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Inquiry Day Two announced – who is in it, what it means

Feb 8th

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

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The next Culture, Media And Sport Inquiry session will be on Tuesday 21st February. The list of people who are being interviewed is useful for giving clues as to how the committee is thinking. At 10.30am, it’s reassuringly good to see Annie Mauger of CILIP on board and Alan Davey, Chief Exec of Arts Council England, the body which has taken over the library quango duties of the MLA, pretty much had to be included. It gets far more interesting, though, at 11.30am. The people being talked to then are:

David Pugh, Leader, Isle of Wight Council: This council tried to close 9 out of 11 libraries last year, the biggest cuts of any authority in the UK. After the inevitable outcry, the proposals were changed so that five branches had to be be run by volunteers instead. An attempt by campaigners to take the case to court had to be cancelled due to failure to secure legal funding. Watch out for Mr Pugh saying how wonderful the volunteer model in local communities and what a great saving it is. He may also, if he is brave, defend the council’s initial decision and hope that the council’s impact assessment is not mentioned. In fact, the Isle of Wight is a great example of last year at its worst: the council seems to have decided on cuts without sufficient consultation or assessment, only u-turned after massive public protest and then blackmailed local communities into working for free or facing closure of their library, in a parody of the Big Society ideal. The failure of the DCMS to show much interest beyond one meeting, let alone intervene, even when the Council was proposing an almost complete annihilation of the service and then the subsequent demonstration that the Courts were only available to the wealthy in such cases pretty much completes the set. How much of this comes out, though, is another matter and, certainly, Cllr Pugh is going to be as good as gloss on it as possible.

Elizabeth Campbell, Councillor, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council: The reason for this one will be the “tri-borough” collaboration between Kensington and Chelsea Council, Hammersmith and Fulham Council and Westminster Council. This is seen as the Great Hope in cutting library budgets while at the same time maintaining services in that savings can be made in the behind-the-scenes stuff (Human Resources, Legal, computer systems, purchasing, processing etc) with relatively little damage to the front of house. However, it is seriously early days for this collaboration – it was agreed on only in June last year – and so it may be hard to tell what its effects are. In addition, all three councils are Conservative-run which must smoothe things over somewhat. Still, it will be interesting to see what is said and how differences are settled as collaboration between services is very much one of the stronger possibilities for defending libraries at present.

Nigel Thomas, Service Delivery Manager, Leicestershire County Council: This is the most perplexing one. Leicestershire is losing a full 40% of its library budget over four years, which has got to be, shall we say, a tough one to defend. It seems to be achieving the cut in fairly depressingly familiar ways: cutting 384 hours per week off its total opening hours for example and increasing the use of volunteers. Then one looks at its submission to the Inquiry. There’s mention of co-locating other services (including, amazingly, day-care services) into libraries. It looks like inter-council collaboration is also happening and there is an interesting parish council partnership in Quorn. Then there are other ways like philanthropy (Bill Gates must be getting lots of begging letters recently), setting up Friends groups to raise money, self-service … In fact, it seems to be reading through a compendium of all the many ways to save money without closing libraries, and this is probably why it has been chosen.

This session should be as interesting to library campaigners as the last one, possibly more so as it will give an insight into the minds of those people who have been making the headline-making decisions. As such it should be essential viewing. Then there’s also the suspense element: will Louise Mensch throw in as many hard and searching questions as she did on Tuesday? Will Steve Rotheram be as pro-library? Will Cllr Pugh be publicly humiliated or treated with kid gloves? In addition, there are also the bones of a third morning here that can be discerned from the gaps in the testimony from the first and second.  For this, and I must stress I have no inside information here, it seems probable to expect to see a morning with interviews from a spokesman from the LGA, from a private library company and a volunteer community group in the first three-person session and (who knows?) Ed Vaizey in the solo spot after tea and biscuits. 

399 libraries (309 buildings and 90 mobiles) are currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK.  The librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

News

  • Amazon, up in flames – New York Times.  The suspicion that Amazon are aiming for a monopoly on bookselling is increasing and even super-librarian Nancy Pearl is caught up in it.
Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport with which local authorities his Department has had discussions on the scale of library closures carried out or planned since May 2010. [93901]

Mr Vaizey: In 2011-12, departmental officials met with council officers from the metropolitan borough of Bolton, the London borough of Brent, the metropolitan borough of Doncaster, Gloucestershire county council, the London borough of Lewisham, Isle of Wight, and Somerset county council. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the respective council’s library proposals in light of the Secretary of State’s duties under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964. Hansard, 6th February.
  • February is Public Library Month on Libraries Thriving – Credo Reference Blog (USA).  “In response to the work of Voices for the Library, a UK campaign aimed at spreading the value of public libraries, Libraries Thriving, a collaborative space and community for e-resource innovation, has decided to drum up some attention for public libraries in their community as well. For that purpose, they have established February as Public Library Month on Libraries Thriving!”
  • Five compete to run Croydon and Wandsworth libraries – Guardian series.   ““Closure is not an option for us. Our central library is the third busiest in the country, and last year we consulted widely on the future of all of our branches. We got the message loud and clear that these are important community facilities that must be kept open as a matter of priority.”.  Library campaigners, however, are not altogether happy at giving money away in the form of profit to companies at a time of great shortage.
  • Reading a book “adds a year to children’s education” – Telegraph.  “Nick Gibb, the School Minister, said that reading books for just half an hour a day could be worth up to 12 months’ extra schooling by the age of 15. Today, the Department for Education will unveil plans for a national reading competition for children in the last three years of primary education and the first year of secondary school.”  As some of the comments suggest, without school libraries and public libraries, only the rich kids stand a chance of winning this competition. See also Alan Gibbons on This time, some sense from Mr Gibb.  “The single most effective transmission belt for reading for pleasure in schools is a well-stocked library staffed by a well-trained library. So why the dogmatic rejection of any demands for statutory school libraries? The last time I wrote to Secretary of State Mr Gove the rejection was issued with unseemly haste.” 
  • Uncorrected transcript of oral evidence to be published as HC1815-i – Parliament.  Full text of Tuesday’s inquiry into library closures.

Changes

Aberdeenshire – Eight branches taken off threatened list.  A report from early 2011 suggested eight were endangered.  However, the council confirmed via email today hat none are under threat this year.

Local News

“This flexible approach has not only ensured the successful establishment of five community libraries but has complemented the local enthusiasm and efforts to secure the long-term future of these valued facilities.”

  • Milton Keynes – Dozens watch Josephine Cox open new library – Milton Keynes Citizen.  “The new library is the result of a new Partnership Agreement between Milton Keynes Council and Woburn Sands Town Council. The library is more accessible than the current library premises in Hardwick Road and is located in a prominent site on Woburn Sands High Street.”
  • North Yorkshire – Library is open for longer in shake-up – Yorkshire Post.  “Coun Chris Metcalfe, North Yorkshire’s executive member for the library and information service, said: “Our library service has been one of the most outstanding in the country, and the necessity of making savings has provided the incentive for us to step back and come up with innovative plans to maintain a vibrant service into the future. “Our communities have risen to the challenge of finding solutions to keep our libraries open in a way that is sustainable so that they can grow and develop to meet future needs.””.  £1.7m cut.  Volunteers will take over many libraries.
  • Surrey – Library volunteers “thwarted at every turn” – Get Surrey.   “Plans to re-open Byfleet Library under the stewardship of the Friends of Byfleet Library group had to be postponed after the Surrey Libraries Action Movement (SLAM) successfully applied for a temporary injunction, preventing Surrey County Council from rolling out its proposals.” … ““We think we can turn it into a really good community centre with a library and we know people would like to see it open more hours so, in actual fact, where we diverge from SLAM now is that we believe we will offer a bigger service.”

Big News

Feb 7th

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

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Libraries news continues to be Big News.  The BBC gives coverage to the Select Committee on Library Closures, along with a video clip of my colleague Abigail Barker from the Voices of the Library group giving evidence.  She also appears to admit to illegal activity in this short clip but we’ll gloss over that as the longer video makes clear she did a grand job of defending libraries throughout the rest of the morning.  The Brent campaign has also issued a “Letter Before Claim” against Ed Vaizey for failing to act over closures in their borough.  That is likely to be a very big story in the weeks to come.  Locally, of course, library cuts are amongst the biggest news there is, with protesters in Halifax managing to rack up 1,435 signatures on a petition in just two hours.  Two hours?  The article then goes on to point out that “if that doesn’t sound very impressive, then consider that, on a national scale, it would represent around 500,000 signatures.”.  In two hours.  
That’s the Big News but a video from St Matthew’s Library in Leicester shows the small.  Videos show library users from the Somali community in Leicester talking about the impact that its closure (ahem, did I say closure? – sorry, I meant to say a transfer of stock from a library building into a community centre where staff will be replaced with a self-service machine) will have on them, their lives, their life chances and their community.  The video shows that libraries are for everyone, with local libraries being for everyone the most all.
And, that, ladies and gentlemen, would be Big News for many of the bureaucrats and politicians closing libraries today.
407 libraries (317 buildings and 90 mobiles) are currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK.  The librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

News

  • Goodbye, state funding for California libraries – KALW (USA).   “This past July, state library funding was sliced in half, and there was a trigger amendment attached to the budget that would eliminate state funding for public libraries at midyear if the state’s revenue projections were not met. Needless to say, they weren’t.”.  Local councils also pay for libraries so the cut does not mean loads of closed libraries but it will mean the end of many “literacy programs, InterLibrary Loans, and miscellaneous expenses such as librarian training programs and books. Libraries in rural areas will be hit the hardest because they receive more state funding than libraries in larger cities with larger budgets.”.  Ten years ago, the state gave nearly $57m p.a.
  • HOC Culture, Media and Sport Committee – Parliament TV.  Video of the inquiry.
  • Library closures inquiry begins – BBC.  “Librarians are as important as the libraries” Abigail Barker, from Voices For The Library: “The role of the librarian is almost being ignored.”.  Sue Charteris “said local authorities needed to look at their budgets to assess whether they could they run “a comprehensive and efficient service. You can’t reduce budgets and expect it to be the same but you need to see where the money is being spent and that needs to be done in consultation with the people that use the library.”
  • Library inquiry opens as Brent campaigners threaten to sue Vaizey – BookSeller.   “Public policy consultant Sue Charteris has told the media, culture and sport parliamentary select committee into library closures that Hillingdon libraries have been “a fantastic success” and that the triborough library project run in London is “a model” for the service to follow. “

“You can’t take 20-30% out of the library service and expect it to stay the same, but the more you do it in partnership with your local community, the more you will get robust decision-making and consensus.”

  • National Library Day raises importance of libraries in todays’s society – World News Today.  “I fear for the future of libraries because councils are cutting funds and attempting to change what libraries are about. If they keep it is simple, providing books and information free to all, they won’t need to worry about anything else. People need libraries and pressure groups like Voices for Libraries or the #savelibraries campaign on Twitter to prove there is a groundswell of support. Councils and government don’t appear to be listening. They certainly aren’t learning. Maybe they should go down to their local library?”
  • Threat to sue minister over axed libraries – London Evening Standard.   “…the group -which represents the users of axed libraries in Kensal Rise, Barham Park, Cricklewood, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton – is targeting the Government instead. Lawyers acting on their behalf have written to culture minister Ed Vaizey with a Letter Before Claim alerting him of his failure to act on the closures.”
  • Your favourite libraries and librarians – Guardian.   Public praise their local libraries and librarians:  “It’s very good because every time we go to it it is our favourite so we don’t want it to close down. Ps, it’s Wyke Library in Bradford. It’s very important. You should never shut people’s libraries. Libraries are good. We go to the library on Thursdays after school. Kate is our librarian and we like her because she is always getting us new things that we ask her for. We like reading different books.”

Local News

  • Brent – Fight libraries to continue – Harrow Observer.   “Margaret Bailey, a director and trustee of the Friends of Kensal Rise Library and one of three who took the case to court, said: “I think in this instance what the judges have done is simply state the council decision was lawful, meaning it’s lawful to make cuts, but the impact of that is that things like the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act could be disregarded if local councils don’t have the wherewithal to enforce them.””
  • Buckinghamshire – Libraries go futuristic – Mix 96.   “The days of overdue library books could be numbered – as libraries across Buckinghamshire begin lending e-books.”  People can borrow 3 ebooks at a time for three weeks each.
  • Calderdale – How the new Halifax Central Library will look – Halifax Courier.   “…the move faces substantial public opposition from people who say they would prefer to see the existing library restored. In just two hours on Saturday morning, members of the “Don’t Bulldoze Our Library” campaign collected 1,435 names on a petition. Coordinator Anne Kirker said: “If that doesn’t sound very impressive, then consider that, on a national scale, it would represent around 500,000 signatures.”.  There are 60 comments as of time of checking on this article.
  • Carmarthenshire – Review calls to book place for library in future – This is South Wales.  Council reviewing library provision, being seemingly very keen to emphasise the need for computers/online in preference to books/buildings.  Experienced library observers may be scenting large numbers of proposed closures in this council shortly, soon to be replaced by a massive backlash as users of those books/buildings show that they exist and are angry.

  • Devon – Self-service comes to Exmouth – Exmouth Journal 24.   ““Self service kiosks have already been installed in fourteen libraries across Devon, and are proving a hit with borrowers, both young and old. “It is excellent news that we are investing in the library in Exmouth, and this new simple technology will be hugely beneficial to improving the library service experience for our residents.””
  • Durham – Fine condemns “short-sighted” Durham library cuts – BookSeller.  “According to a local news report, Fine, who lives in Barnard Castle, has spoken out against plans which are likely to see 250 library staff, the equivalent of 134 FTE posts, affected, as well as widespread cuts to opening hours and reductions in mobile services. Following the cutbacks, Durham county council proposes to transfer libraries to a charitable trust. The changes are due to bring £1.4m cost savings in the cutbacks, and £1m with the transfer to the trust.”
  • Gloucestershire – Make sure your views are heard – FoGL.   “This is a dreadful questionnaire of huge complexity, filled with loaded questions.  There have been rumours that FOGL were involved in designing it!!  Nothing could be further from the truth.  It is designed by a company called Vector, who are being paid £60,000 by the council to manage the consultation process.  Because of our concerns and the many complaints, we have received, we have asked the council to withdraw this questionnaire.  If you do complete one, and find the questions unanswerable, make sure you use the white free text boxes to express your views.”.
    • Have a Dickens of a Week at Fairford Library – Wilts and Glos Standard.   “The town’s library is holding the special event from Monday, February 6 to Saturday, February 11 to mark the bicentenary of the author Charles Dickens’ birth on February 7, 1812.”
  • Isle of Wight – Shanklin Library now fully under local management – Ventnor Blog.   Shanklin Library now run by volunteers. “Maria Darbon heads up the volunteers for the library, of which there are currently thirty. These include council leader David Pugh who will doing a shift later this month. Maria tells us that all the volunteers have undergone training at library HQ with five more on the waiting list. The two and a half hour training session was followed by shadowing at Shanklin Library for two sessions.”
  • Lambeth – Libraries Campaign: Lambeth’s guide to how you can take part – Vauxhall Society. “Thanks to The Friends of the Tate South Lambeth, the Durning and other Vauxhall libraries and community groups such as The Vauxhall Society, Lambeth’s politicos and officials at last seem to have got the message that closing libraries is both a legal minefield and an election-loser.” …a guide ot how to put forward views in the consultation. 

Select Committee into Library Closures

Feb 6th

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

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The Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Inquiry into Library Closures starts tomorrow, Tuesday 7th February at 10.30am. Witnesses will be Miranda McKearney (Director, The Reading Agency), Abigail Barker (Voices for the Library), Andrew Coburn (Secretary, The Library Campaign) and Sue Charteris (author of the Charteris Report into the Wirral library cuts.  It will be televised here.
Six hundred pages of evidence from 130 different organisations/individuals have already been submitted by interested parties and it is available to read here.  Some of it is most depressing but interesting such as the LGA arguing that the 1964 Act is somehow a barrier to reform when the DCMS fails to act on any of it anyway.  Their submission also includes the gem line that a “closure of a library does not automatically mean a decrease in access to library services”.  Um, yes it does, LGA.  Other bits are highly predictable, such as the American private equity-owned libraries company LSSI arguing, amazingly, for the further privatisation of public libraries.  Most, however, is heartwarming and vociferous in its support for public libraries.  It is to be hope that the Committee takes the latter to heart.
407 libraries (317 buildings and 90 mobiles) are currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK.  The librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

News

  • 1964 Act is “barrier to reform” claims LGA – BookSeller.  LGA argues that “A modern Libraries Act without the superintendent role of central government would give councillors the scope to re-design their library services to meet local people’s needs.” and includes the gem of a line “Closure of a library does not automatically mean a decrease in access to library services”.

“When an authority refuses to pay its library staff, and lays down the Sophie’s choice that either they work for free or the service is shut down, the real baddies of the piece are, of course, the authority. But knowing that doesn’t help us any. We still have to choose between descending into charity or watching as a community suffers. At least as things currently lie, I believe the only responsible action is the latter. I believe this in part because I suspect the voluntary model to be ultimately unsustainable, but principally because I believe we have a collective responsibility to our trade on a broader level. The communities we serve can only prosper if we can afford to serve them.”  Are you experienced? Volunteer now! – Succentorship Without Sneers.  

  • Big Society? Legal wrangles turn voluntarism into big headache – Guardian.   “Surrey council’s legal battle over libraries shows how volunteer-led public services can fall at the first legal hurdle” … “Another problem is the procurement legislation that requires councils to ensure that various hoops are jumped through before any transfer of services can take place. Councils cannot close facilities by transfer of responsibilities (including libraries, as Surrey found out) without full consultation, and ensuring that a reasonable council service remains”
  • Community libraries in Spain: does this sound familiar? – Voices for the Library.  “Two weeks ago the Arts councillor from Madrid, Fernando Villalonga, announced that two new libraries in the city would be run partly by volunteers. To support his idea he said it is common in English speaking countries to have volunteer-run libraries. After some complaints from professional associations, Madrid’s Mayor Ana Botella the spouse of the former Spanish President, Jose María Aznar, backed the Arts councillor saying that not only should libraries be run by volunteers but also several other public services. She said that “We have to be able to give back to our society what society gives tous” (Does that sound familiar?). “I refuse to believe that a library won’t be opening because there aren’t volunteers to run it”, she added.”
  • Culture committee publishes inquiry evidence – BookSeller.   “Six hundred pages of written submissions to the library inquiry being held this week by the Culture, Media and Sport select committee, including those from The Booksellers Association, The Publishers Association, The Reading Agency, and The Bookseller, have been published online.”
  • Culture, media and Sport Committee publish library inquiry responses – Voices for the Library.  “It is interesting to note the balance of responses from these different groups of respondents, especially from public library authorities. Only approximately 16 authorities or their representatives responded to the Inquiry. Considering that there are over 140 public library authorities in England this is a very low response rate. Compare this to 33 recognisable library user and campaign groups who responded, plus further individuals whose names we recognise as local campaigners.”
  • Culture minister visits library – Salisbury Journal.   “Ed Vaizey popped into Salisbury Library on Saturday. Mr Vaizey was in the area and wanted to visit a local library as it was National Libraries Day.”. 
  • Evidence published: CMS Select Committee investigation into library cuts – FoGL.  “We are very proud of the impact that Gloucestershire residents have had on the national dialogue regarding unprecedented, eye-watering library cuts. Let’s hope that, unlike GCC, the Select Committee listen to us. Thank you to everyone who made submissions and those who supported us with the JR.”
  • Unequal library campaigns – Spectator.   Compares Brent’s legal fortunes with that of Somerset and Gloucestershire.  “It only goes to show how integral bureaucratic equality regulations have become in the fabric of our national life. The West Country councils, having failed to show ‘due regard’, are having to reconfigure their plans. Whereas Brent council can now execute what Philip Pullman has described as its ‘philistine’ strategy.” [However, the article misses the key legal point that the situation was different in the two cases – Ed.]. 

Changes

Plymouth – New Plympton Library reopened after old building destroyed in fire in 2008. 

Local News

  • Barnet – Campaigners show support for Friern Barnet Library – Times series.  “Around 200 people joined a community walk from the old Town Hall site to the library, in Friern Barnet Road, where an event was held to raise awareness of its threatened closure. Young and old came out and braved the elements and held heart-shaped banners emblazoned with the message, “I Love My Local Library”.”

“Ken Livingstone has also sent a message to the group, in which he said: “It is always a tragedy when the heart of a local community is ripped out, and so I am delighted to send your campaign a message of support.””

  • Brent – The next stage: challenge the DCMS – Preston Library Campaign.  “Today, our legal team has sent a letter demanding action. The DCMS met with Brent Council last year, but has so far ignored thousands of complaints made by us.”
    • Library campaigners denied further closure challenges – Guardian.  “”We are definitely fighting on – the question of whether Brent is meeting its obligation to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service isn’t a question for the courts – it’s a question for Jeremy Hunt, the secretary of state, who has so far spent some nine months failing to answer our complaints,” said resident Philip Bromberg. “We will now be pressing him to reach a decision on those complaints.””
  • Dudley – Cradley and Long Lane libraries get self-service system – Halesowen News.  “The two libraries are the last in the borough to have the system installed, which is It is expected to be in place by the spring.”
  • Durham – Library plans “as bad as Beeching’s rail axe” – Teesdale Mercury.   “A former Children’s Laureate says plans to cut library services, axe staff and hand the buildings over to a charity are “short sighted” and “almost immoral”.Best-selling author Anne Fine, who lives in Barnard Castle, said council officials will be “vilified” in the way Lord Richard Beeching was following cuts to railway services in the 1960s.”

““It is said they are hoping to save £1m by doing this, which is a paltry sum considering the loss, because in a recession libraries become even more important. They are a haven for older people, a focus for families, and for unemployed people it’s a place where people can try to get their lives back on track. ”

  • Gloucestershire – Tuffley Library Support Group: we need your support – FoGL. “We want to make sure that Tuffley Library is kept as a local, easily accessible library. The draft “new” library strategy, currently out for consultation, is proposing a statutory library for Tuffley. It is to be branded as a “Partnership Library”. We have concerns about who the partners may be and how such an arrangement might work. We are also worried that Gloucestershire County Council might wish to re-locate the library to smaller accommodation in a remote location.” 
  • Northamptonshire – Library users hug to show their support – Evening Telegraph.  “
    The events were special for many as last year eight libraries in the county were under threat of closure as part of Northamptonshire County Council’s budget cuts. Following tireless campaigning by residents, they were saved from the immediate axe but the authority is hoping to recruit an army of volunteers to run them to save funds.” … “The Friends of Irchester Library, which was among those earmarked for closure last year, physically hugged the building. The library also held a Nintendo DS Swap Shop and cake sale on the day.”
  • Plymouth – Wait for new library is over – This is Plymouth.   “The town has waited three and a half years for a replacement after its old library burned down in the summer of 2008.” … “
    The library has been built next to Harewood House on the same site as its predecessor, which was destroyed by fire in 2008. At 458 square metres it is 50 per cent bigger than the old library.”
  • Suffolk – Future of Halesworth’s library is discussed – EDP.   “About 30 people attended Dr Jones’s talk which focused on three main themes – the importance of the library to the town, how it will funded and the uncertain future of its staffing arrangements.”
  • Surrey – County Council disappointed by High Court library decision – Eagle Radio.   “”It was never our intention to close any of Surrey’s Libraries. Our Intention was to give some of those that account for only 7% of Surrey’s Library take up over to the community as a Community Run Libraries so we could have done what other counties have done and just closed them – but we didn’t want to do that.”
    • Library campaigners to have their day in court – Get Surrey.  
    • Library volunteers want campaigners to drop county council court battle – This is Surrey Today.  “The 12-strong volunteer committee already plans to open the library in Tattenham Crescent on six days as opposed to the current four, although some will be mornings only. Among the 80 volunteers, eight have formerly worked in libraries, including Mrs Sowry, 62, a retired librarian.” [This is an especially illuminating piece showing the difficulty lovers of libraries have in deciding what is best for libraries, and for themselves.  I refuse to condemn either side, although my heart is with those who seek to maintain a proper public service rather than replacing it with the unpaid.  I also greatly fear for the long-term.  Ed.]
  • Trafford – Council plans to run two libraries entirely with volunteers – Third Sector.   “All library services at the two libraries will then be run by volunteers. One paid member of staff will remain at each library to run a separate project that offers advice to local residents on council services including benefits claims, council tax and pothole reporting. However, the paid staff will not work on library services.”

“If the council’s logic were followed through, then every time a paid position became vacant, they could advertise for it to be filled by a volunteer instead of an employee, and then claim that this is not a breach of the Trafford Compact because they are not making anyone redundant. That is clearly absurd. That section of the Compact is about role replacement, not specific individuals.”

  • Wirral – Write for the movies with Marc Gee – Wirral Council (press release).  “On 16th February Leasowe library will host author and playwright Marc Gee who has previously run writing courses for the British Film Institute, BBC and Wirral Metropolitan College. The session runs between 10.00am and 12.00pm and is free and open to all members of the public.”

Threatened species

Feb 5th

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

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407 libraries (317 buildings and 90 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK.  Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day. 

News

  • Call me irresponsible: a meeting with Ed Vaizey – FoGL.  “Vaizey is responsible to the Secretary Of State, Jeremy Hunt, for superintending public libraries. Yet both Vaizey and Hunt have not lifted a finger to stop the widespread cutting of public library services in many parts of the country, notably Gloucestershire.” … “In the 45 minutes of the meeting. Vaizey shifted his ground constantly, showing time and time again his lack of conviction, or even interest, in the serious plight of the public library service.”
  • Defence of the book: a story by Julian Barnes – Guardian.   “To mark National Libraries Day, the novelist adds an extra scene to his 1998 satire England, England in which he imagines what happens when the ‘National Coalition’ closes every library down.”
  • Four fantastic libraries – Fantastic Reads.   Looks at four fictional libraries – the ones in Buffy, Lirael, Discworld, Harry Potter … “Hogwart’s Castle, has another great magical librarian, Madam Irma Pince, for whom JK Rowling has apologised, explaining that if she helped Harry, Hermione and Ron the way she should, there would be no adventures!”
  • I can’t believe you’re throwing out books – Perfect Whole.   “What I’m done with is the fetishization of the codex, with books for books’ sake.  I see no point in stockpiling stories that no longer speak to anyone, scientific knowledge decades out of date, speculations about the future that never came to pass, information shaped blithely by the racism and sexism of its time.  But more than anything else, I’m finished with the idea that books just by virtue of their existence are precious things that can never outlive their usefulness.”
  • Julia Donaldson poem against library closures – Telegraph.   Excellent save libraries poem. “Yes, come to the library! Browse and borrow, And help make sure it’ll still be here tomorrow.”.  See also Children’s laureate Julia Donaldson pens protest poem – BBC.  “If we lose libraries, we would lose readers and we would become a less literate country,” she said. “People are kidding themselves if they think adults will download books to their Kindles if they haven’t got the reading bug as children,” she added.”
  • My National Libraries Day Out – Information Twist.  Visits to the British Library, CLR Dalston Library, Canada Water Library, and the “Idea Store” in Whitechapel.

“I estimate I was probably taking out aroud 100 books a year by the time I was 10, and reading dozens more in the library itself. My parents could not possibly have afforded to buy that many books, and so without the library my world would have been a lot smaller, a lot duller, and I doubt I’d be doing the job I do today.” National Libraries Day – Barry Hutchison.  

  • National Libraries Day: The real cost of library cuts – Huffington Post (USA).   Excellent article showing the importance of local, real, community libraries. Visit to Newbiggin Hall Library in Newcastle.  “The group of local residents sat around Eileen don’t agree on everything, but for a surprising variety of reasons, they agree on this: their library means a lot to them. And they’re worried. Because in the coming weeks, the building they’re sat in is going to be demolished.” … “When I heard that Newcastle City Council were planning to shrink it into a nearby community centre, cut the opening hours and reduce the staffing down to one, I wondered what sort of an impact this would have on a working class area that supports four schools and a population of 11,500, 24% of which are on benefits and 53% of which have no academic qualifications whatsoever.” Impact in poor area shows the lie to the accusation that libraries are middle class and not important.

“Among the hardest hit by closures at libraries like this one will be the group in society least able to object: local children and teenagers, who use the space as a warm, safe place to hang out in the evenings.”

  • National Libraries Day 2012 – Geeks shall inherit the Earth.   1 in 3 children aged between 11 and 16 do not own a book in the UK.  “This isn’t just about the economy and having a skilled workforce, although that’s a big deal in itself, it’s about quality of life and creating the future. The report suggests that the potential of a huge number of children and young people is being squandered and that’s not only a shame, it’s a crime.”
  • No one in charge – Good Library Blog.   Minister says councils are responsible, councils say its government cuts, chief librarians say its the councils, etc.  “Today is National Libraries Day – may I here offer my congratulations to all those who have striven to make people aware of what is happening to our public library service. You have done a wonderful job. … and people are aware. You needed to tell local councillors to watch out for what they do – and you have. And it has been cold, bleak, infuriating and diffcult. But you have told them.”

“… 407 are now closed, on death row, facing privatisation or being handed over to the community to be run by volunteers. Frankly, the last two options both sound like mere stays of execution. This is, of course, a direct result of Britain’s austerity measures, imposed by ministers whose local libraries, you might think, had insufficient copies of the works of JM Keynes.”
On borrowed time: Britain will regret the current wave of library closures but that does not mean that its network must stay the same – Financial Times.  Another excellent article, so good I am going to quote it twice:

“And now all the Foggy Furzes, like the country stations, are being mourned by people who never made use of the facilities when they existed. Among adults, library usage has been declining quite sharply – there were 253m book issues in 2003-2004 and 215m in 2008-2009. Against that, the figures for children’s books are up. And the other side of the argument also holds good: Dr Richard Beeching, the Fat Controller who axed the trains, could read a balance sheet but utterly failed to predict the renewed importance of railways in the 21st century. One detects the same lack of strategic vision behind the current tactics.”

  • Save our libraries – Taking words for a stroll.   A poem to celebrate.  Not sure I like the “stern-faced” librarian bit though.  There is another one, Threatened Species. 

“I love reading because of libraries and I have no doubt, that I am a writer today, because of all the books I devoured from their vast shelves . . .”Today is National Libraries Day – Susan Condon (Eire).  

Changes

Local News 

  • Brent – A truly Dickensian night at the Windermere – Preston Library Campaign.  “Readings from the man of letters and Whitbread Prize-winner Paul Bailey and music from the inimicable CLOS made it an night to remember. Let’s not forget the children – and yet more distinguished authors, like Leon Rosselson, Kaye Umansky (below), Daniel Kitts, Dyan Sheldon and Jenny Newland. Brent has no plans to ever hold an event locally here. That ended when they closed our only portal to the council, and lied to us that they would make it up via “outreach””
    • Campaign will go on: despite Supreme Court setback – Preston Library Campaign.   “Samantha Warrington, Preston Library supporter, believes there should be a public inquiry. She said: “We have always been pursuing other routes. Now the legal avenue has closed we hope there will be a public inquiry and that Brent will consider alternatives in a way Camden has done it so positively.””
    • Labour leader’s plan to save libraries, just not in Brent – Preston Library Campaign.   Comment on Dan Jarvis MP’s article: “Blaming the government for allowing them to close, he is silent on the fact that in Brent, it is his own party that has been fighting for the right to close libraries.”
  • Buckinghamshire – Brighter future ahead for threatened library – Thame Gazette. “Long Crendon Library has been handed a lifeline after Oxfordshire [sic] County Council agreed to a partnership system which will give communities a far greater role. Plans are in place to improve the village library’s opening hours to reflect demand, to offer a toy library and extend the range of activities to include film nights, educational classes and a delivery service for those who find leaving the house difficult.”
  • Camden – Council approves community run libraries – BNC TV.   ““We will be doing everything possible to support these groups and make this innovative approach a success before handing over the keys to the community”, added Councillor Siddiq.”

National Libraries Day – Marcus Moore. Tapestry made by library supporters, with a pro library poem on it, toured Gloucestershire Libraries.

  • Gloucestershire – National Libraries Day in Gloucestershire – FoGL.   “This was a day for celebration, but it is also worth reflecting that if it wasn’t for campaigning by us library users, many of the libraries where events took place today would have closed their doors for good last year – some still might, including the library with the highest usage per head of population in the county, Minchinhampton, where people of all ages took part in a vibrant programme of events today.”.  All events organised by the public as the Council chose not to be involved.
  • Leicester – Alternative budget “can save homes and libraries” – This is Leicestershire.   “It comes after city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby put forward budget proposals last month which, if accepted, would see the council’s eight care homes closed or sold, three libraries shut and subsidised bus travel for students axed.”
  • Nottinghamshire – Peter Gaw, of Notts County Council, talks about libraries as the UK celebrates National Libraries Day – This is Nottingham.   “The county council did not close any of its 60 libraries amid the challenging budget reductions last year because the belief is that once a library closes it is very difficult to reopen in the future.”
  • South Tyneside – National Libraries Day – CILIP Local Studies Group.    “Author Denise Robertson, and Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member for Culture and Neighbourhoods, opened events.  Throughout the day we are having a readathon – local people, writers, authors, library staff, volunteers are contributing. “
  • Surrey – A last minute stay of execution for nine of Surrey’s libraries – Eagle Radio.  “SLAM have won a Judicial Review at the High Court into the matter.  It’ll start on the 20th February – and look into Surrey County Council’s plans to have volunteers run 10 of Surrey’s libraries.”

“The Council has stopped trying to argue for the plans from a cost-saving perspective, and rightfully so, because the claimed savings are just 0.1% of the libraries budget and it has been established that the Council has not been recording the costs involved in setting up the CPLs, and have no idea how much it will cost to support them. With no cost-benefit justification, we are now wondering why they are so intent on committing a significant amount of Council-taxpayers money on a full Judicial Review that , judging by what the Court has decided to date, they look very likely to lose.”

    • High Court grants permission for Judicial Review – SLAM.   “The Royal Courts of Justice in London has ordered that Surrey County Council’s library plans will be subject to a Judicial Review. In a four and a half hour hearing on Friday, Judge Thornton QC concluded that the case against SCC had sufficient prospects of success to warrant the full scrutiny of the High Court.”.  Several technical objections by the council were overruled.  Byfleet Library will be allowed to become volunteer-run but may revert back to council control if review is won by the campaigners. £12,000 still required for £15,000 legal fees.
    • Court orders pause to library plans – Surrey Heath Residents Blog.   
  • West Sussex – Libraries call for book donations after cuts hit – Argus.   16% cut in budget 2012/13: public asked to donate books, bookfund cut from £1.2m (2010/11) to £1m (2011/12) 
  • Wirral – Council consults on library plans – BBC.   “The proposals include integrating many library services and staff with the council’s One Stop Shops … The new Wirral Library Service Strategy reveals that, while nationally library visits and book lending has fallen, in Wirral there has been little change in visitor numbers and book issues have increased.”
  • Worcestershire – Use the town library now or lose it, warn councillors – Malvern Gazette.  ““There is a squeeze coming, and unless we do everything we can to make our library an all-singing, alldancing facility then there could be trouble.”

 

National Libraries Day, but not in Brent

Feb 3rd

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

2 comments

409 libraries (319 buildings and 90 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

Can you help…?

News

  • Accessible websites, airline fees and community libraries – Radio Four (You and Yours, 39:00 to 48.20).  Looking at volunteer run libraries, pointing out the importance of commercial support even to them.  Includes Chalfont St Peter (Buckinghamshire): “nothing much has changed”: “it’s enthusiasm and commitment that marks the difference between success and failure”, “I can’t imagine this village without a library”.  The only option to Chalfont St Peter was volunteering or closing.  Local business sponsorship vital to the success even in this prosperous leafy neighbourhood.  Fairweather Insurance now has logo on library sign outside for £18,000 over three years. Also looks at Eco Computer Systems in Lewisham, “It’s basically a site for my business” – computer recycling makes the library possible as it provides the funding for the library parts.  Fear libraries will close anyway as council money dries up but Cheryl Gillan MP (Conservative, Chesham and Amersham in Buckinghamshire and – surreally – apparently also Secretary of State for Wales) reckons that enthusiasm will be permanent.
  • Alan Gibbons: National Libraries Day –  Book Trust.  An interview for National Libraries Day from one of the greatest of all library campaigners.  

“I would not be a writer if it were not for public libraries. Books were a luxury we couldn’t afford when I was growing up, but the working-class culture of my time and place was that education was the way you escaped your history. And education came courtesy of books. My mother used to take me to the public library years before I could read.” Best selling crime writer Val McDermid on the importance of public libraries – Mirror.  

“Many of the campaigners involved in tomorrow’s events around the country will, rightly, focus on the negligence and contempt exhibited by Coalition politicians towards the welfare of the library service and its users. They deserve every brickbat. All the same, the myopic idiocy of these false economies cuts straight across party lines. In spite of ferocious competition, from Cumbria to Dorset, I would argue that no local authority has behaved with quite such pig-headed arrogance in pursuit of the destruction of much-loved branches as Labour Brent. Which makes it dismaying, if predictable, that the libraries initiative now launched by shadow arts minister Dan Jarvis contents itself with kneejerk Tory-bashing and fails to examine the mess on Labour’s own municipal shelves.” Branch line to another life – Independent (Boyd Tonkin).  

  • Councils must take library duties seriously in difficult times – Yorkshire Post.   Councils think anyone can work in a library.  “Modern libraries are the result of professional management and development; the application of new technological developments; high professional standards in the education of librarians and information service providers and an ongoing commitment to provide information that supports local democracy.”
  • Don’t forget that tomorrow is National Libraries Day #NLD12 – Voices for the Library.  “Unlike Save Our Libraries Day, tomorrow is a celebration of all types of libraries throughout the UK, including public, academic, school, business and specialist libraries. Many organisations running these services have planned events to support the day and are listed on the National Libraries Day site.”
  • Last chance – BookSeller.  Blog by Desmond Clarke.  Savings can be made by reducing the number of library authorities and the cost of council overheads.  DCMS must produce guidelines and help for volunteer run branches.  Comment by Shirley Burnham points out Ed Vaizey must either be in denial or under orders.

“Many credit the vigour of the campaigning for the fact that the tally of library buildings to have closed their doors is much lower than had been suggested. A year ago, the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals predicted that 600 libraries could go – yet so far, according to the website Public Libraries News, only 32 in the UK have closed. Forty-three mobile libraries have also shut down; eight libraries have been handed over to local communities to run; four more, in Lewisham, have been transferred out to a social enterprise company.” National Libraries Day marks a year of protests against library closures – Guardian.   “”I think the public library service would have incurred phenomenal damage had not Brent, Somerset and Gloucestershire campaigners created a knowledge in councillors that there would be resistance” says Alan Gibbons. 550 out of 600 could continue as volunteer run, says Desmond Clarke.

  • Novel events keep libraries on the front page – Herald Scotland.  “Activities are planned across Scotland, which has over 500 libraries, many of which are finding that their services under strain.” Fines amnesties, librarithons, flashmobs are all happening.
  • Revenent Branch – Golau Glau.  Library related orchestral music.  Is that a datestamp?  A computer?  A library door closing … for the last time?
  • Save Our Libraries: Reader’s reports – Guardian.  Each story is different: Including Mar Dixon (#savelibraries), Cockerton Library (Durham), Isle of Wight, Stony Stratford (Milton Keynes), Sonning Common (Oxon), Brent, Upper Norwood (Croydon), York Gardens (Wandsworth), Doncaster, Gloucestershire, Alan Gibbons.

“Of course libraries could be improved but we will not have the libraries of tomorrow if we allow the libraries of today to close.”

  • Stand up for your library tomorrow – London Evening Standard.   Dan Jarvis MP, shadow for libraries “”The cuts imposed by national government are the driver for cuts in local government. The challenge I have is to articulate why people shouldn’t take the easy option and cut these services.” National Libraries Day takes place as dozens of facilities face closure in London, sparking protests.”
  • Support National Libraries Day – BookSeller.   The [arguable] success of library campaigns described “The Bookseller‘s editor-in-chief Neill Denny says: “On National Libraries Day tomorrow, take your family and friends to your local library, take out some books, cheer up the staff, make a point. 

“Although the big trends shaping the book trade can sometimes seem too powerful to change, the story of the fight for libraries shows that they are not. Individual stands and actions do make a difference.”.

Changes

Leicester –  £1.24m cut inc. Aylston Library to close, with books moved to local leisure centre with a self-service machine, transport for disabled to library scrapped, opening hours to be cut.

Local News

  • Brent – Case refused by Supreme Court – BookSeller.    Bad news for campaigners as their final legal avenue against council closures ends.  No “arguable point of law” says Court. Legal action now may be possible against the DCMS. 
    • Library closures: Supreme Court rejects appeal bid – BBC.  Campaigners say “We remain of the view that the secretary of state for culture, media and sport should hold a public inquiry into Brent’s failure to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service for those living, working and studying in the borough. We have submitted petitions with more than 12,000 signatures against the closures.”
    • Library supporters vow to carry on campaign – Brent and Kilburn Times.   Council says ““This final decision of the Supreme Court fully vindicates Brent Council’s actions and upholds the earlier decisions of both the Court of Appeal and the High Court that the council acted lawfully.”.  Large number of events being held in Brent by campaigners to show the fight is still alive.
    • Library campaigners take appeal hit – Grantham Journal.  
  • Carmarthenshire – Putting spotlight on library revamp – This is South Wales.  Llanelli has £3.8m revamp, “”Our aim was to provide a wholly integrated, modern public library, housed in a safe, secure and attractive building, on the present library site in Llanelli.”
  • Croydon – Under fire over national Libraries Day – BookSeller.   Croydon has no NLD themed events tomorrow, although some non-NLD events being held.  The council is currently trying to outsource its libraries and is involved in a dispute about the Upper Norwood Joint Library that may end in its closure.
  • Greenwich – Union’s warning over Greenwich library transfer proposal – News Shopper.  Council aims to transfer libraries to GLL Trusts. Unite union not happy with this as it simply means cuts will be made by GLL instead, especially staff wages.  

Leeds – A space for you – Leeds Libraries.
  • Leicester – Hundreds sign petition against library closure – This is Leicestershire.  “A petition signed by more than 200 people who oppose the closure of their library has been submitted to the council. Leicester City Council wants to shut Aylestone library, in Richmond Road, and move books to the leisure centre in Knighton Lane East, where there would be a self-service facility.”
  • North Yorkshire – Sign up as library volunteers – Wetherby News.  “Volunteer Linda Clark, who works in Harrogate Central Library, said: “When I started I was so nervous. “I thought I’d maybe last one or two weeks at most, but I became addicted and just love helping at the library.”
  • Northamptonshire –  Show a little love for your local library – Evening Telegraph. “This time last year, eight libraries in Northamptonshire were facing the axe. After an overwhelming show of support from people who use those libraries, Northamptonshire County Council back-tracked, announcing it would no longer close them and would look at other ways of saving money. But councillors made it clear that money must be saved and revealed it wanted to recruit an army of volunteers to help run our libraries. If this couldn’t be achieved, it reserved the right to reconsider closing libraries.”

“A lot of people think because we were not shut, we were saved. That is not the case. It is only a reprieve. We need people to come in and use the library and the events we run.”

    • Use library or lose community’s heart – Biceser Advertiser and Review. “Mrs Webb said footfall in libraries is carefully monitored, and although Towcester is safe at the moment, future spending reviews could find the library at risk of closure. She said: “They do work out how much per person it costs to go into a library, but often people don’t even know their library is there or the facilities it provides, and a few years down the line it will be under the cosh again.”.  WI to hug library on Saturday.
  • Rotherham – New reading scheme for kids is launched – Selby Times.   “The ‘Chatterbooks’ reading groups have been introduced by Rotherham Library and Information Service to help inspire more children to read for pleasure.”

“The launch of Chatterbooks 2012 gives libraries and schools a best practice framework for creating inspiring reading groups for primary school aged children. The scheme captures and shares the expertise of librarians and is backed by 17 publishers who are working with independent charity The Reading Agency to offer a year round menu of exciting reading opportunities. It also harnesses the involvement of young volunteers.” Chatterbooks.

Crisis? What Crisis? Libraries Minister Sees No Crisis

Feb 2nd

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

No comments

408 libraries (318 buildings and 90 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

Can you help…?

News

“Next Saturday February 4 at 12:00, in line with the international day of advocacy and support for libraries inspired by Britain’s National Libraries Day, the Campaign Against Charging for Libraries invites all people who love libraries to show it by embracing the central library of our system: the National Library. Of course, we also invite you to embrace any library in any town outside Madrid on the same date, same time.”

  • Ayub Khan: Where next for libraries? – Book Trust.  Libraries are important as – online usage rocketing, vital for children, social glue.  Keep libraries open by sharing resources and costs and buildings and also concentrate on online material….. “let’s big them up!”. 
  • Campaign for the book: Meeting the Minister – Alan Gibbons.  Description of meeting with Ed Vaizey, including summaries of what was said by participants including Julia Donaldson, Alan Gibbons, John Holland (Glos – FoGL), Gary Green (Voices).  “There was clear disagreement over many issues, but it was a blunt, purposeful exchange of views. The campaign to save the public library service will continue.”
  • Day we took 60 books out of the library – Books & the City.  “No – we  didn’t end up reading them all. But we read ones we might not have even brought home otherwise. And no, we didn’t end up with huge fines as 60 books went overdue! Because it got us back into the habit. After a week, we took back the ones we were less keen on (and borrowed an equivalent number). And after another week, the same. And we’re still using our local library so much more – and so differently – due to that one day’s activity.”

from About this Blog – Overdue Books.

  • Help RNIB protect the Talking Book Service for blind and partially sighted people – Voices for the Library.   Looks the impact the service makes and how it is to be withdrawn from Brighton and Hove.
  • Library campaigners meeting with Ed Vaizey – Voices for the Library.   Meeting between Mr Vaizey and Julia Donaldson, Alan Gibbons, Gary Green (Voices) and John Holland (Gloucestershire campaigner).   “At the end of the meeting I don’t believe we persuaded Ed Vaizey to change his stance overnight on public libraries. But then again, I don’t think any of us believed that he would. However, it did give us the opportunity to raise the issues face-to-face with him that were our main concerns and we hope this was another of those tiny steps we keep taking that brings us a step closer to saving libraries.”
@Ed_Miliband Ed Miliband Just had best meeting of the week: with Julia Donaldson of Gruffalo fame. Talked about protecting libraries.https://twitter.com/#!/Ed_Miliband/status/165116643163381760/photo/1

  • Library fit for the future – Channel Four News.   “Gone are the days when they were just for borrowing books or reading. These days, libraries have to provide CDs and DVDs, computer terminals with internet access, and communal spaces for all types of social groups – from storytelling clubs for parents and toddlers to book clubs for the elderly. Arguably, they’re more important now than ever before.”.  Looks at the new Birmingham Central Library, to be opened in 2013.  Five minute video including brief interview with John Dolan (CILIP) is here.

“So I don’t think libraries will have any problem adapting to whatever might come their way in the future. Having said that, there’s no doubt that this is a crucial turning point for libraries not just in Birmingham but across the UK. And with their future hanging in the balance, this could be the most important National Libraries Day ever.”

  • Put your library on the map this weekend –  Collections Trust.  “Using the cross-platform ‘Find a Library’ app (http://www.findalibrary.org.uk), people go to their local library with their mobile, click ‘Use my Location’, select their library and then ‘Put Library on the Map’. This will ensure that their library is included in the national database of public libraries, which is freely available to all Internet users and includes information provided by the BBC and the national UK Online initiative.”.  Even Ed Vaizey is doing it.
  • Stephen Fry features in the Library Book for charity – Look to the Stars.   “Miranda McKearney, Director of the Reading Agency says, “What a brilliant way to celebrate National Library Day! The publication of The Library Book proves in the words of our country’s great writers that local libraries have a transformative role which resonates into adulthood. At the Reading Agency we feel seriously privileged to be benefiting from Profile’s publication and the support of the contributing authors.”  See also Stephen Fry backs Library Day in Norfolk – Norwich Evening News.

Changes

Arbroath – Two replacement mobile libraries costing £269k, following consultation (partnership with Police and Fire services) showing need for service.
Brighton and Hove – To remove RNIB talking books (cut of £22k).
East Sussex – New Seaford Library will be built (inc. day care centre and flats for people with learning difficulties), old library closed with temporary one for next year or so.
Sefton – Mobile library to close, £100k bookfund cut, local history service to close. 

Local News

“The discussion came as the education and children’s services committee met to discuss a report on the library service’s performance in the last financial year. The report showed the council had met 10 of 14 standards required by the Welsh Government. Other councils achieved between six and 14 standards, with the average being nine. Carmarthenshire took 12 years to replace books, against a target of 7.6 years, but the committee heard the county had a wider range of material than many other authorities.”

“@publiclibnews #WI are hugging Towcester library on Sat 11am #NLD2012”  Save Stony Library @SaveSSlibrary

Special Report: A glance into the mind of Mr Vaizey

Feb 2nd

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

2 comments

The following are the observations of Gary Green, colleague of mine in the Voices for the Library team, from a meeting held with the minister with responsisibity for libraries yesterday.  The writing in italics is mine.

  • He doesn’t agree that library services are being decimated. They are, see this list.
  • He has challenged library closures in the past, but has also supported closures of some libraries. He has challenged no library closures, in any way, while in office, although he did when he was in opposition.  He is certainly supporting closures now.
  • He felt it was up to the local authority to run library services, not his department. It is true enough that his department should not “run” libraries.  However, the DCMS has ultimate responsibility (their website says “We are responsible for national library policy”) and it is this responsibility that he is completely ignoring by malign neglect.
  • The Government have no intention of removing statutory duties. They don’t need to remove them as they are simply completely ignoring them. This has the same effect without the bother of actually doing anything.
  • Community/volunteer run libraries have a place in the provision of local library services.  This is, at least, an honest acknowledgement of government ideology, although it at best only offers short-term hope for threatened libraries, which will work only in the most prosperous areas, and relies on blackmailing library supporters into working for free.
  • He acknowledged that some volunteer run libraries would be outside of a local authorities’ statutory service.  Actually, all of them should be outside of the Act if he has regard for the 1964 Act which describes a public library as “any premises which are occupied by a library authority and are premises where library facilities are made available by the authority“.  However, being Mr Vaizey will not intervene in any case, this is a moot point.
  • Local authorities could provide “cut-price libraries” – every library in a local authority shouldn’t be all singing, all dancing.  It is an inevitable result of this government’s policy of neglect that there will cut-price libraries.  Indeed, it is questionable whether by 2015 there will be any other kind.
  • The comprehensive and efficient aspects of a local authorities duties should be focused on the way they were interpreted in the 1964 Public Libraries & Museums Act. “Comprehensive” equates to stock; “Efficient” equates to reduction of 400+ local library authorities. The 1964 Act did not focus on buildings.  This was not the intention of the creator of the Act or anyone at the time that can be traced.  Besides, it’s all pointless as there are no standards as to what represents an acceptable stock.  In addition, encouraging volunteer-run libraries will effectively massively multiply the number of local library authorities as each one will be independent of the other.
  • He felt that the situations that led to Judicial Review’s in Brent, Gloucestershire, Somerset & Surrey recently were not linked directly to the need for intervention by The Secretary of State in a local situation and, using his skills as a barrister, he argued a fine line in how these two situations do not overlap. Only a barrister could argue that these cases were not linked and the judges in these appeals have in fact said that the ultimate responsibilty lies with the Secretary of State. Mr Vaizey allowed local people to pay their own money and give their own time in order to do something he should have done.  However, when one considers that volunteer libraries practically means precisely this as well, it is no surprise. 
  • There was no plan to re-introduce library standards. However, this didn’t necessarily mean that they were out of the question.  Mr Vaizey will contnue to nothing to support libraries, at all times and in all ways.

Volunteer lifeboatmen being used to sack Trafford library staff – Official

Feb 1st

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

1 comment

Comment

Trafford Council have pushed the frontiers for the Big Society still further today by u-turning on their promise not to replace paid library staff at two libraries with volunteers.  This is not especially noteworthy in itself – a lot of councils are doing similar and blaming the dire needs of the moment – but the thing that really sticks in the mind with this one is that Trafford are (a) breaking their official policy that states that replacing paid staff with volunteers is ““.. an exploitation of the volunteer and a deprival of someone’s livelihood.” and (b) using the example of volunteer lifeboatmen as an argument for why it is OK to do so.  Even leaving aside the point that that particular service was never actually a council/government service in the first place and so they’re not comparable in any way, one has to worry about this.  When the act of giving up one’s spare time in order to save people’s lives can become a party political act, something new and dangerous has entered the picture.
407 libraries (318 buildings and 89 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

Can you help…?

News

  • Better read than dead: Dan Jarvis MP on the battle to save our libraries – Guardian.   Shadow Libraries Minister writes great article … “It may not be Vaizey’s job to micro-manage every library in the country – but it is his job to be their champion. And that is what he is failing to do.” … “by law it is he – not hard-pressed, ad-hoc campaigns that tend to be in the more affluent parts of the country – who has ultimate responsibility for libraries.” … “The current wave of closures should be a call to arms – not because libraries should be exempt from bearing their share of budget cuts (as long as it is a fair share), but because what is happening ignores their enormous value. If this government really believes in the promise of libraries, they must act now.”
  • Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Annoucement – Alan Gibbons.  Select Committee on Library Closures announces dates and who is being interviewed.

Hardeep Singh Kohli at the launch of the Library Book at Pimlico Library, “An all-star lineup of top writers in support of the Reading Agency’s library programmes. Includes original pieces by Julian Barnes, Stephen Fry, Tom Holland, Kate Mosse. Published for National Libraries Day on 4 February”Photo by Fen Oswin
  • Library inquiry to hear oral evidence – BookSeller.  “The Culture, Media and Sport select committee inquiry into library closures will begin hearing oral evidence next week. The evidence session is expected to commence on Tuesday 7th February and will be open to the public. Librarian campaign group Voices for the Library and Paul Lorber, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Brent, are among those who have been asked to give oral evidence. Written evidence has already been submitted by the Publishers Association, the Booksellers Association and the Society of Authors.”
  • Vecinos Bibliotecarios – Biblogtecarios (Spain).  The Mayor of Madrid has suggested that some of the staffing of two new libraries be volunteer, arguing that it is common practice in the USA.  Some research shows that it is not common practice there, although of course the idea is catching on in the UK due to the current crisis/political philosophy.  [Article is in Spanish but copying and pasting into Google Translate produces a readable account in English – Ed.].

Local News

  • Brent – Library cuts campaigners hold packed public meeting – Harrow Observer.  100-plus meeting told that it is likely to be next week when the Supreme Court decides whether than can appeal the council’s decision to close halve their libraries.
    • Tracy Beaker TV writer to help mark National Libraries Day – BNC TV.  “Local author and TV script writer Elly Brewer will take part in National Libraries Day at Barham Lounge on Saturday 4th February. Elly is lead writer on the popular Children’s BBC TV series, Tracy Beaker Returns, and author of comic science-fiction adventure Jerry and the Jannans. She will join other residents and library supporters at Barham Lounge around 11:30am on Saturday 4th February to support National Library Day and take part in book readings for young people and activities.”
  • Camden – New chapter begins as two Hampstead libraries saved – Ham & High.  “The Keats Community Library group is poised to take over Heath Library, while youth organisation The Winchester Project will take up the reigns at Belsize Library, when Camden Council pulls out in April. But despite receiving donation pledges from author Alan Bennett and journalist Joan Bakewell, Primrose Hill residents are waiting to hear if their bid for £50,000 transitional funding to keep Chalk Farm Library running will be successful.”
    • First community run and managed libraries given the go-ahead – Camden Council.  £50k each given to Keats and Winch groups, “What is particularly innovative about this new arrangement is that these community facilities will be fully independent and self governed but supported with substantial initial funding from the Council to get them off the ground. There will also be some ongoing support and advice from Camden Council and they will be able them to gain benefits like buying cheaper and loaning books whilst bearing no ongoing cost to the local taxpayer.”
  • Central Bedfordshire – Thousands have their say on libraries – About My Area.   2200 answered consultation.  “”We want to make it clear that the council will not be closing any libraries. The Future of Libraries aimed to help improve the services which our local libraries offer, modernising them, making them even more accessible to the local community and encouraging more people to regularly use them.”
  • Croydon – National Libraries Day looms – Save Croydon Libraries Campaign.  Lots happening in the UK but nothing in Croydon, with one event organised by supporters cancelled due to rules imposed on them.  Report lists some other events in the UK and suggests ways that libraries can be supported even if the council itself appears to be not keen.
    • Council plans to close New Addington – East London Times.  “Local residents are upset with the council’s plan as the CALAT premises proposed for the library’s relocation are to be shared with the adult education and job centre.” … “A number of Croydon community groups are planning to stage a protest against the council’s decision to close New Addington Library on February 4, which is National Library Day.”

“My grandchildren will never see such a wonderful learning place once the library is shifted to CALAT, which is a fifty minute commute from my home.”

  • Edinburgh – New £5.7m Drumbrae Library Hub welcomes hundreds on its opening day – STV.  “There has been a huge community backing for it and local councillors in the area have thrown their weight behind it. When I walked in this morning I felt like being at a party – there was a band playing, kids running around and a library packed with people. You could feel a real community vibe and a sense of accomplishment.”
  • Kent – Shhh, don’t mention National Libraries Day.  And Gove stumbles over FOI – Kent Online.   “Ironically, the low key approach adopted by KCC has only served to draw attention to its lack of activity – which was surely not intended.”
  • Lancashire – £5.5m regeneration aim to lure more readers into Lancashire’s libraries – Citizen.  “A successful pilot in West Lancashire last year saw a 35 per cent increase in new members. The campaign comes as the council is midway through a £5.5 million regeneration programme to refurbish its 74-strong network of library branches.”.  Comments from public below article show the need to promote library is more pressing than ever.  One comment suggests major staffing cuts but this is unconfirmed.
  • Surrey – High Court injunction halts Surrey County Council volunteer plan – This is Surrey Today. “Surrey County Council has 14 days to serve its evidence, and the court will then take up to seven days to decide whether or not to hold the review, said Mr Alsop. The review, if successful, could overturn the county council’s plan to have libraries run by volunteers. Mr Alsop appealed to the council to agree to a proposed compromise, in which each library would retain one paid member of staff and its computer links with the county’s central system.”  

“Hearing to decide matter whether the injunction should be overturned is tomorrow [Thursday].” Surrey campaigners tweet.

  • Trafford – Breaking vow on volunteers is justified, says Trafford town hall chief – Manchester Evening News. “A town hall has defended its decision to break a formal promise not to replace staff with volunteers. Trafford council plans to use only unpaid members of the public in two of its libraries instead of paid workers. It says otherwise libraries will have to shut.”.  Voluntary sector leaders disagree and it breaks a code of practice signed between Council and voluntary groups.  

“… an exploitation of the volunteer and a deprival of someone’s livelihood.” Trafford Counci’s own policy explaining why it should not replace paid staff with volunteers.

A town hall has defended its decision to break a formal promise not to replace staff with volunteers. Trafford council plans to use only unpaid members of the public in two of its libraries instead of paid workers. It says otherwise libraries will have to shut.

Read more at: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1472625_breaking-vow-on-volunteers-is-justified-says-trafford-town-hall-chief

Jollies

Jan 31st

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

1 comment

Comment

“I’m sorry to see SCL and its members being castigated for demonstrating a very professional approach. They absolutely should be engaged with the government on the subject of cuts; councillors impose cuts and SCL work to minimise their impact. On the subject of libraries’ day, it’s surely an opportunity for the public, the press, the arts community et al to celebrate what libraries do, day-in, day-out. With budgets cut to the bone and jobs, stock and opening hours under threat, who could justify spending money on bunting, face painting and other jollies.” Anonymous comment on this website.
“Other jollies” – The BookStart Bear Club being launched at Rock Ferry Library, Wirral. 
First off, fair point from Anonymous about many Society of Chief Libarians (SCL) members.  In a press release defending itself today, the SCL pointed out that there are activities in many areas but these events had not been added to the National Librares Day database – although why not is not clear (as a comment on the BookSeller article says “it is free publicity to upload the events onto the National Libraries Day website so why would any cash conscious council not do that?”). It is also, of course, a fair point that Chief Librarians work to minimise the impact of the cuts.  However, it is perhaps questionable if doing this quietly is really the best approach in all circumstances.  It is especially questionable when it is confirmed in the same BookSeller article that in Kent, where the SCL secretary Cath Anley runs the service, staff have been ordered not to put on events for National Libraries Day.  Major cuts are planned for Kent and it was apparently felt that staff were doing enough.  The opportunity also, in what could be seen as a perversion of the whole National Libraries Day message, seems to be being used as an opportunity to encourage unpaid labour:
“You can of course tell them [the public] about the planned activities already scheduled [in other times of the year] to take place in your library and invite them to become a library volunteer if they wish to play an active role in the year ahead”
Let me make my viewpoint clear.  Now is exactly the time to promote the service in any way libraries can.  The SCL needs to shout it loud and proud that libraries are alive and well and positively affecting lives locally and nationally.  Libraries should get school groups in, get authors in, arrange whatever they can.  Anonymous is of course right in his or her assertion that money should not be wasted.  Things that are nice for staff but attract few people are not a good idea.  Time to make every event count. But, but, but … not doing anything is the Pontius Pilate approach.  His reputation is not the best and his time in office is not fondly remembered. Public libraries cannot rest on their laurels.  The last year has proved that beyond doubt.  The public needs to be got on side and that will mean politicians will get on side.  Any promotional opportunity that comes along should be grabbed and embraced, especially if it is something like a national day that will multiply publicity.

 Somerset: Watchet Library Friends are doing more on the day than all of Kent.

Ask anyone if it is a good thing for a company if it decides it can’t afford to advertise any more or if it fails to maximise on free promotional opportunities.  Such organisations tend not to last for long. Looking dour, keeping one’s head down and working behind the scenes in a “professional” manner is one answer.  But it is an answer that drawn to its logical conclusion means the end, ironically enough, of the profession.
407 libraries (318 buildings and 89 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

Can you help…?

News

“Berlucchi said 92% of the 1.3m e-readers estimated to have been sold in the UK over Christmas were Kindles. He said the use of DRM helped Amazon consolidate its position. “Amazon uses DRM to lock people in. You can’t take the files out. The problem is that if you go down the Amazon road, you can’t drop out. If you drop out of Kindle, you lose all your books. They [Amazon] are using DRM to build their silos, like Apple did in the beginning with the iPod, which is how they [Apple] dominated the music market,” he said.” Anobii chief says drop DRM to fight Amazon – BookSeller. 

“I recognise that libraries must modernise and I have been impressed with the range of services being offered by different libraries that I have visited in the early stage of my national library tour. It is imperative that we keep the pressure on the government to act faster and smarter to save these vital pillars of our communities.” Dan Jarvis MP, shadow minister for libraries in  As National Libraries Day nears, our libraries remain under threat – Left Foot Forward.  
  • Kent “ignores” National Libraries Day  – BookSeller.  SCL defends itself against blogposts/twitter and points out that there are events going on in many of its libraries.  In Kent, however, staff have been ordered not to put events on for the day. 
  • Our evidence to the Culture, Media and Support Committee – Voices for the Library.    Summary of the major points to the Select Committee on Library Closures and a link to the full text.
  • Save Our Libraries campaign: one year on – Guardian.   “If you are campaigning to save your library and especially if you told us about it last year, we’d like to hear from you. Tell us, one year, on how your campaign is going.”
Changes
Local News
 Brent: Community turns out in force to save Preston Library – Preston Library Campaign. “Barry Gardiner, Labour MP for Brent North spoke out against his own party.”

“Consett has consistently bucked the trend and issues have increased year on year for the last four or five. Consett Library is an essential link between the local communities and Durham County Council. It is a vibrant, busy facility but it looks as if success counts for nothing if Consett hours are cut to save failing libraries. “I have been inundated with calls from library users complaining about the proposed cuts.”

  • Edinburgh – Police and council staff take up roles within library hub – Edinburgh Evening News.  “The country’s newest public library opens in the Capital today, after two decades of campaigning by local residents. Drumbrae Library Hub will also have staff from other council services working at its front desk, so that people can pay their rent or report antisocial behaviour at the same time as borrowing a book. The £5.7 million development includes offices for local police officers, housing advisors and environmental services, along with a day-care centre for the elderly.”
  • Gloucestershire – GCC’s new consultation survey: “baffling”, “manipulative” and “full of assumptions and loaded questions” – FoGL.  Campaign group argues that the new consultation repeats many of the mistakes and errors of the old one that was ruled illegal in court.  People of doctoral level are finding the survey confusing and loaded: “each of the pre-written answers to Question 7 will generate data which can be used to justify the current proposals”.  
“I suspect that our friends as Public Interest Lawyers will chuckle merrily to themselves when they see this blatant piece of manipulation and think about its role in the forthcoming case against the second attempt by Gloucestershire County Council to pull the wool over the public’s eyes. I wonder what Private Eye will make of this perfect set up for some caustic comedy sketches.”
  • North Yorkshire – Volunteers to take over Dales library in unprecedented move – Yorkshire Post.  “Coun Chris Metcalfe, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for library services, said the Masham Volunteer Trust will officially take over the running of Masham’s library as part of its proposals to transfer the running of many of its 42 libraries to volunteers in a bid to counter £69m in Government cuts. The library is one of eight having funding pulled from it, with 14 more having their budgets slashed by 30 per cent”
  • Portsmouth – Creative authors bring National Libraries Day to life – Hayling Today.   “Pauline Rowson, author of the popular Marine Mystery crime series featuring DI Horton which are set in the Portsmouth and Solent areas, promises to entertain visitors at Portsmouth Central Library on Saturday, February 4. She will start the event with a talk about her novels and crime writing, and there will be the opportunity to win signed copies of her crime novels with a murder mystery quiz hunt for clues around the library.” 
  • Salford – How one council is trying to sustain its library services in hard times – Alan Gibbons.  “One example of this approach is the new library in Salford Sports Village. This library moved from the Albion High School and now that it is based in the Sports Village has seen a dramatic increase in usage. In addition the percentage of local people who are active library members is now 19.7% (Lower Kersal). This figure of 1 in 5 local people being active users demonstrates how a public library is of value to people in the inner city.”
  • Suffolk – New manager for Suffolk’s libraries – Haverhill Echo.  “Alison Wheeler, who has worked in the libraries industry for close to 33 years, will become IPS’ general manager at the beginning of February 2012.”
“Halesworth Town Council believes that our library is so important a part of the town’s social fabric and educational infrastructure, that it should meet this cost through a small equitable charge on the local rate.”

£81 billion each year

Jan 30th

Posted by Ian Anstice in Uncategorized

No comments

Comment

There’s an art to getting the best possible spin on a piece of bad news.  In this, hats off to Warwickshire Council who have so successfully spun the closure of Budworth Heath Library that the news article on it is about a new “Honesty Library” opening.  This is the latest wheeze which not only gets rid of staff but also, seemingly, gets rid of the need for volunteers as well.  1500 books have been placed within the community centre with no security and no way of checking them in or out.  People just take what they want and return what they want.  Fantastically, for the local councillor concerned, the newspaper reports only the positive sides of this, dwelling on the handy car parking.  Closing a library and dumping 1500 books into a local community centre?  It’s all upside, no downside.  Think positive, people.  Even the Big Society is in danger of looking old hat with this one.

The embarrassment that is the continued attempt by Croydon to blame Lambeth for Croydon’s decision to withdraw funding from Upper Norwood Joint Library (UNJL – funded equally by both councils) continues it fairly tragic path.  The story is complex but, basically, the library serves an area of Croydon which now has no Conservative councillors, Croydon refused to send non-Conservative ones to a vital meeting, Labour-run Lambeth refused to accept the Conservative ones as they weren’t local, Croydon accused Lambeth of breaking the joint agreement becuase of this … and so a well-loved and efficient library is in danger.  Strong suspicions abound that Croydon are using any excuse to save money: they’re also keen on privatising/outsourcing the libraries that they solely own.  In a familiar turn of events, faced with the alternative of closure, people are start looking towards running it themselves. Despite the best efforts of the supporters of the library (with a 800 name petition being handed in a couple of days ago), this story is starting to look more like a tragedy than anything else.

Correction

Quite a few library services with SCL committee members (see Sunday’s post) have been pointing out that  they are doing events for National Libraries Day.  One, interestingly, has said that “our target audience is local people, not national campaign-followers, but all are welcome”.  While one wonders if the National Libraries Day map is really just for library campaigners,  it’s great news that the day is not being oddly ignored.  So far, I have seen mention of events in  Brighton, Newcastle and the Tri-Borough (the new joint library service for Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster).  We hope for Kent but no news from any events from there.  Of course, no library I am aware of is doing as much as Preston Library (Brent) which is now officially closed but whose campaigners are not letting that stop them.

407 libraries (318 buildings and 89 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

Can you help…?

News

  • Adventures of Conan the Librarian – Open Democracy.  “What is a public library for? Costa coffee and “bums on seats”? or the promise of a better world? The managerialised nightmare of a London council’s cost-cutting misunderstandings is glimpsed at through the deep stacks by a not-yet-defeated librarian and idealist”
  • Cost of illiteracy to UK “tops £81bn each year” – London Evening Standard.   “People who cannot read earn lower salaries, create less wealth for the nation and use more government money, says a report published today by the World Literacy Foundation. Six million UK adults are functionally illiterate, meaning they cannot read a medicine bottle or food labels or fill out a job application, it states. The research reveals that an illiterate adult will earn at least 30 per cent less than someone who can read.”
  • Creative people and places fund  opens for applications – Arts Council England.  “The Arts Council has today (30 January 2012) launched a new £37 million fund to ensure more people living in places where levels of involvement are currently low, experience and are inspired by the arts.”  Offer is open to libraries. 
  • MP makes eleventh hour plea to save music library as axe looms – Yorkshire Post.  David Ward MP tries to save the regions’s music library from closure.

“Did you read a lot when you were a kid? “Yeah! I did love the library. I liked a lot of those fantasy books, I liked Lord Of The Rings – anything that involved fantasy. I was really into it. I loved that, as well as Tintin, Asterix – I found those really interesting, for some strange reason. It was a combination of that. I liked the library. I suppose I didn’t have the opportunity to go out and do a lot of activities so the library was my haven. My haven away from home.”.  Their Library: Ghostpoet: Literary influences explored – Clash Music.

“Forget Burns night and St Valentine’s day. All things considered, February 4 is an even more important date in the calendar. There hasn’t been much fanfare, but this Saturday marks National Libraries Day, an occasion when book lovers across the UK remove their reading glasses and celebrate one of the most influential innovations of the modern world” Support your library while you still can – Herald Scotland.   Superb pro-libraries piece to link in with National Libraries Day. 

Changes

Bristol – Mobile library to be lost in April.
Essex – No branches to close but 5 managers lost job in 2011, Colchester reduced hours from 67.5 to 59 hours.
Derbyshire – £975k cut inc. £455k cut to stock, South Normanton Library to have hours increased. 

Local News

  • Brent – National Libraries Day 2012 children’s events programme – Preston Library Campaign.  A packed programme of events including a reading by Kate Umansky and Dyan Sheldon.  Not bad for a library that has now officially closed. 
  • Bristol – Mobile library service is cut behind closed doors – This is Bristol.  Decision to end service was made before consultation.
  • Calderdale – New petition to save the Central Library – Halifax Courier.  “Instead of spending weeks collecting signatures, organisers will devote just two hours to the job outside the library in Northgate on Saturday, which is National Libraries Day. The arguments continue about the future of the Central Library and archive and we are frequently being approached by angry members of the public who want to know what they can do to stop the present facilities being bulldozed,” said Anne Kirker, of the Don’t Bulldoze Our Library campaign.”
  • Croydon – More Croydon spin: Upper Norwood Joint Library – Save Croydon Libraries Campaign.  Suspicions that recent positive article was placed so as to distract attention from emergency meeting.  Gist of article is that Croydon are blaming Lambeth for Croydon’s decision to remove funding.
    • Legal row “an excuse to close library” – London Evening Standard.  “Upper Norwood Library’s future is in doubt after Tory-run Croydon said it would pull out of a deal to fund it jointly with Lambeth, which it accused of breaching a legal agreement. Croydon has agreed to provide funds until the end of April when Lambeth completes a public consultation. However, a spokesman said the joint arrangement was “no longer tenable”.”
  • Derbyshire – Library having its hours extended – This is Derbyshire.   “The authority said South Normanton library – part of the council’s £8 million new community building in the town – had been a “hit with the public”.” … “The move comes as the county council is on Wednesdayset to confirm a cut of £975,000 to its culture and community services department. This will include £455,000 from its “materials budget” for things like books and newspapers.”
  • Devon – Sidmouth Library to shut for £80k revamp – Sidmouth Herald.   “will shut for nearly two weeks next month when self-service technology is installed as part of an £80,000 refurbishment.” … “Michael Brittain, of Bulverton, uses the facility around four times a week and is not a fan of self-service kiosks he’s seen in other places like Seaton. “We weren’t consulted whether we wanted this system,” said Mr Brittain. He questioned the timing of investing cash on the technology at a time, it is hoped, the library and adjoining health centre could be completely redeveloped.”
  • Dudley – Business as usual for Stourbridge Library and town hall, council bosses say –  Halesowen News.  New retail development will change entrance to library.  “Once complete – visitors will be able to gain access to the library, town hall and register and housing office through a new entrance on Market Street.”
  • Essex – “Libraries will stay open” say county council – Standard series.   No branches to close but 5 managers lost job in 2011, Colchester reduced hours from 67.5 to 59 hours. 
  • Glasgow – Librarithon – National Libraries Day.   “A group of librarians is organising a librarithon, or libcrawl, via the Glasgow Subway. If you know the Subway at all you will understand why we’re calling it In the Loop! We are meeting in the Library at GOMA at 10am and will then go on to Hillhead, Ibrox and the Gorbals. Our tour guide is Myra Paterson who works for Glasgow Libraries and will organise activities in each branch. We aim to be finished by 4. Tweeting, blogging etc all encouraged, anything to get across the library message”
  • Gloucestershire – New library consultation: roadshow dates and survey now available – FoGL.   “It it easy to think ‘why bother’ after so many service users’ views were ignored and dismissed last time round, but this is GCC’s chance to get things right, so we would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation, and spread the word to others too.”
    • Library consultation begins – BBC.  
    • Bookworms gather in Bream – This is Gloucestershire.  “Residents were invited along to offer their opinions on how a community library service would operate as a result of library closures due to Gloucestershire County Council budget cuts…. The event showed that there is definitely the demand and interest in Bream for a library service.”
  • Halton – Special collection of Charles Dickens classics in Haltons libraries – Runcorn and Widnes World.   Great example on how to topically promote a library service: “We have definitely seen a resurgence in Dickens and a number of fabulous new editions of his classic tales are now on the shelves. “A lot of readers watched Great Expectations and realised they ahve never read the book. This is where your local library comes in.””
  • Lambeth – Streatham Library “at risk” following meeting, says councillors – Guardian series.   “A clause stating the library must be kept in its current state was struck out, and replaced with a new clause stating the library must “reflect the needs of local residents and users”.”.  800 name petition handed in about UNJL.
  • Leicestershire – Free day at Leicestershire libraries – Melton Times.  “libraries are holding a special free day on Saturday, February 4, to celebrate National Libraries Day. On the day, hiring DVDs, CDs or talking books will all be free. There will also be an amnesty on overdue library items so they can be returned without the need to pay any charges. There will be no charges for extra sessions on library computers and users will be able to get up to six computer printouts free of charge.”
  • Milton Keynes – Celebrate National Libraries Day at Stony Stratford Library – About My Area.   “One year on from the big campaign to save Stony Stratford library, the library is still here and going strong! This Saturday, 4th February, as part of National Libraries Day, Friends of Stony Stratford Library invite you to the library for an event to celebrate. There will be a children’s activity running all morning and at 11am we welcome the author Carole Matthews who supported us through our campaign, we will also be serving refreshments.”
  • Newport – Rogerstone couple found love in the library – South Wales Argus.  “The couple’s romantic tale inspired judges to name them the winners of the Welsh Books Council’s Quick Reads St Dwynwen’s Day competition which wanted to find couples who had been brought together through their love of books.”

“Ms Jarvis, who now works at Newport Reference Library, said: “He would give me obscure railway book requests with half titles or without authors and I would have to dig deep to try and find what he was looking for. But the helpfulness paid off and six months later Mr Harries took her on their first date to Didcot Railway Centre.”

  • Somerset – Legal costs for library services could rise – Mercury series.  “Sam Crabb, leader of the Somerset Liberal Democrat group, said: “No one really knows the actual cost of the judicial review yet. The legal costs of the members of the public who took the judicial review are not yet known, but combined with the figures that we do know, the overall figure is going to be well in excess of £600,000. It would be good to see a press release from the conservative administration giving the true figures when they are eventually known.””
  • Warwickshire – Library is based on readers’ honesty – Nuneaton News.    “Bedworth Heath Community Centre is to break new ground as the home of the first `Honesty Library’ in the county. A stock of 1,500 books will be placed on shelves in the community centre in Smorrall Lane, Bedworth, but there will be no library staff on hand to deal with the borrowers.”
    • Village set to take on its library – Evesham Journal.   Bidford Library will be volunteer run from April.  ““We have in excess of 70 people registered as potential volunteers. They will be coming here to look at the facilities and discuss what they want to do and when they are prepared to work. The library opening times will be in line with the volunteers’ opening hour suggestions.”
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