Ian Anstice

Editorial

The Society of Chief Librarians has been subcontracted by French company Sopra Steria to provide assistance for visa applicants from October 2018. The SCL press release says its for 56 library services, although other news reports, including Sopra Steria, say 56 libraries, which is quite a difference. The process seems quite involved, with the need to submit “biometric information including photos, fingerprints, and signatures and their supporting evidence at a single appointment”. My twitter feed, naturally full of library campaigners, is raising lots of questions about neutrality, training, confidentiality, work time and if library staff would be obliged to report anyone who it turned out was in the country illegally. I’m sure all of this has been thought out and so I have emailed the new Chief Exec Isobel Hunter to ask these questions and look forward to an answer. For the SCL, the reasons for taking on the contract are fairly clear – raising profile, and income, from amongst the government.  I just hope, though,  no-one from the government has looked at the SCL website recently, which is still leading on news from 2016 and promotes five (not six) Universal Offers. I hope the website will be overhauled soon with the forthcoming name change for the organisation.

Changes

• Kent – Bockhanger Library building to be demolished, service to be probably replaced by mobile.
• Leicestershire – 14 libraries confirmed to have staffless technology installed.
• Stoke on Trent – Tunstall Library will move from Victoria Institute to Town Hall

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Editorial

Two volunteer libraries in two weeks have announced they can’t go on due to lack of finance. This is in addition to the three in Lincolnshire that folded due to the charity that ran them closing down, and which have now temporarily been taken over by GLL. While still only small numbers, this is as many volunteer branches getting into trouble in a month as I can recall in the last five years. Indeed, the resilience of these branches has been most impressive up to now. However, as councils provide less and less support to community groups, and indeed sometimes none at all, we can expect these five no to be the last, and possibly a harbinger of things to come. After all, something for nothing is rarely a viable business strategy,

The Telegraph has written a piece critical of staffless libraries and an Observer journalist has tweeted what a “sham” they are. The conversion of UK libraries to “open” technology is picking up pace and now rivals the adoption rate of any country in the world. It remains to be seen as to if such a negative response is indicative of a genuine problem for councils or it’s similar to the initial criticism of self-service machines, now generally adopted in the country. I suspect, like self-service, it depends on why it has been adopted. If it’s to blatantly replace paid staff and to give a paper provision that is deeply inferior in practice, then may will feel the rotten eggs deserve to be thrown. If it is genuinely an extension of the service then the adoption is to be welcomes. Sadly, in many library authorities, it is too often the former.

Finally, it’s great to see some academic research come out on the impact of cuts to library services. Few studies have been done on this subject and some that have been are too obviously biased. So it is to be welcomed and, I hope, used.

Changes

• East Sussex –  Polegate, Pevensey Bay, Willingdon, Ringmer, Mayfield and Ore libraries plus mobile library closed.
• Leicestershire – Wigston volunteer library may close after community group who ran it for two years pulls out.
• Monmouthshire – Abergavenny co-location (library, council, careers, learning) has cost £100k planning, may cost £2m in total.
• Shropshire – Police station co-locates with Shrewsbury Library.
• Western Isles – Mobile library replacement delayed.

The Write Time, Write Place programme of creative writing workshops for beginners in Libraries 

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Editorial

Two things that spark my interest today. The first is the continuing, and little publicised outside of the county, move by Cornwall to transfer numerous branches to town and parish councils. The media suggests Bude-Stratton, Redruth, Camelford, Falmouth, Launceston, St Ives, Bodmin, Camborne, St Austell and Penryn are all being transferred this way. This makes sense as lower-tier councils are not capped in the same way as top-tier ones and of course there’s co-locations happening in a few of these. Cornwall are clearly going for it big time with this option, as are a handful of others such as Swindon. I’d also expect others are quietly exploring this route.

The second is a couple of mentions of staffless/open libraries. Leicestershire are installing a lot of this in their libraries and, interestingly, one branch which is not having it is described as “missing out” in the local press. Such a description would not one suspect be shared by the Irish “Staff Our Libraries” which has uncovered evidence of widespread and repeated examples of people using the libraries without library cards. including children. It’s worth noting that there appears to be little actual problem or serious incident with this, yet, but the worry has to be that something really bad will happen in one of these branches and the council will then have to prove due care and attention was given. Something to weigh up when doing the risk assessment at least, including in Bristol where a few libraries will be going down this “extended access” route shortly.

Changes

• Cornwall – St Ives Library to be transferred to town council.
• Coventry – Earlsdon volunteer library may close, blaming lack of council support.
• North Somerset – Widespread reduction in opening hours.

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Changes

• Angus – 2 new mobile libraries (£270k investment)
• Sefton – Maghull Library halved in size due to co-location with gym.

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Editorial

It’s good to see libraries starting being mentioned by political parties in the run-up to the local elections. Also good to see is Aude Charillon going on from strength to strength, this time doing workshops on library privacy. I’d say that definitely all librarians, and frankly probably library assistants too, need to have at least a basic awareness of how to keep private online. People will come into the library and ask for time to time and it’s a bit embarrassing if they’re met by blank stares. And, who knows? It could be something that libraries can actually take a lead on. We’re information-based and in most communities, and there’s a need out there – it’s in the news quite a lot – so it’d be great to see.

Changes

• Cumbria – Whitehaven Library to close and be co-located with archive centre.

Ideas

• Six minute reading challenge.

National news

• Librarians and Privacy in the Age of Cambridge Analytica – Vable. “ Despite the security breaches, storage of personal messages, and targeted advertising, I have not deleted my Facebook account. As a qualified information professional who should know better, this pertinent tweet said it all: ‘I would like to think that I am privacy literate but I am fully aware that I don’t know what I don’t know. #uksg18″
  On Moaners : An Update – Johanna Bo Anderson’s Blog. On CILIP’s social media policy.
• Overdrive and Bookseller pair up for libraries focus – BookSeller. “The Bookseller, with sponsor Overdrive and partner The Reading Agency (TRA), is launching a Libraries of the Year focus, to highlight the work libraries do to encourage reading, improve literacy and provide access to books” … ” These will form a basis of a report, to be distributed to 4,000 UK libraries, MPs and advisory bodies, on the value libraries play in their communities. Additionally, The Bookseller will hold a discussion with the 10 libraries, with one of them to be named Library of the Year.”
• Public urge Arts Council England to prepare for the future – Arts Professional. “Key issues raised by respondents included: Ensuring a sustainable livelihood for artists; Protecting and improving arts education; Preparing for more digital interaction with the public; Protecting the wellbeing of the planet; Focusing more funding on research and development; The impact of Brexit on artistic collaboration.”

Taking a stand for privacy: a series of free workshops for public library staff funded by the Carnegie UK Trust and delivered by Aude Charillon (Newcastle Libraries). “If you work in a UK public library – as a library assistant, librarian, library manager or in any other role – this workshop is for you. The aim of the workshop is for public library staff to be informed citizens when it comes to how the Internet works, how it impacts their online privacy and how to protect it – and for them to in turn take a stand to protect citizens’ privacy in libraries”

The aim of the workshops is for all of us to be informed citizens when it comes to how the Internet works, how it impacts on our online privacy and how to protect it – and for us to in turn take a stand to protect citizens’ privacy in public libraries. We’ll cover such things as: what personal information is shared when an individual accesses a website or uses a mobile app; basic digital privacy tools and practices;steps to take to better protect the online privacy of citizens using library services. Dates and booking details: Taunton Library, Thursday 26 April 9:30-13:00.  To book a place please contact the Taunton Library Glass Box on GlassBox@Somerset.gov.uk; Wales: Brecon Library, Wednesday 9 May 10:00-13:30  Book a place via Eventbrite; London: British Library, Thursday 10 May 9:30-13:00 and 13:30-17:00 Book a place for either the morning or the afternoon via this Eventbrite page. [via email]

International news

• Eire – Book could be closed on library fines – Times. “The government is considering scrapping late fees in libraries in an effort to get more people to use them. A spokesman for the taoiseach said yesterday that a memo on the issue was brought by Michael Ring, the rural and community development minister, and there was extensive discussion among ministers about the plans. As part of an effort to remove barriers to the access of libraries, the potential abolition of fines for the late return of books is under consideration as part of a new national strategy.”
• Global – A Roundup of Fierce Fictional Librarians – BookRiot. “We’re celebrating libraries and their champion guardians this week. Therefore, I’ve rounded up some of the coolest librarians in fiction. They fight crime, they possess knowledge that ranges from useful to impressive, and they look good doing it. Did I include your favorite?”
• Global – Tell us your story: Libraries’ global storytelling manual – Matt Finch / Mechanical Dolphin. “The International Federation of Library Associations, IFLA, has released a new guide designed to help librarians and library advocates to tell compelling stories about library activities, projects and programmes, showing their impact on communities and people’s lives.” … “”IFLA invites librarians and library advocates from all countries to submit their stories through the LMW SDG Stories platform.””
• USA – Apparently unfamiliar with “libraries”, GOP Gov. candidate Bill Schuette proposes radical idea of “dedicated reading centers” to solve illiteracy crisis in Michigan – Eclectablog. “Mr. Schuette is, apparently, unfamiliar with the concept of the “library” and the staff position of “librarian”. However, his political party — the Republicans — are quite familiar with these concepts. Or at least they should be; they’ve been defunding them for years.”
• USA – Thirteen Reasons Why tops most challenged books list, amid rising complaints to US libraries – Guardian. “The libraries association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has also begun to record incidents of hate crimes in libraries. There were 23 reported in 2017, it said, ranging from the scrawling of swastikas on library walls to the destruction of Muslim religious texts. “In two cases, one in a public library parking lot and another within a university library, men made death threats to women wearing hijabs,” said the ALA in its annual State of America’s Libraries report, which has just been released.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Aberdeen libraries challenge residents to read six minutes every day – Evening Express. “The Six Minute Reading Challenge kicks off on World Book Night – Monday April 23 – and runs until the end of May. The library service is challenging people to take part by reading for a minimum of six minutes every day during that period.”
• Ceredigion – Gavin & Stacey’s Ruth Jones to mark volunteers’ takeover of library – Cambrian Times. “Saturday, 21 April, when renowned actor and author Ruth Jones cuts the ribbon at Llandysul Library to mark the occasion of volunteers running the library in partnership with Ceredigion Library.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Northwich Library offers a relaxing place to read – Northwich Guardian. “The Relax and Read group is intended to be a social, informal group to reduce isolation and anxiety through everyone enjoying good stories and poems collectively. “
• Cornwall – Camelford Library re-opens as a community hub – Camelford and Delabole Post. “Camelford Town Council has moved its offices into the library building, ensuring customers can access more local services in one location. At the same time, the management of the library has been handed over to Camelford Town Council as part of Cornwall Council’s devolution programme.”
• Croydon – What the Labour party in Croydon is promising in its manifesto ahead of the upcoming local elections – Croydon Advertiser. Libraries number 5 in manifesto. “When asked why libraries ranked so highly in the manifesto, he said:”Libraries are vital community hubs. “They are also facilities where a local budget devolved to residents could be introduced so people can have more say in which facilities are on offer at their library.””
• Cumbria – Town centre library to close and move into nearby archive centre – News and Star. “Whitehaven’s library building is to close and the service moved into the nearby archive centre. The county council has revealed its plans which will see the archive centre shut its doors for a year while refurbishment and building works are carried out ready for the transfer. Once the library has moved into its new home, the Lowther Street building will be sold-off to help fund the revamp of the archive centre with any remaining cash being pumped back into the service.”
• Darlington – Darlington library’s ‘community asset’ status is lost – Northern Echo. “A historic library’s status as an ‘asset of community value’ has expired, representing a fresh blow for campaigners battling to save it from closure Currently the subject of a judicial review, Darlington’s Grade II listed Crown Street Library is earmarked for closure as part of a £12.5m programme of swingeing budget cuts. Unless a legal challenge mounted by campaigners is successful, proposals to cut and change library services will result in the much-loved library and community hub closing its doors forever while the majority of its resources are moved to the nearby Dolphin Centre leisure facility.”
• Derbyshire – Woodville, Melbourne and Etwall libraries among those which could be taken over by community groups – Burton Mail. “Controversial plans to transfer three South Derbyshire libraries to community groups to save £1.6 million have been described as “devastating” by a council’s Labour leader. The Conservative-run Derbyshire County Council is set to launch a consultation into the future of its 45 libraries – including Woodville, Melbourne and Etwall.” see also Controversial library plans challenged by Opposition Groups – Labour Party. “They have produced a draft strategy but are now adding other ideas into the mix that aren’t in the original plans at all. The consultation is now completely flawed. How can the public respond when they don’t know exactly what the plans are?”
• Herefordshire – Fears voiced over libraries’ future – Ledbury Reporter. “Questions from members of the public touched upon concerns raised by the potential outsourcing process and the subsequent accountability, before representatives from individual support groups made presentations. ” … “All were sceptical about the risks involved in services being sub contracted with no strong business case being made to support the idea. ” … “Even the bidders refer to the unlikelihood of them being able to run the service without a subsidy,” said Nina Shields, the deputy chair for the Joint Action for Herefordshire Libraries (JAHL). “
• Kirklees – Labour pledges £45m ‘cultural quarter’ plan for Huddersfield town centre – Huddersfield Daily Examiner. “It’s one of the manifesto pledges for Labour ahead of the May 3 local elections. It is expected to include a cultural quarter for Huddersfield town centre, with investment in the library and art gallery, the Piazza and market hall.”
• North Yorkshire – County council accused of prioritising officers’ pay over services – Richmondshire Today. “Opposition members of the Conservative-led authority have called for a review of top officers pay, saying it was unacceptable that nine officers are paid more than £100k while residents face rising council tax and key services are reduced.” … “Other members said while frontline staff and services such as libraries had gone since the government’s austerity drive forced the council to cut its budget by 34 per cent over a decade, no senior posts at the authority had been cut back and their pay had remained unchanged.”
• Northamptonshire – Fight to save Northamptonshire libraries taken to High Court after young girl’s plea – Northampton Chronicle. “Specialist lawyers from Irwin Mitchell – who represent the girl, who is their client, and her family – had previously written to Northamptonshire County Council both before and after its final decision was made at the end of February, urging it not to close the libraries, or potentially face a judicial review in the High Court.”
• Worcestershire – Library recognises autism awareness – Ludlow Advertiser. “To coincide with the day, Worcestershire libraries are celebrating one year of being “Autism Friendly”. It is almost exactly a year since the County’s Libraries and Learning Service has signed up to the Autism Friendly Library standard.”