. “It was in July that a small library set in a remote tribal settlement in Kerala received special mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address. Now four months on, the promoters of Akshara Arts and Sports Library in Idukki’s Edamalakkudy, located in the Anamudi reserve forest, have been ostracised from the hamlet, allegedly over a 2014 book authored by one of them”
• USA – Pizza Hut’s ‘Little Free Libraries’ Look Exactly Like Mini Pizza Huts – Atlas Obscura. “When I called Pizza Hut, I was informed that this was a franchisee project, rather than a national endeavor. “We were looking at ways to become involved in our markets locally,” says Lynda Carrier-Metz, the chief marketing manager of Restaurant Management Company of Wichita.”
  • Three loaded guns found inside Phoenix’s Burton Barr library – ABC 15. ” City Librarian Rita Hamilton told ABC15 the city is now “ready to move forward with a serious discussion” about implementing metal detectors.”

Local news by authority

• Bradford – Bradford Libraries staff on strike this week – Yorkshire Post. “Unite members are taking industrial action at Keighley Library today, at Shipley Library tomorrow and Baildon Library on Wednesday over Bradford Council proposals to cut services.On Thursday, staff will strike at all 14 sites and there will be a picket and demonstration at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.”
  • Our libraries should be treated as a national asset – Yorkshire Post Letters – Yorkshire Post.
  • Fight against ‘damaging’ cuts in Bradford goes on – Unite Live. “Unite threw down the gauntlet as more than 70 of its library and museums’ members were gearing up for four more days of targeted strike action, starting on Monday (November 18), over the cuts. Staff have already taken five days of strike action this autumn.”
  • Bradford library workers stage fourth round of action – Socialist Worker.
• Bristol – Why this Fishponds Library will be closed for a week – Bristol Live. “It follows community library conversations which took place at the start of the year, where local people mentioned they would like to see a better layout and more space within the library”
• Bromley – Bromley central library set for major £320,000 upgrade – News Shopper. “The work will include a ‘dynamic creative play area’ for younger library users and improved spaces for study and relaxation.” … “Under the new plans, books will sit alongside PCs and tablets offering age appropriate content for browsing, entertainment and games.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Sandiway Library reopening pushed back to February after repair delays – Northwich Guardian. “The library on Mere Lane closed in September and has since undergone construction work involving complex internal and external piling. Once this is complete, the entire building will be re-carpeted, ceiling lights will be replaced and internal redecoration will be completed.
• Devon – How Learning to Share Again Cuts Waste, and Makes more Resilient Communities – Resilience.
• Dorset – Welcome to Dorset’s smallest library in the form of a converted phone box – Dorset Echo. “The Share Shed is a library of things in the town of Totnes in the southwest of the UK (also home to the Transition Town network). People can donate useful items to the library – like ladders, drills, carpet cleaners, camping, cooking and gardening equipment, and sewing machines – and others can borrow them for an affordable fee”
• Dudley – Dudley Library closed due to heating failure – Dudley News. “The library on St James Road has suffered a ‘complete failure of the heating system’ and the date of its reopening is not yet known”
• Dundee – Short-staffing leads to fall in Dundee literacy sessions for vulnerable people – Courier. “A Leisure and Culture document, passed to the Courier by an anonymous source, states there has been a 31% reduction in attendance of activities promoting reading between April 2018 and June 2019. There has also been a 20% fall in playgroup, nursery and class visits to libraries.”

Pitshanger Library has been repossessed. pic.twitter.com/2SoLa7Pi3C

— Save Ealing Libraries Campaign (@EalingSave) November 23, 2019

• Essex – Run your library? Only if you meet 14 criteria – Gazette Standard. “he document said: “We have set some minimum standards for all community-run libraries that we support and we will work closely and in partnership with you to achieve and agree them. “At this early stage, groups interested in running libraries are not expected have all the answers. “
  • Essex County Council’s new library info pack slammed by campaigners – This is Local London. ““These charity shop libraries will not work,” continued the S.O.L.E spokesperson. “Libraries need dedicated library buildings and paid and trained staff. “
  • Do general election candidates want to save our libraries? – Gazette Standard. “Save our Libraries Essex has spoken to candidates in Colchester, Harwich and North Essex and Witham constituencies. ” … “Sir Bernard Jenkin (Con), and Independent candidates Richard Browning-Smith and Tony Francis were approached but did not respond to the group.”
  • Essex library campaign group question MP candidates ahead of General Election – This is Local London.
• Hampshire – Fears raised that the axe hangs over 37 out of 52 libraries in Hampshire as part of council cost-cutting drive – The News. “The news was revealed earlier this month at the full council meeting where councillor Peter Chegwyn criticised the proposals for the library sector and said 37 libraries in Hampshire are now under threat of closure.
  Cllr Sean Woodward, executive member for recreation and heritage at the county council, hit back saying: ‘I don’t think it’s appropriate to start saying 37 libraries are under threat.’”
  • Hampshire libraries could face closure says councillor Peter Chegwyn – Salisbury Journal.
• Hertfordshire – Hatfield library to reopen at new location after plans to turn site into sexual health clinic – Welwyn Hatfield Times. “The new space for the library will be at White Lion Square – on the former Poundworld site – and will give the library more space for events and children’s activities, including a CreatorSpace to help people of all ages come together to learn and practice new skills and experience new technologies.”
• Hillingdon – Episode 69 Lara Marshall – Hillingdon Branch – London Calling – Library Pros. “Lara Marshall, Manager of the Hillingdon Borough of the London Public Library joined the podcast via Google Hangouts to talk about Hillingdon and the exciting things happening with coding and the Culture Bite Festival which is now a monthly occurrence. We had lots of laughs talking about all the wonderful things happening at Hillingdon”
• Hounslow – Hounslow joins the London Libraries Consortium – SirsiDynix. “The London Borough of Hounslow is the latest borough to join the London Libraries Consortium. Following Croydon Council’s successful go live, Hounslow has now called off the London Libraries Consortium framework, increasing the total number of authorities to 18. We are delighted to provide the underlying technology solution for the Consortium’s framework and look forward to expanding SirsiDynix solutions across London and beyond.”
• Manchester – University partners with Council to map diversity of Manchester’s languages – University of Manchester. “The city is home to over 150 languages including Urdu, Arabic, Chinese and Polish. This remarkable diversity is to be highlighted in a wide-ranging new research partnership between The University of Manchester and Manchester City Council, after the council’s library service won funding from the Engaging Libraries Programme.”
• Northumberland – People in Northumberland will have say on the future of library services – Northumberland Gazette. “In September, the local authority’s cabinet agreed that a 12-week consultation should take place to gather people’s opinions on the future of the service.” … “The cabinet has already agreed to spend up to £100,000 from reserves ‘to support the accelerated transformation of the service over the next 12 months’, by buying additional books and enhancing the range of digital resources. However, the report also noted that the service is required to make savings of £100,000 in 2020-21 and the same again the following year, as agreed in the medium-term financial plan back in February.”
• Suffolk – Libraries day attracts 4,000 extra visitors – East Anglian Daily Matters. “A day created especially to celebrate Suffolk’s libraries brought an extra 4,000 visitors through their doors – and raised £16,400.”
• Surrey – Surrey County Council will work with communities across the county to ensure library services are modernised and remain open – Surrey News. “Surrey County Council is planning to work closely with communities across the county to ensure their library services remain open with an updated library service that works for them. There are 52 libraries across Surrey now and the Council want to keep library services in each of the communities that they serve. Over a period of around 12-18 months, the Council will shape proposals in collaboration with local communities, partners and users of the library service.
  • Modernising Surrey libraries to be more accessible for all – Surrey Matters.
• Swindon – Roundabout Reading scheme promotes adult literacy – This is Wiltshire. “Available through Swindon’s libraries, Roundabout Reading encourages people to pick three reading activities from a list including online content like blogs or a webpage, magazines or newspapers, graphic novels, e-books or audio books among other things”
• West Dunbartonshire – West Dunbartonshire residents to access council services at libraries – Daily Record. “Residents are set to get access to council services through their local libraries in a bid to save £150,000 a year. As has been piloted in Alexandria for the last 18 months, the One Stop Shop services will be available at library branches across West Dunbartonshire.”
  • One Stop Shop to merge with libraries to save £150,000 – Dunbarton Reporter.
• West Lothian – West Lothian libraries to be used for new programme of activities – Daily Record. “A new partnership between Heriot Watt University and West Lothian Council will highlight the importance of listening to the community, and bringing research to those impacted by it. The council has won a £25,000 grant from the highly competitive Engaging Libraries Programme.”
• West Sussex – Crawley election candidates call for library opening hours plans to be dropped – Crawley Observer. “General Election candidates in Crawley have all called on West Sussex County Council to drop plans to reduce library opening hours. A consultation into plans to close Crawley, Chichester, Horsham and Worthing libraries at 6pm rather than 7pm and cut the mobile library service from April 2020 ended last week. Iain Dickson (Green), Peter Lamb (Labour), Henry Smith (Conservative) and Khalil Yousuf (Liberal Democrat) all spoke out against the idea, which the council said would save £175,000.”

Editorial

Good to see three new, but very different, national campaigns for libraries. The first is the VoteLibraries campaign by LibrariesDeliver which aims to raise the profile of libraries in time for the general election. The second is the library aspect of the 100 Novels That Shaped the World BBC series. Finally, the poet laureate Simon Armitage, has announced a ten year campaign to visit a library for every letter of the alphabet from A to Z. This should make for some very creative entries towards the end. Hmm, does Zennor have a library?

Changes by authority

• Bromley – Beckenham Library proposed to move into leisure centre.
• Cornwall – St Just Library passed to town council. Town council offices will be co-located into the library.
• Lancashire – Over 500 new public computers to be installed, plus other other upgrades.
• Nottinghamshire – Retford Library closed for refurbishment.

Ideas

• Lightboxes – To combat Seasonal Affective Disorder.

National news

• BBC panel reveal the 100 novels that have shaped their world – Reading Agency. “We are excited to be working with BBC Arts and Libraries Connected on their year-long celebration of literature, as an expert panel reveal the 100 English language titles that have shaped their world. From January until the culmination of festival during Libraries Week in October 2020, resources will be available for readers and reading groups around the 100 novels, divided into ten categories. These resources will provide information about the chosen themes, questions to spark discussion and further suggestions to widen your reading. “
  • From Austen to Zadie, the English language’s 100 best books are chosen by BBC panel… so how many have you read?– Mail.
• The Economic Case for Supporting Libraries – Book Riot.
• CILIP pushes for library support in election campaign – BookSeller. “VoteLibraries.uk, library supporters across the UK can sign a “#VoteLibraries” pledge, download social media elements, posters and campaign materials to use in their local area, and email their local candidates to encourage them to show their support. It is part of Libraries Deliver, an advocacy project from CILIP with the EveryLibrary Institute and follows on from research published last month, “Public Libraries: The case for support”, highlighting the positive impact of libraries and calling for investment.
  • Campaigners want you to vote for libraries in this general election – Big Issue.
  • Vote Libraries – Libraries Deliver. “Do you #LoveLibraries? Show your support for your libraries this December with our #VoteLibraries toolkit. We’ve made it easy for you to help spread the word using the resources below. The more of us that commit to voting for libraries, the more power we’ll have in the fight to keep them open.”
• Head of Engagement (Adults) – Reading Agency. Max £42k, London based. “The Reading Agency is looking for an experienced strategic manager, to shape and lead an exciting new phase of its work with adult readers, particularly those less confident readers aged 16 and above.”
• Libraries Taskforce: six-monthly progress report (April to September 2019) – Gov.uk. A summary of what is going on nationally in the sector including: ACE; LibrariesDeliver; DCMS digital access; data; building the case for public libraries; national guidelines on subjects like volunteer libraries, outsourcing libraries, benchmarking; peer reviews; skills strategy; leadership fund; innovation and BAME networks; BIPC Network; continued work on the single digital presence; living knowledge network; universal offer review; etc.

Medici (YouTube) – More information on this service is available via this (sponsored) link.

• NAG Public Libraries Forum Manchester – National Acquisitions Group. 20 November. “NAG Forum events are informal discussion days with a range of lightning talks and longer papers with plenty of time for group discussion following each presentation. Feedback from previous forum events has confirmed that the opportunity to network with other professionals from across the country is the most valued part of the day. The events provide a friendly, supportive atmosphere where people feel confident they can speak freely amongst their peers.”
• Ten year library tour for Poet Laureate Simon Armitage – BookSeller. “Over a week in each spring for the next decade, Armitage will give readings in libraries across the UK, in a tour  supported by the T S Eliot Estate and his long-time publishers Faber & Faber. Using the alphabet as a guide, his Laureate’s Library Tour will involve local communities, poets and students at each stop on the journey, to celebrate libraries. ”
  • The Laureate’s Library Tour – Simon Armitage. “So, if your library’s name or location begins with the letters A or B, do get in touch if you would like him to help celebrate your library during the A-B Libraries Tour in 2020. This will take place during the week Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20 inclusive. “

International news

• Australia – BVN design innovative new library for Darling Square – BVN. “Replacing the current Haymarket library, the 2150m² space is four times the size of its predecessor and hosts a collection of over 30,000 items, meeting rooms, a children’s area and makerspace.”
• Finland – How Libraries Can Turn Energy Into Action – Princh. “In this week’s blog we talk with the Director of the Finnish Library Association, Rauha Maarno to have her discuss her perspective on how libraries’ and library associations can turn the love of libraries into actionable energy”
• Global – Moving stories: inside the book buses changing children’s live – Guardian. “Around the world, mobile library programmes are taking books, educational support and even counselling to communities in serious and urgent need”. Looks at Afghanistan, Mexico, Israel.
• Ireland – New library ‘magic tables’ helping people with dementia, autism – RTE “”The Tovertafel or ‘magic table’ is a box on the ceiling. It projects light animation onto a table surface and by interacting with your hands or any other tools, depending on mobility issues, the censors then interact with your movements creating the games,” dlr LexIcon library assistant Erika Csibi said.”
• South Africa – R62 000 worth of items stolen as criminals loot, vandalise Cape Town library – News 24. “As a result, the City has decided to close the library until further notice”
• USA – Female security guard is suspended after her boss ran a background check and found out she had a warrant for her arrest – for failing to return two library books – Mail. “‘This is kind of extreme for two library books. I work full-time and I’m a mom. I’m the head of my household. I can’t afford to take off work for two library books.’ “
  • A library wanted a New York Times subscription. Officials refused, citing Trump and ‘fake news.’ – Washington Post. “The librarians of Citrus County, Fla., had what seemed like a modest wish: A digital subscription to the New York Times. For about $2,700 annually, they reasoned, they could offer their roughly 70,000 patrons an easy way to research and catch up on the news. But when their request came before the Citrus County commission last month, local officials literally laughed out loud. One commissioner, Scott Carnahan, declared the paper to be “fake news.” “I agree with President Trump,” he said. “I will not be voting for this. I don’t want the New York Times in this county.”
  • Fashionable fete: Diane Sawyer and many other notable New Yorkers attend stylish gala at public library – Mail. “Over 500 attendees, including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and television journalist Diane Sawyer, gathered at the library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building for dinner and a program. “

Local news by authority

• Bristol – Librarians are left stunned after book was returned 42 years past its due date – with £10 and an apology – Mail. “A library book has been returned 42 years late along with two £5 notes and an apology. The children’s title was taken out from a library in Henleaze, Bristol before Christmas in 1976 and was due back on January 5, 1977. But it was never returned and began racking up overdue fines – while missing for a staggering 15,644 days.”
• Bromley – Plans to relocate Beckenham Library met with opposition – News in Beckenham. “More than 2,000 local residents have strongly opposed plans by the council to move Beckenham Library from its current location by the Spa Leisure Centre to Beckenham Public Hall in an effort to make way for new housing. Labour councillor for Clock House ward, Ian Dunn, set up a petition opposing the move which was signed by more than 1,000 people in just 24 hours. Bromley Council estimate that 46 housing units could be accommodated on the site with “no net loss of the surrounding green space” and it is anticipated that the development would consist of 50% affordable housing. However, it is unclear whether there will be any social housing made available as part of the move. “
• Cornwall – St Just Library has been devolved to town council – Falmouth Packet. “Under the agreement the library transferred to the town council on Friday after alterations were completed. The changeover will also include the relocation of the town council office into part of the library building in January so visitors will have access to a range of services in one place. Completed improvement work included re-roofing the central flat roof, replacing the entrance porch, remodelling the library space and creating new office space for the town council. ”
• Devon – Library offers books and much more – Tavistock Today. A look at Okehampton Library. “Wren is just starting out on Book Track, a popular scheme at the library in which children are challenged to work towards reading 100 books, with incentives of badges and a £5 book token from the Friends of Okehampton Library on completion.”
• Inverclyde – Comic creators hone their skills in special library sessions – Greenock Telegraph. “The new comic club is called Splash Panel and it’s open to 11 to 15-year-olds. Paul Bristow, of local heritage group Magic Torch, is leading the project. Paul, a digital storyteller in residence at the library, says interest in the group is high.”
• Lambeth – New library scheme to lend smart clothes to jobseekers for interviews – The Extra Mile. “To support our local community, ihateironing has been in collaboration with the Brixton Library, to help unemployed residents and ex-offenders look and feel their best for their job interviews. We have been cleaning and donating formal attire for them to wear, which we hope may contribute to a life-changing moment for someone in need.”

“It’s as easy as borrowing a book. Just show us confirmation of your job interview, and the outfit is yours for up to four days. Then, when you’ve landed your dream, pop back in to drop the clothes off, and give someone else the chance to change their life too.”

• Lancashire – Lancashire libraries invest in digital for the future – Lancashire County Council. “Starting in November and continuing during the next few months the rollout of over 500 new public access computers with the latest Windows 10 software will be installed in some libraries to replace the current equipment, whilst the remainder will have their software upgraded.”
• North Lanarkshire – Monklands libraries to start closing earlier on two weekdays – Daily Record. “Airdrie and Coatbridge libraries will be closing two hours earlier on Mondays and Wednesdays from later this month. It follows a public consultation during the summer, asking users to choose when the current hours of opening until 7pm four days per week should be retained and which two evenings should be cut as part of a savings package.”
• North Yorkshire – Pick up a free comic at the library – North Yorkshire County Council. “The giveaway is in conjunction with Thought Bubble, the Yorkshire Comic Art Festival, which this year is taking place in Harrogate for the first time, with a two-day event at Harrogate Convention Centre on Saturday and Sunday (9 and 10 November).”
• Northern Ireland – Tackle the winter blues in your library – Banbridge Leader. “Libraries NI is inviting all members of the community to come and relax in front of a light therapy box, designed to help ease the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is now in place in Banbridge and Rathfriland libraries.”
• Nottinghamshire – Retford library to close next month ahead of major refurbishment works – Worksop Guardian. “The library will close on Saturday, December 4, to undergo a total transformation which is expected to be complete in spring 2020. Nottinghamshire County Council, its cultural charity Inspire, and contractor ARC Partnership plan to make the library more visible and accessible to the local community.”
• Rochdale – Read all about it as free library scheme launches – Rochdale News. “All four and five-year-olds will receive a free card, which can be used to borrow books at the borough’s 17 libraries”
• Somerset – Late Library Hangouts – Somerset Libraries. “Libraries in West Somerset now offer a regular ‘after hours’ club where you can sit in comfort, meet with friends, blitz that homework or just relax”
• Suffolk – Changing the library narrative – Libraries Connected. “As real incomes, statutory services and community-based support are reduced, these events, activities and experiences have become increasingly important, even as libraries suffer from the same spending cuts. Talking about how we provide social value through statistics and real-life examples of socio-recreation will help us change the library story. “

2018/19 Visits = c. 5000,000 ; Loans = 586,767
2017/18 Visits = 592.313  ;  Loans = 645,118
2012/13 Visits = 1,091484  ;   Loans = 1,070,181
2007/08  Visits = 1.008.071  ; Loans = 982,04

Swindon – Usage statistics, sent in via Shirley Burnham.

• Wrexham – Have your say on the future of Wrexham’s libraries – The Leader. “Wrexham Council is inviting anyone who has not yet put their views forward to have their say – either via an online consultation survey or at one of the forthcoming roadshows where questions can be asked to council officers. So far the authority’s roadshows – held at the public libraries and other community venues, have seen more than 350 people attend. Andrew Atkinson, lead member for libraries, said: “Wrexham Council is facing its toughest financial challenges in living memory and we have some difficult decisions to make. “

Editorial

The hypocritical approach of Bradford council in trying to be recognised as a City of Culture while cutting its libraries and museums is being met by strike action and a fair bit of media coverage. Also gaining attention, although for happier reasons is Warrington – recently having gone through pretty tough times itself – which has led a rather impressive “food for fines” campaign on top of promoting other good things.

While the time of the Library Campaigners meeting from CILIP – 2pm on a work day – has not attracted many admirers, it marks another move by the professional association to be more of an activist organisations, also notable is the Change Lives move. However, those who know the old Libraries Change Lives awards will not miss it isn’t taking place this year.

The blog post by Isobel Hunter of libraries Connected in Princh (how odd that a library supply company is one of the chief websites for library thought pieces) updates us on the policy and views of chief library officers, as does the slightly less positive but very knowledgeable piece in the Library Data Blog.

National news

• Culture Minister tells MP – Libraries have the answer – Edinburgh Reporter. “Ian Murray Labour MP for Edinburgh South asked The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport a written question recently and has shared the answer. He wanted to know what assessment the Minister had made of the potential benefits to (a) partially sighted and (b) blind people of (i) e-readers and (ii) other digital reading materials; and what steps her Department is taking to increase access to those materials. He tabled the written question on 16 October 2019 and has just received a written response. …”
• Dear Gavin Williamson, how strange that prisons have to have a library but schools do not – Guardian. Michael Rosen: “One of the curiosities of life is that schools are not obliged to have libraries, but prisons are. Step one, then, is to make it compulsory for schools, too. This has to be backed up withstep two: ringfenced money to support schools’ libraries, along with the hiring and training of librarians.”
• Delivering A Sustainable Future For UK Libraries – Princh. “In this week’s post Princh guest writer Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive from Libraries Connected discusses delivering a sustainable future for UK libraries … we also recognise that local authorities are working in times of unprecedented challenge and are struggling to manage huge financial reductions across all service areas … We believe firmly that we’re not here to keep libraries as they are, or to revert to what they were, but that our role is to help them to evolve to meet the current needs of their communities.”

“If we manage to pull all this off, it will mean a more sustainable framework for libraries; a team to support each library service to not only survive change, but to develop to its best potential; a stronger and more diverse leadership; and a clear definition for public libraries with a tool to define what this means in each locality.”

Isobel Hunter, Libraries Connected

• Libraries, Information and Knowledge Change Lives – CILIP. “Libraries, Information and Knowledge Change Lives” is CILIP’s commitment on behalf of librarians, information and knowledge professionals to tackle some of society’s most urgent challenges. It outlines our plan to become an ‘activist’ organisation, through proactive advocacy and the promotion of inclusive, participatory and socially-engaged knowledge and information services.” … “We will be consulting on each of the six priority areas through a combination of workshops, surveys and interviews. Register your interest in participating in this consultation by completing this form.”
• Library Campaigners Meeting – CILIP. London 5 November, 2pm. “The purpose of this meeting is to provide a platform for CILIP and campaigners to engage with each other, share concerns and ideas and set out how we want to work together for the good of libraries and library users in the future. The meeting is open to anyone who wishes to attend and participate, whether or not they are a current CILIP member.” … “Please register to let us know how you will be attending, especially if you wish to attend online so that we can send you the webinar details.”
• Members of the British Library Advisory Council – Cabinet Office. “The British Library wishes to appoint four members to its Advisory Council, which provides advice, insights and suggestions to the Library’s leadership. Applications are sought from candidates with expertise in a relevant field such as: collaborative (post-graduate) academic research, data sciences, life and physical sciences, education, culture, publishing, business and commerce, entrepreneurship, libraries, or the creation and management of knowledge.”
• OverDrive Founder Steve Potash speaks at House of Lords event in support of UK public libraries – Rakuten Overdrive. “OverDrive is proud to be the sole corporate sponsor of this important new report from CILIP and The Big Issue,” he said. “OverDrive is dedicated to ‘A world enlightened by reading,’ and works every day to aid the essential mission of libraries and librarians to promote literacy, education and digital skills. We urge politicians to get behind this Case for Support to secure the long-term future of this critical sector.”
• A public library data strategy – Library Data Blog. Very little about data in recent Libraries Connected report, with chief library officers concerned that they would not see any local benefit in providing data, even though it provides national benefit. “This is a misrepresentation of how essential common data standards are. But it is also understandable. The desperation of public libraries has led to a situation where the only good outcomes are seen as those that bring in more funding, with other benefits being ignored.”

International news

• Canada / USA – Libraries push back against publishing house decision to limit their access to e-books – CBC. “Beginning Nov. 1, Macmillan Publishers, one of the so-called Big Five publishing companies in North America, will only allow libraries to purchase one copy of each new e-book for the first eight weeks after it has been released. Librarians who say the decision is unfair to readers are campaigning against it. “
• USA – Michelle Obama Surprises Children at Martha’s Vineyard Public Library: ‘Some of the Kids Were Sobbing‘ – Newsweek. “The accomplished best-selling author, lawyer and wife of former U.S. president Barack Obama showed up to Edgartown Public Library at about 4 p.m. and spent about 30 minutes talking with staff and schoolchildren in the building …”
  • Bag of snakes brings new library policy in Madison County – Citizen Times. “Peggy Goforth knew the Madison County Public Library needed a new policy governing service animals when a man walked into the Marshall branch carrying a bag of snakes.”
  • From wizards to mentoring, Allegheny County’s public libraries are vital, sometimes noisy spaces – Public Source. Events are various including Roblox, reading buddies, art lessons, Jewish books on wheels, pop-up play events, ghost-hunting, bookstore. “The list of programs is long, but Bruni said the library remains rooted in the tradition that made them sprout up to begin with. “

Local news by authority

• Barnet – Have your say on Barnet’s libraries following shake-up – Times series. “People are being invited to have their say on the borough’s libraries in the wake of sweeping changes made by Barnet Council. An independent evaluation is being carried out to gauge residents’ views on the shake-up and help inform the council’s decisions on any further changes. “
  • Barnet libraries: Independent review launched as campaigners demand ‘thoroughness’ – Ham and High.
• Bradford – Library and museum strikers speak up outside Bradford’s City Library – Telegraph and Argus. “Protesters in a 14-day strike have called Bradford Council’s cuts to library and museum services “absolutely misguided” following its recent entry in the Capital of Culture bid. The Unite union, which represents around 50 striking library and museum staff, described the bid as a “speculative gamble” which is taking money out of the district’s historic and cultural hotspots. One striker explained how City Library’s move from its eight-storey building is the perfect example of the library system’s fall from grace.”
  • Paul Routledge: Librarians strike so austerity isn’t the final chapter – Mirror. “I joined the demonstration in Albert Street to hear their grievances. They have a very good case. The council is cutting almost a million pounds from its libraries and museums budget, and the same next year – a reduction of two-thirds. Some will close, others turned over to volunteers. Librarians and curators will be made redundant and services ­drastically curtailed.”
  • Strike action at Ilkley library today and tomorrow – Stray FM.
  • Bradford library workers bring the bosses to book – Socialist Worker.
  • ‘We must battle to keep vital library’ – Wharfedale Observer. “Ilkley’s MP says he will make the “strongest possible representations” for the town to keep its professionally staffed library. And the town’s councillors have also said they will fight to save Ilkley Library from closure in the face of cuts to the libraries and museums service by Bradford Council.
• Cheshire East – CE Libraries Survey 2019 – Cheshire East Council. “Cheshire East Council regularly conducts surveys about its libraries, to see what residents think about them. Previous library surveys were conducted in 2013 and 2016, with the results used to develop a Sustainable Libraries Strategy. The strategy recognises the valuable role that libraries play in communities, and commits the council to delivering them…”
• Darlington – Music sessions for Darlington toddlers get brand new songs and equipment – Northern Echo. “Crown Street library has refreshed its existing Bookstart Rhymetime sessions with some new songs and some brand new equipment. “
• Derbyshire – Green light granted to build a new riverside library – Derbyshire Live. A look back at the two year project to open a new library in Burton in 1974.
• Fife – Halloween parties to take place in Fife libraries this weekend – Courier.
• Inverclyde – Top author meets fans on visit to Greenock library – Greenock Telegraph. “Helen visited the library in the last of Inverclyde Council‘s ‘A Chat With’ series of free live literature events in local libraries. “
• Lancashire – Lancashire Libraries Will Take Part In The Great North West Read – Preston Hub.
  • Lancashire libraries to host group reading events – Lancashire Telegraph.
• Lincolnshire – Councillors pledge to fight any cuts at Deepings Library – Rutland and Stamford Mercury. “Deepings district Independent councillor Ashley Baxter says he is ‘concerned’ to hear Lincolnshire County Council plans to ‘downsize’ the IT provision at the library from nine computers to three in total”. Council says computers out of date: ““The basic offer for community hubs will be two public-use computers, one for admin, a printer, internet connection and public Wi-Fi. However, we realise a small number of busier hubs are used to having more computers than that, so we will be speaking to each site to identify what additional equipment they might require and how this could be funded.”
• Liverpool – A heritage first for Central Library – Liverpool Express. “On Saturday (26 October) a brand new Heritage and Culture event will take place which will see a day full of talks and sessions which help people date and trace their family history. There will also be 40 stallholders from groups such as Garston Historical Society, Friends of Anfield Cemetery, Williamson Tunnels Heritage Centre and the Anglican Cathedral Archive who will be on hand to give advice to visitors. “
• Manchester – Stephen Fry latest star to take over the PA at Central Library – Manchester City Council. “The star of Blackadder, QI and A Bit of Fry & Laurie has recorded a message to be played to library users, letting them know that it’s time to gather their belongings, check out their books and save any work they’re doing on the library’s freely-available computers. But rather than just providing this simple public information – which would usually be issued by the library’s security staff – Stephen also adds a heartfelt message to profess his love for libraries as ‘magical, sacred places’. Stephen says: “Thank you most of all for using the library.  Aren’t libraries magical, sacred places?   “And the more you use them and the more you remind other people of their existence and recommend that they use them too, the better it will be for the health of the nation.”
  • Why you’ll hear Stephen Fry’s dulcet tones at Manchester’s Central Library this week – Manchester Evening News.
• Northamptonshire – District council ‘loans’ £184k to Moulton parish council to keep library open – Northampton Chronicle. “Moulton Parish Council has drawn up plans which would see it provide a community library in the current facility at Moulton Community Centre. This would take advantage of an offer from the county council to provide books, ICT and other support in return for an annual fee from the parish council.”
• North Yorkshire – Baroness announced as patrol of charity running Richmondshire libraries – Richmondshire Today. “Catterick, Richmond and Colburn Community Libraries (CRACCL) has announced Baroness Angela Harris as the new patron of the charity. Catterick, Richmond and Colburn Libraries are managed by CRACCL, in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council who support the charity with paid staff.”
• Reading – Tilehurst Library to close for improvement works – Reading Chronicle. “It will cover improvements to the library’s energy efficiency – including boiler replacement, alongside upgrades to heating systems, wiring and electrics. “
• Sheffield – The banned list: Why people have been barred from Sheffield libraries and leisure centres – Star. “Fighting, aggressive threatening behaviour and swearing – these are just some of the reasons dozens of people have been banned from Sheffield libraries and leisure centres.” … “Libraries had 13 cases of disruptive behaviour – one which ended with the police being called – and three people using computers inappropriately. “
• Shropshire – Shrewsbury community creates its own children’s library – Shropshire Star. “The ‘Little Lovelyland Library’ has been created by social enterprise Lovelyland which works creatively with schools and community groups to encourage better use of outdoor spaces. “
• Suffolk – Overdue book donated back to library after 30 years – Eastern Daily Press. “More than three decades passed before the book was handed in to Bungay Community Library, on Wharton Street, as part of a pile of donations to the library.”
• Walsall – Libraries will close on Sundays in Walsall to save council around £40,000 – Birmingham Live.
• Warrington – Hundreds take part in Warrington’s cultural activity event – Warrington Guardian. “More than 750 people embarked upon Warrington Museum and Library to get to the heart of the town culture. The Fun Palace event is a national campaign aimed at immersing communities in culture and get them trying something new. “
  • Library users donate ‘Food For Fines’ at Warrington’s libraries – Livewire Warrington. “A trolley-load of food items has been collected for Warrington Food Bank following LiveWire’s ‘Food For Fines’ initiative that ran during the recent Libraries Week.”
  • Libraries swap fines for donations to food bank – Warrington Guardian.
  • Libraries collect a trolley load of items for Foodbank – Warrington Worldwide.
  • Padgate Library’s Lego Club wins national CILIP award – Warrington Guardian.
  • Why libraries can help with lifelong learning – Warrington Guardian. “These are challenging times but I believe that investment in public libraries and early years is the best investment we could make in our local communities and it will give a lasting and transformative returns.”
• Worcestershire – Nostalgia: Mobile libraries for rural readers – Worcester News. “Today there is still a mobile library service touring the highways and byways of the county, albeit in considerably reduced form, underpinning the importance of the observation in the Worcestershire County Library annual report of 1953 by county librarian RR Lawson: “The vast improvement in the quality and quantity of reading in the areas served by the mobile library service is proof that the rural dweller is a no less discriminating, nor less voracious, reader than his brother in the town, provided similar facilities are at his disposal.”
• Wrexham – Chirk residents have their say at town’s library consultation – Border Counties Advertiser. “A public consultation session was held at the library on Thursday, to gather views and suggestions from people in the town about how the services can be altered to improve them while saving funds. Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) has been asked to make budget savings of up to £300,000 at the county’s libraries over the next two years.”

Undoubtedly the big news this week is the £250 million in extra funding announced by the DCMS. This is welcome, although a study shows that this is over five years (therefore actually meaning £50 million per year), with half looking to be pretty much accounted for already (o-ho, now it’s down to £25 million) and the remainder to be shared with museums. Hmm. So that’s down to £12.5 million per year if public libraries are as successful as museums in bidding. Still, nothing to be sneezed at, although that’s less than 2% of the existing total budget each year for libraries in England, so it will not have an earth shattering impact and, just to be more depressing, the average annual decline in library services budget since 2010 has been more than that. I hope the sector succeeds in bidding for its fair share and that it uses it for projects with long-term impact rather flash-in-the-pan-but-looks-good projects one often associates with such things.

Libraries Week saw a lot of good news stories, including a successful Lego competition. The one initiative with the most long-term impact though was Leeds going fines-free and also removing the requirement for ID when joining. The failure of libraries to openly not trust prospective joiners to give their correct names and addresses when they are ask for a library card has been a quiet shame for many services for a while now so one hopes the example of Leeds, along with that of the scores of library services already not requiring ID with no ill effects, will encourage those still with trust issues to have a look at their culture and perhaps stop turning away people from joining quite so much in future. Bath and North East Somerset has also chosen this week to get rid of fines, making the strength of this trend fairly undeniable, with 12 services in the UK subscribing to it compared with 2 just a year or so ago.

Changes by local authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Now fine-free.
• Coventry – Earlsdon volunteer library secures two year lease from council.
• Derbyshire – Opening hour cut consultation on Brimington, Clowne, Creswell, Duffield, Gamesley, Killamarsh and Somercotes.
• Leeds – Goes fines-free, waives existing fines, removes ID requirement for joining.
• Moray – £220k cut means substantial cut in opening hours to Lossiemouth, Burghead, Dufftown and Fochabers from 96 to 44 hours per week.

Ideas

• Service Libraries Day – Suffolk run a “Suffolk Libraries Day”.

National news

• Billy Connolly: a very Scottish story – Herald Scotland. “He hated school but loved libraries. “People often say that football and boxing are the ways out of the working class and they are your ticket out of that kind of life, if you happen to want to leave it,” he says. “But, for me, the library is the key. That is where the escape tunnel is. All the knowledge in the world is there. The great brains of the world are at your fingertips.”
• Bobby Seagull’s “Manifesto for Libraries” – EveryLibrary. “HM Government has an opportunity to transform lives across the UK by investing in the future of our libraries. That is why I am calling on Ministers, Members of Parliament and representatives in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to get behind my 10-point Manifesto …”
• Carrickfergus manager is Public Library Champion for 2019 – Carrickfergus Times. “Judges highlighted the importance and variety of the many events and activities Carrickfergus Library hosts on a regular basis. These include a ‘New Mums of under Ones’ group, a walking club, GOT IT computer sessions, a drop-in for teenagers with autism, ‘Beginners Guitar Group’, storytime sessions and the ‘Memory Lane Café’ for people with dementia which is supported by the Alzheimer’s Society.”
• Digital focus for Libraries Week as Bobby Seagull publishes manifesto – BookSeller. “The annual event, sponsored by Nielsen Book and Rakuten Overdrive, will feature coding clubs, the publication of “University Challenge” star and CILIP Library Champion Bobby Seagull publish a manifesto for libraries. Seagull is calling on politicians to invest more in the service through a £50m improvement fund and “fair funding” for local authotrities .”
• England’s libraries and museums get share of £250m boost – BBC. “Libraries, museums and other cultural institutions in England are to benefit from a five-year £250m government fund. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it would set aside £125m for the upkeep of libraries and museums.”
• Lifeline for Libraries – Express. “Brexit policy is not and cannot be the only mark of a good government. It is essential that the domestic agenda to improve the lot of people in this country and protect the things that give life value is also delivered. So it is very welcome that the Queen’s Speech will include plans for an extra £250million for libraries and museums.” … “It is certainly a sign that Mr Johnson is determined to make Britain a fairer and better place that he has devoted funds for this cause.”
• New £250 million Culture Investment Fund launched – DCMS. Over £125m for libraries and museums.
• York rail museum handed £18.5m from ‘biggest fund in a century’ – Yorkshire Post. “The National Railway Museum in York, which attracted more than 820,000 people last year, has been guaranteed £18.5m from the pot, claimed by ministers to be the biggest one-off investment in museums and neighbourhood libraries in the last century.” … “The new fund will see a total of £125m ploughed into regional museums around the country.” … “”The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said it would be delivered in tranches of £50m for each of the next five years. Coventry, which will succeed Hull as the UK’s City of Culture in 2021, will get £7m from the fund.”
• Game Library Camp – Eventbrite. Saturday 9 November, Leeds. “With sessions on developing games collections, running tabletop gaming events, games based learning, escape rooms and interactive fiction it provides an opportunity to learn how games are being used across the library and information sector. As well as scheduled sessions, attendees can add their own topics to the afternoon discussion sessions. The full list of speakers and detailed schedule can be found at https://librarycamp.game.blog/“
• GLL-run Libraries rated ‘Excellent’ by users – GLL. “”The latest survey shows customer satisfaction scoring an ‘Excellent’ rating of 97% in September 2019. Meanwhile the Net Promoter Score (NPS) indicating the percentage of customers who would recommend the service, rose by 6% to 63%. Scores above 30% are considered ‘Excellent’” … “Library visits in Greenwich increased from 1.49m in 2010 to 2.57m in 2018/19; Wandsworth topped the table of issuing authorities in London with 1,469,021 items issued; Bromley Libraries continue an upward trajectory, with issues up 4% to 1,454,806; Lincolnshire Libraries issued 2m items for the first time; Dudley Libraries added 5% to their annual issues – up to 971,663”
• Lego Libraries Winners – Libraries Week. Padgate Library in Warrington wins. “It is the programme of activities outlined above and the future plans for the Business Case which have influenced our LEGO Library of the Future. This can be seen in the Lecture Theatre, Art Gallery, Coffee Shop with walking group leaving the building  and a Meditation Garden. In the future we would like to be able to offer rehearsal space and a recording studio for local music groups. Having access to 24 hour issuing of items from an automated outside system would be a dream.”
• Libraries Connected announces major new programme for The Novels That Shaped Our World festival – Libraries Connected. “Led by Libraries Connected and funded by a £253,000 grant from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme, with additional support from BBC Arts, the year-long multi-platform engagement collaboration marks 300 years since the birth of the English language novel. ” … “Libraries Connected will work with BBC Arts and libraries to deliver a programme of innovative activities for all communities, from voracious readers to those who haven’t read a novel in years, with opportunities for everyone to try something new to read. Libraries will commission artists, creatives and local partners who specialise in working with vulnerable groups, including refugees, young people at risk of knife crime and adults with dementia.”
• Libraries Connected launches programme for BBC Novels That Shaped Our World festival – BookSeller.
• Maddie’s Do You Know? – BBC. “Maddie learns how a library works and visits a factory to discover how a book is made”
• Public Libraries 2030 and NewsGuard Announce Partnership to Bring Media Literacy Tool to European Public Libraries – Newsguard. “NewsGuard and Public Libraries 2030 are bringing NewsGuard’s Media Literacy Partnership Program to libraries in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, and Belgium. NewsGuard uses trained journalists to rate and review thousands of news and information websites for credibility and transparency practices.”
• When is a library a lifeline? – Arts Council England. Kerry Hudson: “A kid who was smart but had nowhere to turn smart into a future. Nowhere, that is, except libraries, where I was always welcomed. Where no one asked anything of me. Where the books on the shelves provided portals to other worlds that might be mine if I just held on. Each time I picked up a book and read of a life that was not mine but that might be one day I was sent the message ‘keep going, don’t stop, keep hoping.’ So I did. Now I write books that sit in the same libraries that gave me life.”

International news

• European Union – EU Library Factsheets – Public Libraries 2030. “We created a series of Libraries and Skills fact sheets which show key statistics from libraries alongside EU DESI (Digital Economy and Society Index) data for every EU member state, in partnership with Princh and the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) Library Map of the World. This provides a surprising mix of data to use with local and European policy makers.
• Finland – Sports clubs in Finland offer season tickets on loan from local libraries – Uutiset. “Sports clubs in Finland are teaming up with their local libraries to offer season tickets on loan in a bid to fill stands and provide opportunities to support local outfits. Basketball team Helsinki Seagulls is reportedly the first team in Finland to launch a campaign that will allow library-goers to borrow a season ticket to the club’s games from the Töölö library. Seagulls’ sports director Toni Leppänen told daily Helsingin Sanomat that the team wants to offer members of the public an opportunity to see a basket ball game at least once.”
• Global – A Map of Banned Books – Princh. “This post will shine a light on many books that have been banned to the “dark”. In today’s post there will be a map of banned books in an infographic format. “
• Portugal – The Gaming Library That Helped a Neglected Neighborhood Find a New Identity – Vice. “When the city council announced plans in 2012 for a new local library, Marvilans eyed it with skepticism. Lisbon city hall officials envisioned this and other “libraries of the future” as a way to directly connect with locals, address illiteracy, and tackle inequity, but the library team says many residents saw it differently: just another imposition … It could have remained only a library, eyed askance and left empty by wary Marvilans. But an unusual head coordinator has taken an everyday building and turned it into a local fixture with gaming programs unlike anything in Portugal.”

“Despite outsiders’ doubts, Marvila library’s pro-gaming policy has changed community dynamics. Oliveira said parents no longer worry about kids’ whereabouts and safety. With the library close to the school, kids go immediately after classes to hang out with friends, get help with homework, and play games. When the library opens later on weekends, he says they line up for an hour just to get in and play. “

• USA – Philadelphia City Councilmember Pushing To Get Rid Of Library Late Fees – CBS Philly. “The Free Library of Philadelphia collects about $400,000 in late fees per year, which accounts for nearly $46 million of the library’s budget. “Those fines are regressive financial penalties that disproportionately impact people and communities who can least afford to pay them”
  • As the welfare state decays, public libraries become sites of social trauma – Raw Story. “Public libraries have become a bellwether for our empire in decline, as a lack of social services has led to many libraries becoming de facto social agencies. But librarians are not trained as social workers, and many have come to suffer invective and even violence that they don’t deserve and never asked for.”
  • Chicago Got Rid Of Late Book Fees At Public Libraries, Will NYC Do The Same? – Gothamist. Very largely in favour of going fines-free but question over where to get funding to pay for it.
  • College Students Just Want Normal Libraries – Atlantic. “Yet much of the glitz may be just that—glitz. Survey data and experts suggest that students generally appreciate libraries most for their simple, traditional offerings: a quiet place to study or collaborate on a group project, the ability to print research papers, and access to books.”
  • Petition: Tell U.S. libraries to stop pushing ‘drag queens’ on our kids – Life Petitions. “A cross-dressing man is coming to a library near you, to teach your child about “gender fluidity,” and you are actually helping to fund him with your state, local and federal tax dollars.” 53,556 signatures at time of checking.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Young north-east readers win awards at event – Evening Express.
  • LINA launches Peterhead and Banff libraries as first centres for rural entrepreneurship – Buchan Observer. “Peterhead and Banff libraries are the first locations to launch Library Innovation Network Aberdeenshire (LINA), a partnership between Robert Gordon University (RGU) and Aberdeenshire Council providing modern co-working spaces and resources to support business creation and drive economic growth.”
• Bath and North East Somerset – Hunt is on for budding young crime writers across Bath & North East Somerset – Bath Echo. “Stories should be 1,000 words or less and have a crime story theme. Entries must be received no later than Monday 10th February 2020.”

Big news! We no longer charge late fines for books. We can be a more inclusive service and it’s extra pounds in your pocket! For full details check our website – link in bio! #bathneslibraries #libraroes #librariesweek2019 #LibrariesWeek #inclusive #removingbarriers pic.twitter.com/yb1EvEkn0n

— Bathnes Libraries (@BathnesL) October 8, 2019

• Birmingham – Visitor numbers at £188m Library of Birmingham more than halved – Birmingham Live. “From a glorious high of 2.4 million visitors in the first year following its opening, only 944,000 people used the services at the landmark building in the last year.” … “At the same time, the council is still paying more than £10 million a year to clear the debt it owes for the £188 million building – with more on top each year to cover operating and staffing costs.” … “The library was forced to cut its opening hours dramatically within two years because of budget pressures. After initially opening for 73 hours a week, its hours were slashed to just 40 a week by the start of 2015, and half of its 188 staff were axed.” … “It also houses the privately operated Brasshouse Language Centre.”
• Bolton – International bestselling author Jojo Moyes books in at Bolton Central Library to launch her new book – Bolton News. “… she chose Bolton Library as one of just a handful of venues in the UK to launch her new book ­—which she describes as a ‘love letter to libraries’ ­— reflecting the growing role that Bolton libraries play in the community, while nationally such resources are being axed.” … “The Giver of Stars is based on the Pack Horse Library Project, in which horseback librarians in the Appalachian Mountains delivered books to families, and is already already a bestseller. “
• Brighton and Hove – The joy of public libraries – Bright Green. “This February, we challenged a proposed cut to library funding in this year’s council budget, managing to find the funds to replace half of the proposed cut in our amendments. This additional funding ensured the library service had more support in the challenging times we face. We believe that prevention is better than cure – cutting public services costs more economically, and socially, than it will ever save in the short term. It’s this that pushes us to continue to protect our libraries in the city.”
• Buckinghamshire – “Our libraries have to much more to offer than just books – Bucks Herald.
  • 20 Copies of Quran in English Gifted to Libraries in Buckinghamshire, England – International Quran News Agency.
  • Chesham Imam presents Quran translation to county libraries – Bucks Free Press.
• Coventry – Historic Earlsdon Library in Coventry agrees two-year lease in bid to secure future – Coventry Observer. “Plans are also afoot to transform the historic 107-year-old red-brick building into more of a “community culture hub” hosting film nights, choir evenings and improved internet access to appeal to the city’s growing student population. Last year a charity was established to continue library provision at the formerly Coventry City Council-run library. It is now run by a dedicated team of 77 volunteers and regularly attracts more than 1,000 visitors a week.” … “The two-year lease gives us a good period of time to explore ways to raise money that can sustain the library in the longer term, while the council provides initial support by meeting utility bills and some other costs in addition to a bursary to cover our legal fees.”
  • One of Earlsdon’s oldest community assets has secured its future for the next two years – Band Hatton Buton Solicitors.
• Derbyshire – Have your say on proposals to reduce opening hours at these seven Derbyshire libraries – Derbyshire Times. “Derbyshire County Council has launched consultations at the following libraries so that people can give their views on opening times and reduced hours; Brimington, Clowne, Creswell, Duffield, Gamesley, Killamarsh and Somercotes. The changes are part of an overall revision of opening hours across all county council libraries. As well as reduced opening hours, the council’s Libraries for Derbyshire programme, agreed last year, also included transferring 20 of the council’s 45 libraries over to community groups and organisations.”
• Devon – Drone racing, children’s parties and shopping – Radio Exe. “The number of people who used Devon’s libraries fell by six per cent last year, compared to the previous 12 months, with stock issues falling by seven per cent. The number of events and activities that took place though rose 14 per cent, there was a 32 per cent increase in event attendance, and while physical stock issues dropped, eBook issues rose 25 per cent.”
• East Riding of Yorkshire – East Riding Libraries Launches New Virtual Book Club – Yorkshire Coast Radio. “To mark World Mental Health Day today (10 October), the first title which customers can download in either eBook or eAudiobook format is the award winning and critically acclaimed ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’ by Matt Haig. The book will be available for up to 500 people to download at any one time, for the next month.”
• Edinburgh – Library Week – Celebrating Libraries in a Digital World – Edinburgh Reporter.
• Gateshead – Gateshead celebrates National Libraries Week – Gateshead Council. “Gateshead born, award-winning author and Freeman of the Borough David Almond said “The free public library is one of civilisations greatest achievements. It’s a place of exploration, learning, enjoyment, discovery and freedom.”
• Hertfordshire – Swap old slippers for free – Hertfordshire County Council. “Old worn-out slippers are often responsible for trips and falls, which can lead to hospital stays and loss of independence. With winter approaching, we are organising ‘Slipper Swap’ events where older people and less mobile residents can swap their old slippers for a new free pair of anti-slip ones.”
• Isle of Wight – Isle of Wight Council are celebrating libraries in a digital world – Isle of Wight County Press.
  • Celebrating libraries in a digital world – Island Echo.

BIG announcement: from today we’re going completely #finesfree – no more fines! This comes with an amnesty, meaning all current fines are wiped. Also, no more need for ID to prove your identity. Libraries are for everyone! #removingbarriers #LibrariesWeek pic.twitter.com/MpNtyrw5sp

— Leeds Libraries (@leedslibraries) October 7, 2019

• Leeds – Leeds libraries axe fines for late library books – BBC. “Libraries in Leeds will no longer fine people for returning books late in a bid to boost numbers using the service. All current fines owed on overdue books have been wiped in an amnesty, said Leeds Libraries. The chief librarian said: “By changing our policy and also making it easier to join, Leeds Libraries will be accessible to more people than ever”. People will also no longer need to show proof of identity and address to join the free service”
  • Leeds libraries scrap fines for late book returns to make reading ‘accessible to more people’ – I. “The council is owed more than £100,000 in fines – but that’s a price it considers worth paying”.
  • Leeds libraries are abolishing fines for late book returns – Yorkshire Post.
  • Leeds libraries writing off £100,000 of fines and scrapping late fees altogether – Leeds Live. “Leeds Libraries said it was able to write off the outstanding fines, which are ‘in the region of £100,000’, following a number of back office changes, including a new procurement system. It said the £100,000 had been recouped without any impact on services or staff.”
• Lincolnshire – Discover digital delights at Library Week events in Rasen – Market Rasen Mail. “Market Rasen Library will join with others across the county to host a variety of workshops, drop-ins and events.”
• Liverpool – Liverpool MakeFest – 5 years in the making – DCMS Libraries. “For our 5th anniversary event we held a world record attempt to build the tallest 3D printed rocket. We think it was successful but it will be verified in the autumn so watch this space! There were also 3,450 people attending and 60 Makers. To accompany Liverpool MakFest the library service curated and installed an exhibition that celebrated women in science and ran throughout the summer.”
• Midlothian – Opening hours change at Midlothian libraries – Midlothian Advertiser.
• Moray – New reduced opening hours for Moray libraries as council cuts costs – Press and Journal. “Moray Council has planned to drastically reduce the opening hours of libraries in Lossiemouth, Burghead, Dufftown and Fochabers from 96 to 44 hours per week. The reduced hours at four of the 11 libraries in Moray is in a bid to make savings to the council’s budget whilst keeping the facilities open. The hard-pressed council has recently confirmed plans to made about £10million worth of cuts and it is predicted the reduced hours will save them an additional £220,000.”
• Northern Ireland – Have a “go on IT” at the library – Carrickfergus Times. “Libraries NI is offering free computer training sessions and one-to-ones for adults in local libraries. Booking is essential at these events and everyone is welcome. “
  • Bloggers Set To Inspire On The New Libraries NI #GetBloggingNI Events – Love Belfast. “The Libraries NI event is designed to encourage potential bloggers to get started and will provide hints, tips and tricks towards success as well as giving participants an inside glimpse of the enjoyment of being a blogger. “
• North Yorkshire – Libraries Week: why it’s a month-long celebration in North Yorkshire – Scarborough News. “A new Book Bingo scheme is also launched today in a bid to inspire residents to try reading something new. You can pick up a bingo card at any library.”

Absolutely. Doing an event in N. Ireland, I was told that during the troubles, libraries were the only neutral space in many communities.

— Ann Cleeves (@AnnCleeves) October 11, 2019

• Shropshire – Roadshow gathers feedback on services provided by Oswestry Library – Advertizer.
  • Library visitors in Whitchurch quizzed on new strategy – Whitchurch Herald. “”It’s part of a six week consultation and the idea is that we can go away with the data and come back with improvements.” “
  • Shropshire Council reveal library and theatre visits increase by thousands – Whitchurch Herald. “The libraries continue to work hard to continue to increase visitor numbers following a long-term decrease. Visitor numbers for Q1 2019/20 were 915,800 compared to 900,461 at Q1 2018/19.”
• Suffolk – Stradbroke Library manager ‘blown away’ by celebratory artwork – Diss Express. “The three-panelled piece of work – conceived by artists Hannah Weeks, Christine Cooper and Kay Edwards – represents the community café, library and post office which are housed in the former courthouse building in Queens Street.”
  • Suffolk Libraries day: Karate, cakes and unicorns – East Anglian Daily Times. “Activities in Ipswich will include a book mountain and cake sale at Ipswich County Library, the chance to take your anger out on a pad in the Karate event at Gainsborough Community Library or the singathon on the Cornhill.” … “The Book Journey Challenge has been the biggest event of all and has involved all of the libraries pulling together to transport a book by a local author around every single location in Suffolk to raise awareness for the day.” … “Suffolk Libraries day has been sponsored by loads of businesses including Adnams, Ipswich Buses and East of England Buses who have all contributed to the book journey and other activities.”
  • Can you spot your child at the Chantry Library Cinderella disco? – East Anglian Daily Times. “Dressed as beautiful princesses themselves, they got to bop along to their favourite songs and have their picture taken with the Disney heroine. Chantry Library manager Vicki Mann said: “It was just so magical, at the end of the disco the clock chimed midnight and Cinderella ran off leaving her slipper behind.” … “The library has also hosted a Womble-inspired litter pick and a craft fair.”
• Warrington – Out-of-this-world success for libraries reading challenge – Warrington Worldwide. “All together this summer: * 2,009 children in Warrington took part – up 11 per cent on last year and 28 per cent up on 2017. * 1,033 children finished the challenge – up 19 per cent on last year and 20 per cent on 2017. * 9 young people volunteered a total of 58 hours supported the challenge– compared to seven young people and 53 hrs last year. * 137 children joined a library to take part, up 57 per cent on last year * 280 youngsters took part in the Under 5s challenge – up 21 per cent on last year and 36 per cent in 2017. * Penketh Library had the most children taking part with 338. * 17 children took part in the challenge at the summer scheme in St Elphin’s Park.”
  • Over 750 people enjoy visiting a ‘Fun Palace’ in the revamped Museum & Library – Warrington Worldwide. “Since 2014 a total of 1367 ‘Fun Palaces’ have been held with over 450,000 people taking part. This was the second year that LiveWire’s Community Librarian Team has held a ‘Fun Palace’ event – following a successful one at Padgate Library in 2018. Over 750 people came through the doors on Saturday October 5 at the newly-revamped Warrington Museum & Library on the day, joining in the ‘Fun Palace’ creativity, which included activities like children’s yoga, flower arranging, Chinese calligraphy, storytelling, poetry reading, family craft activities, signing choir, wildlife drawing, make-up demonstrations, DJ workshops and so much more.”
• Wokingham – Library challenge encourages young members to get reading – Wokingham Today. “Out of the 2,014 children who successfully completed the challenge, 378 had previously not been members of the library before signing up.” … “A poetry and short story competition ran alongside the ‘Space Chase’, with winners presented with a certificate, goody bags and complimentary tickets to the Wokingham Children’s Book Festival.  “

Editorial

One of the advantages of not having done a post for a month is you can clearly see the themes of what is going on.

Nationally, there are two initiatives – a roadmap and library support schemes – that, if they happen as suggested, will be very useful in aiding local library problems and lead to a better service. Due to there being at the moment both a massively distracted and a hugely disinterested national government, this is probably the best that can be hoped for. It’s interesting that there is “little appetite” reported at any level for changing how libraries are delivered, when the last ten years have seen huge piecemeal moves towards just that.

On the good side locally, there are a surprisingly large number of refurbishments and – gosh – actual new libraries in the news, although sometimes it is hard to tell from reports whether such things are co-locations (a bit of a double-edge sword for libraries) or something more genuinely purely beneficial. A huge well done, though, to the people behind Kensal Rise, who have pushed for nearly a decade for a functioning reopened library, which finally happened this weekend.

On the bad side locally, w we have a big problem starting in Bradford – never exactly a shining star when it comes to public libraries – who want to cut their service even more while hypocritically spending money on claiming, presumably with a straight face, that it is a city of culture. Strike action there means there are two library services currently facing that last resort – the other is Bromley. The cuts in Essex continue to be faced up to with tremendous verve and fortitude and quite a lot of savvy about the need not to be fooled by seeming council concessions.

Finally, I need to say that there have been major problems with the Public Libraries News website causing such a long delay between posts. This appears to have been caused by both a problem with the website host – now changed – and some fairly huge and certainly numerous hack attacks. Heaven knows what such people aim to gain from hacking a public libraries website – perhaps it’s because it comes high on many google search rankings – but it certainly irritates me. Things appear fixed for now but there has been a loss of some data.

Correction

The piece in the last post on the new Transforming Leadership grant says that 15 people will benefit from the programme,  Actually the programme will involve 4 people from each authority – the “Emerging Leader” is the catalyst and in addition there will be a development programme for their  head of service, and a third programme involving two other members of staff in each participating service who are identified as having leadership potential. So 60 members of the workforce will be involved – not 15. The funding will also provide for a new online learning course on leadership for public library staff.

Changes by authority

• Bradford – £2m (65%) cut to libraries and museums service over 2 years
• Brent – Kensal Rise Library reopens as volunteer.
• Buckinghamshire – £160k cut.
• Calderdale – £1.75m refurbishment Elland Library, £250k repairs at Todmorden. Mixenden library to be co-located. Staff restructure, bookfund cut. Bailiff Bridge and Walsden libraries under threat. Mytholmroyd and Beechwood Libraries may become volunteer or other model.
• Croydon – £5m refurbishment programme for all 13 libraries.
• Glasgow – Parkhead Library may move into co-location.
• Haringey – £5.5m extra inc. £3.77m to refurbish Hornsey Library.
• Lancashire – Mobile libraries reviewed: visit fewer times but for longer.
• Leeds – Kirkgate Community Hub and Library opens.
• North Ayrshire – Largs, West Kilbride and Fairlie libraries may be under threat.
• Northumberland – £100k cut. 12 week consultation. Closures and volunteers proposed.
• North Yorkshire – Newcastle Building Society supports Stokesley Library financially and in other ways.
• Reading – £400k refurbishment of Battle Library.
• Redbridge – Gants Hill to become part of community hub.
• Stoke on Trent – New co-located volunteer Trentham Library replaces library closed in 2013.
• West Sussex – Mobile library service may end, opening hours may be cut, more co-locations suggested.

National news

• A to Z of Library Digital Services – Lorensbergs. Excellent infographic for all to share. “So roll on Libraries Week, and the opportunity it gives to celebrate all our libraries have to offer in the digital sphere. With our libraries and their staff there to support us, we all have the chance to develop and progress our digital skills and knowledge. Whatever your circumstances, digital inclusion is in reach simply by dropping into your local branch. In addition to the A-Z, further information and ideas on how libraries facilitate digital participation and skills attainment will be available on this blog each day in the week ahead. “

• Community Business Trade Up Programme – School for Social Entrepreneurs. Funding for volunteer libraries etc. “Do you run an organisation or project that exists to improve your local neighbourhood, village or town? Do you run it like a business, but re-invest profits to benefit your local community?”

• Cressida Cowell: Dragon author breathing fire over library cuts – Express. ““That’s why I’m so passionate about libraries because nobody has been able to answer me the question: If a child doesn’t have a public library and they don’t have a library in their primary school, how on earth are they going to be able to read for pleasure? “It is a social mobility timebomb. How can a kid compete with another kid who has got access to all these words?” 

• Eight of England’s Most Magnificent Libraries – Heritage Calling. Includes Jesmond Library, Lillington Library, Dulwich Library and Hove Library.

• Libraries and open data – DCMS. ” On 5 August the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) hosted (in a rather dreary windowless room!) a workshop for Taskforce members, front-line library practitioners and data experts to reflect on what had already been achieved and what the next steps should be.  “

• Libraries Connected and CILIP publish new roadmap for future library development – Libraries Connected. “The report details seven key strands of work that will lead to long-term and co-ordinated improvements in the structural support for the sector. Work on some of these has already begun (as indicated) … The study found little appetite in library leadership, local or central government for a radical change to how public libraries are delivered. “
  • Nationally organised and funded infrastructure and creative programmes
  • National standards and accreditation to help define a quality service (currently being explored by Libraries Connected)
  • Nationally co-ordinated monitoring and evaluation (currently being explored by DCMS)
  • National digital public library service (led by British Library)
  • Regional development and support programme (led by Libraries Connected)
  • Nationally co-ordinated workforce development (led by Libraries Connected and CILIP)
  • Support for local authorities to explore new governance and delivery models for public libraries.”

• Libraries Connected to trial new library support schemes – BookSeller. “The projects will see a national programme manager and regional engagement team to broker support and improve collaboration between library services. A national subject expertise bank to provide specialist advice on things like income generation, mentoring and service reconfiguration. Both pilots will be funded by the Libraries Taskforce and run until March 2020. It comes after a report commissioned by Libraries Connected from Activist Group suggested a new support model with five ways to help safeguard the service’s future.” … “In its entirety, the scheme would require £1.7m investment over three years, mainly through reallocation of existing investment”
  • A national programme manager and regional engagement team to broker support and improve collaboration between services
  • A national subject expertise bank to provide specialist advice on topics such as service transformation, income generation and mentoring
  • An online ‘Library library’ that shares evidence and advice and has tools to help manage transformation and innovation locally
  • An ‘engine for evidence’ to pilot standards for new library standards and commission research on the impact of services
  • An advocacy campaign to highlight the contribution of libraries to local priorities and communities.

• PMLG & ILG National Conference 2019: Information Literacy in Public Libraries – PMLG. “Often overlooked, information literacy stands at the core of a public library’s purpose. Whether it is teaching children how to answer their own questions or supporting retirees to get online, public libraries daily contribute to the development of information literacy skills within their communities, Safeguarding, signposting and navigating information sources requires highly-developed multi-platform, critical awareness. This conference delivers a diverse portfolio of the necessary information literacy skills for the job.”
• World Book Day 2020 Launch – World Book Day. Lists the titles for next year.

International news

• Australia – One for the books: the unlikely renaissance of libraries in the digital age – Sydney Morning Herald. “With the rise of the internet, public libraries were supposed to be on borrowed time. But they’re thriving – their renaissance as much about community as the literary riches they contain.” … “So relaxed is the atmosphere that when someone produced a foot spa, plugged it in and started using it, others presumed this was a new service the library was offering. According to Dullard, a queue quickly formed at the counter. “People were saying, ‘Where’s my foot spa?’ ””

• Canada – ‘Canine library’ offers chance to check out therapy dogs – MSN. “Patrons can “take out” one of eight dogs at the “canine library” this Saturday for a 15-minute session at Emery Barnes Park downtown. The dogs are specially trained therapy dogs that regularly participate in a children’s reading program. “
  • How Canadian libraries are handling the opioid crisis – Rabble. “”We realized really early on that it’s not really a library issue, it’s a community issue,” she says. “We’re that front door, that community living room so any issues that our community is experiencing, we’re on the frontline of that in the public library.”
  • Guelph council approves $67.1M budget for new library – Guelph Mercury Tribune. “The vote does not commit hard dollars to the project, instead approving a hard dollar figure city staff can use for detailed planning of the project, as well as for grant applications from upper levels of government. ”
  • The Library of Tomorrow, Today – Calgary Central Public Library – Princh. “Calgary Central Public library is generating massive global awareness, which helps emphasize the benefits and importance of libraries. Calgary’s Central Library opened on November 1^st, 2018 and has gained continued praise and recognition from day one.”
• New Zealand – Reconfiguration and Automation of the Ōamaru Public Library – Princh. “Improved Customer Service has been our major goal and the library has indeed become the public face of the Council.  We might have an outdated building footprint, without all of the ‘frills,’ but we are proud of all that was achieved on the smell of an oily rag and a ‘can do’ philosophy.  “
• Sweden – Swedish Libraries Hotbeds For Drug Dealing, Violence, Sexual Harassment – Info Wars Europe. [Notable for the unusual coverage of libraries from this USA based far rightwing website – Ed.]
• Tonga – Tonga to open first public library system with thousands of books donated from NZ – RNZ. “Thousands of books have been donated by more than 50 Auckland Council libraries among the hundreds of other items given by generous New Zealanders including bikes, laptops and more.” … “While it may be a surprise for some that Tonga has never had a proper public library before, the little South Pacific kingdom is full of avid readers and has a 99 percent literacy rate. “
• USA – September is Library Card Sign-up Month – ALA. “September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide join together to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning. Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” characters Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Bo Peep and friends are joining ALA on an adventure to promote the value of a library card. “
  • 10 Things the Movie, The Public Got Right About Libraries – Literacious. Ten very true observations including “Librarians aren’t in it for the money, so many are librarians trying to make a positive difference in their communities”
  • For the Love of Libraries: Four Authors on What Makes Libraries – Writers Digest.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Funding confirmed for Aberdeenshire library funding project – Press and Journal. “Highland’s Mind Hubs: Mental agility, physical dexterity was awarded £5,400 and Comic Con Hebrides in the Western Isles received £3,815. Aberdeenshire library services have been awarded £70,000 to further their One System, One Card, One Step Closer project. The project will enhance the existing One Card pilot, with a view to moving to a single library card covering fifty per cent of public library services. Eleven public library projects across Scotland are sharing a combined fund of £201,269 from Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF) which supports the transformation and modernisation of public libraries through the enhancement of creative projects.”

• Bath and North East Somerset – Plans to scrap library fines for late books across B&NES being considered – Bath Echo. “Libraries across Bath & North East Somerset could scrap late book fines, under proposals being considered by the council’s cabinet member responsible for the service.”

• Bolton – Bolton Library to host ‘Wikipedia Editathon’ – Bolton News. “On Saturday, September 21, from 2-4pm Bolton Central Library will host an expert from the encyclopedia-themed website. The volunteers will create submissions referencing the LGBT community and the exhibition at Bolton Museum, which is celebrating a year since reopening. Organisers have asked for anyone interested to get involved”

• Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole – Letter to the editor: Libraries are no longer about peace and quiet – Daily Echo. “Why are public libraries so neglectful of those who yearn for a civilised, non-threatening atmosphere and wish only to make beneficial use of their limited resources? The thoughtless and ruthless decimation of book stocks in recent years to make space for personal computers and concomitant disappearance of most book cases has reduced their interiors to mere shells of what they once were, the resulting open plan layouts crying out for reallocation with new meeting rooms, work tables or private booths. “

• Bradford – Angry residents told Bradford library cuts are an ‘act of cultural vandalism’ – Unite the Union. “A packed public meeting has been told that plans by Bradford council to cut the libraries and museum services by two thirds (65 per cent) is an ‘act of cultural vandalism’. Over 160 members of the public yesterday, (Wednesday 18 September) crammed into Keighley Civic Centre to listen to concerns about the future of the service. They heard how the planned cuts of 65 per cent from the libraries, galleries and museums service, will lead to job cuts and the closure of public assets.” … “The council’s proposed cuts to the library and museums services which will see two million pounds cuts from the service over the next two years, coincides with Bradford council earmarking £1.4 million to prepare a bid for city of culture in 2025.”
  • Calls to safeguard Keighley Library provision as new fears are voiced over future of historic building – Keighley News. “Last month, claims were made that library bosses had been in talks about bringing together a range of community health and wellbeing services in the historic North Street building”
  • Council ‘aim’s to retain all libraries’ despite cuts – committee told – Telegraph and Argus. Council aiming at volunteers to run libraries. “We are looking at more innovative solutions than closures. It may be that the community libraries are more sustainable. We’re looking at perhaps partnering with other organisations, possibly getting support form public health to make libraries hubs for the community. “
  • Strike action on the horizon – Telegraph and Argus. “Unite said it will hold a ballot for strike action and industrial action short of a strike of its approximately 50 library and museum members in defence of the library and museum service. The ballot opens on Friday, September 13, and closes on Friday, September, 27. ”
  • Strike action looms over ‘swingeing cuts’ to Bradford library and museum service – Yorkshire Post.

• Brent – Celebrations with celebrity sparkle as Kensal Rise Library re-opens after lengthy battle – Brent and Kilburn Times. “Kensal Rise Community Library, in Bathurst Gardens, is launching with a Grand Opening Ceremony this Saturday at 2pm on the anniversary of its opening by Mark Twain in 1900. The library was closed along with five others by Brent Council in 2011 to save £1million. Since then the community has relentlessly campaigned, fundraised and finally, refurbished the replaced space. “
  • Kensal Rise Library to reopen after epic community battle – BookSeller. “The library was shut down by Brent Council in 2011, sparking a huge campaign supported by writers including Alan Bennett, Philip Pullman, Jacqueline Wilson and Zadie Smith. Following a fight that included a judicial review at the high court, the building is being redeveloped into flats but with space on the ground floor for a community facility, run by the Friends of Kensal Rise Library. Thousands of pounds have been raised to refurbish the space and campaigners have promised an “emotional celebration” from 2pm on 28th September with a reading from Grieg and the unveiling of the library’s original Mark Twain plaque.”

• Bromley – Local government round up: Picket at Bromley libraries ahead of talks – Socialist Worker. “Talks between bosses and striking library workers in south east London were set to take place as Socialist Worker went to press on Tuesday. Unite union members working in Bromley libraries have been on all-out strike since 6 June. They returned to the picket line last week in their long-running dispute with Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).”
  • Beg, steal or borrow: A united front in the battle to save our libraries – Independent. Behind partial paywall. Covers strikes in Bromley and Bradford including a survey of general cuts. “If there’s one thing the council and the unions agree on, it’s that austerity has been the biggest driver of local authority budget cuts that have led to library funding being curtailed so much.”
  • Bromley library strikers – fighting on to save our libraries – Socialist Worker.

• Buckinghamshire – Changes at Buckingham Library as part of council cutbacks – Buckingham Today. £160k cut. “The review of library services will save more than £160,000 but inevitably it has not been easy, particularly on our staff. “However, what this has managed to do is protect any changes to our library opening hours, which is good news for the thousands of local people who use our libraries each week. “We tried hard to match our existing staff to new posts and, out of more than 100 staff countywide, we have managed to keep compulsory redundancies down to three, with just one from Buckingham.”

• Calderdale – Investment of £2m in Calderdale libraries but some are facing the axe – Halifax Courier. “although efforts are being made to keep two local services, if not in the buildings they have been housed in, users may have to switch to the nearest alternatives … The council is investing £1.75 million at Elland Library, which would also turn the building into a community hub housing other services, and around £250,000 to complete vital repairs at Todmorden Library.”

• Cambridgeshire – Help choose the arts events in your local Cambridgeshire library for Spring 2020 – Fenland Citizen. “The Library Presents’ invites members of the public to help choose which performances and workshops they would like to see in their next season”

• Cheshire West and Chester – The Storyhouse, Chester, England – Once upon a time there lived a library… – Library Planet. “he cookbook section covers the restaurant walls, old card catalogue cabinets repurposed as tables sit in the study areas and quotes from poet Lemn Sissay are quite literally writ large on the walls in playful, bold typefaces.” … “he cookbook section covers the restaurant walls, old card catalogue cabinets repurposed as tables sit in the study areas and quotes from poet Lemn Sissay are quite literally writ large on the walls in playful, bold typefaces.”
  • Cheshire library to close for 10 weeks for building repairs – Cheshire Live. Sandiway Library.

• Croydon – Croydon’s Selsdon library looks incredible after a massive refurb – My London. “After being closed for two months for a major refurbishment, Selsdon Library has reopened with a completely new look, and it does look fantastic! Soon residents will even be able to use the library after hours, when new technology is trialled. The library in Addington Road was officially reopened to the public on Saturday, August 10. And its new modern look is how all 13 Croydon libraries are expected to look within the next three years. The council is set to spend a total of £5 million upgrading all of the borough’s libraries.”

• Cumbria – Cumbria County Council phone lines problem affecting libraries and services – Westmorland Gazette.
  • Well-being group is just the tonic – Times and Star. “Tea and Tonic will offer a safe, welcoming space to socialise, meet new people and increase social confidence through tea, cake, conversation and a range of art activities. “

• Dundee – New chapter for Coldside Library after major refurbishment – Courier. “The refurbished Coldside Community Library opened its doors on to the community after six months of work. Improvements include a new lift, accessible toilets, hospitality facilities and new interior decorations. Funded by Dundee City Council, the new features in the listed building also include new lighting, meeting rooms, library counter, flooring, refurbished windows and painted railings outside.”

• Durham – Bishop Auckland Town Hall closes to become cultural hub – Northern Echo. “Durham County Council is investing £1.5m into refurbishing Bishop Auckland Town Hall, in an effort to improve its layout and facilities. To allow the work to take place, the market place venue will close from Saturday, August 31, until next Spring. Other meeting places have been secured for groups that meet in the hall and arrangements have been made to ensure residents can access library services during the closure. “

• Essex – War of words erupts over Manningtree Library’s future in leaked email – Gazette News. “Campaigners have criticised a veteran Tory councillor who said he is “sick and tired” of a debate on the future of a town’s library. In a leaked email, Tendring councillor for Manningtree Carlo Guglielmi referred to some Save Our Libraries Essex campaigners as “left wing extremists”. He said campaigners for Manningtree Library could “wrap the thing in aspic and be done with it”. “
  • Day of protests announced over Essex Council ‘plot to close libraries by stealth’ – Yellow Advertiser.
  • Essex libraries row: Councillor’s ‘sick and tired’ comment criticised – BBC.
  • Hullbridge Library: Group withdraws offer to run – Echo series. “Friends of Hullbridge Library (FOHL) had submitted an interest in running the library in a bid to stop it being closed under initial plans put forward by Essex County Council. But with concerns that volunteers will be left to run the libraries with no professional support – which campaigners have branded “closure by stealth” – the community group has withdrawn their offer. “
  • Library campaigners plan protest march – Yellow Advertiser. “A ‘Save Our Library’ protest march is planned for this Saturday, September 28, meeting at Broomfield Church Green at 4pm, as part of SOLE’s countywide day of action.”
  • New website launched to answer questions on the future of Essex libraries – Gazette Standard. “… the new website will answer the frequently asked questions which have come forward since the summer. Susan Barker, libraries boss at the county council, said: “The new webpage will be updated regularly with answers to key questions and concerns as well as providing any new information and updates. “We recognise there are challenges in setting up a community-run library, and our team will be there every step of the way helping these individuals and groups to make a real difference in their local communities. “

• Glasgow – Young Glaswegians borrowed thousands of books during holidays thanks to Summer Reading Challenge – Extra. “Across Glasgow 4,085 children headed to their local library during the summer holidays to borrow a whopping 41,436 books, as the annual Summer Reading Challenge took the city’s 0-12 year olds by storm.”
  • Langside library now has a tranquil space – Evening Times. “Volunteer gardeners have helped turn derelict land outside Langside Library into a tranquil space in the heart of the South Side community. A team of more than 30 volunteers volunteers, supported by Glasgow Life and Langside, Battlefield and Camphill Community Council, developed their inner city oasis to celebrate the rich diversity of the local area. “
  • Plans for £2.5m library move could lead to Parkhead revamp – Evening Times. “Parkhead Library could move into a new East End healthcare hub as part of a £2.5million scheme which would pave the way for the regeneration of Parkhead Cross. The plan would see one of the city’s Carnegie-funded libraries moved from its Grade B-listed building at the corner of Tollcross Road and Helenvale Street to the proposed East End Health and Social Care Partnership Hub (HSCP) building. “

• Guernsey – Not everything needs to be a debate – Medium. “A local library hosts a free, inclusive reading session for children. It’s completely optional to attend, co-organised by two charities, and hosted by an experienced, DBS-checked entertainer, who just so happens to be a drag queen. Amid accusations of ‘creepiness’ and, at worst, ‘indoctrination’, I ask: how did it get to this?” … “LGBT+ people exist. And I’m tired of people using stories like this as a chance to scapegoat their homophobia.”

• Haringey – Millions of pounds to be invested to improve Haringey libraries – Enfield Independent. “Despite losing £1,000 per house hold, the council decided to keep all of its libraries open and will invest £5.5 million to update them. Earlier this summer Haringey Labour agreed to invest £3.77million into Hornsey Library to further enhance it. The library is set to be remodelled with new interiors, carpets, decoration and lighting, while there will be improved provision for young people, including the children’s area. “

• Hertfordshire – Swap your old slippers for free – Hertfordshire County Council. “Old worn out slippers are often responsible for trips and falls, which can lead to an unnecessary hospital stay and loss of independence. As we head into winter we organise ‘Slipper Swap’ events where older people and less mobile residents can swap their old slippers for a brand new free pair of anti-slip ones and find out more about keeping themselves safe and well “

• Lancashire – What role should Lancashire’s libraries, museums and archives play in the life of the county? – Lancashire Evening Post. “Lancashire’s libraries, museums and archives should aim to “enrich the lives” of the county’s residents. That is the main ambition laid out in a new strategy setting the direction for Lancashire County Council’s cultural services over the next five years.”
  • Lancashire’s mobile libraries to visit more places, but less often – LEP. “Lancashire’s mobile library service is set to be overhauled so that visits are introduced in areas which are currently bypassed by the vehicles and each stop-off lasts at least fifteen minutes. But communities which currently receive a fortnightly visit will see the frequency fall to once every three weeks when the changes are made next year.”

• Leeds – People have been banned from Leeds libraries and leisure centres for racism and making threats to kill – Leeds Live. “The reasons for the bans were not broken down by type of offence but the response added: “We are however able to give you a general breakdown of the reasons why people were banned.””
  • New library and community hub to open at Leeds Kirkgate Market – Yorkshire Evening Post. “The library will open on Monday, October 7 on row two of the indoor market, just up from the Market Kitchen. Leeds Libraries made the “exciting” announcement on Twitter and encouraged customers to “pick up your meat and 2 veg and a book at the same time”

• Lincolnshire – Villagers near Grantham are furious that their mobile libraries are to be downsized to vans – Grantham Journal. “Villagers have protested against the downsizing of their library buses. The library bus which regularly visits smaller communities throughout the county will soon be replaced by a smaller van. Lincolnshire County Council says the vans are more environmentally-friendly.”

• Northamptonshire – Bid to save under-threat Northampton library progressing well – but more volunteers needed to ensure longevity – Northampton Chronicle.
  • Desborough town councillors who did not declare library interest in time apologise – Northants Telegraph. “Chair Cllr Jean Read, Cllr Gil Holmes, Cllr Linda Burnham, Cllr Steve Draycott and former councillor Bill McElhinney all said their sorries at the town council meeting last week (Sept 19) for failing to declare on time that they were trustees of the Desborough Community and Library Hub.”

• North Ayrshire – Final chance to have your say on community centres and libraries – Largs and Millport News. “The public have the opportunity to have theri say on the future of the running of Largs Library which could be on the move to Vikingar, Brisbane Centre, Skelmorlie Community Centre, West Kilbride Library, and Fairlie Village Hall and library by going here to fill out an online consultation. “

• North Yorkshire – Newcastle Building Society provides much-needed support to volunteer-run library in Stokesley – Business Up North. “Newcastle Building Society will provide financial support for at least the next three years for Stokesley Library to use towards any funding gaps, and further enhance the library facility and community activities. As part of the support, the Society will also provide an ongoing series of talks which will focus on a range of community needs, including: talks on Dementia Awareness, retirement planning, internet security, buying a house and investment and estate planning.”
  • Eyes down for Book Bingo at North Yorkshire libraries – North Yorkshire County Council. “To take part, players need to read any library book that fits the various challenges on the card until they complete a line. The 24 challenges range from “read a book that was made into a film” and “read a book with a number in the title”. After completing their challenges, players can hand the card to the library to be entered into a prize draw to win a book token. Readers can pick up another card and play again.”
  • New Garden for Newby & Scalby Library – Scarborough News. “Over 2,300 people voted to turn the patch of scrub land behind the library into a community garden with access for all and on Saturday many of them turned out to see Barbara cut a ribbon and declare the garden open”

• Northumberland – Northumberland library shake-up in store as consultation on future launched – Chronicle. “The future of Northumberland’s library service is under scrutiny as the council announced the services must make £100,000 in savings. A report to councillors reveals discussions on consolidating the library estate and the potential of opening hub libraries in core areas to help make savings.”

• Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire County Library to close temporarily for works – Oxford Mail. “The library’s goods lift at the back of the library will be replaced from next month. “

• Reading – Multi-use Community Hub To Open At Battle Library – Reading.co.uk. “Battle Library will reopen to the public as a multi-use community hub for west Reading on Tuesday 17th September, following major building improvement work over the summer … Work on the £400K project, funded through developer contributions from nearby housing schemes, got underway in May. The transformation has created a new single storey rear extension alongside internal reorganisation and improvements. The extension has an office space and houses the adult library, which opens up to an outside deck area. An eco-friendly green roof of hardy alpines plants has been installed on the extension.”

• Redbridge – Gants Hill Library – They Work For You. Conservative asks Sadiq Khan: “Having previously promised that residents would be able to choose between keeping Gants Hill Library as a library or replacing it with a Hub, the Leader of Redbridge Council is now seeking to renege on his promise to hold a Consultation which gives residents a real choice as to whether they want the hub or retain the library, by not including the option to retain the library in the ongoing consultation. “
  • Redbridge Council makes £336,000 in library fines in four years: Is your library the worst offender? – Ilford Recorder. “In the same period, according to figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request, the council’s spending on its libraries fell by £152,556 from £2.73million to £2.58m.” … “That library has received £95,205 in late fines in the last four financial years – 28pc of the entire borough’s library takings.”

• Stoke on Trent – ‘This is a fantastic new space’ – £380,000 library opens for pupils and residents – Stoke Sentinel. “The community learning centre at Trentham Academy will be used by the school and the wider community, replacing the old Trentham Library which closed in 2013. Stoke-on-Trent City Council provided the capital funds for the facility, but its ongoing running costs will be met by the academy. And volunteer group Trentham Reads will run a book hire service for the general public in the building, with stock loaned from the council’s library service.”

• Suffolk – Suffolk’s new free film streaming service – East Anglian Daily Times. “Suffolk Libraries has expanded its eLibrary service with a new digitial streaming service called Kanopy.” [Lambeth, Slough and Southwark have also taken out memberships – Ed.]

• Surrey – Surrey’s libraries to take global inspiration in bid to improve – County Border News. “How its library service is going to change is still in the planning stages, but officers said they hope to have more details for cabinet members in November. The transformation of the library service is part of SCC’s £250m savings by 2021. Changes are running slightly behind schedule.”

• Swindon – New Roundabout Reading scheme to promote adult reading launches in Swindon Libraries – Swindon Advertising. “Available through Swindon’s libraries, Roundabout Reading encourages people to pick three reading activities from a list including online content like blogs or a webpage, magazines or newspapers, graphic novels, e-books or audio books among other things. “

• Warrington – Warrington Museum & Library to become a ‘Fun Palace’ – Warrington Worldwide. “On Saturday October 5, organisations across the country will be taking part in the national “Fun Palace” campaign aimed at putting culture at the heart of communities, and communities at the heart of culture.”
  • Museum & Library reopens following revamp – Warrington Worldwide. “The venue underwent the revamp in a bid to re-energise the building and transform it into a creative hub – with increased links between the museum and library services.” The project, which has been a joint venture between Culture Warrington and LiveWire, has seen a number of cosmetic changes to the building, in addition to a more integrated approach to activities and opening hours – including Sunday opening for the first time.”
  • Stockton Heath Library reopens following £195,000 redevelopment – Warrington Borough Council. “Stockton Heath Library, on Alexandra Road, is the first of the town’s libraries to benefit from Warrington Borough Council’s £1m library investment programme.”

• West Sussex – West Sussex libraries safe from closures ‐ but there may still be changes – Chichester Observer. “One of the options was to save up to £500,000 by making some changes to the library services – such as closing several branch libraries, reducing opening hours and removing the mobile library service …. But several months later Mrs Russell said: “I know how important they [libraries] are to the people who use them and I want to reassure residents across West Sussex that I want to protect services not shut them down.” However the authority is looking at areas of the service where it thinks it can make savings while preserving the core of the service. These include looking at stopping the mobile library service and reducing late evening library opening times.

• Worcestershire – Redditch’s award-winning library reveals its most read books – Redditch Standard.