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Editorial

Public libraries in England can open for browsing this week after more than three months of being closed. It is possible, what the vaccinations, that this will be last lockdown. Let us earnestly hope that it is and let us also wish the best for those thousands of library workers back in the front line tomorrow. Here’s to the thought that libraries, that will still tomorrow be quarantining items and have social distancing in place, will be able safely at some point this year be able to ditch the security measures and have events and what we used to consider the “normal” buzz of library life. And that the very thought of it does not sound strange. Make a silent wish with me, folks, and open those doors in a properly risk assessed manner in the meantime.

National news

• CILIP to receive £320,000 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund – CILIP. “CILIP is among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund. This award will enable us to continue to develop a sponsorship programme for the Carnegie Greenaway Awards, invest in our training and CPD offer to support the sector and drive forward our digital transformation programme to ensure that CILIP’s resources, help and guidance are effective and accessibly for all our members.”
• Community book exchanges flourished while libraries were closed in lockdown – I. “With bookshops, libraries and charity shops closed for much of the year, book lovers desperate for fresh reading material took matters into their own hands. Book exchanges popped up all over the country” … “Libraries and bookshops may soon be opening their doors again, but book exchanges are here to stay”
• The Fight for Britain’s Libraries – Tribune / Alan Wylie. “And although there have been some articles written about the great work done by libraries during the pandemic, it’s actually library workers who have done the work – a subtle yet crucial distinction. Working from home has caused its own divisions, with lower-grade staff more likely to be working on the frontline than their higher-grade managers.”
• Library Dividend: Encourage candidates in the May 6th Local Elections to celebrate the #LibraryDividend – CILIP. “CILIP is asking our members to reach out to your local candidates and encourage them to recognise the ‘Library Dividend’ – the tremendous social and economic impact of supporting strong local library services.”
• A Love Letter to Libraries – Varsity. “We must protect libraries, academic and local, if we want to continue to make information, resources, and that indescribable ‘library experience’ – which I’ve been trying so hard to capture – accessible. “
• An open letter to Kwasi Kwarteng – BookSeller. List of suggestions, including “Enhanced support for public libraries via central government, in particular for educational materials (including non-English-language materials to help with the levelling up agenda) and for digital access, ebooks, and downloadable audio.”
• Public Libraries Project of the Year Grant Award – National Acquisitions Group. “NAG are pleased to announce that their Public Libraries Project of the Year Grant for 2021 has been awarded to Wandsworth Libraries with their “Roehampton Kaleidoscope” and Derbyshire Libraries with “Read, Play, Puzzle” and each will receive £5,000 from the National Acquisitions Group.”
• Service recovery toolkit – April 2021 Word – LIbraries Connected. “This Service Recovery Toolkit has been prepared in consultation with Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Updated 12.04.21”
• Simon Armitage to embark on decade-long UK library tour – BookSeller. “Beginning with the letters “A” and “B” this spring, the tour launches in in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and will visit a variety of libraries during the week, stopping in Belper, Aberdeen, Bacup and Bootle. The week will include a reading from the entrance hall of the British Library featuring Joelle Taylor, founder of the national youth slam championships SLAMbassadors, and Theresa Lola, Young People’s Laureate for London 2019-2020. Readings from the first week of his trip will be streamed live from 26th April to 1st May.”

“It would have been easy to stream these events from my office or garden shed, but at a time when libraries are under threat and have been out of bounds during lockdown, reading from inside their physical structures feels like an act of solidarity — with books, with poetry and with communities.”

Simon Armitage

• Using Hublet at Northamptonshire Libraries – National Acquisitions Group. 11am Wednesday 28 April webinar. “Hublet is a system of self service tablet loan units for public libraries.  The tablet is released from the docking station by showing a library card and typing in the corresponding PIN code …”
  • Quickstart Cataloguing (RDA in MARC) – 19 May 11am.
  • Quickstart Cataloguing: Local Studies Materials – 26 May 11am.

International news

• Global – Rebuild Your Summer Reading Program! Here Are Ten Tips To Boost Participation This Year – Super Library Marketing. Drop library card requirement, make joining easy, let adults do it, add experiences, have an app, use partners, email promotion, targeted advertising, competitions, good public service.
• USA – The spy who came in from the carrel – Public Books. ” “The keeping of these records is itself a kind of warfare,” MacLeish explained. “The keepers, whether they wish so or not, cannot be neutral.””
  • How the New York Public Library Is Equipping Artists With Technology (for Free) as the Pandemic Shutdown Continues – Playbill. “The Library has developed “Tech Kits for Performing Artists,” available to check out for any NYPL cardholder 18 or older. Contents include an iPad Pro with cellular data and a suite of creation-oriented apps, a USB microphone, wireless headphones, a ring light, and a phone tripod stand; those with musical pursuits can also request a 32-key MIDI keyboard.”

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Libraries across Bath and surrounding area to offer Covid-safe browsing – Bath Echo. “residents will be able to browse the resources available at Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton libraries.” … “To ensure social distancing, the number of people entering a library at any one time will be limited, and a dropbox will be available at the entrance to each library.”
• Bolton – Bolton libraries to open on Monday – here’s how it will work – Bolton News. Browsing, full open hours.
• Essex – Residents reminded to pick-up tests from Tendring libraries – Clacton and Frinton Gazette. Covid collection points.
  • Essex County Council candidates asked to back library campaign – Gazette Standard. “The Colchester branch of Save Our Libraries Essex (SOLE) is asking all candidates for May’s election to set out their position on libraries. The future of facilities across Essex has been in doubt since 2018 when a County Hall strategy document set out plans to close 25 of 74 libraries and remove ongoing support for 18 more.”
• Falkirk – Falkirk district libraries to reopen and offer click and collect service – Falkirk Herald.
• Glasgow – When Glasgow libraries reopen as lockdown eases in Scotland – Glasgow Live. Branches open at variety of different times and levels from 27 April.
• Isle of Wight – Isle of Wight libraries to extend services next week – Isle of Wight County Press. Browsing.
• Northern Ireland – Consultation on the proposal to extend remote e-lending from public libraries to Northern Ireland – Gov.uk. Allows public lending right for ebooks in Northern Ireland.
• North Yorkshire – Colburn library refurbished to inspire young readers – Darlington and Stockton Times. “About £40,000 has been spent on Colburn’s library which will also feature a community space that will host a variety of events appealing to all age ranges, from a coding club for younger people to a Knit and Natter gathering for those a little older. The refurbishment has been carried out by the charity Catterick, Colburn and Richmond Community Libraries (CRAACL) which was formed in 2017 to take on the running of the libraries when they were threatened with closure by the county council.”
  • Libraries set to welcome customers back to choose books – North Yorkshire County Council. Browsing and computer from 12 April.
• Manchester – Using libraries during COVID-19 – Manchester City Council. More services from 12 April.
  • Manchester’s Inaugural ‘Festival of Libraries’ Announced – About Manchester. “Manchester UNESCO City of Literature’s inaugural Festival of Libraries, a brand-new county-wide celebration of Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries, will take place from Wednesday 9th to Sunday 13th June, 2021. The festival, which is supported by Arts Council England, will feature a vibrant programme that highlights the library network’s full offer, across wellbeing, culture and creativity, digital and information, and, of course, reading.”
• Oxfordshire – The Oxfordshire libraries reopening in May and their Covid rules – Oxford Mail. Phased reopening.
• Peterborough – Peterborough libraries to re-open on Monday – Peterborough Today. Browsing from 12 April.
• Rochdale – Rochdale council opens six libraries to help people complete the census – In Your Area. “Number One Riverside, Alkrington Library, Balderstone Library, Castleton Library, Darnhill Library and Spotland Library have been opened so residents can see someone to answer any questions and access the internet for free to complete the census.”
• Rutland – Libraries to reopen in Oakham, Uppingham, Ketton, Ryhall and Stamford – Rutland and Stamford Mercury. “Rutland Library Service is offering an amnesty on long overdue books and DVDs as Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are gradually lifted and buildings reopen.”, browsing, order and collect, computers. ““Many Rutlanders don’t realise that our libraries don’t charge for overdue items, and may be reluctant to return books because they’re worried about late fees.”
• Shropshire – Shropshire announces libraries and facilities reopening for Monday – Whitchurch Herald. “Opening hours will be reduced for the time being and Covid-19-secure measures will be in place in all libraries to help keep staff, customers and communities safe. Library customers will be able to access computers, but are asked to book sessions in advance by contacting the relevant library.”
• South Lanarkshire – Gyms, pools and libraries preparing to reopen – Daily Record. “Following on from the Scottish Government’s announcement on easing Covid-19 restrictions, a number of services will be back up and running from Monday, April 26.”
• Staffordshire – 17 vital questions answered on proposal to move Burton Library – Staffordshire Live. “The group behind proposals to move Burton Library into the town’s Market Hall have answered a series of questions people have been asking about the controversial proposals. Staffordshire Live has now put the 17 questions to the Burton Town Board which came up with the idea to move the library as part of a series of proposals aimed at breathing new life into the town centre.”
• Warwickshire – ‘Grab and go’ rules when Warwickshire’s libraries reopen – Coventry Telegraph. 30 minute browsing.
• West Sussex – West Sussex Libraries reopen for browsing next week – Crawley and Horley Observer. All open for limited browsing and computers.
• Wiltshire – Council reveals opening of Tidworth & Ludgershall libraries – Andover Advertiser. “In line with the Wiltshire Council Roadmap, Wiltshire’s 34 libraries (including mobile libraries) are taking a cautious approach to reopening. As lockdown is eased, opening hours and services will be increased in a phased way over the next few months. For individual opening times and days please check the links below.”
• Wirral – ‘Order and collect’ from Wirral libraries as lockdown eases – Wirral Globe. Order and collect from 12 April.
• Worcestershire – Covid home testing kits now available from local libraries – Evesham Observer.
• Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: looking forward to welcoming you back – The Leader. Browse, order and collect soon.
• York – Let’s explore together again – York Explore. Browsing and bookable PCs.

Editorial

Welsh public libraries can reopen, carefully, now, with England a fortnight later and Scotland two weeks after that. I think this is the third time of reopening (I may have lost count) after a lockdown and let us hope it is the last. Apart from the normal news, there’s a fair bit about what the future will look like, with contactless and the need to concentrate on digital as well as physical being unsurprisingly foremost. Away from the news headlines, there is a also a lot of interest in cashless ways of paying fines, with of course the most cashless way being not to charge fines at all.

Changes by local authority

• Derbyshire – Killamarsh Library may move into new sports centre.
• Warrington – Padgate Library £142k refurbishment.

National news

• Commissioning: Future Funding Webinar – Libraries Connected. Recording. “This workshop sheds light on the processes around procurement, with advice on how best to approach these, and the ways that library services can engage with commissioners outside the procurement process. It is suitable for all library staff.”
• Covid: ‘Christmas Day’ for families as Wales lifts travel ban – BBC. “Organised outdoor activities and sports for under-18s can resume and libraries and archives can reopen their doors.”

“Canongate are offering 10 authorities the opportunity to each receiving 1,000 copies of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig for World Book Night, with the aim of reaching adults who don’t regularly read for pleasure or have access to books. We’re inviting authorities to sign up to apply by 1 April, briefly outlining how they can reach those people (we don’t need exact plans as we appreciate it’s next week). All the details are on this form: https://bit.ly/WBNTML”

The Reading Agency

• “Libraries changed my life”: Author Kelly Yang on the mysterious power of reading – Book Trust. “I remember hiding in the library during lunch, crouching in between the aisles, hoping the librarian wouldn’t see me because we weren’t really supposed to be in the library at lunch. The librarian, of course, saw me. She came over, smiled at me — no judgement — and handed me a book. “
• The library dividend – BookSeller. Nick Poole of CILIP writes. “Unless we can find a better way to pay for libraries, chances are we will see hundreds more closures in the next two to three years as we address the cost of public borrowing during the pandemic.” … “It is to address this that CILIP has been funded by the Arts Council England to lead a new Independent Review into Public Library Financing. The Review will explore innovative models for the financing of public libraries while still retaining their core identity as public services.”
• Public Library Recovery: Lessons and Opportunities from the COVID Crisis – Innovative. Including Isobel Hunter from Libraries Connected. Recording.
• Public Library Staff Introduction to materials on personal resilience – Libraries Connected. 8 April, 12 noon. “Using materials developed for the Leading Libraries Programme, we will demonstrate how these may be used locally to facilitate small team sessions.”
• Queers in the Library – The Coast is Queer. Recorded online panel “discusses the potential of libraries as spaces for generating and nurturing queer communities as well as the limits of certain institutional forms of librarianship. Our panelists comprise workers in university and public libraries as well as creators of queer community libraries.”
• UK councils funding crisis threatens essential services – World Socialist Web Site. “From April, the NAO expects remaining special educational needs and homelessness services to be gutted, while more theatres, libraries and community centres face closure.”
• #uklibchat 12th April 2021 – #ebookSOS – UK Libchat. “If you work with e-books in any capacity, you may well have heard of #ebookSOS – a campaign to raise awareness and instigate change in the pricing, accessibility and functionality of e-books. Rachel Bickley and Caroline Ball will be helping us to lead this Twitter chat”

International news

• Canada – Woman dead, six in hospital after stabbing spree at North Vancouver library – Vancouver Sun. Just awful.
• EU – Boosting Digital Skills and Competences for Librarians – Biblio. “The Biblio Consortium is inviting you to join the webinar on 31 March at 10:00-11:45 (CET). The project partners will talk about the new trends and requirements in the professional development of librarians; present the findings of the research on skills and training needs in the library sector”
• Global – The Tech Landscape & Libraries – 2021 – Princh. Suggestions for the future: “Post-pandemic, we must be prepared to offer some virtual programming, and commit to improving the quality of the offerings.”, more digital, more contactless, streaming, VR.
• New Zealand – A last bastion of public space? Why the fight over Wellington’s library was so fiery – Spinoff. “Wellington Central Library has been at the centre of an increasingly bitter dispute in recent weeks, after the city council voted to sell off part of the library building as office space. In response to loud and wide condemnation, several councillors had a change of heart and the library was given a reprieve. “
• USA – The Future of Libraries Is in the Community – Bloomberg. ““Libraries are going to recognize that their role is not just within the walls of their buildings, but it is across the landscape of their community and in people’s homes,””
  • ‘Avoid terms like white supremacy’: Free Library workers furious over diversity training – Philadelphia Inquirer. “a presenter told the nearly 200 attendees to avoid terms like white supremacy and systemic racism because they were overused, distracted from solutions, and focused on just one race. White privilege — which she called “one of the other myths out there” — was another to avoid.”

Local news by authority

• Barnet – Last chance to save old Hendon Library – Change. “The council are now planning to lease the entire building to Middlesex University.   Everything but the façade will be demolished and rebuilt.   “
• Cheshire West and Chester – eBooks: New app to access eBooks for library members in Cheshire West – The Standard. Borrowbox.
• Coventry – Coventry taps into literary heritage with new £97k ‘One Million Reads’ project for UK City of Culture – Coventry Observer. “One million reads in a year – is the target for city book fans after Coventry Libraries and Information Service won the award. An artist will be commissioned to create a One Million Reads Coventry interactive digital read-o-meter installation counting the number of reads completed during 2021/22 building up to a One Million Reads total by May 2022.”

“”Public libraries are also a vital component in tackling digital exclusion. A priority of Coventry Libraries is to create improved access to digital services and increase the digital literacy skills of local residents. During 2019 to 2020 Coventry Libraries in the North East of the City have provided over 70,000 hours and over 100,000 sessions of access to public computers and Wi-Fi services. While reduced service has been provided during 2020, due to COVID 19, they are continuing with plans to increase access to public PCs, install new computers at both Bell Green and Foleshill Libraries and reintroduce computer help sessions, job clubs and benefits, debt and housing advice sessions.”

Carol Dinenage, Minister of State, DCMS.

• Denbighshire – Welcome back to your local Library and One Stop Shop – News From Wales. “Libraries across Denbighshire will be re-opening their doors from Monday, March 29 for browsing for books, using a computer and printing, and accessing One Stop Shop services. To ensure a safe visit, customers will need to phone their local library to make an appointment to visit.”
• Derbyshire – Councils in talks over bright future for Killamarsh library – Derbyshire County Council. “we’ve been discussing the possibility of moving the library into the newly-refurbished sports centre with North East Derbyshire District Council”
• Essex – Essex libraries on board in new Covid-19 test collection scheme – In Your Area. “From Monday, March 29, Covid-19 testing will be even more accessible and convenient with self-test kits available for collection at 21 libraries across Essex.”
• Gateshead – Phased reopening of leisure centres and libraries – Gateshead Council. From 29 March “The Library Ring and Read service will resume as well as limited access to public computers for essential purposes at Gateshead Central, Blaydon, Birtley, Leam Lane, Crawcrook, Chopwell and Pelaw.” then from 12 April “Reduced hours Library access for a selection of books will resume.”
• Glasgow – Ten Glasgow libraries to reopen for computer access only – Glasgow Live. “Under the Scottish Government covid guidance, public libraries in level 4 areas are allowed to open to provide free computer access only. Following the latest Scottish Government update, a further announcement on the re-opening of Glasgow Life venues will be made soon.”
• Hertfordshire – Enjoy poetry and music online at duo’s fun Easter picnic – Welwyn Hatfield Times. ACE funded.
• Isle of Wight – Order and Collect service to resume at council libraries – Island Echo. “From Monday (29th March), residents can order books by emailing their requests to libraries@iow.gov.uk or by calling 1 of the 6 libraries directly.”
• Lincolnshire – Golden times for Market Rasen library – Market Rasen Mail. “Market Rasen Library will be marking its 50th birthday on April 21 and to celebrate staff are planning to take over the LincsLibraries social media for the week, but they need help from their customers.”
• Midlothian – A fine move by Midlothian libraries to win customers back pre-pandemic – Midlothian Advertiser. “Midlothian Council has agreed to remove library fines and hire charges for CDs and DVDs to encourage users back.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk Libraries appoints new head – Lynn News. “Jill Turrell is taking on the role of head of service, following the retirement of Jan Holden who has overseen Norfolk’s libraries for over 20 years.”
• Northamptonshire – ‘New unitary council must cut £15,300 rent for Kingsthorpe Library in Northampton’ – Northampton Chronicle. “The Kingsthorpe Library saga goes on! The Parish Council has written to the county council asking them to review the cost of the annual rent of £15,300, but as yet, has had no reply. Members of the Parish Council spoke to the councillor for Kingsthorpe North, who had spoken to the council, but they were entrenched in the £15,300 rent for the library.”
• Redbridge – Redbridge Library hosts film premiere on grief during pandemic – Ilford Recorder. “It is part of its “Death Positive Library” project, which is looking at the use of libraries as spaces to start conversations about death, dying and loss.”
• St Helens – More libraries in St Helens to reopen for essential computer use – The Reporter. “Parr, Eccleston, and Newton-le-Willows libraries will join St Helens and Chester Lane libraries in offering IT support, available to book by appointment for up to 45 minutes at a time during opening hours to assist with essential tasks such as study, access to benefits, searches for work and training opportunities.”
  • The St Helens Libraries set to reopen on April 12 – St Helens Star. “Chester Lane, St Helens, Eccleston, Newton-le-Willows and Parr libraries, which have the space to reconfigure layouts in the interest of social distancing, have been identified to reopen first on April 12.”
• Solihull – Return all Solihull library books as click and collect services restart – Solihull Observer. “Solihull Council say it does not matter how long these books have been on loan for, or what condition they are in – they just need to be returned to a drop off trolley at any library branch from March 29.” Click and collect to start.
• Staffordshire – Libraries in Lichfield and Burntwood preparing to host events as part of Staffordshire Day celebrations – Lichfield Live. “The event takes place on 1st May and will feature online chats with local authors, poetry readings, history talks and family quizzes.”
  • Library seeking artist to transform outdoor space – East Anglian Daily Times. “The aim of the project, which is Arts Council-funded, is to turn the space into a garden and attractive outdoor space for the community to enjoy. “
• Suffolk – New research highlights the impact of Suffolk Libraries Lifeline service – Suffolk Libraries. “Suffolk Libraries created Lifeline, supported by Suffolk County Council and the East of England Co-op, as a response to the first lockdown to help lonely and vulnerable library customers. Between March 2020 and July 2020 library staff made over 6,700 calls to ‘check in’ on library customers and have a chat. The reach of the library service’s network enabled staff to focus on older people and those who are particularly isolated or vulnerable. The service has continued during subsequent lockdowns and has now made over 10,000 calls. The social impact team at Moore Kingston Smith carried out research into Lifeline which calculated an impressive return on investment for the service of over £4 for every £1 spent.”
  • Artist paints unseen moments from Suffolk libraries – East Anglian Daily Times. “Suffolk Libraries joined forces with local illustrator and printmaker Sandy Horsley, who spent a year regularly visiting 13 Suffolk libraries to capture unseen moments between customers and staff.”
• Warrington – Proposed Penketh Library improvements welcomed – Warrington Worldwide. “The exact extent of the work to be done isn’t finalised yet, but external work is expected to include repairs and repainting of the facias, window frames and door frames. Double glazing is not included. Internal gutters, which have caused leaks in the library, will be replaced with external gutters.”
  • Warrington library set to be modernised as part of £142,000 revamp – Cheshire Live. “Padgate Library on Insall Road, Warrington, will be renovated next month ahead of its reopening following lockdown” … “Priorities include making the library frontage brighter and more attractive. The work also aims to provide more flexibility of space for library and community activities.”

Editorial

One year ago, it all changed. Library workers, long told in conferences that “the library is not the building” discovered the truth of it as the doors were closed and locked in every building in the country. Those staff who had work computers at home got down to the work of promoting their online resources and putting on, incredible as would have seemed simply a month previously, recorded rhyme-times and the like. E-book use soared and councils saw public libraries as a much-needed good news story.

Throughout last year, library staff – again, limited to those with work computers – learned a whole bunch of new skills, Many others were co-opted into other departments and discovered the truth that they were council employees. Again, many new skills were learnt. When libraries reopened for the short periods between lockdowns, it was the front line staff – largely, those without work computers – who quarantined the books, cleaned the work surfaces and faced the masked public while the others mainly continued at home.

Now, with vaccination becoming general, hope is in the air, an incredible full twelve months after, and library services don’t really know what will happen. Will a relieved public throng back into libraries like never before? Or will people stay cautious or have discovered new things to do during lockdown? Will the Summer Reading Challenge be the busiest ever or a damp squib? Will, the horror, a new Covid variant develop and we all return to our tedious homes? We don’t know. But something which I have been thinking about for a while is that this crisis has widened the divide between those who continued working at home and those that did not. There will be many in libraries that have not physically seen a specialist librarian for a year. How we mesh together again, when we mesh together again, will be a challenge to us all when branches reopen. Start thinking about it now if you have not done so already.

Changes by local authority

• Northumberland – Consultation concluded. Five libraries will become “hubs”.
• Staffordshire – Burton Library to be demolished and re-located.
• Sunderland – New “Culture House” proposed.

National news

• Bolinda UK Ltd and CILIP join forces to activate Libraries Week 2021 – CILIP. ” This year Libraries Week will take place between the 4th and 10th October and will focus on the central role that libraries play in their community as a driver for inclusion, sustainability, social mobility and community cohesion.”
• CILIP Pathways ready to deliver end-point assessments for Level 3 Apprenticeships – CILIP. “This Apprenticeship opens up a robust alternative route into the profession, enabling employers to attract and retain from a wider pool of talent”
• Great public library services – Library Data Blog. “Newcastle library service began publishing open data in 2016, and have run two hackathons engaging the public with that data” … “Suffolk decided to go their own way and create their own software. This looks great, and runs on tablets within a stand that provides a barcode scanner. More information is available at this Suffolk Libraries Self Service Demo from 2018.” … “Leeds are well known for their digital inclusion programmes, such as 100% Digital Leeds. Note the top-quality accessibility statement on that site.” … ” was amazed to see in 2019 that a library service (North Ayrshire) was recruiting for a role called ‘Open data development officer’. As far as I know, this was the first dedicated role in open data for public libraries.”
• Guardians of UK’s literary jewels at risk in V&A plan to cut key library staff – Guardian. “Thirty librarians have been told that their numbers are to be reduced to just 10, as part of a major restructuring at the museum.”
• Library careers panel with CILIP NW – CILIP. 23 April 10am. “e’ll be joined by a panel of library colleagues from higher education, public libraries and health, who will introduce their role, their team and their organisation, before taking questions from the audience.”
• Patron Point now available for public libraries in the UK and Ireland – Patron Point. “The company’s marketing automation platform connects to all popular library management systems and other third-party library data sources like eBook vendors and reservation system”
• Re-engaging Library Customers – CILIP East Midlands AGM – CILIP. 27 April 9.30am. ” Ash Charlton will lead us in identifying the issues and solutions for re-engaging customers as life starts to return to our new ‘normal’. “
• Summer Reading Challenge to have Wild World Heroes theme– BookSeller.”The charity has teamed up with the World Wildlife Fund to deliver the event across the summer, encouraging children to engage in reading about environmental issues, including plastic pollution and deforestation to wildlife decline and nature loss. Through taking part in the challenge, with free packs from public libraries or online, children will be able to join six fictional characters — “wild heroes” — to help solve some of these threats, learning about the importance of the environment while helping to restore nature levels in the neighbourhood of “Wilderville”.”
• What’s the key to finishing that novel of yours? Try working at the library – Crime Reads. “nd so I got to work at the library, reading everything from US-set fiction to travel guides. Whatever I wanted to find out about, the library had me covered.”

International news

• China – Mecanoo plans macau central library with façade that opens like the pages of a book – Design Boom. “15,000 sqm library with children’s, teenagers, and general collection, exhibition spaces and multi-functional rooms, café and offices”
• USA – Amazon withholds its ebooks from libraries because it prefers you pay it instead – The Verge. “Amazon is the only major publisher that’s doing this” … “six of the top 10 ebooks sold on Amazon, the dominant ebook platform in the US, were published by Amazon, making them ineligible for library loans because Amazon won’t sell them. “
• How Library Closures Hurt Adult Learners as Kids Doubled Down on Digital Reading – EdSurge. “oung adults were most likely to say they lost their main internet access when libraries closed: ages 18-29 (24 percent), followed by ages 30-44 (22 percent), 45-60 (12 percent), and over age 60 (5 percent). Those affected were also much more likely to be adults who were male, lived in an urban area, spoke a language other than English in their home, and were persons of color. “

Local news by authority

• Bracknell Forest – Praise for ‘lifesaving’ home library service used by Bracknell residents – Bracknell News. “One person told us we had literally saved their life.” … “328 residents in Bracknell Forest who are over 70, having to shield, or are clinically extremely vulnerable, registered with the contact-free delivery scheme, council data shows.”
• Calderdale – Air quality in Sowerby Bridge and impact on health to be focus of innovative library project – Halifax Courier. “Calderdale libraries’ ‘Something in the Air?’ project, supported by researchers at the University of Manchester and funded as part of the Engaging Libraries programme was launched this week. Between March and September this year, there will be a series of free events that anyone can attend, to hear from specialists and to ask questions about all sorts of issues around air quality and health.”
• Denbighshire – Denbighshire’s service was the best performing in Wales for the number of Welsh books borrowed per capita – Free Press. “The Welsh Government has praised the service in the Welsh Public Library Standards assessment report for 2019/20 saying it has a ‘strong commitment to health and wellbeing’ while its ‘intention to focus on the development of staff should enable Denbighshire libraries to remain at the heart of their communities and continue to deliver services effectively’.”
• Hampshire – Villagers asked to remove ‘adult literature’ from communal red phone box library – I. “Hurstbourne Tarrant had lost access to its mobile library service because a lack of funding from Hampshire council forced it to cease. Access to such libraries have come under increased scrutiny in recent years. However, Hurstbourne Tarrant’s telephone box was bought by the council in 2019 and then used grant money to convert it into a library” … “However, the Parish Council noticed Nancy Holder’s Hot Blooded, and publications by Debbie Viguié – whose novels are sometimes catergorised as “erotic romance” – began to appear”
• Inverclyde – Library celebrates Women’s History Month – Greenock Telegraph.
• Milton Keynes – Milton Keynes Libraries to host online ‘Lines of Lockdown’ poetry event – MK FM. “Milton Keynes Libraries and Milton Keynes Islamic Arts & Culture are set to co-host an online open mic poetry night”
• North Ayrshire – Council set to perform u-turn on disposal of ‘lifeline community facilities’ – Largs and Millport Weekly News. “Under-threat facilities, which included Largs Library, are set to be thrown a lifeline after playing key roles in the community effort during the coronavirus pandemic.”
• Northumberland – Shaping the future of libraries in Northumberland – News Post Leader. “An extensive consultation between December 2019 and March 2020 saw more than 5,000 people, both library members and non-members, take part.” … “Building on the findings of the consultation a redesign of the service was approved by the County Council’s Cabinet to establish five Hub Libraries, serving each locality area.”
• North Yorkshire – Home library service grows in popularity during Covid – Northern Echo. “Around 1,400 people across North Yorkshire currently benefit from the service and last year’s Covid restrictions and lockdowns saw increased demand for the service.”
  • Meet the Yorkshire volunteers delivering a world of escape through doorstep deliveries of library books – Yorkshire Post. “With libraries closed to customers in the traditional way, an army of volunteers is reaching out across North Yorkshire to ensure services can be accessed from home.”
• Nottingham – Nottingham’s new central library delayed until next year – Nottingham Post. “The new building for the library is already there, as part of the complex which will also house the car park and the new bus station but like many other authorities Nottingham city council continues to face a challenge so there will be a delay to our original intention to complete the fit out of the new central library. “The sale of the Angel Row site means we can start the fit out of the new central library in the summer, aiming to complete next year.””
• Powys – Powys libraries join dementia music campaign – Powys Country Times. “It is the first library authority in Wales to work with dementia charity, Playlist for Life, to distribute its booklet ‘Create the Soundtrack of Your Life”
• Renfrewshire – Library books home delivery service is best seller – Renfrewshire 24. “Almost 200 people have signed up to Renfrewshire Leisure’s Libraries Direct service providing a free delivery service of library books to those over the age of 70, people with disabilities and families with children.”
• Sandwell – Sandwell solution to lockdown loneliness – sharing a good book – Halesowen News. “It will include a new telephone reading group, one-to-one telephone conversations with Reading Befrienders, and online book readings for all ages which will be showcased on the library service’s Facebook page.”
• Sefton – Iconic building closed for eight years could soon get new lease of life – Liverpool Echo. “The Carnegie Library in Crosby was shut by Sefton Council in December 2013 as part of a “libraries review” and a bid to save cash. Six other libraries across Sefton were also ordered to close the same year. Now documents on Sefton Council’s website reveal plans to transform the Grade II listed building into a “community hub” with office space, a bistro, and bar areas.”
• Somerset – Somerset libraries reopen and launch Reading Friends service – Weston Mercury. “Almost all Somerset libraries have reopened this week, offering a limited-service as lockdown measures start to ease. “
• Staffordshire – Services support residents as lockdown restrictions ease – Tamworth Informed. “From Monday (8 March) libraries at Biddulph, Burntwood, Codsall, Kidsgrove, Rugeley, Stone, Uttoxeter and Wombourne will reopen to offer essential PC use and ‘order and collect’ services. Until 12 April these eight will close between 1 and 2pm.”
  • Improvements in Burton town centre could see dozens of homes created – Staffordshire Live. “The project to regenerate the area around High Street, which fronts the Washlands and the River Trent, would also see the town’s library building bulldozed if its services were to be moved to the market hall, a council anticipates.” … “it “anticipates” demolishing existing “low value” buildings, such as the 1970s library building, off Meadowside Drive.” … ” agreed, in principle, to relocate the library, off High Street, to the market hall in the Market Place at a meeting in August – two months before the nine-day public consultation on the proposal was launched in October. When the library project was discussed this part of the meeting was in private and not open to the public. The authority had previously said Burton Library was the most successful library in the county.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries launches new technology lending scheme – East Anglian Daily Times. Laptop lending. “The aim of the new Device to Your Door scheme which has been funded by Suffolk’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund is to provide help for those with no access to a computer or the internet at home.  “
• Sunderland – Sunderland’s Culture House – Designing Libraries. “Central to the regeneration programme is the proposed new library. The stated aim of the project is to create the UK’s best new library in an iconic, 80,000 square feet building which will contain adult lending and reference libraries; libraries for children and young people; spaces for making, creativity and innovation; a local studies and archive centre (£650,000 has been agreed for the digitisation of collections).” 600,000 visitor target.
• Wandsworth – Shakespeare week coming to Wandsworth libraries – SW Londoner. “Wandsworth libraries will be showing daily videos exploring the life and works of William Shakespeare to celebrate Shakespeare week. There will also be a live online event, which will feature a team of actors performing speeches from Shakespeare followed by a Q&A session for children to ask for any secrets on how to perform the legendary playwright’s work.”
• Wigan – Libraries launch e-book service – Leigh Journal. “Libraries in the borough are launching a new e-book service which will give residents free access to up to 36,000 digital books and over 20,000 audiobooks. Any member of Wigan library services will be able to download the BorrowBox app”
• Wokingham – New Twyford Library Approved – Wokingham.co.uk. “A new chapter is opening for Twyford Library as Wokingham Borough Council approves plans to create a brand-new facility in the centre of the village, converting the Old Polehampton Boys School.”
• Worcestershire – Archive service to help Redditch residents trace their family trees – Redditch Standard. “The number of library customers accessing Ancestry Library Edition increased by 200 per cent in February, compared to the same period in 2020. Digital library membership has increased by 355 per cent in the last 12 months”
• Census help is available – Worcester Observer. Zoom library sessions. “Join Tony Hutchings, Census Engagement Manager for Worcestershire from the Office for National Statistics as he explains more about the census, how you can complete the census, how information is captured as well as being on hand to answer any of your queries and signpost you to useful helplines”
• Malvern Library set to become Rapid Covid Testing site – Worcester News. ““It’s great to see Malvern Library offering support to the local community by becoming the next rapid flow testing site.”

Editorial

So, it’s the 12 April. That, surprisingly, gives public libraries enough time to get ready for what we all earnestly hope is the last time we come out of lockdown. Public libraries are in the same class as “non-essential retail” and means we open up more than a month before our colleagues in museums.

In other news, there’s mention of libraries being available for help with the census, some protests against cuts (notably in Lewisham) and a couple of mentions of reducing or getting rid altogether of fines. This was a definite trend before Covid and it will be interesting to see if it continues now.

Changes

• Falkirk – Libraries returned from leisure trust to council.

National news

• CILIP’s Library and Information Supplier Showcase – CILIP. “This brand new virtual event will bring together suppliers for the library and information sector, showcasing their products and services” 25 March.
• If shops can reopen in April, why can’t museums? – Apollo. “‘If libraries, community centres and department stores can open, so should museums and galleries. It feels like ministers are not making the case for culture.’”
• Keir Starmer lashes Brexit trade deal for ‘holding British businesses back’ – Mirror. “Claiming “rural infrastructure and services” have been “eroded and ignored” over 10 years of Tory rule, he said: “The loss of village shops, post offices and pubs has hollowed out many rural communities, and 150 of the 600 libraries closed in England since 2010 were in rural areas.”
• Lockdown: Boris Johnson unveils plan to end England restrictions by 21 June – BBC. “The second step from 12 April would see major parts of the economy permitted to reopen: Non-essential retail opens, hairdressers and some public buildings like libraries”
• New Words – Time To Read North West. “We’ve just announced plans for our first virtual book festival and tickets are available now.” 1 – 26 March.

International news

• Afghanistan – They Built Libraries to Honor Loved Ones, Women Felled by Bombings – New York Times. ” libraries — one in Kabul, the capital, and the other in Daikundi Province — stand as symbols of the progress made toward gender equality and access to education in Afghanistan”
• Canada – Canadian libraries increasingly scrapping late fees to boost access to services – CBC. “Long considered a tool to encourage patrons to return materials on time, in the past few years hundreds of public libraries have decided that late fees do more harm than good by pushing away low-income and disadvantaged readers. In the past few years, nearly 300 libraries across Canada have recently eliminated late fee”.
• Singapore – Hygge – a new space for wellbeing by NTU Library, Singapore – Access. “unique design encourages self-expression, self-reflection and self-care through the experience of calmness and tranquillity. A reading corner was also conceptualised for the space to provide self-care resources including informational guides on practising mindfulness.”
• USA – Libraries Are an Essential Service. Give Librarians the Vaccine Now | Opinion – Newsweek. “Librarians, too, constantly interact with the public; libraries are high-risk workplaces. But the CDC failed to name librarians and library workers specifically in their vaccine guidance.”
  • Where Are We: The Latest on Library Reopening Strategies – Library Journal.”As the pandemic continues, communication among colleagues and the public is the key to success. “

Local news by authority

• Cambridgeshire – Cambridgeshire libraries support independent bookshops hit by Covid pandemic – Peterborough Telegraph. “The mail-order website ‘BookshopUK’ launched last year with the site working to donate profits to bookshops and organisations that support the service through book lists and affiliated websites. Cambridgeshire libraries has become an affiliate of Bookshop and will help promote the site alongside the service’s current reading offer.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – West Cheshire Museums: What does Cheshire mean to you? – In Your Area. “My Cheshire, is a joint project between Cheshire West Libraries and West Cheshire Museums”
• Cornwall – ‘The most Corbusier building in Britain’ listed – Architect’s Journal. “Saltash library was one of a series of five new branch libraries to be built by the council in the 1960s. The others were at St Austell, Newquay, Torpoint, and Helston.”
• Denbighshire – Memory bags designed for people living with dementia are being offered at libraries in Denbighshire – News From Wales. “They contain a collection of books, poems, artefacts and smells designed to stimulate the senses and promote reminiscence and discussion.”
• Dorset – Help available for Dorset residents completing 2021 census – Dorset Echo. “If you’re having trouble completing the form, advisers at Dorset Council’s libraries will be able to help. During lockdown this help is over the telephone, with face to face appointments available if and when Covid rules allow.”
• Falkirk – Membership body criticises council’s decision to take leisure charity back under its control – Third Sector. “Community Leisure UK says it is disappointed after Falkirk Council voted to take Falkirk Community Trust in-house again”
• Fife – Comedian Janey Godley to highlight menopause in OnFife comedy night – Dunfermline Press. “Pause … not Full Stop is one of 16 projects in the UK-wide Engaging Libraries Programme. The initiative enables libraries to interact with their users in new ways while encouraging local communities to engage with research.”
• Leeds – Drag queen hounded with death threats and labelled a paedophile for ‘reading stories to Leeds kids’ – Leeds Live. ““It goes to show that there’s still people in the UK who still harbour these hateful views and its establishments like this teaching people not just children but adults that homophobia, transphobia and racism will not be tolerated.”
• Leicester – Reading Friends connects those who may be feeling isolated in Leicester – In Your Area. “The phone call will be with a befriender from the city council’s libraries service, and will connect readers with up to three others in group conversations. This will give readers the opportunity to talk to each other, share stories, make new friends and have fun.”
• Lewisham – Campaign launched to reverse cut to Lewisham library service – News Shopper. “The council is reviewing the library service to fund cuts of £300,000 to £500,000, £100,000 to £230,000 of which could be made this year.  Part of the cuts includes a hiring freeze as the service’s salary budget makes up 80 per cent of its total budget.   “
  • Lewisham needs libraries more than ever, we can’t have services slashed by up to £500​,000 – Change.org. “the council’s threatened cut will rip the staff along with their skills and knowledge out of the service and dedicated people who’ve spent hard months on test and trace face losing their jobs.”
  • Save Lewisham Libraries statement – 18th February 2021 – Save Lewisham Libraries.
• Norfolk – Norfolk libraries to scrap late fees for children – Eastern Daily Press. “Plans by Norfolk Libraries and Information service to improve children and young people’s reading skills also include universal membership of the county’s e-library through Norfolk’s schools and the introduction of a new ‘1,000 books before school’ reading challenge aimed at under-fives.”
• Northamptonshire – ‘We feel like we have been evicted’: Friends group furious over Northampton library closure – Northampton Chronicle. “Friends of Far Cotton Library has been working since 2019 to run it following Northamptonshire County Council’s decision to shut it. The group was working on a second business plan after its first one was rejected but found the books at The REC Centre were being removed and other tenants ‘are being explored’.”
• North Yorkshire – Library’s book bundle service praised by young readers – North Yorkshire County Council. “Winnie and Valentine Long use the service at Whitby library and rely on it to help with home schooling. In January alone the library issued 201 book bundles to customers.”
• Solihull – Bookworms invited to join in virtual story telling session to combat isolation – Solihull Observer. “Solihull Libraries, The Core Theatre Solihull and Art at the Heart CIC have joined forced to create Solihull Reading Friends – a programme of free events designed to help people connect and combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.”
  • Help for Solihull residents as borough gears up for Census 2021 – Solihull Observer.
• Staffordshire – Hundreds sign petition to block controversial plan to move Burton Library – Staffordshire Live. “More than 500 people have signed a petition opposing £7.3 million proposals to move Burton Library to the town’s market hall. The petition claims there has been a lack of public consultation to the controversial proposal, which could see the town’s library move from Meadowside Drive to the market hall in Market Place, subject to funding.”

“This week will see the third Smallprint Book Festival for children run by our library service. It is timed to coincide with World Book Day each year. So far it has proved very popular and this year it is totally digital, running from 4-6 March. We have an absolutely fantastic programme thanks to our enterprising Readers’ Services Team and talented and tuneful Community Library Officers. All the events will be promoted through our social media channels, where it looks fantastic. The team are trialling one school event which isn’t on this programme, working with local author Laura Fyfe to run a creative writing workshop with Cambusbarron Primary, P6 & P7. They are doing this as a Google Meet on Thursday 4^th March and hope that it will give them a format to use for further events with schools.” Stirling – Smallprint Book Festival – via email. See festival webpage here.

• Suffolk – Suffolk libraries host meet the authors online book festival – East Anglian Daily Times. “This digital event, running between Monday March 15 and Sunday March 21, will incorporate Suffolk Libraries Day – Suffolk Libraries’ annual fundraising event will be taking place on Saturday March 20.”
• Thurrock – Thurrock Libraries reopen for order and collect service and essential computer use – Your Thurrock. “
  • Thurrock – Thurrock Libraries reopen for order and collect service and essential computer use – Your Thurrock. “The libraries in Grays, Belhus, Aveley, Blackshots, Tilbury, East Tilbury, Corringham and Chadwell St Mary will operate under reduced hours and have measures in place to keep residents and staff safe.”
• Wandsworth – Wandsworth Libraries launches ‘A Chance To Talk’ to combat loneliness – SW Londoner. ““I’ve also received a flurry of emails from people who have seen the posters and wanted to say they think it’s a lovely initiative. It’s nice that the community has been super responsive, even if the programme isn’t right for them.””
• West Berkshire – West Berkshire ‘wee libraries’ bring village cheer in tough times – Newbury Today.
• York – York libraries offer help with census forms – The Press. “Explore staff and CVS volunteers have been getting special training, ready to help anyone who has difficulty filling in the forms, Fiona said”

Editorial

First, Covid news. A couple of councils are opening up for click and collect after weeks of being entirely closed and Bristol libraries are offering “surge testing”. Also, the Reading Agency funding for library services to help with loneliness.

But the big story, obviously, is a librarian or two objecting to the use “little library” being used about a free book-swap outside a house, which was covered by the BBC, the Mail and the London Evening Standard. This was, of course, on Twitter, where massive fights can start instantly and things can be taken out of proportion. It’s worth noting too that far worse insults were thrown at the librarians in return, who were expressing their point of view, without being personal about it.

OK, Here comes the paragraph I have worried about writing but needs to be said. I have been a coward for not saying it before …

I know this is a really unpopular opinion amongst some librarians but, personally, I think we lost the monopolistic use of the word “library” decades ago, if indeed we ever had it. The unfortunate book-lover did not claim to have a public library in her garden and I suspect people can tell the difference between a glorified bird-box and, say, an actual building. I also think that such enterprises are not contributing to closing libraries and even the most extreme councillor does not genuinely (even if it seems so officially) believe they can a proper replacement. The real threat to libraries would be budget cuts.

That last paragraph is going to get me absolutely vilified by some. So be it. Some have already told me there is something wrong with me and that, at this difficult time, some librarians are feeling threatened. This is true of course. But, really, public libraries are bigger than this. We provide a hugely beneficial service with limited resources and we need to pick our fights. And such as we have should not be with book-lovers trying to share their passion with others.

Single Digital Presence

“A guest-written editorial that featured in last week’s Public Libraries News contained a number of misrepresentations relating to the Single Digital Presence project. We are grateful for the opportunity to correct them. In depicting the project merely as a succession of research reports the article failed to convey that the report we published in June 2019 was just one element of a much broader programme. This has included designing prototypes for both a new national presence and for improved local library web-pages, testing these prototypes with existing and potential users, and also a continued and wide-ranging engagement with our close stakeholders throughout the library sector.

Last week’s article also referred to the project as a ‘digital library’. Although a part of our work is focused on improving public library users’ access to digital material, this does not involve the creation of a digital library for public libraries. Instead, our ambition is to improve access to information and services about public libraries, and to make it easier for users to engage with public libraries at the local level, both physically and digitally.

Finally, the figure the article quoted for the cost of the project was inaccurate: £1 million is more than double the amount of money that has supported our work to this point. In addition, the project has been undertaken by a team at the British Library since February 2018, and so we have been working on this for three years – not six years, as the article suggests. We welcome the opportunity to set the record straight, and will be posting further updates on our findings later this spring.”

Statement from the British Library

National news

• Bristol book lover suffers abuse over ‘little library’ – BBC. “A book lover who set-up a ‘little library’ for the community to enjoy, found herself subject to a stream of “nasty” and “vicious” online comments.”
• Future of Libraries – Aspen UK. Webinar 24 February 5pm. Panel include Nick Poole, Ayub Khan, Dr Jenny Peachey.
• CWA Dagger in the library – Crime Writers Association. Deadline to vote is 26 February. “The Dagger in the Library is a prize for a body of work by a crime writer that users of libraries particularly admire. Only librarians can nominate authors for the award. It is one of the most prestigious crime writing awards in the UK”
• Librarians troll book lover who built ‘swap box’ outside home in lockdown – Metro.
• Public Libraries 2020: Netloan Customer Survey Results – Lorensbergs. “The 2020 public library survey results from netloan highlight the vital work libraries have undertaken throughout the pandemic. Wherever possible, libraries have offered access to public PCs and printers, allowing users to stay connected to critical online services and information.”
• Read, Talk, Share: The UK charity putting books at the heart of its new mental health campaign – Evening Standard. “Enabled by a £3.5 million award by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the initiative is aimed at combatting loneliness and promoting wellbeing through bibliotherapy, working closely with local libraries to reach struggling communities.”
• Vigilante librarians troll woman who built book ‘swap box’ outside her home during lockdown because they claim it could lead to more closures and job losses – Mail Online. “This included claims from some it would enable Covid to spread, as well as criticism from librarians, with the husband of one telling her ‘it does not replace the knowledge and help that a librarian brings to people’. He added that many librarians have lost jobs as a result of schemes like hers and have since been replaced  by well meaning volunteers or not at all’.” … “Olivia was called ‘stupid’ and ‘misguided’ and slammed for having ‘no real understanding of the role of libraries’. She was also accused of doing ‘such a middle class thing’ and told the books would spread Covid. One troll said: ‘So, take home a used book and maybe take home the virus that kills your mother.'”

International news

• Global – IFLA’s Section on Children and Young Adults’ “Safer Internet Day” Survey – IFLA. “The annual Safer Internet Day is now celebrated in approximately 170 countries worldwide. The campaign calls upon all stakeholders to join together to make the internet a safer and better place for all, and especially for children and young people. This survey is for librarians and/or related staff who serve children and young adults, or those who supervise those who do.”

Local news by authority

• Bracknell Forest – Bracknell Forest Council library service wins £14,000 funding to tackle isolation and loneliness – In Your Area. “The Reading Agency, the Arts Council of England, and its book supplier Bolinda have awarded Bracknell Forest Council’s library service £14,000 of funding in a bid to tackle isolation and loneliness.”
• Bradford – Boosting your health by reading: district libraries service backs new campaign – Keighley News. Reading Friends: “Adults will meet via Zoom, but there will also be a postal element for people unable to access the project digitally – or who aren’t confident with the technology. Reading materials will be posted out and participants can reply by post or chat over the phone.”
• Bristol – Libraries transformed into surge testing sites to combat Bristol ‘Variant of Concern’ – ITV News. “Eight libraries in Bristol and South Gloucestershire have been transformed overnight to accommodate surge testing for coronavirus, as NERVTAG classes the strain detected in Bristol a ‘Variant of Concern’.”
  • Covid-19 surge testing kits available from libraries – BBC.
• Camden – Camden libraries join national initiative to tackle loneliness during winter – Camden Council. “Camden Council libraries in partnership with Age UK Camden are hosting a series of online reading events to help tackle loneliness and support mental health during the pandemic this winter.”
• Cardiff – Plans for Rhiwbina Library to become community hub – Wales 247. “Cardiff Council is carrying out an engagement exercise on proposals to refurbish the library building and create the newest facility in the city’s network of community hubs. The aim will be to deliver more Council and partner organisation services there, based on the theme of wellbeing.”
• Edinburgh – Librarian records bookbug video on nightshift driving an Edinburgh gritter – Edinburgh News. “When she is not leading on learning development at Edinburgh’s Moredun library the 29-year-old is also serving her local community as an emergency seasonal worker for the council.” … “Ms Leake knew she couldn’t make it to the live session of bookbug on Tuesday morning due to working the nightshift beat this week…” so “She recorded a version of ‘wheels on the bus’ with lyrics about gritters while her NT74 spreader vehicle flashed in the background.”
  • Read all about it: Edinburgh libraries scoop top digital award for newspaper downloads – Edinburgh News. “Pressreader, a digital platform where people can read newspapers and magazines online, awarded Edinburgh Libraries with the Most Newspapers Read in 2020 Worldwide accolade after 2,155 unique titles were read by its members last year, beating off competition from 100 other organisations.”
• Eilean Siar – New library vans are named by island youngsters – Stornoway Gazette. “Naturally it was a very tough decision for the judges going through all the amazing names sent in, but the names finally decided upon were ‘Lexy’ for the Lewis and Harris Mobile, and ‘Lachaidh’ for the Uist and Benbecula Mobile.”
• Hull – Why the tireless efforts of HC&L is a breath of fresh air for us all – Hull Life. “”The library service has been brilliant and done a lot of online work including virtual tours of the museums,” says Coun Brabazon”
• Flintshire – Aura Libraries Flintshire: Join in the Big Welsh Rhymetime online – The Leader. “The Big Welsh Rhyme Time, organised by Book Trust Cymru, is aimed at children aged 0-7, takes place this year between Monday, February 8 and Friday, February 12.”
• Herefordshire – Library reopens for click and collect services – Hereford Times.
• Lancashire – Lancashire County Council reminds residents not to make a special journey to return library books – Blog Preston. “Library staff are finding that many people are visiting their local library unnecessarily, unaware that they will face no penalty for holding onto any books they’ve borrowed for now.”
• Moray – Moray libraries to offer tech support online – Grampian Online. “The support could boost confidence with the basics: emailing, searching the internet safely, online shopping, accessing services, or connecting with family and friends virtually.”
• North Yorkshire – Libraries take part in project to provide IT – Gazette and Herald. “People and organisations who want to donate are asked to take their devices to their nearest participating local library where an appropriate drop-off point will be clearly marked.”
  • Library events for children are online this half-term – Harrogate News. “From model-making to poetry classes, the library service is offering events on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nycclibraries.”
• Redbridge – Rapid Covid testing – Vision. “Rapid COVID-19 Testing is now available for residents at this library.”
• Somerset – Ten activities for half-term during lockdown – County Gazette. “If your children are bookworms or love to listen to stories, they can listen to some of their favourites read by Somerset Library staff.”
• South Gloucestershire – Collect and Drop surge testing service launches in South Gloucestershire – Gazette Series. “The second phase of additional community testing began today with the introduction of ‘Collect and Drop’ sites, situated within five libraries across Bristol and three libraries in South Gloucestershire. The first phase of this one-off testing began on Sunday, following an announcement from the Department for Health and Social Care that Bristol and South Gloucestershire will be providing additional community testing for COVID-19.”
• South Lanarkshire – Burnbank faces ‘double whammy’ of losing library and family centre in South Lanarkshire Council’s savings proposals – Daily Record. “Plans to close Burnbank Library and relocate the nearby family centre have been included in South Lanarkshire Council’s savings proposals.”
• Suffolk – Libraries are set to reopen as use of their online services doubles – Ipswich Star. Click and collect restarting.
• Thurrock – Plans to stop loneliness with conversations through reading in Thurrock – Thurrock Gazette. “Reading Friends launches in Thurrock on Wednesday 3 February to reconnect adults, including readers and non-readers, with others and make new friends.”
• Wandsworth – Valentine’s Day offers and activities: spread some local love – SW Londoner. “Wandsworth Libraries are offering mystery bundles so you can have a blind date with a book”.