So it’s the 12th of April
Feb 28th
Editorial
So, it’s the 12 April. That, surprisingly, gives public libraries enough time to get ready for what we all earnestly hope is the last time we come out of lockdown. Public libraries are in the same class as “non-essential retail” and means we open up more than a month before our colleagues in museums.
In other news, there’s mention of libraries being available for help with the census, some protests against cuts (notably in Lewisham) and a couple of mentions of reducing or getting rid altogether of fines. This was a definite trend before Covid and it will be interesting to see if it continues now.

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

International news
- Afghanistan – They Built Libraries to Honor Loved Ones, Women Felled by Bombings – New York Times. ” libraries — one in Kabul, the capital, and the other in Daikundi Province — stand as symbols of the progress made toward gender equality and access to education in Afghanistan”
- Canada – Canadian libraries increasingly scrapping late fees to boost access to services – CBC. “Long considered a tool to encourage patrons to return materials on time, in the past few years hundreds of public libraries have decided that late fees do more harm than good by pushing away low-income and disadvantaged readers. In the past few years, nearly 300 libraries across Canada have recently eliminated late fee”.
- Singapore – Hygge – a new space for wellbeing by NTU Library, Singapore – Access. “unique design encourages self-expression, self-reflection and self-care through the experience of calmness and tranquillity. A reading corner was also conceptualised for the space to provide self-care resources including informational guides on practising mindfulness.”
- USA – Libraries Are an Essential Service. Give Librarians the Vaccine Now | Opinion – Newsweek. “Librarians, too, constantly interact with the public; libraries are high-risk workplaces. But the CDC failed to name librarians and library workers specifically in their vaccine guidance.”
- Where Are We: The Latest on Library Reopening Strategies – Library Journal.”As the pandemic continues, communication among colleagues and the public is the key to success. “
Local news by authority
- Cambridgeshire – Cambridgeshire libraries support independent bookshops hit by Covid pandemic – Peterborough Telegraph. “The mail-order website ‘BookshopUK’ launched last year with the site working to donate profits to bookshops and organisations that support the service through book lists and affiliated websites. Cambridgeshire libraries has become an affiliate of Bookshop and will help promote the site alongside the service’s current reading offer.”
- Cheshire West and Chester – West Cheshire Museums: What does Cheshire mean to you? – In Your Area. “My Cheshire, is a joint project between Cheshire West Libraries and West Cheshire Museums”
- Cornwall – ‘The most Corbusier building in Britain’ listed – Architect’s Journal. “Saltash library was one of a series of five new branch libraries to be built by the council in the 1960s. The others were at St Austell, Newquay, Torpoint, and Helston.”
- Denbighshire – Memory bags designed for people living with dementia are being offered at libraries in Denbighshire – News From Wales. “They contain a collection of books, poems, artefacts and smells designed to stimulate the senses and promote reminiscence and discussion.”
- Dorset – Help available for Dorset residents completing 2021 census – Dorset Echo. “If you’re having trouble completing the form, advisers at Dorset Council’s libraries will be able to help. During lockdown this help is over the telephone, with face to face appointments available if and when Covid rules allow.”
- Falkirk – Membership body criticises council’s decision to take leisure charity back under its control – Third Sector. “Community Leisure UK says it is disappointed after Falkirk Council voted to take Falkirk Community Trust in-house again”
- Fife – Comedian Janey Godley to highlight menopause in OnFife comedy night – Dunfermline Press. “Pause … not Full Stop is one of 16 projects in the UK-wide Engaging Libraries Programme. The initiative enables libraries to interact with their users in new ways while encouraging local communities to engage with research.”
- Leeds – Drag queen hounded with death threats and labelled a paedophile for ‘reading stories to Leeds kids’ – Leeds Live. ““It goes to show that there’s still people in the UK who still harbour these hateful views and its establishments like this teaching people not just children but adults that homophobia, transphobia and racism will not be tolerated.”
- Leicester – Reading Friends connects those who may be feeling isolated in Leicester – In Your Area. “The phone call will be with a befriender from the city council’s libraries service, and will connect readers with up to three others in group conversations. This will give readers the opportunity to talk to each other, share stories, make new friends and have fun.”
- Lewisham – Campaign launched to reverse cut to Lewisham library service – News Shopper. “The council is reviewing the library service to fund cuts of £300,000 to £500,000, £100,000 to £230,000 of which could be made this year. Part of the cuts includes a hiring freeze as the service’s salary budget makes up 80 per cent of its total budget. “
- Lewisham needs libraries more than ever, we can’t have services slashed by up to £500,000 – Change.org. “the council’s threatened cut will rip the staff along with their skills and knowledge out of the service and dedicated people who’ve spent hard months on test and trace face losing their jobs.”
- Save Lewisham Libraries statement – 18th February 2021 – Save Lewisham Libraries.
- Norfolk – Norfolk libraries to scrap late fees for children – Eastern Daily Press. “Plans by Norfolk Libraries and Information service to improve children and young people’s reading skills also include universal membership of the county’s e-library through Norfolk’s schools and the introduction of a new ‘1,000 books before school’ reading challenge aimed at under-fives.”
- Northamptonshire – ‘We feel like we have been evicted’: Friends group furious over Northampton library closure – Northampton Chronicle. “Friends of Far Cotton Library has been working since 2019 to run it following Northamptonshire County Council’s decision to shut it. The group was working on a second business plan after its first one was rejected but found the books at The REC Centre were being removed and other tenants ‘are being explored’.”
- North Yorkshire – Library’s book bundle service praised by young readers – North Yorkshire County Council. “Winnie and Valentine Long use the service at Whitby library and rely on it to help with home schooling. In January alone the library issued 201 book bundles to customers.”
- Solihull – Bookworms invited to join in virtual story telling session to combat isolation – Solihull Observer. “Solihull Libraries, The Core Theatre Solihull and Art at the Heart CIC have joined forced to create Solihull Reading Friends – a programme of free events designed to help people connect and combat feelings of loneliness and isolation.”
- Help for Solihull residents as borough gears up for Census 2021 – Solihull Observer.
- Staffordshire – Hundreds sign petition to block controversial plan to move Burton Library – Staffordshire Live. “More than 500 people have signed a petition opposing £7.3 million proposals to move Burton Library to the town’s market hall. The petition claims there has been a lack of public consultation to the controversial proposal, which could see the town’s library move from Meadowside Drive to the market hall in Market Place, subject to funding.”
“This week will see the third Smallprint Book Festival for children run by our library service. It is timed to coincide with World Book Day each year. So far it has proved very popular and this year it is totally digital, running from 4-6 March. We have an absolutely fantastic programme thanks to our enterprising Readers’ Services Team and talented and tuneful Community Library Officers. All the events will be promoted through our social media channels, where it looks fantastic. The team are trialling one school event which isn’t on this programme, working with local author Laura Fyfe to run a creative writing workshop with Cambusbarron Primary, P6 & P7. They are doing this as a Google Meet on Thursday 4th March and hope that it will give them a format to use for further events with schools.” Stirling – Smallprint Book Festival – via email. See festival webpage here.
- Suffolk – Suffolk libraries host meet the authors online book festival – East Anglian Daily Times. “This digital event, running between Monday March 15 and Sunday March 21, will incorporate Suffolk Libraries Day – Suffolk Libraries’ annual fundraising event will be taking place on Saturday March 20.”
- Thurrock – Thurrock Libraries reopen for order and collect service and essential computer use – Your Thurrock. “
- Thurrock – Thurrock Libraries reopen for order and collect service and essential computer use – Your Thurrock. “The libraries in Grays, Belhus, Aveley, Blackshots, Tilbury, East Tilbury, Corringham and Chadwell St Mary will operate under reduced hours and have measures in place to keep residents and staff safe.”
- Wandsworth – Wandsworth Libraries launches ‘A Chance To Talk’ to combat loneliness – SW Londoner. ““I’ve also received a flurry of emails from people who have seen the posters and wanted to say they think it’s a lovely initiative. It’s nice that the community has been super responsive, even if the programme isn’t right for them.””
- West Berkshire – West Berkshire ‘wee libraries’ bring village cheer in tough times – Newbury Today.
- York – York libraries offer help with census forms – The Press. “Explore staff and CVS volunteers have been getting special training, ready to help anyone who has difficulty filling in the forms, Fiona said”
Disturbingly normal
Feb 21st
Editorial
As I write this, it’s the day before we find out what is happening with possible (or not) reopening after the third lockdown. Let us hope the vaccines mean that this is the last one we are in. This weird shut world is starting to feel disturbingly normal.
World Book Day looks interesting, as does the Future of Libraries webinar. There are some of the normal various interesting things and outright weirdness from the USA and a few initiatives from around our country, including a nice series of events from the ever-positive and busy Manchester library service.

National news
- CILIPS Annual Conference 2021 – CILIPS. “Our 2021 President, Cleo Jones, will host two days of keynotes, workshops, and talks online on June 7-8th on the theme of Reinvigorate and Renew: Emerging into a better, brighter, new world.”
- The Future of Libraries – Aspen UK. 24 February 5pm webinar.
- John Scally interview: ‘Libraries have to be for everyone’ – The Times. “The outgoing chief executive of the National Library of Scotland had to tear up the rule books”. Partial paywall, ironically.
- Vintage launches Free Books Campaign partnership – BookSeller. “Vintage has launched a new partnership with the Free Books Campaign, a charity set up by education activist Sofia Akel to get books by authors of colour to those who cannot access them. Under the partnership, Vintage will donate 300 books to the Free Books Campaign annually. Twenty-five copies of 12 titles will be delivered over 2021”
- Welsh Libraries Reaching Out Into the Virtual World – News from Wales.”“This grant of £169,950 has enabled us to appoint Kerry Pillai from Swansea Libraries as coordinator to organize, plan and deliver a range of training packages for library staff members across Wales. This will be technical training in the use of basic equipment and software apps for creating and delivering digital content, but also activities for staff to experiment and practice their skills – such as author talks, conversations between readers, reading group discussions, and illustration workshops. The Estyn Allan project will also enable authorities to invest in basic hardware and software they need to produce good quality activities and content.””
- World Book Day’s New Strategy Receives Major Boost From Arts Council Funding And New Partnerships, As Charity Announces First Ever Official World Book Day Song – FMCM. “The charity also announces its first ever official song by MC Grammar.” … “A partnership with Oak National Academy and the National Literacy Trust: HRH The Duchess of Cornwall will lead a day of special events for the online classroom” … “A World Book Day themed Live Lesson broadcast live on CBBC:” … “A partnership with Twitter: will help the charity reach more families directly online in lockdown. An official #WorldBookDay emoji will be launched to mark the annual celebration.” … “An extended partnership with McDonald’s: will see the food company include World Book Day’s £1 token in all its Happy Meal Boxes from 3 March to 13 April”

International news
- EU – Seminar Replay – Eurolis. “All 3 sessions of this year’s webinar series ‘How can Libraries play a Positive Role in a Crisis’ have been recorded and are available online.”
- USA – White Lady Discouraged From Humiliating Herself With ‘Library Rap’ Cries Reverse Racism – Wonkette. “public libraries are continually recalibrating and reinventing services, plans, and procedures to keep up with a roiling landscape”
- Buy One, Give One- Inspiring Library Stories – Hinchas Press. “Buy one, give one is a campaign to put ‘Inspiring Library Stories: Tales of Kindness, Connection, and Community Impact’ in the hands of every Congressperson in the next session of Congress. When you purchase this bundle, we will mail you a paperback copy of Inspiring Library Stories and give one to a Congressperson.”
- Chattanooga Fires Library Activist Who Allegedly Burned Books Written by President Donald Trump, Ann Coulter – TN Star. “Officials said part-time library specialist Cameron Dequintez Williams took the books and burned them in December, WDEF reported last week. Williams led several protests last year in Chattanooga and was charged with blocking streets.”
- Where Are We: The Latest on Library Reopening Strategies – Library Journal. “public libraries are continually recalibrating and reinventing services, plans, and procedures to keep up with a roiling landscape”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeen – Aberdeen libraries’ interactive online videos viewed over 31,500 times during coronavirus pandemic – Press and Journal.
- Bristol – The Little Libraries of Bristol – Epigram. “Groups of library campaigners were alerted to Olivia’s use of the term ‘library’ to describe her book-swap, claiming it was problematic and counter-productive to raising awareness for local libraries which currently face government funding cuts. However, Olivia clarified that ‘they’ll never replace public libraries – never – and that’s not the intention. They are an addition rather than a replacement’”
- Denbighshire – Dementia ‘memory bags’ including books, poems and artefacts available at Denbighshire libraries – Journal. “offering a new collection of memory bags which contain a collection of books, poems, artefacts and smells designed to stimulate the senses and promote reminiscence and discussion.”
- Devon – Books, reading, community and connection for new parents and carers in Devon – In your area. “The charity, which runs Devon and Torbay’s library services, is launching the Reading Friends initiative under the Reading Agency ‘Read Talk Share’ 2021 campaign umbrella. The Reading Agency wants to promote the use of books and reading to help mental health.”
- Share your memories of Budleigh Library – Exmouth Journal. “The memories will be collated into a book which will then be sold to raise funds for Libraries Unlimited – the charity which manages libraries across the county.”
- Essex – Historic Maldon library granted over £60,000 by Historic England – In your area. “one of the oldest public libraries in England”.
- Essex County Council and SOLE Zoom meeting on Debden library – Epping Forest Guardian. “Cllr Sue Barker, cabinet member responsible for libraries, will be meeting online with representatives of Save Our Libraries Essex (SOLE) in a Zoom meeting on Monday, February 22. She will be joined by bosses of New City College – bidding to become the first takeover of an Essex library at Debden.”
- Fife – £40,000 funding boost announced for Fife libraries – Fife Today. “The money came from a Scotland-wide pot administered by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC). Fife scooped £41,800 to help staff understand how users engage with their local libraries which were forced to close their doors at the start of the pandemic.”
- Kent – Uncertain future for libraries after no guarantee given by KCC that all of them will reopen once Covid lockdown restrictions are eased – Kent Online. ” “I can’t guarantee that 99 libraries are going to reopen in three months time. When the time is right we will start reopening as and when we can.””
- Moray – Order and collect service rolled out to more Moray libraries – Northern Scot. “In addition to the recent set up of an order and collect service at Burghead library, Dufftown library is ready to offer a similar operation from this Thursday and Cullen library will be starting the service from Thursday”
- North Somerset – Reading Friends programme for North Somerset – Chew Valley Gazette.
- Peterborough – Peterborough libraries expand select and collect service – Peterborough Telegraph. “Orton, Bretton, Werrington and Dogsthorpe Libraries will now join Central Library in offering this service.”
- Sheffield – Sheffield Libraries and Poet in the City bring a rich menu of poetry, language, film and local stories – Yorkshire Post. “Produced by Poet in the City, one of the UK’s leading poetry organisations, and in partnership with the British Library, Digesting History takes place next week.”
- Stoke on Trent – Everything you need to know about February half term activities by Stoke-on-Trent museums and libraries – Stoke Sentinel.
- Tower Hamlets – MP calls for halt to cuts threatening Tower Hamlets libraries – East London Advertiser. “A motion is being tabled in the Commons on Wednesday, February 17, by Poplar and Limehouse MP Apsana Begum. ” … ““Libraries face their greatest crisis since the Second World War,” she said in a statement to the East London Advertiser. “People on low-income suffer the brunt with children from deprived backgrounds losing desperately-needed support outside the classroom.” The MP has lodged a Commons motion demanding that libraries are protected from cuts in the post-pandemic period, a move backed by shadow chancellor John McDonnell. “
- Windsor and Maidenhead – Maidenhead councillors vow to save Boyn Grove library from closure – Royal Borough Observer. “Boyn Hill councillor Stuart Carroll (Con), lead member for social care and public health, said he and his colleague Cllr Gurpreet Bhangra (Con) disagree with the proposed closure and will leave ‘no stone unturned’ in finding ways to save the library.”
Picking our fights
Feb 14th
Editorial
First, Covid news. A couple of councils are opening up for click and collect after weeks of being entirely closed and Bristol libraries are offering “surge testing”. Also, the Reading Agency funding for library services to help with loneliness.
But the big story, obviously, is a librarian or two objecting to the use “little library” being used about a free book-swap outside a house, which was covered by the BBC, the Mail and the London Evening Standard. This was, of course, on Twitter, where massive fights can start instantly and things can be taken out of proportion. It’s worth noting too that far worse insults were thrown at the librarians in return, who were expressing their point of view, without being personal about it.
OK, Here comes the paragraph I have worried about writing but needs to be said. I have been a coward for not saying it before …
I know this is a really unpopular opinion amongst some librarians but, personally, I think we lost the monopolistic use of the word “library” decades ago, if indeed we ever had it. The unfortunate book-lover did not claim to have a public library in her garden and I suspect people can tell the difference between a glorified bird-box and, say, an actual building. I also think that such enterprises are not contributing to closing libraries and even the most extreme councillor does not genuinely (even if it seems so officially) believe they can a proper replacement. The real threat to libraries would be budget cuts.
That last paragraph is going to get me absolutely vilified by some. So be it. Some have already told me there is something wrong with me and that, at this difficult time, some librarians are feeling threatened. This is true of course. But, really, public libraries are bigger than this. We provide a hugely beneficial service with limited resources and we need to pick our fights. And such as we have should not be with book-lovers trying to share their passion with others.

Single Digital Presence
“A guest-written editorial that featured in last week’s Public Libraries News contained a number of misrepresentations relating to the Single Digital Presence project. We are grateful for the opportunity to correct them. In depicting the project merely as a succession of research reports the article failed to convey that the report we published in June 2019 was just one element of a much broader programme. This has included designing prototypes for both a new national presence and for improved local library web-pages, testing these prototypes with existing and potential users, and also a continued and wide-ranging engagement with our close stakeholders throughout the library sector.
Last week’s article also referred to the project as a ‘digital library’. Although a part of our work is focused on improving public library users’ access to digital material, this does not involve the creation of a digital library for public libraries. Instead, our ambition is to improve access to information and services about public libraries, and to make it easier for users to engage with public libraries at the local level, both physically and digitally.
Finally, the figure the article quoted for the cost of the project was inaccurate: £1 million is more than double the amount of money that has supported our work to this point. In addition, the project has been undertaken by a team at the British Library since February 2018, and so we have been working on this for three years – not six years, as the article suggests. We welcome the opportunity to set the record straight, and will be posting further updates on our findings later this spring.”
Statement from the British Library

National news
- Bristol book lover suffers abuse over ‘little library’ – BBC. “A book lover who set-up a ‘little library’ for the community to enjoy, found herself subject to a stream of “nasty” and “vicious” online comments.”
- Future of Libraries – Aspen UK. Webinar 24 February 5pm. Panel include Nick Poole, Ayub Khan, Dr Jenny Peachey.
- CWA Dagger in the library – Crime Writers Association. Deadline to vote is 26 February. “The Dagger in the Library is a prize for a body of work by a crime writer that users of libraries particularly admire. Only librarians can nominate authors for the award. It is one of the most prestigious crime writing awards in the UK”
- Librarians troll book lover who built ‘swap box’ outside home in lockdown – Metro.
- Public Libraries 2020: Netloan Customer Survey Results – Lorensbergs. “The 2020 public library survey results from netloan highlight the vital work libraries have undertaken throughout the pandemic. Wherever possible, libraries have offered access to public PCs and printers, allowing users to stay connected to critical online services and information.”
- Read, Talk, Share: The UK charity putting books at the heart of its new mental health campaign – Evening Standard. “Enabled by a £3.5 million award by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the initiative is aimed at combatting loneliness and promoting wellbeing through bibliotherapy, working closely with local libraries to reach struggling communities.”
- Vigilante librarians troll woman who built book ‘swap box’ outside her home during lockdown because they claim it could lead to more closures and job losses – Mail Online. “This included claims from some it would enable Covid to spread, as well as criticism from librarians, with the husband of one telling her ‘it does not replace the knowledge and help that a librarian brings to people’. He added that many librarians have lost jobs as a result of schemes like hers and have since been replaced by well meaning volunteers or not at all’.” … “Olivia was called ‘stupid’ and ‘misguided’ and slammed for having ‘no real understanding of the role of libraries’. She was also accused of doing ‘such a middle class thing’ and told the books would spread Covid. One troll said: ‘So, take home a used book and maybe take home the virus that kills your mother.'”
International news
- Global – IFLA’s Section on Children and Young Adults’ “Safer Internet Day” Survey – IFLA. “The annual Safer Internet Day is now celebrated in approximately 170 countries worldwide. The campaign calls upon all stakeholders to join together to make the internet a safer and better place for all, and especially for children and young people. This survey is for librarians and/or related staff who serve children and young adults, or those who supervise those who do.”
Local news by authority
- Bracknell Forest – Bracknell Forest Council library service wins £14,000 funding to tackle isolation and loneliness – In Your Area. “The Reading Agency, the Arts Council of England, and its book supplier Bolinda have awarded Bracknell Forest Council’s library service £14,000 of funding in a bid to tackle isolation and loneliness.”
- Bradford – Boosting your health by reading: district libraries service backs new campaign – Keighley News. Reading Friends: “Adults will meet via Zoom, but there will also be a postal element for people unable to access the project digitally – or who aren’t confident with the technology. Reading materials will be posted out and participants can reply by post or chat over the phone.”
- Bristol – Libraries transformed into surge testing sites to combat Bristol ‘Variant of Concern’ – ITV News. “Eight libraries in Bristol and South Gloucestershire have been transformed overnight to accommodate surge testing for coronavirus, as NERVTAG classes the strain detected in Bristol a ‘Variant of Concern’.”
- Camden – Camden libraries join national initiative to tackle loneliness during winter – Camden Council. “Camden Council libraries in partnership with Age UK Camden are hosting a series of online reading events to help tackle loneliness and support mental health during the pandemic this winter.”
- Cardiff – Plans for Rhiwbina Library to become community hub – Wales 247. “Cardiff Council is carrying out an engagement exercise on proposals to refurbish the library building and create the newest facility in the city’s network of community hubs. The aim will be to deliver more Council and partner organisation services there, based on the theme of wellbeing.”
- Edinburgh – Librarian records bookbug video on nightshift driving an Edinburgh gritter – Edinburgh News. “When she is not leading on learning development at Edinburgh’s Moredun library the 29-year-old is also serving her local community as an emergency seasonal worker for the council.” … “Ms Leake knew she couldn’t make it to the live session of bookbug on Tuesday morning due to working the nightshift beat this week…” so “She recorded a version of ‘wheels on the bus’ with lyrics about gritters while her NT74 spreader vehicle flashed in the background.”
- Read all about it: Edinburgh libraries scoop top digital award for newspaper downloads – Edinburgh News. “Pressreader, a digital platform where people can read newspapers and magazines online, awarded Edinburgh Libraries with the Most Newspapers Read in 2020 Worldwide accolade after 2,155 unique titles were read by its members last year, beating off competition from 100 other organisations.”
- Eilean Siar – New library vans are named by island youngsters – Stornoway Gazette. “Naturally it was a very tough decision for the judges going through all the amazing names sent in, but the names finally decided upon were ‘Lexy’ for the Lewis and Harris Mobile, and ‘Lachaidh’ for the Uist and Benbecula Mobile.”
- Hull – Why the tireless efforts of HC&L is a breath of fresh air for us all – Hull Life. “”The library service has been brilliant and done a lot of online work including virtual tours of the museums,” says Coun Brabazon”
- Flintshire – Aura Libraries Flintshire: Join in the Big Welsh Rhymetime online – The Leader. “The Big Welsh Rhyme Time, organised by Book Trust Cymru, is aimed at children aged 0-7, takes place this year between Monday, February 8 and Friday, February 12.”
- Herefordshire – Library reopens for click and collect services – Hereford Times.
- Lancashire – Lancashire County Council reminds residents not to make a special journey to return library books – Blog Preston. “Library staff are finding that many people are visiting their local library unnecessarily, unaware that they will face no penalty for holding onto any books they’ve borrowed for now.”
- Moray – Moray libraries to offer tech support online – Grampian Online. “The support could boost confidence with the basics: emailing, searching the internet safely, online shopping, accessing services, or connecting with family and friends virtually.”
- North Yorkshire – Libraries take part in project to provide IT – Gazette and Herald. “People and organisations who want to donate are asked to take their devices to their nearest participating local library where an appropriate drop-off point will be clearly marked.”
- Library events for children are online this half-term – Harrogate News. “From model-making to poetry classes, the library service is offering events on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nycclibraries.”
- Redbridge – Rapid Covid testing – Vision. “Rapid COVID-19 Testing is now available for residents at this library.”
- Somerset – Ten activities for half-term during lockdown – County Gazette. “If your children are bookworms or love to listen to stories, they can listen to some of their favourites read by Somerset Library staff.”
- South Gloucestershire – Collect and Drop surge testing service launches in South Gloucestershire – Gazette Series. “The second phase of additional community testing began today with the introduction of ‘Collect and Drop’ sites, situated within five libraries across Bristol and three libraries in South Gloucestershire. The first phase of this one-off testing began on Sunday, following an announcement from the Department for Health and Social Care that Bristol and South Gloucestershire will be providing additional community testing for COVID-19.”
- South Lanarkshire – Burnbank faces ‘double whammy’ of losing library and family centre in South Lanarkshire Council’s savings proposals – Daily Record. “Plans to close Burnbank Library and relocate the nearby family centre have been included in South Lanarkshire Council’s savings proposals.”
- Suffolk – Libraries are set to reopen as use of their online services doubles – Ipswich Star. Click and collect restarting.
- Thurrock – Plans to stop loneliness with conversations through reading in Thurrock – Thurrock Gazette. “Reading Friends launches in Thurrock on Wednesday 3 February to reconnect adults, including readers and non-readers, with others and make new friends.”
- Wandsworth – Valentine’s Day offers and activities: spread some local love – SW Londoner. “Wandsworth Libraries are offering mystery bundles so you can have a blind date with a book”.
Read and have a think
Feb 7th
Editorial
A quiet week, as befits one where almost all libraries were closed except for order and collect and PC use. Some great ideas though, including postcards to pin book packages, celebrity story-times plus also – my favourite – library zoom backgrounds. I’m therefore delighted that Barney Allan from DCA (their advert is below – thanks for the sponsorship, DCA!) send in an interesting piece. Read and have a think.

A Digital Catch-22 for Libraries: Barney Allen from DCA on the problems with the library digital offer and worries over the “SDP”.
Libraries are seeing increased demand for digital services to reach users and meet their needs. Some have made good progress with digital loans, events and services. I work with service providers in these areas and it’s been good to see increased interest and take-up for our clients’ offerings.
I’m grateful for all this but more interested in a big anomaly here. Libraries say they are prioritising digital loans and services, diverting funds to e-content, striving to bridge the digital divide, promote digital literacy and other good things. Yet most UK library webpages, to quote one of our US partners, ‘Look like someone threw up a bunch of code’.
I’m interested to know why that is and if it can be fixed. Whenever I raise website issues with library people, they most often give me pitying head-shakes and say things like: ‘you don’t understand’ or ‘we’d get fired’ or even ‘but we have the Universal Offer’. It’s as if the impasse is absolute, the problems unsolvable and the finest minds in library leadership are resigned to a status quo of failure. It’s almost like it’s policy.
Digital circulations are still quite low – according to CIPFA – accounting for only a small percentage of total borrowings, which are themselves in steady decline. Measurement of anything in libraryland is always controversial and that’s probably fine too – maybe there are abundant unknowable benefits, it’s ‘not just about books’ after all, and who doesn’t have an aversion to capitalist KPIs?
But data is well, data. If usage continues to decline, then funding is challenged and jobs are at risk, not to mention the whole edifice. Growing digital usage should be an escape route for libraries in danger. And if we can’t improve these dull, unnavigable websites, usage won’t go up, funding will go down and libraries will close. Most public library websites are entirely controlled by local authorities’ IT teams. They tend to prioritise practical things like clarity, utility and security to deliver services and protect data, which is fair enough. If I want to know the holiday bin collection rota or how to pay my council tax, I need no razzamatazz – just the facts, thank you.
But libraries seeking to establish a digital footprint in a teeming market have a different set of requirements. Whatever the goals – supporting reading and literacy, business, education, training, children and parents, inclusion, diversity, mental health, Covid – they all require the capacity to make us aware that these library treasures exist and engage us to the extent that we use them. If we can agree that online discoverability and engagement really are desirable if not essential qualities for library services now, how can we fix them if we can’t talk with the people who control them? Is there anyone else we can talk to?
On the fixing part, we can probably forget the current library leadership. Library strategy and leadership is in the hands of some powerful and well-funded agencies, including DCMS, The British Library, Arts Council England, CILIP, Libraries Connected, The Reading Agency, The Carnegie Trust and of course the local authorities. Big talk and mutual-admiration abound as does big spending on very little, here are just two examples:
- Two out of three of the only blog pieces in the last 12 months on the DCMS library site were fanfares to imperial honours for librarians. So that’s alright then.
- The British Library has spent almost £1 million over the last six years producing world-beating reports on The Single Digital Presence, the national digital library that remains conspicuous by its absence.
So despite the plethora of management, reports and yes, money, UK digital library provision remains stunted and usage low. And if it is to be a function of policy and leadership that libraries have unappealing websites that deliver unsatisfying experiences, there is probably nothing we can do about that.
Or is there? After all, locked-down libraries have smelt the digital coffee and some have achieved good things, albeit in a small way. Users, God help them, meanwhile may have had a look at their library websites and well, that’s all mostly. Could there be a workaround? Who else can we talk to? Some libraries already make good use of social media, and third party platforms to create and promote online events. Dave Rowe at Libraries Hacked has suggested libraries should be making new sites outside the arid local authority sandbox that are designed to serve the public rather than council and library management. Another way forward might be sponsorship. Whatever, the current toxic library mix of an absent leadership and a crippled web presence is preventing the sector from achieving it’s digital potential and failing the public. There has to be something we can do to unpick or go round this Catch-22. Next time we’ll have a look at the options in more detail.”
National news
- Could libraries help us tackle loneliness? – Happiful. “A £3.5 million award to The Reading Agency has injected new life into libraries’ mental health and wellbeing programmes”
- Covid: £2.25m National Library Wales jobs rescue package announced – BBC. “An extra £3.95m will go to National Museum Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru. The money will be provided over the current and next financial years. The Welsh Government has faced criticism for failing to increase its grant funding for the library, including an accusation from one senior source at the institution that ministers failed to “recognise the importance of our cultural institutions”.”
- Covid: Oxford-AstraZeneca jabs to be given in old mobile library – BBC. “When the health board was searching for a suitable vehicle, Neath Port Talbot council donated a mobile library that had reached the end of its life transporting books”
- Episode 82 Ian Anstice – Public Library News UK – Library Pros. Podcast. “Joining the podcast from across “The Pond” in Wales, UK is Ian Anstice, who publishes Public Libraries News, an online publication sharing what libraries are doing in the UK. Ian was so much fun to speak with. We talked about the origins of PLN as a blog and how it developed over time. We also talk about the forced evolution of digital programming because of the pandemic and whether it is sustainable or part of the “new normal” and how we quantify attendance and satisfaction.”
“Public libraries are also a vital component in tackling digital exclusion at all ages. There are around 2,900 public libraries in England, providing a trusted network of accessible locations offering free Wi-Fi, computers and other technology. The library staff, supported by volunteers, have been trained to enable them to provide library users with support in using digital skills. Libraries help tackle the combined barriers of skills, confidence and motivation by offering skills training, helping people to understand the benefits that using the internet and accessing online services can bring. Their vital role has been recognised during the current lockdown, with the new regulations enabling libraries to continue some services during this lockdown period including access to public PCs for essential purposes.”
Gillian Keegan The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
- How do we reach and empower children though imaginative programming? – A perspective from Seven Stories – Living Knowledge Network. Webinar, 25 February.
- The side-effects of not getting COVID – LinkedIn / Jon Davis. “I got extraordinarily upset, so much so that I even had a little cry. I’ll be 60 in a couple of years – I honestly can’t recall the last time I cried, but I think it was my aunt’s funeral – 15 years ago. I didn’t cry at all at my mum’s send-off.”
International news
- India – Books vs batons: After Shaheen Bagh, ‘protest site libraries’ recreated by farmers at Delhi’s borders – National Herald. “These libraries are not just aesthetic add-ons to the artistically rich protest sites which have developed into mini-cities. Rather, they are symbols of protest, resistance and assertion”
- Ireland – Libraries need help to lend a bigger hand to authors – Times. “Irish libraries pay 4.39c per loan — but those cents can add up. The UK rate is significantly higher, 9.55p (10.8c) per loan, and Irish authors can sign up to the British scheme. For many, this is a better source of income.”
- USA – Library association awards Carnegie medals to McBride, Giggs – Independent. ““I work from libraries a lot, and my wallet is full of library cards,” says Rebecca Giggs an Australian author whose “Fathoms: The World in the Whale” received the nonfiction prize Thursday.”
- Police in Libraries: What the Cop-Free Library Movement Wants – Teen Vogue. “What they found, in pouring over city documents, shocked them: the library’s security budget grew from $1.1 million in 2013 to a proposed $10.4 million — 5% of the total library budget — in 2020.”
Local news by authority
- Bradford – Free digital ‘yoga extravaganza’ planned for half term – Telegraph and Argus. “The Yoga Extravaganza is being hosted by Bradford Libraries during the week of February 15-19 and will include story times, yoga poses and live online yoga sessions.”
- Croydon – Library group helps residents speak up in Croydon Council consultation – SW Londoner. “Libby Hamilton, South Norwood mum, 41, chair of Friends of South Norwood Library and editorial director of picture books at Andersen Press, is advising people on filling out the online consultation survey.”
- Cumbria – Workshop will help make the most of Cumbria’s library service – News and Star. “It will introduce participants to the range of resources available to access for free through a library membership. The session will be delivered via Zoom and will explain how to download free eBooks and magazines and show how you can practice for your driving theory test.”
- Devon – How your local library can help your lockdown mental health – In Your Area. “Libraries Unlimited, which also runs services across Devon, is launching the Reading Friends initiative to promote the use of books and reading to help mental health.”
- Ottery Library’s message of support through postcards – Sidmouth Herald. “The idea is that people making use of the library’s Choose and Collect service will find one of the postcards in their collection bags – and then fill it in and send it to someone they love, such as a care home resident or someone who is self-isolating.”
- East Riding – Easy to use home schooling resources available on East Riding Libraries website – Bridlington Free Press. Section on website with e-resources.
- Flintshire – Aura Libraries Flintshire: happy National Storytelling Week – The Leader. “As part of our National Storytelling Week celebrations, local storyteller Fiona Collins will be joining us for an extra special Family Storytelling session”
- Glasgow – Glasgow Life helping people in Glasgow get help from Macmillan Cancer Support – Glasgow Times. “Delivered by the team behind the innovative cancer support programme, Macmillan @ Glasgow Libraries, the service provides emotional and practical support.”
- Hampshire – Library backgrounds for virtual meetings – Hampshire Libraries. Genius.
- Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries book group still running despite lockdown – Greenock Telegraph. Online.
- Leicester – Leicester libraries to offer free online storytelling sessions – In Your Area. Zoom.
- Norfolk – New service from Norfolk Libraries will help west Norfolk families learn from home – Lynn News. “Norfolk Libraries has set up a phone line which serves as a first stop for parents and carers in the county using new devices to teach their children.”
- Northamptonshire – Transformation of Kettering gallery, library and museum approved – Business Link East Midlands. “The unified site will provide a dedicated business support area to expand the existing British Library led Business & IP Centre Northamptonshire, which provides entrepreneurs and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with free access to a wide range of support. The community will enjoy new and upgraded facilities, flexible events and workshop space.”
- North Yorkshire – Libraries awarded £10,000 in Read, Talk, Share campaign – North Yorkshire County Council. “The Reading Agency is running the Read, Talk, Share campaign, enabled by £3.5m funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport.”
- Harrogate library launches celebrity story times – North Yorkshire County Council. “The first story time was hosted by Channel 5’s Traffic Cops star and North Yorkshire Roads Policing Sergeant Paul Cording, who read Ducktective Quack and the Cake Crimewave.”
- Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire Libraries Order and Collect service available in Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Narberth, Newport, Neyland, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Saundersfoot and Tenby – Western Telegraph. “In line with Welsh Government guidance, Pembrokeshire Libraries continues to offer its popular Order and Collect service.”
- St Helens – St Helens library opens for residents who need essential internet access – The Reporter. “St Helens Council’s award-winning Library Service has opened Chester Lane Library for anyone needing essential computer and internet access during national lockdown.”
- Sheffield – Council opens consultation on new proposals for library enhancements – Sheff News. “We have launched a public consultation about improvements to libraries, after we announced last year that each community hub library would benefit from a £10,000 cash boost. The investment means that each library in Sheffield, including volunteer-run libraries, will have extra money to enhance their space and the services they offer. Now we’re asking local residents for their opinions on how our libraries should use this vital funding to best serve the community and library users’ needs.”
- Sheffield Readathon will still go-ahead in the school half term, despite the pandemic – The Star. “Sheffield’s independent libraries group, Volunteer Libraries in Sheffield, has a strong track record of providing creative half-term activities for young people.”. Online.
- Tuck in to the past with an Anglo Saxon themed digital dinner party organised by Sheffield Libraries – The Star. “A collaboration between Poet in the City and Sheffield Libraries will be bringing people across the city a chance to step back in time to the Anglo Saxons and learn more about the culture, the dialect and the food.”
- Shropshire – Libraries in Ludlow and Church Stretton to allow people to book a machine in an emergency – Ludlow Advertiser. “The access is being offered in the larger libraries only, where spaces can be managed safely with Covid-19-secure measures in place.”
- Stockport – Change of use approved for former Argos store at the centre of row over library services – Manchester Evening News. “A change of use has been approved for a former Argos store at the centre of a row over library services. The empty unit at Stockport’s Merseyway shopping centre can now be used more ‘flexibly’ – including as a museum, library or exhibition space – following the decision. It paves the way for the launch of the One Stockport hub, which is intended as a ‘cultural and community’ centre in the town centre.”
- Swindon – Four of five council-run Swindon libraries closed for eight weeks – Swindon Advertiser. “Only Central Library will be open over the next seven weeks for reservation collections and returns as well as the click, call and collect service. Its opening hours have been extended to six days a week to cope with the extra demand. Meanwhile, the libraries in Highworth, West Swindon, North Swindon and the Parks will be temporarily shut…”
- Warrington – LiveWire Libraries receive £1,000 grant to further boost digital offer – Warrington Worldwide. “A £1,000 grant from Arts Council England will help LiveWire further develop the library service’s e-books and e-audio services – which are helping to keep adults and children reading during the current pandemic.”
- West Berkshire – Books chosen just for you – new library service – Kennet Radio. “A brand-new scheme, the Order & Collect service at West Berkshire Libraries, is quickly proving very popular for customers of all ages, who are discovering books and reading in a new way during lockdown.”
- Windsor and Maidenhead – Viewpoint: Bus gates, libraries and free school meals – Maidenhead Advertiser. About the proposed library closure. Partial paywall.
- Maidenhead resident pleads to council not to close ‘well used’ library – Royal Borough Observer. “Boyn Hill resident Andrew Hill launched a petition – which has garnered over 260 signatures – urging leading Conservative councillors not to shut down the ‘well used and well located’ library. Speaking at the cabinet meeting, he said it was “astonishing” it could close considering its ‘high level of book borrowing’ and the library is ‘well used’ by dementia and learning disability groups as well as school groups.”
Not yet the tsunami
Jan 31st
Editorial
Two cuts announced this week. The first is in the wealthy (and apparently obsessed with the word “royal”) borough of Windsor and Maidenhead which is looking to close four branches. The reasoning for this appears to be as much ideological as for any other reason. The second is in Warrington – actually announced in early January but missed here – where the leisure trust Livewire’s income is suffering due to lockdowns and is looking for redundancies. Elsewhere, there’s a few co-locations. So, not yet the tsunami of cuts that has been widely feared. Let’s hope the wave never comes.
Changes by local authority
- Blaenau Gwent – Existing Abertillery library to be closed. New library will be transfered to community group in co-location.
- Sheffield – Woodhouse Library to be sold, library to be co-located.
- Suffolk – Babergh Library becomes co-located.
- Warrington – Cuts, including redundancies, expected.
- Windsor and Maidenhead – £290k cut: Boyn Grove, Old Windsor, Datchet, and Sunninghill libraries under threat, consultation.

National news
- The changing world of public libraries in the pandemic – University of Strathclyde. “The prevalence of lending digital books, which had already been increasing for a number of years, has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left them as the only option for many library members during periods of lockdown. The study will examine changes in information behaviour, issues around the potential emergence of a ‘digital divide’ and concerns over privacy.”
- Coaching yourself through the times we’re in – British Library. Friday 4 February webinar. “Overall this session will help you stay clear, calm, centred, energised, organised and resourceful and be best placed to survive and thrive personally and professionally in the days, weeks and year ahead and in our emerging new world.”
- Library computers to play important role in economic recovery – Lorensbergs. “The latest netloan public library survey results predict library PCs will play a significant role in the UK’s economic recovery. 80% of library services rate the People’s Network of computers as essential for supporting jobseeking. From the 80 library authorities that participated, over 90% had provided PCs in the second half of 2020. It offers a lifeline to jobseekers, benefit claimants, and many others without other means to get online as the pandemic continues.”
- LUSH Libraries Unleash Such Happiness – Eventbrite. Thursday 4 March. “Our inaugural conference welcomes representatives from Libraries Friends groups from all over the country. The event provides a treasure trove of ideas for activities, fundraising and community elevation. We are delighted to welcome keynote speakers Lemn Sissay, poet and performer, and Ron Finley, guerilla gardener as well as Chanje Kunde who will be performing a specially commissioned piece to uplift us all.12 thought-provoking workshops, spaces to share practical suggestions and ask questions. A place to listen. A place to be heard. A place to be inspired. Join us and bring some oomph to your Friends group.”
- Mozfest bursaries for libraries – Libraries Connected. “MozFest is a seven-day celebration for, by, and about people who love the internet, showcasing world-changing ideas and technology through exhibitions, talks and interactive sessions. This year’s festival will be held virtually from the 8 – 19 March and we are delighted to announce that we are offering a number of bursaries to public library staff who would like to attend.”
- National Library of Wales: Ministers accused of ‘lack of political will’ – BBC. “Thirty jobs are at risk at the library in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, and services are expected to be cut significantly. The source added: “It isn’t a lack of money, it’s a lack of political will.” The Welsh Government said it was “looking at every option” to protect jobs.”
- Public Libraries Project of the Year Grant Award – NAG. “NAG are pleased to announce that their Public Libraries Project of the Year Grant will run again for 2021. This grant, launched in 2019, aims to enable public libraries to take forward an innovative project, which may have already had a pilot phase, and develop it further. We have doubled the grant pot to £10,000 this year and we are open to either making two smaller awards or supporting one large project depending upon the strength of applications.”
- World Book Day Book Club – World Book Day. “We’re thrilled to bring you news of our brand new World Book Day Book Club. Talking about books together makes them more fun, memorable and magic. From March, tune into YouTube and read with us. We’ll share our favourite monthly read, talk to authors and more. Join in at home, in school & in libraries”
- For Libraries – World Book Day. “Have a look at our Libraries Tool Kit for ideas and resources to help you make World Book Day happen in 2021. World Book Day will work more closely with libraries this year than ever before. We hope to get every library authority involved in this major reading event.”
International news
- Argentina – Libraries on the margins – Medium / Edward Civallaro. “Libraries that operate on the margins are countless in Latin America. Those spaces have become (sometimes unwittingly or without realizing it, others fully aware of it) into havens that allow resistance, activism, struggle, solidarity, and even militancy: militancy for social and environmental justice, for equality, for inclusion, for memory, for one’s own and others’ rights…”
- Australia – Library Map Part 1 – Library Flanneur. Map of all Australian libraries with details, including on if they fine, included.
- Germany – The Berlin State Library’s priceless treasures – MSN. Pictures. “Soon, people will once again be able to browse to their heart’s content in the spacious reading room, which architect HG Merz designed in a bright orange color. The institution is a historical research and reference library, with little of the holdings digitized. So, if you want to do research, you have to physically visit the site.”
- Iraq – Artist Edmund de Waal Donates 2,000 Books to Iraqi Library Decimated by ISIS – Hyperallergic. “The University of Mosul (UoM) once held one of the largest libraries in West Asia, housing over a million books and rare historical materials, including a Quran from the ninth century and periodicals dating back to 1700 BCE. After Islamic State forces captured the city in 2014, much of its invaluable collection turned to ashes. Militants of the terrorist group burned down the building and its contents in what UNESCO described as “one of the most devastating acts of destruction of library collections in human history.””
- USA – Designing for the Future — The Post-Pandemic Library – Medium / Ditto Press. “In the midst of ongoing turmoil, libraries must still plan for the future. For some, this means reorganizing and reopening. Others must prepare for renovations or new construction in the face of grave uncertainties. Nobody knows — or can know — what the patron of 2022 wants. Will our struggles today will lead us to greater comity or further division? These questions remain unsettled. Essential services still move forward, however. Scheduled renovations must be planned. New libraries cannot wait for society to settle before they are built.” Multiple ideas.
Local news by authority
- Bexley – Plans to strip back Bexley’s library services approved – This is Local London. “Among the proposals approved are reduced opening times, a closed-day once a week, reduced staff, fewer events, less funding for community libraries and greater reliance on self-service. The move comes as Bexley Council battles with a major financial black hole in its budget, currently projected as £1.4m, increasing to more than £13 by 2024/25.”
- Blaenau Gwent – Former Abertillery chapel to become library hub – South Wales Argus. “The county borough council’s executive committee approved plans to hand over the Trinity Chapel and the current Abertillery Library building on Castle Street to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust as part of a community asset transfer.”
- Carmarthenshire – Large rise in researching family history in Carmarthenshire – Tivyside Advertiser. “Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, more than 155,000 searches have been recorded by Carmarthenshire libraries of library members taking advantage of free access to Ancestry.com from home. That is an increase of 220 per cent compared to the previous year, and more than any other libraries in Wales.”
- Cheshire East – Transport consultation extended due to lack of responses – Alderley Edge.com. “Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council, said: “Local transport delivery plans are substantial and important documents and, with our libraries closed due to coronavirus and people being directed to stay at home whenever possible, we have decided to extend the consultation period.”
- Cheshire West and Chester – Council Marks Holocaust Memorial Day – About my Area. “libraries are holding a virtual Coffee and Chat for Holocaust Memorial Day event online”
- Cornwall – Cornwall Library Service thousands sign up since lockdown – The Packet. “When the first lockdown came into force in March 2020 the library service saw a 104% increase in e-book downloads compared to the previous month and a 39% increase in e-audio downloads. In October the number of free newspaper and magazine downloads reached 60,000 – a 100% rise compared to February.”
- Croydon – Campaign to save Croydon libraries as five set to be axed – London News Online. “A petition, ‘Save Croydon Libraries’, has now gathered more than 1,000 signatures and calls on the council to keep all libraries open. As part of cost-cutting measures amid a financial crisis, the council wants to close Bradmore Green, Shirley, Sanderstead, South Norwood and Broad Green libraries. Consultation is currently open on the plans which runs until March 7.”
- Cumbria – Here’s how you can get involved in Make Music Day 2021 – The Mail. “At the meet-up, attendees will find out about what Make Music Day is and the different ways they can be involved. They will hear from co-hosts Cumbria Libraries and Liverpool Libraries about their own creative and music-related activities and how they’ve been involved in previous Make Music Days.”
- Dorset – Lyme Regis Library staff still serving the community – Lyme Online. “library staff members Lorraine and Jo are still able to work in the building and offer their customers access to books through the order and collect service. “
- East Riding – East Riding Leisure and East Riding Libraries offering mind and body health advice for residents – Free Press. “Hints, advice and information to support mental and physical health will be shared across their social media channels @ERLeisure and @ERLibraries, signposting to various free resources.”
- Essex – Essex County Council library budgets criticised by SOLE – Epping Forest Guardian. “Save Our Libraries Essex (SOLE) condemned the amount of funding announced for the county’s library services in its planned budget for 2021/22. Essex’s original library services budget for 2020/21 was £12.521 million however, due to what the county council has labelled a “one-off expenditure”, that figure eventually rose to £13.185 million. The proposed budget for this year (2021/22) stands at £12.285 million – a figure SOLE has blasted for being £900,000 below last year’s actual spend.”
- Essex libraries announce move to new library management system – In Your Area. “Last summer Essex and Thurrock Libraries shared the exciting news that they will be joining The Library Consortium (TLC)* and upgrading their library management system (LMS). Over the past few months, they have been working with TLC and SirsiDynix (the supplier of the new LMS) to prepare for these changes.”
- Flintshire – Aura Libraries Flintshire: exclusive National Storytelling Week event – The Leader. “We are delighted to announce local Storyteller Fiona Collins will be joining in with our celebrations by sharing videos with us and taking part in an exclusive event.”
- Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire Library Service awarded £49,999 for arts project – Hertfordshire Council. “The grant will be used to build on the successful ACE backed project My Story, which launched in 2019 and took true stories from Hertfordshire residents and interpreted them in art forms for the whole community to enjoy.”
- Leicester – Online sessions for National Storytelling Week – Pukaar News. ” The city council’s libraries service will be using the Zoom online meeting app to bring these stories into homes across Leicester for free and require no form of library membership to take part. “
- Norfolk – Number of bans from libraries doubles in 2020 – despite lengthy closures – Eastern Daily Press. “Last year, 39 people were banned from entering libraries across the county after breaking the rules.”
- Sheffield – Sheffield library goes up for sale – and it could be turned into new homes – The Star. “Woodhouse library is due to be rehoused in a new £500,000 community hub on nearby Sheffield Road which will also include rooms for local events, meetings and more.”
- Solihull – Borough libraries to remain closed to residents in lockdown – Solihull Observer. “Solihull Council carried out a review of library services and looked at the number of cases of coronavirus in the borough and has decided to keep the doors shut to the public. It also ruled out the option of reviving a click and collect service for now. The Home Library Service, where books are delivered to residents will continue to operate,”
- Southampton – Woolston library will not reopen until Monday – Southern Daily Echo. Unspecified staff shortages was reason.
- Suffolk – Babergh moves its customer centre into Sudbury library from April this year – Sudbury Mercury. “Council staff will be available for face-to-face visits, two days a week. Library staff will offer support throughout the week, helping customers with urgent council enquiries.”
- Warrington – LiveWire start redundancy consultations following “crippling” £3.2m loss in income – Warrington Worldwide. “LiveWire has started redundancy consultations wth some staff due to a “crippling” drop of more than £3m income since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The not-for-profit community interest company, which operates leisure centres and libraries on behalf of Warrington Borough Council is now looking at redundancies alongside other cost-cutting measures”
- Trade union disappointed but not surprised over LiveWire redundancies – Warrington Guardian. “: “Unison is incredibly disappointed, but not surprised, that LiveWire are making vital public service workers redundant. We have repeatedly warned Warrington Council that LiveWire is not a satisfactory organisation to provide local leisure services.”
- West Dunbartonshire – Children in West Dunbartonshire learning remotely – Daily Record. “Campus @WDC draws on the experience of teachers within the authority and other council resources including the libraries service to provide a one-stop shop for parents and pupils from nursery aged right through to S3.”
- Windsor and Maidenhead – Lead Windsor & Maidenhead councillors consider closing multiple libraries – Royal Borough Observer. “As part of the council needing to make essential savings and for cabinet to deliver their transformation strategy – which would supposedly help build a ‘community centric borough of opportunity and innovation’ – leading Conservative councillors agreed to engage with the public and stakeholders over the possible library closures. The four libraries in danger of shutting down are Boyn Grove, Old Windsor, Datchet, and Sunninghill.”
- Worcestershire – Web sessions on offer to help businesses bounce back – Worcester Observer. “libraries will be hosting special webinars to help local small businesses recover from the pandemic. The initiative, known as ‘Reset Restart’, is aimed at helping small businesses adapt and change with the times.”
Safety and fines
Jan 24th
Editorial
Safety is at the top of everyone’s minds at the moment so it is reassuring seeing the statement from Libraries Connected. I know from personal experience that library services up and down the country are taking the health of their staff as a priority and being very careful with the services they offer. However, I also hear from heart-rending emails and private and public social media messages that this is not the case in every service in the country. With 150 in England alone, perhaps that is too much to hope for, but it is disappointing nonetheless.
Going fines-free was a movement really taking hold before Covid in the UK and, ironically, pretty much every service in the country had to waive fines as the buildings were closed. It’s therefore newsworthy that Walsall has decided to jumpstart the movement again by getting rid of fines from April. Interestingly, the arguments they put for the move – that fining print items but not digital is starting to look odd and that people are holding on to late books to avoid paying fines – are not ones I’ve seen overly before. So perhaps more will follow suit, assuming that the need for income does not over-ride everything. And, hanging over it all, there is the worry of all those thousands of books gathering dust in houses since March last year. What will happen to them we will find out this year.

Changes by local authority
- Bexley – New library for Sidcup as part of property development.
- Solihull – Fine-free from 1 April.
- Windsor and Maidenhead – Reduced opening hours to be debated.
National news
- ACE makes £152,000 grant for library e-books and audio – BookSeller. “Arts Council England (ACE) is awarding £152,000 to help public libraries buy e-books and digital audio products after demand soared during the pandemic. Each of England’s 150 public library services will be given £1,000, with £2,000 going to Libraries Connected to cover costs in distributing the funds. ACE said there had been a 146% increase in demand for digital stock at libraries during the coronavirus crisis. The grants would help increase supply of products like children’s books, health and wellbeing titles and popular fiction while also benefiting publishers, who will receive a large share of the grant through purchases made by libraries, the organisation said.”
- Digital Delivery Services – Carnegie UK Trust. “we want to support organisations to develop their capability and confidence to explore providing services online or test new out new digital techniques where appropriate, to ultimately ensure that individuals receive the services they need to support their wellbeing through and beyond this pandemic”. Various reports.
- Libraries Connected statement on English libraries in lockdown – Libraries Connected. “all decisions on services should be driven by a comprehensive risk assessment carried out with staff and unions. This should also include individual risk assessments, where appropriate, that reflect the specific circumstances of individual staff. “
- Oak National Academy launches virtual library with NLT – BookSeller. “The launch of the free digital library comes as over 2.2 million pupils accessed Oak National Academy in the first week of term, taking part in over 15 million lessons after measures were taken to close schools across the UK to the majority of children on the first day of term.”
“Public libraries are also a vital component in tackling digital exclusion. There are around 2,900 public libraries in England providing a trusted network of accessible locations offering free Wi-Fi, computers, and other technology. The library staff, supported by volunteers, have been trained on digital skills to enable them to provide library users with support in using digital. Their vital role has been recognised in exceptions to tier and national restrictions, where after the first lock-down public libraries have been permitted to allow people to use library buildings for public PC use to access essential public services.”
Carol Dinenage MP, Secretary of State. in parliament.
- Virtual library ‘a wake up call’ for sector over promised national website – BookSeller. “… following news this week that Oak National Academy has launched a new virtual library in partnership with the National Literacy Trust, some have expressed their frustration over the SDP’s slow progress and warn other organisations could fill the gap. Ian Anstice, who runs website Public Libraries News, told The Bookseller: “The announcement that an academy is supplying e-books rather than the public library service should be seen as a combined wake-up call and kick in the teeth to the sector. A national website is something that is highly possible and should have been done years ago. The fact that there is nothing, not even a nationally organised ‘find your local library’ webpage, is an embarrassment to a sector that is, after all, based on information provision.””
- Virtual library gives children in England free book access – BBC.
- Welcome to the Future Funding programme – Libraries Connected. “We are using a development model to guide this so that libraries can align the generation of sustainable income with the needs of their communities.” … ” Future Funding will help libraries to generate the income they need to continue and grow their key role in our social infrastructure.”
International news
- Kenya – Catalogues of three McMillan libraries to be digitised – Star. “The project by the county government of Nairobi, British Council and Book Bunk will enable access to Kenya’s colonial history. 137,705 books at the McMillan Library and two of its branches in Eastlands, Kaloleni and Makadara will be digitised.”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeenshire – Book Swap Stations: Aberdeenshire Council to work with artists on innovative literary project – Evening Express.
- Bexley – Works begins on Sidcup library & cinema at old Blockbuster – News Shopper. ” Bexley Council called the launch of the project “welcome news” for “many of us looking forward to brighter days.” The contractors Neilcott, who are locally-based, arrived at the site at 106 High Street in Sidcup last week to start work. The project will see the site of the old Blockbuster store revitalised, resulting in nine new apartments, a new community cinema, and library ready by April 2022.”
- Cheshire West and Chester – Libraries Health and Wellbeing Week – About My Area. “There will be a wide range of free activities through their Facebook and Twitter pages to help improve everyone’s mental and physical wellbeing, which is now even more important during the ongoing lockdown restrictions.”
- Cornwall – Find out about Library services in the lockdown – Cornish Times. Click and collect, PCs.
- Croydon – Five Croydon libraries could close as council faces financial crisis – London News Online. “Five of Croydon’s 13 libraries could soon close for good as the council faces a financial crisis. Now Croydon residents have a chance to give their feedback on the plans. The libraries affected are Bradmore Green, Shirley, Sanderstead, South Norwood and Broad Green. Opposition council member for cultures, Councillor Scott Roche, said: “All of these communities are now at risk of losing their libraries and community hubs.”
- Devon – Acclaimed poet calls for stories of remarkable women in Exeter – Exeter City Council. “Quay Words and Libraries Unlimited have announced that Tolu will be the writer-in-residence during February and March. Tolu will be running a series of exciting workshops, events and chances to meet-the-writer online, all with a focus on exploring the stories of Exeter’s women. She is seeking contributions from the general public.”
- Durham – Withdrawn library books get a new use in County Durham schools – Northern Echo. “Following a successful Facebook campaign, hundreds of surplus books which have been withdrawn from Durham County Council’s libraries, have been donated to new homes across the county. Each organisation has received 100 books, with some lucky donors finding a golden ticket with their supply, offering an extra 50 books and 50 withdrawn music CDs. Some of the lucky recipients include Ebchester Community Association, The Eden Miners Centre, Auckland Youth and Community Centre and Shildon Alive.”
- Edinburgh – Holocaust Memorial Day events – Edinburgh Reporter. “Community and School librarians have posted to their online followers and pupils the online Photography competition Light up the darkness from Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. All the best photos will be shown online.” Plus a couple of events.
- Glasgow – Libraries of the Future – Bella Caledonia. “Eilidh Akilade explores the need to defend the public space of libraries but this needs to be a decolonised library space, giving attention ought to be given to decolonised voices.”
- Hampshire – Two north Hampshire libraries to become independent services – Planet Radio. “The reopening of Odiham library as an independent community library is one step closer, as detailed discussions get underway between Hampshire County Council and Odiham Parish Council, which is set to take over the library from Hampshire Library Service this year. Discussions are also underway to secure an independent future for South Ham library.”
- Fresh hopes for reopening Lyndhurst library after £10,000 grant – Advertiser and Times.
- Kent – Calls to reopen county’s libraries for people without internet – Isle of Thanet News. “Maidstone County Hall opposition leader, Cllr Dara Farrell (Lab), lobbied for an urgent rethink of the decision during a virtual meeting earlier today. The Ashford South member said some residents rely on the internet to access financial schemes, such as universal credit, a monthly government payment to help people with their living costs. Calling for their reopening, Cllr Farrell told a panel of councillors: “I appreciate there are many Kent library staff that will be worried about introducing this. “That being said, what steps are being taken to engage with staff to ensure people can access vital services such as IT?””
- Kirklees – Replacement for ‘outdated’ Edwardian library needs new roof – costing £100,000 – Yorkshire Live. “Council chiefs in Kirklees are being asked why a building chosen to replace a beloved Edwardian library in Huddersfield now needs a new roof costing £100,000.”
- Leicester – Amazing lockdown project transforms windows of Leicester venues with wild makeovers – Leicester Mercury. “Windows of libraries and arts organisations in Leicester are being transformed during lockdown with an enchanted forest theme. It is part of a new project, Overgrown City, by local company Buzzing Roots, which aims to bring together communities to tell their stories by decorating their windows.”
- Northamptonshire – Design a new kit for football-playing chicken to win Irthlingborough Library competition – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “A county library has hatched an egg-cellent idea for a competition to encourage children to join in National Story Telling Week. The creative challenge, launched by Irthlingborough Library, is for young artists to design a new football strip for a fictional soccer star, who happens to be a chicken.”
- Portsmouth – Former Portsmouth library worker launches personal debut novel tackling mother-and-baby homes of the 1960s – The News. Cheryl Missing: “The 69-year-old retired from the Portsmouth library service, where she helped run centres in Portsea and Paulsgrove, in 2009, allowing her to undertake her life-long ambition of writing a book.”
- Shropshire – Mere murder mystery for Ellesmere Library book club – Border Counties Advertizer. “It forms part of an anthology of five stories published by the West Midlands Readers’ Network which works with libraries, independent bookshops and readers’ groups across the region.”
- Solihull – Fines fear will see rule changes introduced across all Solihull libraries – Birmingham Mail. “”There are a number of people in the borough who come to rely very heavily on the services we provide; those people who are maybe families on low income and we want to try and encourage their continued and sustained usage of the service.””
- Windsor and Maidenhead – New library opening hours discussed and waste collections “at a normal level” – Maidenhead Advertiser. Reduced openings hours to be debated after consultation in November. Partial pay wall.
- York – Libraries and a sad story of neglect – Yorkshire Post Letters – Yorkshire Post. “Despite the best efforts of local staff, I’ve noticed a decline in service standards. Books deemed “too expensive” are not purchased, even though they’d interest many people.”

Not all that key or critical then, plus a national humiliation
Jan 17th
Editorial
A couple of things to talk about this week. The first is that this is the busiest week for a long while in terms of changes to budget, and all of it is bad. Croydon, Leeds and Lewisham are looking at some serious cuts. It’s nothing we’ve not seen before but this is the first time such cuts have been announcing while at the same time library workers are being described as “Key/critical workers” by the minister of state for Digital and Culture.
Secondly, and I know I have been here before but nothing has changed, I would like to flag the general frustration at the continuing lack of a “single digital presence”, or national public library website. This is made especially obvious today by the announcement that an academy is being paid to offer a free e-book to every child in the country. Well, that should have been through public libraries. And we could have done it a whole lot better (just the one e-book at a time? Good grief) but inertia, atomisation and a general lack of urgency from the DCMS on down has led to the current and continuing no-show.
This was embarrassing and obvious at the start of lockdown in March and is doubly so now, almost a year on. The British Library are currently finishing off a (hopefully) final research project on the subject and I hope then that it all hits the ground running. Because this lack of a site is a humiliation for the whole public library sector. And it needs to be addressed. Now.

Changes by local authority
- Calderdale – Shelf volunteer library building may be sold off by council.
- Croydon – 5 libraries (Bradmore Green, Shirley, Sanderstead, South Norwood and Broad Green) to close, consultation from 14 January to 5 March.
- Hampshire – £40k from council for volunteer libraries. Odiham, Horndean, Lea on Solent and Elson to become volunteer.
- Leeds – £1.5m cut including staffing and opening hours.
- Lewisham – £350k-£500k cut expected.
National news
- Downloading a new normal: Privacy, exclusion, and information behaviour in public library digital services use during COVID – New Normal. “This project explores the ‘digital turn’ brought about by COVID, the experience of the compelled move from analogue to digital in public libraries, from multiple perspectives :– (1) Organisational and sectoral issues (2) Ethical issues (3) User information behaviour issues”
- Libraries are part of the Covid frontline – and they need our help – Penguin. “I was pulled (not literally, as we must keep two metres apart from our colleagues at all times) aside and warned that I had been caught breaching our Covid safety rules, putting myself and others at risk and potentially earning me a formal disciplinary or worse. I had allowed a member of the public to place their mobile phone in my gloved hand. I tried to explain that the library user in question had asked me to print off a series of photographs for them; the user was severely dyslexic, and our print system can be difficult for even the most IT-savvy of users.”
- Lockdown made our library better – BookSeller. “I have seen so many library services just disappear due to lockdown, both in France and England, and I am so proud of what we achieved. Even if not everything worked out the way we wanted to, whether it was in terms of attendance or technical problems, we always managed to find a solution and to take something from everything we did, either a new skill, a new way to work together or a new tool to develop in future projects. I think the best side of all that is that we are already thinking about the future and creating hybrid events, both digital and physical, and new ways to interact with our customers in the future. “
“So we have learnt and enjoyed a great deal from delivering services and engaging with the community in 2020 and very much looking forward to innovation in 2021. It was a difficult year for everybody but in terms of my job, I absolutely had a brilliant year, developed events and projects I never thought I would have time to work on, and it was really good to have this space to innovate and try new things.”
Marion Tessier, Kingston Libraries.
- Poor families’ living costs have surged during pandemic, UK study finds – Guardian. “Normal coping strategies employed by poorer families – visiting friends and families for occasional meals, or using the library for free internet access, and charity shops for cheap clothes – became harder as a result of household mixing restrictions and the closure of libraries and non-essential retail.”
- Virtual library gives children in England free book access – BBC. “Children in England will be able to access books online free during school closures via a virtual library. Internet classroom Oak National Academy created the library after schools moved to remote learning for the majority of pupils until February half-term.”
International news
- Austria – The living room behind the bookshelves – Designing Libraries. “The building’s curved shape can only be experienced on the inside at the reading spots arranged along the outer walls of the open-access library on the ground and upper floor. A two-storey atrium is cut out of the volume, forming a rectangular space provided natural light by skylights.”
- Global – Over 100 Public Libraries Exceed 1 Million Digital Book Checkouts in 2020 – PR Newswire. ” A record 102 public library systems from around the world empowered readers to borrow over 1 million ebooks and audiobooks from their digital collections in 2020. This represents the most systems ever to reach this milestone through OverDrive, the leading digital reading platform. Contributing factors include increased digital book usage due to the pandemic, elevated interest in social justice titles and BIPOC authors and strong circulation growth for children’s and young adult titles because of remote learning.”
- Netherlands / Norway – Designed to inspire – Designing Libraries. Netherlands: “The library is part of a completely renovated multifunctional centre in the heart of the municipality of Cranendonck, The Netherlands. It has a theatre hall, meeting rooms, spaces for workshops, a sports hall, as well as the library, and is a home to various clubs and associations.”. Norway: “You easily get a cathedral feeling from the light in the large windows in the high, open space. The number of visitors in the library has tripled and lending rates have also increased significantly. The increased number of visitors is partly due to the central location in the local culture house, where the library is located in the middle of Vindafjord’s social and cultural hub.”
- Taiwan – Taiwan’s Tainan celebrates grand opening of main library – Taiwan News. “The library comprises six above-ground floors and two below. It houses about 600,000 books, including 500 for the visually impaired and 16,000 authored during the Japanese colonial era. In addition, the building features a cafe, an independent bookstore, a culinary arts classroom, a co-working space, three public art spaces, and a memorial exhibition that pays tribute to more than 200 deceased notable figures in Tainan. A playground and an outdoor reading area are also under construction.”
- USA – The Surprisingly Complicated History of Conan the Librarian – CBR. Who made the joke first? Nope, it wasn’t Monty Python.
- Meet the Southern librarians fighting for racial justice and truth-telling – Scalawag. “Most of the librarians I spoke to were of two minds: the vision of what they hope the library to become and what they can achieve right now. “
- Meredith Anding Jr., member of the ‘Tougaloo Nine,’ dies – Independent. “On March 27, 1961, nine students first visited the Black library requested books they knew were not available. They then visited Jackson Public Library and searched for the books. When they sat down and began to read, the library staff called the police. The students refused to leave. They were arrested and charged with breach of the peace.”
- ‘Tacky’, ‘tawdry’ and a project of self-aggrandisement: Will anyone want Trump’s presidential library? – Independent. ““It is an opportunity for self-aggrandisement. And he has demonstrated some real narcissistic tendencies,” she says. “So having a museum to himself and his presidency, I imagine would be incredibly attractive to him.””
Local news by authority
- Bury – Bury’s libraries continue to offer lockdown service – Bury Times. Click and collect, PCs.
- Calderdale – Over 1,000 sign Shelf Village Hall and Library petition – Telegraph and Argus. “The council has said a number of buildings, including Shelf Village Hall, which houses its library, will be sold off if public groups cannot take them over, moves agreed by Cabinet as part of its Future Council programme to identify cuts which will need to be made to balance the books over a three year period.”
- Cheshire East – Here are the 15 Cheshire East libraries offering click and collect in lockdown – Cheshire Live.
- Croydon – Survey opens on Croydon’s future libraries service – Your Croydon. 14 January to 7 March. 5 libraries (Bradmore Green, Shirley, Sanderstead, South Norwood and Broad Green) to close.
- Dudley – Good news for Dudley’s library users – Dudley News. Click and collect.
- East Riding – Order and Collect service continues at East Riding libraries during lockdown – Planet Radio. Click and collect, home library service.
- Threats to kill and intimidation among reasons people were banned from East Yorkshire libraries in 2020 – Hull Live. “A threat to kill a staff member was one of the 20 reasons people were banned from East Riding libraries and leisure centres in 2020.”
- Essex – Essex County Council agrees to match funding for BAME library books – In Your Area. “The chairman of the council’s housing and communities committee, Councillor Kerry Smith, wrote to the county council asking for them to match the £1,000 in funding it had given to purchase new books featuring BAME protagonists for the county’s libraries.”
- Campaign seeks free products in Uttlesford’s public buildings – Saffron Walden Reporter. ” if approved, the measure would trailblaze for other local authorities to take the same action across England. It would provide free sanitary products in schools, libraries, youth centres and public toilets. “
- Hampshire – Bid to save libraries is given £40k cash boost – Daily Echo. Council giving money to set up volunteer libraries at “Horndean, Lee-on-Solent, Odiham and the Elson area”
- Closed Odiham Library to re-open as independent community library – In Your Area.
- North Hampshire library receives cash to go independent – Planet Radio. “Odiham is one of eight Hampshire libraries axed by Hampshire County Council as part of budget savings.”
- Winter Reading Challenge – Love Andover.
- Inverclyde – Libraries urge customers to make use of delivery service in lockdown – Greenock Telegraph. Click and collect suspended. Home library service.
- Kirklees – Dewsbury librarian surprised with BEM in Queen’s New Year Honours – Dewsbury Reporter. “He is currently the Customer Service Manager at Dewsbury Library and is also the Co-Chair of the Public and Mobile Libraries Group with national library body CILIP.”
- Leeds – Otley and Yeadon residents urged to speak out against cuts to services – Wharfedale Observer. “Leeds City Council is proposing to cut opening hours at libraries and community hubs in the two towns and will also reduce floral planting. The suggested cuts are being put forward as part of the council’s 2021/22 budget savings proposals as it faces a shortfall of £119 million.”
- Lewisham – Lewisham libraries could be cut by £500K – News Shopper. £300k to £500k will be cut. Hiring freeze.
- Lewisham libraries could offer more services after remodel – News Shopper. “It’s hoped a new model could provide several non-traditional services in libraries, such as legal advice, advice on benefits and taxes, and help with IT skills. “
- Community Hub & Library Opening Hours – Leeds Council. £1.5m cut. Staff cuts. Reduce opening hours.
- Shropshire – Shropshire Council bringing cultural sites online as facilities are closed – Border Counties Advertizer. Click and collect.
- Somerset – Burnham-On-Sea Library users reassured over overdue book loans during lockdown – Burnham on Sea. Click and collect, PCs.
- Stoke – Readers rejoice! Stoke-on-Trent libraries offering mystery book bundles during lockdown – Stoke on Trent Live. Click and collect.
- Thurrock – Staff who cannot work from home being urged to get Covid test – Thurrock Gazette. “Thurrock Council is urging all those who are still attending a workplace to get a free COVID-19 test as soon as possible, even if they do not have any symptoms. Testing kits are available at East Tilbury library, Chadwell library and Belhus library. ” … “East Tilbury, Chadwell and Belhus libraries will be open to pick up and drop off tests from 8am to 7pm on weekdays and 9am to 4pm at weekends. These libraries will only be open for this purpose and no library services will be available, such as the return of books or use of computers.”

this Tuesday at 7pm. Attend via Zoom at http://bit.ly/THLib19Jan
- Wandsworth – Wandsworth residents amongst London’s biggest bookworms – Wandsworth Times. “the borough’s libraries issued the highest number of books in London for the third year running.” … “To reflect the importance and value of reading services, the Council has pledged to improve libraries in Battersea, Earlsfield, Tooting and York Gardens.”
- West Berkshire – New plans for West Berkshire libraries over lockdown – Newbury Today. Click and collect and home library service.
- Wiltshire – Warminster Library closes today due to Covid – Gazette and Herald. “Following public health guidance the library will close pending a deep clean after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.”
- Worcestershire – Worcestershire’s favourite books of 2020 revealed – The Shuttle.
The third lockdown: damned if you do ..?
Jan 10th
Editorial
Rather than commenting directly on what is going on, this editorial will be an overview of the current state of play in this country’s libraries. Full details can be found here. After checking the status of each and every service, this appears to to be at least an acceptable rough-draft first estimate of what is going on:
- more than two thirds of English public library services are offering some sort of click and collect service, normally from a small selection of branches. Over one-third are offering PCs for “essential use” and around a quarter have an operating home library service. On other hand, at least a fifth are entirely closed – apart from online of course.
- in Wales, most are offering click and collect, but PC use is far rarer.
- in Scotland, barely a quarter are offering click and collect, with very few offering PCs
- Northern Irish libraries are providing click and collect in all branches but not PC usage.
- In the whole country, it appears to be only Guernsey that is operating in any way similar to normality.
This completely mixed bag is the new normal and indeed reflects the variety present in library services before Covid. However, what is new is the intensity of the debate on social media about the wisdom of offering even click and collect in libraries.
Those in favour point out the lifeline library services can be for people, especially in such lonely times as now. They also point out that this service may strengthen the library’s hand when it comes to budget setting. Those against, including Unison, are worried about the possibility of infection, especially amongst staff and the most vulnerable, and doubt whether opening would have much impact on budgets at all. The strength of feeling appears stronger this time than in the second lockdown, presumably due to the increased rates of infection. Interestingly, everywhere appears to be sticking with quarantining books, even though this is a practice which has not taken place in many European countries.
It seems odd to discuss anything but lockdown at the moment so I’ll leave it there. I wish you all a safe and healthy week.

National news
- £7.5m to be distributed to help tackle winter loneliness – UK Fundraising. “£5 million will go to Arts Council England for arts and library services, of which £3.5 million has been awarded by DCMS to national charity The Reading Agency, for its Reading Well and Reading Friends programmes”
- Are libraries open during lockdown? – Express. Includes link to PLN.
- Libraries sector in the New Year Honours list – DCMS Libraries. “Congratulations to the 6 people working in or with the public libraries sector in England who were awarded honours last week in recognition of their contribution to libraries.”: Mark Freeman MBE (President Libraries Connected / Stockton on Tees), Stellar Thebridge MBE (Warwickshire), Michael Clarke MBE (London), Terry Bracher BEM (Wiltshire), Richard Fawcett BEM (Thurston volunteer library). Jon Davies BEM (Kirklees).
- Lyngsoe Systems to acquire PV Supa Group – Lynsgoe Systems. 2CQR part of deal. “Building on 50 years of combined experience … based on the Scandinavian design heritage … unifying two of the Library market’s leading players into one strong entity will deliver new complementary solutions and services to libraries across the world and even stronger support to the large existing customer base.”
- Wiltshire and Swindon heritage services manager Terry Bracher is awarded a British Empire Medal – Wiltshire Times. “Mr Bracher, 58, is manager for heritage services at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre in Cocklebury Road, Chippenham, and has been national chairman of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals local studies group for ten years.”
- Tier 4 rules in full: What you can do in England’s highest Covid restrictions, as more areas added in review – I. ” Libraries can also remain open to provide access to IT and digital services and for click-and-collect service”
- Union calls for libraries to be ‘completely closed’ during lockdown – LocalGov. ” Unison argues that even these limited services expose library workers and users to unnecessary risks in the face of a highly transmissible COVID-19 variant.”, Unison says “‘We recognise how important libraries are to local communities but for the moment we must focus on what is best for the health and safety of the public and library workers.’”
International news
- Global – OverDrive Reports Surge in Digital Library Lending in 2020 – Publishers Weekly. “Readers worldwide borrowed some 430 million e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines in the year, a hefty 33% increase over 2019, “
- Lithuania – Reading During Pandemic: The Library Encourages to Rediscover Books in Innovative Ways. Povilas Višinskis Šiauliai County Public Library (Lithuania) – Naple Sister Libraries. Book lending machines … ” a widely publicized campaign to promote reading, during which well-known representatives of Lithuanian culture and art told about their favorite, recommended books” … ” Graphic design of the book lending machines were curated by artists of Šiauliai city. “
- Mexico – One of the 21st Century’s Greatest Buildings Is a Library in Mexico – Yahoo News. ” the hulking concrete carapace of one of the world’s most spectacular libraries.”
- USA – Jill Biden to Close ALA Midwinter Virtual – American Libraries. “The American Library Association announced today that the next First Lady, Jill Biden, EdD, will participate in ALA’s Midwinter Meeting & Exhibits Virtual on Monday, January 25, from 11:15 a.m.–noon Central. Dr. Biden will join a conversation with ALA President Julius C. Jefferson Jr., which will serve as the event’s closing session.”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeen – Revealed: The top books read in Aberdeen during 2020 – Evening Express.
- Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire – Number of people registering for north-east libraries on the increase – Evening Express. “In Aberdeen, data for 2019/20 shows that a total of 7,089 adults signed up for a library card at one of the city’s libraries, while 257 teens aged between 12 and 15 got a card and 1,910 children were registered. This compares to 6,959 adults, 305 teenagers and 1,801 children who were registered in 2018/19.”
- Bolton – Westhoughton Library shuts for repairs — here’s how you can still order books – Bolton News. Click and collect, home library service, PCs.
- Bradford – Groups to discuss future of libraries in New Year – Telegraph and Argus. “Keighley Library is one of a number of District Libraries that will begin to deliver a “tailored offer” – services unique to the area the library is based in, rather than a general offer provided by every library across the District.”
- Bradford is city of the future says Arts Council chief – Telegraph and Argus. “The head of Arts Council England has praised Bradford’s “nationally significant” cultural venues which he says will lead the way in helping to re-build the district’s future in the post-pandemic world.”
- Brent – Vacancy: Manager – LocalGov Jobs. £34-36k permanent full-time.
- Bridgend – Libraries offering collection and delivery services in Bridgend – In Your Area. Click and collect, home library service.
- Cheshire East – Council says it is ready to support local communities as national lockdown begins – Alderley Edge.com. Click and collect.
- Cheshire West and Chester – Covid lockdown 3: Cheshire West and Chester Council issue services update – The Standard. “All libraries, including the home and mobile library service, will close. An order and collect service was made available from January 7.”
- Cumbria – Barrow book-lovers still able to take titles out of libraries thanks to ‘select and collect’ service – The Mail. Click and collect, PCs
- Denbighshire – Denbighshire Council thanks residents as Welsh Government move country into alert level 4 – Denbighshire Free Press. “Denbighshire libraries will be closed during alert level 4, but are offering an order and collect service and a home library service delivering books to your home.”
- Dorset – Funding boost for Weymouth Library – Dorset Echo. “Friends of Weymouth Library (FOWL) has pledged further funding for the Libraries as Cultural Hubs initiative to continue into the new year.”
- Edinburgh – Boyack says libraries need to open – Edinburgh Reporter. “Scottish Labour has today warned of a ‘connectivity crisis’ for elderly people and can reveal that, as at 16 December, only 40 per cent of Scotland’s public libraries were open for business – with the remaining libraries in mainland Scotland set to shut under Level Four restrictions.” … “Scottish Labour local government spokesperson Sarah Boyack said: “Libraries are at the heart of local communities and play a vital role in the lives of elderly people in particular.”
- Essex – Campaigners call for north Essex library hours to be restored – Clacton Gazette. “The campaigners are now concerned about a reduction in opening hours after school, in the evenings and on Saturdays in certain parts of the county.”
- Fife – Too good to give back? Books worth thousands stuck on readers’ shelves after pandemic library shut down – The Courier. “Books fans have kept hold of 44,456 overdue books in the area after the Covid-19 crisis threw return schedules into disarray.”
- Flintshire – Aura Libraries Flintshire: Select & Collect, and Home Delivery service remain in place in January 2021 – The Leader.
- Hampshire – Ready Reads at Andover Library – Love Andover. Click and collect. “On Monday 11 January they are launching the Winter Reading Challenge! All you need to do is read 4 books and you have until 27 February.”
- New Forest libraries to close until the new year – and may stay shut longer – Advertiser and Times. “Libraries in the New Forest are shutting to the public over the festive period after the government placed the district into Tier 3 from Boxing Day – with no promises they will reopen afterwards.”
- Hartlepool – Exciting plans for Hartlepool’s libraries will embrace the future while preserving the past, say chiefs – Hartlepool Mail. “Plans for the future will see a ‘blend’ of both physical and digital library services – the latter of which council chiefs say has been used increasingly during the pandemic. The Headland branch library will also evolve into a family and local history centre as part of the overhaul.”
- Havering – Havering libraries close again for lockdown – Romford Recorder. Closed, with no click and collect, until at least mid February.
- Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire Libraries – Help to get online or connect digitally – Hertfordshire Council. “Welcome to our digital skills information page. Here you will find links to top tips, how-to-guides, courses and information which can help you (or help you to help others) improve your digital skills”
- Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries running ‘Crafters and Crochet’ activities – Greenock Telegraph. “Inverclyde Libraries is running a series of recorded crochet classes and Facebook discussion sessions on Zoom.”
- Libraries And Museum Affected By Level Four Restrictions – Inverclyde Now. Click and collect, home library service.
- Isle of Wight – Council libraries closed during national lockdown – Island Echo. Click and collect suspended, to be reviewed in February. Loans extended until 1 March.
- Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries in lockdown – what’s on for January 2021 – Brixton Buzz. Click and collect, PCs, home library service.
- Lancashire – Keep up children’s reading momentum by using library e-book services in Lancashire – The Gazette.
- Manchester – End of Year Library bulletin from Cllr Rahman – Manclibraries Blog. “A new Young Peoples Reading Group for ages 13 – 18 and a local history Zoom session with members of the Brunswick community have been well received. Extraordinary storyteller Gav Cross performed his online Twisted Christmas Tales sessions with schools and Gorton Library had Santas knitted for MacMillan”
- Norfolk – Wizards and hobbits: Which e-books Norfolk read in the pandemic – Eastern Daily Press. “People turned to Jack Reacher, Harry Potter and Bilbo Baggins as escapism in a year dominated by coronavirus, a list of the most borrowed e-books and audio books from Norfolk’s libraries has revealed.”
- BIPC Norfolk offers free support to start-ups and small businesses – Eastern Daily Press. ““We hope that face-to-face sessions can resume once more restrictions are lifted but we’ll definitely continue to offer some sessions online. They’ve worked really well and mean that people don’t have to factor in travelling time in order to attend.””
- North Yorkshire – Pickering, Whitby, Scarborough and Filey libraries maintain vital links during lockdown – Scarborough News. Click and collect, PCs, home library service.
- Library volunteers set young bookworms a challenge – Harrogate News. “Summer reading challenges take place nationally in the six weeks holiday and the volunteers who operate Thirsk Library, on behalf of North Yorkshire County Council, have followed the same model for the Christmas break. But the event has become a community effort, involving volunteers who keep the library running, crafters who have also supplied their expertise to give children ‘craft bags’ with projects to complete, along with funding for the materials from Thirsk Rotary Club.”
- Nottingham – All you need to know about changes to our Libraries service during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) period – Nottingham City. Click and collect, PCs.
- Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire libraries offer order and collect through coronavirus lockdown – Western Telegraph. Click and collect.
- Perth and Kinross – Public libraries and museums in Perth and Kinross to close from Christmas Eve – Daily Record. “Culture Perth and Kinross is temporarily halting public admission to all its archives, libraries, museums and galleries from Christmas Eve until further notice.”
- Sheffield – Service updates – Libraries Sheffield. Click and collect, no PCs (under review). home library service.
- Somerset – Libraries continue to provide essential services – Somerset Libraries. Click and collect, PCs.
- South Ayrshire – Agenda: Libraries provide comfort for those alone at Christmas – The Herald.
- Staffordshire – Several public services to remain open in Staffordshire during Lockdown 3 – In Your Area. “From last week libraries across the county, including in Leek, will remain open for essential PC use and the click & collect and Grab & Go services. Opening times at libraries will be 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. There will be temporary closure at Biddulph, while many community managed libraries will offer a service and users should check directly with them, however, mobile libraries will not be on the road during lockdown.”
- Auctioneer becomes a magnet for rare Harry Potter books – BBC News. “The first they ever sold originally belonged to Staffordshire Libraries, and was discovered when Mr Spencer was asked to value a private collection in the county, into which the library copy had found its way.”
- Stoke on Trent – Plans unveiled for Stoke-on-Trent’s new central library – Stoke Sentinel. “Stoke-on-Trent City Council will spend £1.5 million turning the vacant ground floor unit in Two Smithfield into the new base for Hanley’s City Central library. The proposed facility will include a computer suite, dedicated children’s area, public toilets and a lift, with a new mezzanine floor providing extra space.”
- Suffolk – Get fit with free Jumpstart January online activities from Suffolk Libraries – East Anglian Daily Times. “Taylor Griffin-Marsh will be teaching Pilates and yoga online as part of Suffolk Libraries’ Jumpstart January fitness activities “
- Families brought to tears by gifts from libraries – EADT. “Families have been brought to tears by gifts organised by libraries in Suffolk. Chantry Library and its friends group recently made a special Christmas delivery to local families in need. With a grant of £500 from Ipswich Borough Council and a £500 donation from the East of England Co-op, the library friends were able to make a gift of food vouchers to 20 local families in crisis who have been affected by the pandemic. “
- Libraries to close until further notice as county enters Tier 4 – East Anglian Daily Times.
- Wakefield – Wakefield libraries to close for Christmas – Wakefield Express.
- Worcestershire – Worcestershire libraries reveal most borrowed books of 2020 – Bromsgrove Standard.
- Digital services on offer at county libraries in lockdown – Worcester Observer. Click and collect, PCs.
Lockdown 3, basically
Dec 20th
Editorial
A large number of libraries that have only recently come out of lockdown, in London and the South-East have basically gone straight back into them. The Tier 4 rules allow libraries to be open for digital usage and click-and-collect only so, for 17.7 million people, it means not browsing once more. Also in the South-East, it’s worth mentioning the campaign against library cuts in Croydon, which has been heavily involved in protest recently. Other than that, well, I’d like to wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. It has to be better than 2020 hasn’t it?

National news
- CWA Library Initiatives – Shots Mag. “The world-famous CWA Daggers have been synonymous with quality crime writing for more than half a century. Only library staff can nominate authors for the CWA Dagger in the Library. Nominations are open until February 26, 2021 and up to three members of staff from each UK library can nominate.”
- Five-year stats show library service entering ‘rapid decline’, finds Coates – BookSeller. The standard piece from Tim Coates at the end. There is some useful, and sadly depressing, information here.
- Full list of businesses that must close in new Tier 4 and what can stay open – Mirror. Report libraries must close in Tier 4 areas.
- Fun Palaces is growing – and changing – Fun Palaces. “We are sad and excited to announce that co-founders and co-directors Stella Duffy and Sarah-Jane Rawlings are leaving Fun Palaces; Stella at the end of January, Sarah-Jane in late spring/early summer. Kirsty Lothian, our producer since the beginning, will step up as co-director, and in January we will recruit for someone (or someones, as we are all currently part time) to join the HQ team, working alongside our Ambassadors across the country,”
- Library Cuts Are an Affront to Democracy – Byline Times. “It would seem both bizarre and destructive to suggest that because we have done without schools, pubs and theatres during lockdown, that we don’t really need them at all. Yet this was the same logic propounded by Walsall’s council leader, Mike Bird, when he suggested he was considering whether, having done without libraries for so long during the Coronavirus pandemic, it is necessary to reopen them at all. This policy could be dismissed as a one-off act of local cretinism. However …”significantly, the strongest networks of libraries are typically found in countries with the most stable democracies.”
- North Wales GPs, libraries and hospitals to benefit from £8m roll-out of ultrafast broadband – Denbighshire Free Press. “The Local Full Fibre Network Programme will see a total of 350 sites across Denbighshire, Conwy, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Flintshire and Wrexham switch from copper-based network to high quality gigabit broadband.”
- Preston university scientists bring superheroes to life in book for children’s wards and libraries this Christmas – Lancashire Post. “The seven academics from the University of Central Lancashire have partnered up with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and The Reading Agency to share their new book ‘Unmasked: The Science of Superheroes’, with libraries across the UK and children who are spending the festive season in hospital.” … “Public libraries throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive 7,000 free copies of the book.”
- Tier 4: Stay at Home – Gov.uk. “community centres and halls must close except for a limited number of exempt activities, as set out below. Libraries can also remain open to provide access to IT and digital services – for example for people who do not have it at home – and for click-and-collect services”
- Top Ebooks and Audiobooks from UK Public Library Authorities in 2020 – OverDrive. “Through the first 11 months of 2020, millions of ebooks and audiobooks have been borrowed from public libraries in the UK — a 66% increase from 2019. Ebook issues experienced the highest growth, 74% higher than this time last year. Audiobook issues also increased in 2020, 47% growth year-over-year. “
International news
- Global – A new language for the value and impact of libraries: Design and first findings – Christian Lauersen. “The method we are using builds on a huge British study, Understanding the Value and Impact of Cultural Experiences by The Arts Council England, which we have operationalized into a Danish library context”
- Lithuania – Lithuanian public libraries welcome people with autism – Naple Sister Libraries. “To help manage anxiety, calm down, and relax a special toolkit has been prepared for each of the public libraries. It consists of sensory-tent, tactile, audio, and visual aids. In addition, training for library staff on how to behave and help autistic children in the library have also been organized.”
- USA – Amazon Publishing in Talks to Offer E-books to Public Libraries – Publishers Weekly. “The potential deal would be a breakthrough moment in the library e-book market as Amazon currently does not make its digital content available to libraries. It would also be a major coup for the Digital Public Library of America’s upstart e-book platform and its SimplyE library reading app”
- Chattanooga library suspends protest leader C-Grimey to investigate burning of conservative books – Times Free Press.
- New Library Services Started in 2020 – David Lee King. “Lots of fun new services! Here’s my question – why did it have to take a global pandemic for us to start these things? “
- Ten Stories That Shaped 2020 – LIS News.
- They Will Kill Your Library, Too – Current Affairs. “The problem with public libraries is that while they are hugely popular, they are also in tension with the prevailing political and economic ideology, which suggests the government should run like a business, cutting costs and measuring the worth of every service by its market price. Libraries offer useless knowledge, the joy of intellectual discovery. “
Local news by authority
- Bradford – Call for ‘urgent review’ of library’s £420,000 a year annual rent – Telegraph and Argus. “Council has once again been criticised over the £420,000 it pays each year to rent space for City Library, with campaigners saying a better deal could safeguard the District’s libraries for years to come. And one Councillor called for Council bosses to hold an ‘urgent review’ of the facility’s costs.” … “The £420,000 annual rent had been a huge strain on the library budget, but last year the Council revealed that the lease costs had been moved to other Council budget pots, and would no longer weigh down the stretched library budget.”
- Caerphilly – Caerphilly libraries providing free sanitary products – South Wales Argus. “As part of their period dignity initiative, Caerphilly County Borough Council has made packs containing sanitary products available for free at all 18 of its libraries across the borough.”
- Cornwall – Free festive craft bags from Cornwall Council – The Packet. “Cornwall Council’s libraries team want to make sure that younger people don’t miss out this Christmas and are encouraging families to get creative at home. They have produced more than 600 festive craft bags that will be available from local libraries, as well as the council’s two mobile library vans.”
- Croydon – ‘What’s a library mummy?’ – South Norwood campaigners fear kids could grow up not knowing – My London. “Dozens of families came out to support their local library in South Norwood amid fears council cuts could see it closed for good.” … “More than 100 protestors gathered outside Pump House on Saturday, December 5. Libby Hamilton, whose petition to save the library has gained 2,600 signatures, said: “There was one little kid holding a sign saying ‘what’s a library mummy?’ – we really want our children to know what a library is and appreciate it.””
- Campaigners fight to save Croydon libraries from cuts – Sutton and Croydson Guardian. “Campaigners in Croydon are fighting to save the borough’s libraries from closing after the declaration of a Section 114 notice and “effective” bankruptcy from the council has placed them under serious threat.”
- Dozens of families come out in support of five Croydon libraries threatened with closure – London News Online. “Children’s author Laura Henry, creator of Jo Jo and Gran Gran on CBeebies, attended the protest. Afterwards, she tweeted: “I lived in South Norwood for 10 years. My sons and I practically lived in this library. “Libraries are the heart of a community and books and reading are super important.””
- Five Croydon libraries under threat… again! – Library Campaign. “The campaigns for individual libraries combined forces as Save Croydon Libraries campaign to fight the cuts more effectively in the past, and are already networking again. Friends of South Norwood Library has joined with Save Sanderstead Library campaign and there are plans for a campaign for Shirley library too”
- Save Croydon Libraries Campaign – SOS Library. Petition. “All these libraries merit saving. Some serve deprived or elderly communities. Some give easy access and offer parking as well as being on good transport links. They provide activities for the community, from birth onwards. We have fought to save our libraries before and we need to keep up the fight! Please sign and join the campaign!”
- Save South Norwood Library – Friends of South Norwood Library. “Croydon Council has said it could soon close South Norwood Library. In a bid to solve a £67 million gap in the budget, the council is making huge cuts across the council and is considering closing five local libraries. This means our current library would be shut down, and our new library would close before it has even opened.”
- Flintshire – Aura Libraries Flintshire: best books of 2020 ranked – The Leader.
- Glasgow – Knightswood library to open to residents next year – Clydebank Post. “Glasgow Life has announced plans to reopen 12 libraries across the city as part of a phased approach to bringing community facilities back into use.”
- Glasgow Life reveals festive opening hours for all venues – Glasgow Evening Times. “Alongside museums and sports facilities, 11 Glasgow Libraries have re-opened and are operating reduced opening hours.”
- Leicestershire – Library facility could be brought back to village as parish council venture – Leicester Mercury. Council library closed in 2016, volunteer library possibility if funding found.
- Northamptonshire – Christmas not shelved as Father Christmas pops into Earls Barton library – Northampton Chronicle. “Volunteers at Earls Barton Library and Community Centre were delighted that St Nick will take time out of his busy schedule to meet visitors to the Broad Street hub. Cally Palôt-Watts, secretary of Earls Barton Library and Community Centre, said: “In an effort to bring some joy to a, potentially, very lacklustre Christmas in our village, we hosted a visit from Father Christmas on December 13 and [will host another] again on this Sunday, December 20.”
- North Yorkshire – Free Christmas goody bag scheme at North Yorkshire libraries – Gazette and Herald. “North Yorkshire libraries are inviting children aged four to 11 to read four books or borrow a “book bundle” from their local library. In turn, they can collect a free goody bag including stickers and activities, and there’s also a special treat for pre-schoolers in participating libraries.”
- Support stepped up over Christmas for North Yorkshire residents – Planet Radio. “Libraries are closed between Christmas and New Year. “
- Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire library reservations service expanded – Western Telegraph. “Customers can place up to two reservations for books and audiobooks, which are available and in stock at libraries”
- Powys – Elias twins relish reading to win Builth book prize – County Times. ” “We wish to thank the Friends of the Library for donating the £5 book tokens to be spent at Verzon Books in Llandrindod Wells.””
- Rochdale – Rochdale Digital Tech Library goes from strength to strength – Rochdale Online. “The next phase, with support from Public Health and Rochdale Borough Housing funding, is to upscale the Digital Tech Library. By working in partnership with Rochdale Council’s library service, the consortium will be able to expand its offer to reach more people. This includes having some digital devices for loan in the libraries that are currently open across the borough, which will enable people to access free wi-fi and support to get online.”
- South Lanarkshire – Library services reopened in South Lanarkshire – Carluke Gazette. “Libraries across South Lanarkshire have reopened after the area moved from Level 4 of the Covid-19 restrictions to Level 3 on Friday”
“I would like to start by paying tribute to all librarians and other staff working in the public library services across our nation, and of course in my constituency of Stockport. Research tells us that public libraries are a vital part of our social infrastructure. They empower and equalise our communities. They strengthen communities, improve digital inclusion, and help with everything from physical and mental health to cultural engagement, literacy, diversity, inclusion, and of course education. I am incredibly proud of the library staff in my borough of Stockport. They do an important job and are a key part of our community. The Central Library in the heart of my constituency is grade 2 listed, internally and externally, and is one of the original Carnegie-funded libraries, built in 1913. My town has a beautiful heritage and iconic buildings, from the Victorian viaduct, to the Central Library, to the outstanding Underbanks.
Sadly, a combination of covid and years of central Government underfunding have forced many local authorities to close public libraries and reduce the offer available to communities. Of course, public health must come first and foremost, but we must recognise the positive impact that public libraries make on the wellbeing of our constituents. It is evident that we need a fair financial settlement from the Government so that local authorities can continue to support libraries and all public services. I welcome the statement made earlier in the Chamber, but, as ever, the devil is in the detail, and we need to make sure that the funding is made available to all councils rather than to specific shires. I have a record of campaigning against Government austerity policies over the past decade, and this terrible pandemic has highlighted the need to support our local authorities properly.”
Stockport – Navendu Mishra MP
- Stoke on Trent – Christmas gifts and online festive fun at museums and libraries – Stoke on Trent Council. “Stoke-on-Trent’s libraries are running their click, call and collect service. As part of this, the libraries are also creating Christmas book bundles for children – with a range of festive options available for families to borrow. Librarians are also putting on a series of online activities for children and families to help everyone get in the festive spirit, including Christmas story times, craft sessions and sing-along events. These will all be available via Stoke-on-Trent Libraries’ Facebook page …”
- Tower Hamlets – Help shape the future of Tower Hamlets’ library service – Let’s Talk Tower Hamlets. “Until now, Tower Hamlets has kept all its libraries and Idea Stores open in the face of continued government cuts which have seen 778 libraries close nationally since austerity was introduced a decade ago. Continued government changes to council funding and the Covid-19 crisis mean the council has to save £30m by 2024. This is on top of £200m already saved since 2010. You can find out more in our budget consultation. To do this, savings have to be made across the council including reducing the cost of the library service, which is £4.4 million a year. The savings proposed will deliver savings of £1.6 million.”
- Worcestershire – There’s plenty to see and do at Worcestershire libraries this Christmas – Redditch Standard. Free poems: “Libraries in Redditch, Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Worcester are hoping visitors will use the service to reconnect with old friends or to simply let someone know they’re loved.”
Well, thank goodness 2020 is almost done
Dec 13th
Editorial
Well done everyone, you’ve almost survived what is doubtless a contender for one of the worst, or at least most memorable, years of your life. Make sure you’re ready for the holidays, stay safe and try to ignore the all-but-certain likelihood of a third Covid wave combined this time with – fun! – Brexit chaos in some shape or another. Libraries survived 2020 and I am sure they will 2021 as well.
There’s a couple of good news stories below as well as, sadly, a could of cases of libraries closed down due to positive Covid tests. My favourite story is the absolutely hilarious response from Walsall councillors in response to people reporting the words of their leader who, you’ll remember, closed down all his libraries and then questioned whether he should reopen them being no-one was using them. The councillors are shocked that such words were seen as suggesting that they may be considering closing a library or three. They also accuse reporters of twisting words. Alas for such an accusation, reporters quoted the leader verbatim. Merry Christmas to you Walsall councillors, you’re hilarious.
Changes by local authority
- Norfolk – Hunstanton Library may be replaced in property deal.
- Sheffield – £700k to set up BIPC.

National news
- Delivering Public Engagement Digitally – Carnegie UK Trust. “The Engaging Libraries programme supports public library services across the UK to run public engagement activities on research within the themes of health, society and culture. It is funded by Wellcome Trust and Wolfson Foundation, and delivered by the Carnegie UK Trust. This digital learning leaflet shares what has been gleaned from the delivery of digital public engagement activities by two Engaging Libraries projects during the height of the coronavirus pandemic and first national lockdown.”
- Libraries are vital to tackling loneliness – Municipal Journal. “Research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in Manchester found more than 80% of library users who experience feelings of loneliness or isolation felt the library helped combat these feelings. The survey also indicated that respondents felt the library served as an information hub and community centre, providing visitors with an opportunity to meet others and engage in social activities.” … “Engaging Libraries Phase 2 is supporting 16 public library services across the UK to run public engagement activities on research within the themes of health, society and culture. It is designed to help facilitate partnerships between public library services and researchers, and spark people’s curiosity around topics that are relevant or interesting to them.”
International news
- Japan – Libraries in Japan install machines that would disinfect books using UV light – International Business Times. “A number of libraries in Japan have now installed machines that will sterilise books using ultraviolet light. This would give their visitors that peace of mind knowing that a book that they would take out from the library would be free of viruses and they can avoid the risk of bringing the virus with them to their homes and families. Many libraries across the country are already installing the machine, which would take half-a-minute to sterilise a book. Aside from sterilising the book, it also flutters the pages to ensure that dust is cleared.”
- USA – Why Some Libraries Are Ending Fines – Atlantic. “The last five years have been very busy in the world of overdue fines. In what has been the “Fine-Free Movement,” many librarians have begun to question the traditional policy of overdue fines, and attitudes have begun to change. Are fines consistent with a fundamental mission of libraries: to serve the public with information and knowledge? And to address that mission equitably across the diverse population of rich and poor library users?”. Comprehensive guide to the USA progress towards going fines-free.
- Bookish: Natalie Portman to chair National Library Week – Yahoo Sport. “The Oscar-winning actress will serve as honorary chair of National Library Week, the American Library Association announced Monday. National Library Week runs next April 4-10. Portman will help promote the role libraries have played in their communities during the pandemic.”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeenshire – Activities for all the family offered as part of Aberdeenshire Winter Words initiative – Evening Express. “The Winter Words initiative is known as being purely a libraries-based event. However this year physical and cultural activities are included, widening the offer.” … “Activities include requesting a Book Bundle from your local Click and Collect library, and downloading eBooks, eAudiobooks, eNewspapers, eMagazines and music.”
- Buckinghamshire – Marlow Library £300k refurb revealed – Maidenhead Advertiser. “The £330,000 investment in Institute Road includes a bigger children’s space plus comfortable seating and new books. The computer facilities have also been upgraded and there is a new meeting room, self-service technology and loanable tablets to use.”
- Cambridgeshire – New scheme to support SMEs through Covid-19 launched by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough libraries and the British Library – Cambridge Network. “Open to all UK business owners, Reset. Restart offers practical, jargon-free training and advice through a free, tailored programme. The scheme is delivered nationally by the British Library with local support from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough BIPC.”
- East Riding – East Riding Libraries free ‘At Home’ service for customers within the community who are unable to get to the library because of disability, illness or transport – Bridlington Free Press. “The libraries have also partnered with Tigers Trust to expand this popular service by offering a free delivery and collection service for those who are isolating, shielding or affected by Covid-19 and unable to get to their local library.”
- Glasgow – The Green View: Campaigning to help the people in our city works – Glasgow Times. “Greens have also been campaigning since the spring for the re-opening of our beloved libraries, community centres, gyms and swimming pools. There have been incredible community campaigns like the weekly ‘read-ins’ outside Pollokshields Library, where local residents put out banners, and when they were taken down came back with even more creative protest methods.” … ” Glasgow Life announced at last that 12 more libraries will open by the end of March, assuming restrictions allow. “
- Glasgow Life announced at last that 12 more libraries will open by the end of March, assuming restrictions allow – The Extra. “The charity, which runs culture and sports facilities for the council, will reopen the libraries between January and the end of March. Those selected include Govanhill, Langside, Pollok and Pollokshields. Others opening are in Anniesland, Cardonald, Castlemilk, Dennistoun, Hillhead, Knightswood, Riddrie and Springburn.”
- Gloucestershire – Christmas Delivery: Every Gloucestershire School and Library Receives ‘AnimalKind’ – Peta. ” over 100 copies of PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk and Gene Stone’s book AnimalKind have been delivered to secondary schools and public libraries in Gloucestershire.”
- Inverclyde – Youngsters can pick up Christmas ‘crafternoon’ packs at Inverclyde libraries – Greenock Telegraph. “Festive craft kits are available through the Connect and Collect service. The packs, aimed at youngsters aged three to 12, are full of materials to make Christmas creations, and also contain a selection of festive books.”
- Inverclyde Libraries to run two festive Bookbug sessions – Greenock Telegraph. Zoom.
- Lambeth – Libraries open for gift donations as council plays Santa for Covid-hit families – Brixton Blog. “All Lambeth libraries are open until 19 December for donations of toys and books for local children who might otherwise not get a Christmas present. Council staff will deliver the presents.”
- Leeds – Leeds Libraries give help to small businesses – Ilkley Gazette. “Leeds Libraries has received funding to develop and extend its existing regional service to support partner library services across West Yorkshire in Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield.”
- Norfolk – Bus station to make way for flats, library and shop space – EDP. “King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council had put forward a proposal to repurpose the existing bus station and demolish the library on St Edmund’s Terrace in Hunstanton. ” … “Their scheme included 47 flats in two blocks, a new, larger library and space for retail or service units. “
- Portsmouth – Carnegie, Paulsgrove and Alderman Lacey libraries reopening – About My Area. “Cosham Library is currently closed for major refurbishment and will reopen in April.”
- Powys – Lockdown reading inspires Llanidloes children – Powys County Times. ““Just tell us what sort of books you like, or who your favourite writers are, and we’ll find something that you want to read. We’ll pack them, and have a bag of books ready for collection.””
- Team of the year prize for Newtown Library staff – Powys County Times. “Newtown Library has won joint first place for the Welsh Library Team of the Year Award.”
- Sheffield – British Library gives cash to help South Yorkshire businesses – The Star. “The historic London library is giving more than £700,000 to Sheffield Council so it can expand its Business and Intellectual Property Centre.”
- South Gloucestershire – Bradley Stoke Library closed following positive coronavirus case – Bristol Post. “The council said the staff shortage was down to the fact staff were having to self-isolate because of the potential contact with a colleague who tested positive”
- Staffordshire – Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson to join events at Staffordshire libraries – Staffordshire Live. “… online sessions with the author of classic children’s books such as The Gruffalo and Stick Man Julia Donaldson will be part of the series of online Christmas activities. Also on the activities line-up will be fellow former Children’s Laureate and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt author Michael Rosen.”
- Stockport – Stockport libraries to reintroduce book browsing service – In Your Area. “The book browsing service which allows visitors to borrow books in person via the self service machine will resume in libraries from across Stockport, Greater Manchester.”
- Suffolk – Ipswich County Library closes after staff member gets coronavirus – Ipswich Star. “A member of staff at Ipswich County Library has tested positive for coronavirus, forcing the service to close until next week.”
- Walsall – Library closure claims dismissed by Walsall Council bosses – Birmingham Mail. “Councillor Garry Perry, portfolio holder for community, leisure and culture, dismissed reports they won’t reopen adding there is no “closure list” and that the review was looking at extending the offer.” … “The focus next year will not be on buildings, it will be on offering a library service that extends its outreach into our communities beyond the physical building.”
- ‘Do we really need it?’ Council leader questions library service after months of closure – Guardian. “Walsall’s council leader has been asked to retract comments he made about the region’s libraries, closed for much of the year due to the coronavirus, of which he said: “I’m a firm believer that if we haven’t used something for the past four or five months, do we really need it?”” … “Nick Poole, the chief executive of librarian body Cilip, said he was “concerned and disappointed” and called on Bird to retract the comments publicly.” … “Kit de Waal, an award-winning author who grew up in Birmingham, also slammed Bird’s comments. “If they’re going on recent months’ activity then clearly that’s a travesty. They could be using the pandemic as an excuse,” she said.” … “The charity Libraries Connected also stressed the importance of professionally run libraries for Walsall.”
- Warrington – Youngsters urged to take part in winter reading challenge with LiveWire – Warrington Guardian.
- West Dunbartonshire – Dalmuir library offering Christmas craft packs for children – Clydebank Post. “The packs include all materials and instructions needed for a Christmas craft, as well as a festive library book for some holiday reading.”
- Worcestershire – Normal service resumes at city libraries – Worcester Observer. “Customers will be able to browse shelves and borrow books using self-service kiosks, return books in person, pre-book public computers and pre-book a desk in the library for study and/or wi-fi access. The mobile library service will also resume and county council chiefs hope to bring further services back into libraries in early 2021.”
- Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: coffee table books for lighter reading – The Leader. Regular weekly article promoting services.
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