Editorial

It’s clear something major has happened this Summer. There has been widespread and vocal protests, and counter-protests, outside libraries hosting drag queen story-times. This has received huge media attention and it’s too heated and immediate for me to write more on it. Just see the multitude of articles below, in a separate section below the national and international news sections.

Changes by local authority

• Gloucestershire – Stonehouse library moves into town council office.
• Wokingham – Wokingham Library will move into leisure centre.

National news

• Annual Report to Parliament on public libraries activities from April 2021 to March 2022 – DCMS. Libraries now back open after lockdowns. £5m Libraries Improvement Fund. “In this reporting period DCMS directly engaged with 29 local authorities, involving 53 conversations to discuss their library service provision. ” … “We began investigating a complaint made to us in September 2021 about whether a council was meeting their statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service; and we will take further action if necessary.”. Six new/refurbished libraries listed.
• Basic dataset of static public libraries – Arts Council England. “The dataset is intended to capture permanent instances of libraries, local history libraries, and archives from 1 April 2010 to 31 December 2021. It is also intended to capture the number of mobile libraries.”
• Burton appointed ACE director for libraries as Williamson retires – BookSeller. Luke “Burton moves from his role as service manager for community hubs and libraries at Newcastle City Council. He has previously worked as a prison library development worker at Durham County Council, and several roles within Newcastle City Council including digital transformation manager and digital development manager for the library service. He will join ACE at the end of October.   “
• #ebooksos: a global library scandal? – CILIP. Zoom, 7 September, 5pm. “You are warmly invited to join our Informal by Zoom, to hear Yohanna Anderson lead a discussion into the #ebooksos campaign in the UK and globally, explore the library profession’s role in countering these issues, and the long-term consequences if they are not addressed.”
• Family days out ‘can cost 20% more than a year ago’ as ‘children face missing out’ – Mirror. “Price inflation calculations by the Office for National Statistics shows trips to museums, libraries and zoos have risen by 5.3%.”
• Greater Manchester residents told they can keep warm in libraries this winter as energy bills soar – Manchester World.
• Libraries and museums to be ‘warm havens’ for people struggling with energy bills – Guardian. “Britain’s libraries and museums are preparing to act as warm havens for people unable to afford to heat their homes in the winter months. Ministers are being called on to provide urgent new funding so public buildings can cope with a surge in visitors during the coldest months.” [The library used in the picture –  Kingsthorpe Library in Northampton – has been closed since before Covid – Ed.]
• Meet the Gadgeteers – science and reading are perfect partners – Gov.uk / DCMS Libraries.

“In 1989, two-thousand people demonstrated against Satanic Verses and marched on the Central Library. Copies were burned in the streets. Later and to their eternal credit the then MP for Halifax, Alice Mahon and the controversial Judge James Pickles read out passages from the book outside the library to emphasise free speech. Waiting lists to read the public library copies went up significantly.”

Email received

• ‘Near me in Libraries’ scheme to launch across Scotland – The National. “From Monday, the “Near me in Libraries” pilot will see public libraries in East Lothian, Edinburgh and Orkney become the “go-to” place in their communities for video consultations, if home is not an option. “
• Public libraries and Ukrainian refugees – Libraries Connected. “This briefing note presents the findings of a snapshot survey of 45 library services across England. It reveals for the first time the vast range of support libraries are offering to Ukrainian refugees, and their crucial role in the Homes for Ukraine scheme”
• Public services will wither unless the UK makes hard tax choices – Financial Times. “Local government services, often the area where cuts have the most impact on the ground, receive little attention from decision makers concentrated physically and intellectually in the well-resourced capital. Library closures and reduced bus timetables don’t dominate Prime Minister’s Questions or front pages. Even hungry children needed the celebrity campaigning of Marcus Rashford to be noticed.”
• Spook’s fantasy series author Joseph Delaney dies aged 77 – Northwich Guardian. “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Delaney. He was a fantastic and passionate advocate for libraries in Lancashire and beyond. He will be dearly missed.”
• Story so far – Library Fines. Introduction to the reasons for and against library fines, as part of the Library Fines website, which includes a map of which councils charge what.
• West Midlands libraries and leisure centres could be turned into emergency ‘heating hubs’ for freezing families this winter – Birmingham Mail. “discussions are being held in Dudley about providing emergency support for the worst-off when the cold weather arrives, with other local authorities to potentially follow suit.”

International news

• Afghanistan – The librarian who defied the Taliban – BBC. “Wahida Amiri worked as an ordinary librarian before the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last August. But when the militants started to strip women of their rights, she became one of the leading voices against them. She told the BBC’s Sodaba Haidare how protesting against Taliban rule led to her arrest and why she decided to leave her country.”
• Australia – Scripturient: Interview with Trish Hepworth – Mechanical Dolphin. “ven a developed country like Australia with a world-class education system has significant levels of low functional literacy. It’s increasingly difficult for people to function in society without those skills, and when they need help, the place they turn to is the public library.”
• Global – World’s best new public library found – Systematic. “The building stands out for its beautiful architecture that pays homage to the surrounding landscape while functioning as a library with a wealth of offers and possibilities that also serves as a meeting place for the local community. The library therefore scores highly against all the award’s criteria. It’s a library that you would relish having in your own local area. It’s a library built for the future.””
• Ireland – Over €3m in funding to extend opening hours of libraries nationwide – Breaking News. “Funding of more than €3 million is set to be invested in 46 library branches across the country, extending the opening hours of many nationwide. The investment announced by Minister for Community Development Heather Humphreys on Tuesday comes as the World Library Congress opens in Dublin, hosting approximately 1,700 delegates from 100 countries. Some €2.2 million of the funding will deliver longer opening hours in 17 of the libraries through the extension of the ‘My Open Library’ initiative, which provides library access to members from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year.”

• Shush 199 – Stuart Hamilton Takeover – Shush. “Today we did a special takeover show. I was very happy and lucky to be able to do a takeover show with Stuart Hamilton (Head of Libraries Development at Local Government Management Agency) Stuart chose the music. In the show we chatted about his music selection, Libraries, his work and role. We also spoke about the International Federation of Library Associations World Library and Information Congress which is taking place next week in Dublin.”
• New Zealand – Fines discontinued at district libraries – Otago Daily Times. “A lot of people felt embarrassed or ashamed about fines, and often stopped using the library as a result, Ms Bean said. “They end up not wanting to bring the book back at all, so we actually lose the book, but more than that we actually lose our library members.””
• Poland – Supermarket Chain Will Act as Library to Skirt Sunday Trade Ban – Bloomberg. “Biedronka — known for its eponymous ladybug logo — will convert sections of some stores into libraries, retail industry news website Wiadomoscihandlowe.pl reported on Thursday, citing a company document. Customers will be able to borrow from a selection of 140 books using loyalty cards. “
• UAE – Mohammed Bin Rashid Library attracts over 40,000 visitors – Zawya. New library. “During this period, the Library issued more than 34,000 visitors tickets, and more than 3,000 other tickets to visit the Treasures of the Library Exhibition. The Library’s avant-garde auto-store received around 1,000 requests for borrowing books by Library members.  According to the latest statistics, visitors spent between 2 and 5 hours in the various sections of the library, while visitors’ ages ranged between 5 and 60 years old from different nationalities.

“”It’s really easy to think about the future as exclusively technological. And I think a lot of libraries are keeping pace with that. At the same time, I think we’re starting to see that there’s a really great future for these institutions as place – the value of having an open, public place in your city, in your neighborhood.””

• Ukraine – How Ukraine’s librarians mobilised to fight the Russian culture war – Scotsman. “Within days, libraries across the country had set up initiatives to supply books to citizens sheltering in underground Metro stations, had created centres for refugees displaced within Ukraine in library buildings and diversified to set up to act as hubs to supply military equipment and essentials to the hastily-formed army. “Crazy Ukrainian librarians,” says Oksana Boiarynova, a member of the Ukrainian Library Association Board, who is on a visit to Scotland – planned and funded before the war – to share ideas about how libraries can support democracy. “They are very creative.””
• USA – Welcome to the library of the 21st century – CBS. “these are no longer warehouses of books, these are marketplaces of ideas”. West Virginia new library: ” a brand-new cafe, a tool-lending library, and an “idea lab” full of the latest technology. From podcasting booths to computerized sewing machines to augmented reality screens, the facility has been updated for the modern age. “. 21% cut in overall USA library usage from 2009 to 2018.
  • Bullet-hole Riddled Books Prompt Library Closure – Flathead Beacon. Unidentified person apparently likes shooting books before dropping them off at library.
  • Every Library Card a Miracle: Rural and Small-Town Libraries Are a Boon to Society – Daily Yonder. “Libraries do a lot of the heavy lifting for society. They not only circulate books, but also provide crucial Internet access for job seekers and students and entertain with videos and music. They offer a place where people can find shelter from the weather and while away lonely hours. The work of libraries is doubly important in small towns and rural areas, where miles of distance and the lack of reliable Internet connections can make learning hard and make life seem very isolated.”
  • Small town library defunded after anti-LGBTQ+ backlash. Residents stepped up to save it – Pink News. “Patmos Library in Hudsonville, Michigan had 84 per cent of its annual budget – amounting to $245,000 – slashed in a vote following an anti-LGBTQ+ backlash. According to NBC News, the library came under fire when a group of local parents protested over the availability of LGBTQ+ books”
  • The right in the US has a new bogeyman: libraries – Guardian. “Neo-Nazis and Proud Boys are targeting libraries, as legislators and conservative lobby groups are trying to remove books from shelves and change how library board members are appointed” … “The ALA has been tracking bans for two decades and reported that 2021 was the worst year for attempted censorship yet, with 1,597 books challenged” … “the censorship frequently pushed by conservative groups is linked to wealthy rightwing donors even as they masquerade as grassroots efforts, with names like “Moms for Liberty” and “Parents Defending Education”. ” … “Libraries help us to think. That is why they are powerful, and that is why they are under attack. That is also why we must protect them.”

Drag Queen Story Hour

• ‘Alpha Men’ wage war on school library storytime read by drag queens – Times. Partial paywall. “Leading antivax conspiracists have shifted their attention to LGBT issues, protesting against a drag queen reading tour for children that they falsely claim is a vehicle for paedophilia.”
• Angry protester is arrested in clashes at library hosting Drag Queen Story Hours – Mail. “The event attracted large groups protesting and supporting the show – around 15 people staged a demonstration against it and claimed the performer was ‘illegally grooming children’. One protestor even said they planned to put Aida under citizen’s arrest. Counter-protestors branded the group ‘fascists’ and said they were standing up for ‘parents, children and drag queens’.”. Anti-DQSH protester says “‘A library with toddlers is is not the time or the place – if you want to see a drag queen go to a nightclub” while a parent who attended the storytime said it “was ‘pleasant’ and ‘lovely’. She said: ‘Ada is an author and I can assure you none of the content in the stories are sexualised. They are light-hearted and entertaining.”
• Anti-racists to counter far-right protests against Drag Queen Story Hour events – Morning Star. “Stand Up to Racism national co-convener Weyman Bennett said the group will be hosting “solidarity protests” in several cities this month to oppose “attempts to intimidate children, parents and LGBT+ people.”
• Bristol Drag queen children’s story hour disrupted by protests – BBC News. “An event where a drag queen was due to read to children in Bristol has been postponed after protests outside. The event at Henleaze Library, Bristol, went ahead without the host and a librarian read to children instead. Bristol City Council said the group “needed lessons in tolerance and difference,” and said it would not tolerate discrimination.”

These library protests have not come out of the blue. They’ve been planned on social media by known groups who have switched from anti-lockdown and anti-vaccine protests to evidence-free claims that these events are being hosted by “paedophiles” and “child groomers”.

The personalities behind the demonstrations in Bristol and Reading are well known figures on conspiracy theory-based social media groups. Many of them are known for attending protests outside Covid vaccination centres, attempting to shut them down with baseless claims that vaccines are killing people.

Among them are Alpha Men Assemble, a group of so-called Sovereign Citizens who believe they have the right to opt out of laws to which they do not consent, and swear in members as “Common Law Constables.” Others represent a far-right group known as Independent Nationalist Network, which includes former members of the BNP and Patriotic Alternative.

Figures such as Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) and Jayda Fransen of Britain First, who recently polled 23 votes in the Wakefield by-election, have thrown their weight behind the protests.

BBC Monitoring

• Bristol Pride slams Drag Queen Story Hour protesters – Bristol Post. “In a statement, Bristol Pride said that children ‘are not born with hatred, they learn it’, and supported the libraries for putting on the events to ‘showcase inclusion and diversity’.” … “a couple of events were cancelled because of protests and counter-protests outside.” … “protesters continued to gather outside the library shouting abuse at parents and children going in”
• ‘By doing what I do, I am saving lives’: The drag queen who reads stories to children speaks out as protesters fail to disrupt event in Cardiff – Wales Online. “These events bring warmth and laughter — but recently many have been hijacked by small groups of demonstrators gathering outside the libraries and shouting homophobic slurs. The reading at Cardiff Central Library on Friday morning is no exception. Around a dozen people yell offensive words about drag queens, but they are dwarfed by a 50-strong counter-protest on the other side of a line of police officers. “
• Call drag queens ‘pantomime dames’ to fool protestors, librarians told – Telegraph. “Staff attend training on how to handle conflicts with parents over controversial Drag Queen Story Hour UK tour for children”. Confidential Libraries Connected webinar reported in Telegraph. Partial paywall. [NB. The entertainer referenced in the title is a pantomime dame – Ed.]. Story repeated in Drag queens touring UK reading stories to children should be called ‘pantomime dames’ to fool potential protesters, library staff are told after dozens of activists targeted ‘Story Hour’ events – Mail and Is that a drag queen in the library? Oh no it’s not – Times (paywall).
• Council accused of ‘pandering to bullies’ after decision to drop drag queen – Manchester Evening News. “And if you don’t like drag queens telling stories- don’t buy a ticket,” he said. “And don’t bother buying a ticket for panto at Xmas either.”
• Date confirmed for Oldham Library return of drag story hour – Oldham Times. “The event will take place in October half term, with families able to book tickets online. Oldham Libraries will be employing extra security on site for the event, after homophobic protests led to the cancellation of a similar event in Rochdale earlier this month.”
• Disruption and ‘fears for safety’ at Drag Queen Story Hour library tour protests – Bristol Post. “protesters stormed the event – some with their own children – to protest, which meant police had to get involved and escort the drag queen, who grew up in Bristol, to her next event location while forming a human wall to protect her from assault or any protesters carrying out a ‘citizen’s arrest’.”. One protester quoted as saying “”The death penalty isn’t currently acceptable but there is a moral justification for us. So yeah, that’s why I’m here. I’m praying for these people – these Antifas, these drag queens and such – they were made in the likeness of God in the sense that there is a sense of beauty inside them.”
• Drag Queen book reading for children hit by protesters shouting abuse – Yahoo News. Entertainer has received death threats previously: “It was a small minority of people who weaponised homophobia and transphobia to get something cancelled because they wanted it to be. My details were published online and I did get death threats. I was on the phone to the police about it and I was being called a paedophile. “I have moved house since then as well.””

“They should be utterly ashamed of themselves, they let those children down. I get told that I am a danger to children. But what is dangerous to children is language like paedophile and groomer, but the only people who used words like that in front of children today, is them.”

Sab Samuel

• Drag queen fights back at attempts to stop him reading to children in Cornwall – Cornwall Live. “A resident of the one of the towns contacted CornwallLive after seeing a leaflet which is being distributed in the areas hosting the drag queen. The leaflets, produced by British far-right white nationalist group Patriotic Alternative, suggest that Drag Queen Story Hour should be stopped as it’s “another attempt to sexualise children” by the “Marxist establishment”. The resident called the content “homophobic” and “hate-fuelled”.”
• Drag queen reading tour comes to Greater Manchester after previous shows hit by protests – Manchester Evening News. ” “I think although we were aware, we weren’t expecting the hatred to be manifested so strongly. We’ve found out that the majority of people who have protested at any event, were not actually from that area and lots of them aren’t even parents themselves – I think the protesters are actually victims themselves, victims of misinformation.”
• Drag Queen Story Hour in Reading disrupted by protestors – Reading Chronicle. “Videos circulating on social media appear to show two people inside the Central Library shouting obscenities in front of families attending the event.” … “They had megaphones and attempted to shout into the windows from the ground floor outside” … ““The drag queen, after finishing the story hour, then had to be escorted out of the library by the police to the next story hour show in Tilehurst Library.””
• Drag Queen Story Hour set to visit Hampshire with Portsmouth libraries event – Hampshire Live. “Drag Queen Story Hour is set to visit three Portsmouth libraries as part of a national tour. The group provides fun and interactive kids shows with drag performers, hoping to “show the world that being different is not a bad thing”.” … “However, recent events in Bristol and Cornwall have led to sparked protests from people hoping to prevent the performance” … “The extreme nature of some of the protesters’ signs, which linked drag queens with paedophilia and child-grooming, sparked fury among hundreds of commenters” …”It’s not really much different from taking your kids to pantomime where they normally have a drag queen in? Or do they oppose that as well?””
• Drag Queen Story Hour protesters are the real problem – not the queens – Independent. “Aida H. Dee aka Sab Samuel has been threatened with crucifixion for the crime of reading to children while looking fabulous” Partial paywall.
• Drag Queen Story Hour UK comes to Reading this week – Reading Chronicle. Risk assessment described in detail, with Covid described as the greatest risk.
• Drag Queen Story Hour UK comes to Wokingham – Bracknell News. ““We absolutely share the principles that this company stands for: to promote diversity and inclusion, to encourage children and young people to read books and for families to visit their local library. Through our fantastic libraries, we always aim to offer a varied and diverse programme of events and activities.””

• Drag Queen Story Hour UK tour returns to Bristol – Bristol Post. “Aida H Dee describes themselves as an ADHD and autistic 27 year old, who has been patron of Autistic Inclusive Meets London for over two years. She is a published author of two children’s books, has appeared as an official act for The British Museum during The Queen’s Jubilee, has a five star Edinburgh Fringe act, has been featured on Forbes Magazine for being an activist for neurodivergence, and has recently been shortlisted as Local Leader Of The Year 2022 by PinkNews for the nationally acclaimed PinkNews Awards.”
• Drag queen storytime in England promotes compassion and inclusion. British far-right extremists are importing US hate against them – 7 News Boston. “Recent angry confrontations around events involving drag queens in the United Kingdom follow a disturbing precedent from the United States, where right-wing extremist groups ambush similar events and conservative politicians have pledged to criminalize adults taking children to drag shows. It has coincided with a wider movement to curtail rights ​related to bodily autonomy, ranging from abortion access to gender affirming care​, punctuated by a wave of anti-LGBTQ bills and Justice Clarence Thomas questioning marriage equality as the US Supreme Court overturned the ​federal right to abortion ​in the United States.”
• Drag queen storytime – Video: Libraries Northern Ireland praises practice of drag performers reading to children – News Letter. “The body which runs Northern Ireland’s libraries has spoken warmly of the ‘drag queen storytime’ movement, saying such events aim to foster “positivity, diversity, and inclusion” among children. It comes amid renewed focus on the practice of having drag performers read to youngsters, after objections were raised to one such event in Belfast’s MAC theatre.”
• Drag Queen who read to children in Cornwall hits back at ‘aggressors’ who disrupt his events – Cornwall Live. “despite protesters voicing their opposition to the events outside the Cornish libraries and claiming they ‘sexualise children’, the readings have proven extremely popular. Some of them, including in Bude and Torpoint, sold out with people asking Sab to come back.”
• Far-right protests over drag queen storytime at Bexleyheath and Crayford libraries – Kent Online. “A far-right nationalist group held protests outside Kent libraries over events where drag queens were due to read to children. There was a sizeable police presence outside Bexleyheath library where members of Patriotic Alternative had gathered on Saturday afternoon.”
• Furious parents storm first Drag Queen Story Hour UK for three to 11-year-olds – Express. “The event was derailed when two mothers, one of whom Mr Samuel claims used her disabled child as a “trojan horse” to gain entry, confronted the event’s host and labelled it “disgusting”.” … “Mr Samuel, who clarified that the shows included no sexual language nor were children exposed to sexual situations, told the BBC: “What is confusing is that these groups are attempting to create a sexual focus here where none exists by drawing attention to sex and sexuality.””
• ‘I’m just trying to make the world a little brighter’: how the culture wars hijacked Drag Queen Story Hour – Guardian. ” Drag Queen Story Hour has recently been hauled into a culture war. This summer, groups including the far-right and conspiracy theorists calling themselves “sovereign citizens” have been holding up signs saying “Welcome groomers” and “Nonce upon a time” outside libraries in places from Bexleyheath to Reading when Drag Queen Story Hour events were due to take place. Parents entering the libraries had questions shouted at them about why they were taking their children to see a paedophile. Videos of the protests in Reading were posted online and looked terrifying. It was a scene you might expect to see in the US, where homophobic Christian groups have long maligned large parts of the LGBTQ+ movement and their allies as “groomers”. But in Reading?”
• Letter- Why are Drag Queen’s telling children’s stories? – County Times. Questions why councils are funding “inappropriate” events.
• North Walsham drag queen story hour disrupted by protests – BBC. “Titania Trust had been due to read a story to children at North Walsham Library on Tuesday. Norfolk County Council said it decided to postpone the event following safety concerns. The county’s police force said officers “engaged with two people who were protesting peacefully” at the New Road library.”
• One person arrested at Drag Queen Story Time protest – Bristol Post. “It was at Hillfields that one of the counter-protesters was arrested. Avon and Somerset police confirmed she was later de-arrested after giving her details to officers on the ground, and the incident she was arrested for will now be investigated.”
• Police officers pose with drag queen amid protests at library story hour in Cornwall – ITV. Bodmin “Yesterday (2 August), supporters waved the LGBTQ+ rainbow flag while protesters in Bodmin held signs stating “We are against grooming”, “Leave our kids alone”, “Let kids be kids” and “We are not transphobes”. The protest was a quiet affair, with the protesters leaving before families and Aida H Dee exited the building.”
• Powys drag queen storytime event a hit, but protesters criticised – Powys County Times. “Powys County Council, however, confirmed they did draft in security staff for the Newtown stop after around 15-20 protesters turned up and stood outside the library, unhappy about it being held, while Dyfed Powys Police confirmed they also sent officers to the scene to make sure the event ran smoothly.”… ““Obviously, the protesters’ parents never taught them to judge other people by how they treat you rather than their appearance.”
• Protesters and counter-protesters clash over library drag queen hour for kids – Rolling Out. “The group of around 15 protesting against the storytelling say Dee is “illegally grooming children.””
• Protests and counter-protests at Cornwall libraries as drag queen reads to kids – Cornwall Live. “With police officers and council security present, the protest was actually a quiet affair, with the protesters leaving before families and Aida H Dee exited the building.”
• Protests outside drag queen story event sees police called in – Norwich Evening Post. “Hundreds of people gathered outside the Forum either to show support for – or protest – a story time event held by a drag queen on Wednesday. Joseph Ballard, also known as ‘Auntie’ Titania Trust, has been targeted by people who do not think it is right for drag queens to interact with children. “
• Protesters storm first drag queen storytime for primary school children – Telegraph. “Mothers infiltrate library event, saying: ‘We’re here to protect children’”. Paywall.
• Rochdale Council criticised over drag queen book reading postponements – BBC. “A council has been accused of “pandering to bullies” after it postponed three drag queen book reading events at its libraries.” … “Rochdale Council said it had postponed the shows, which have seen protests in other areas, due to a risk assessment.” … “the decision to postpone the shows would cause “long lasting damage” to “an already marginalised community”, adding: “If these libraries across the country can host [the readings], so can Rochdale.””
• Storming Drag Queen Story Hour – Scout. Protesters listed in details are anti-vaxxers, extreme right-wing groups … and a Satanic ritual abuse conspiracy theorist. Protester borrowers children from friend so she can gain entry. “Many anti-vaxxers also come from leftish backgrounds, and it’s weird to see the curdling of their hippie ideals.”
• The storytellers facing violent threats: what’s going on with drag queens in libraries? – Times. Partial paywall.
• They say it’s harmless fun, but some parents think it’s inappropriate indoctrination… So why are our councils spending taxpayers’ cash on getting drag queens to read stories to children? – Mail. Long anti-Drag Queen article, using DQSH’s social media to suggest inappropriateness, quoting protesters. ” ‘Drag is being romanticised as something positive and fun for kids to engage with, but behind the rainbow flags and unicorns there is an agenda at play. We are at the thin end of a wedge and down the line we will find ourselves wondering how on earth we got into it.'”

Suffolk Libraries celebrates tenth birthday on 1 August

“Monday 1 August will mark ten years since Suffolk Libraries was launched as an independent charity to run Suffolk’s library service. During this time Suffolk Libraries has kept all 44 libraries open, saved Suffolk taxpayers £25m and worked hard to develop new and innovative services and activities at the heart of the community, all with the aim of making an impact on people’s wellbeing.

Many libraries have been encouraged to change their opening hours to suit local need with some even increasing them. Suffolk Libraries also played a vital role during the darkest days of the pandemic, running library activities online, reaching out to isolated customers with befriending calls, lending laptops and delivering food parcels. Latest figures also show that overall lending was higher in 2021/22 compared with 2019/20, thanks in part to a huge rise in eLibrary use over the past few years.

Suffolk Libraries will also be opening Suffolk’s 45th library at Moreton Hall near Bury St Edmunds on 1 August. The organisation will also be sharing messages and feedback on social media throughout August including this recent award-winning video which shows the many ways in which Suffolk Libraries helps people in the community. 

Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, said: “We want to use our ten-year birthday to remind everyone of everything Suffolk Libraries does to make Suffolk a better place to live. I hear heart-warming examples of what we mean to people almost every day and we’re all very proud of what Suffolk Libraries has achieved over the past ten years. “These achievements speak for themselves but it’s our impact on people’s lives across Suffolk that really counts. It’s not just about the stories that people borrow from us, it’s about the ones we help them create. It’s the stories about how Suffolk Libraries has reached people, supported them and changed their lives for the better.

 “Suffolk Libraries is run by the community for the benefit of the community and that’s why almost everything we do is down to the amazing people who work and volunteer for our charity. This celebration is also about paying tribute to everyone who has played a role in our story; our staff, community groups and the many people who’ve supported our journey over the past ten years.”

In a video message to Suffolk Libraries Nick Poole, CEO of CILIP said: “Over the last 10 years Suffolk Libraries has emerged as something of a beacon for libraries everywhere. You’re known for throughout the profession for fresh thinking innovative ideas and really impactful advocacy. That reputation is down to the hard work and dedication of every member of staff across Suffolk Libraries and I know how much of a difference that that hard work and dedication makes to the communities that you support and serve.”

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Local library events sparking children’s curiosity – Journal.
• Bolton – Bolton Central Library: Age UK exercise classes return – Bolton News. “A spokesman for Bolton Library and Museum Services said: “Together with Age UK we will be restarting our Chair Based Exercise classes at Bolton Central library and Museum.”
  • Bolton Central Library: ‘Open decks’ event looking for record collectors – Bolton News. “A Bolton Library and Museum Services spokesman said: “Do you have a record collection you’d like to share? “Anything from rock & roll, 80s pop, disco, northern soul or some ’89 House classics? Get in touch and book a slot “
  • Westhoughton Library: Residents invited to free reading group – Bolton News.
  • Year long £3.7m project set to ‘transform’ Bolton’s central library – Manchester Evening News. “A £3.7m project to transform Bolton library will see the children’s area treble in size and a new café built. In December 2021 Bolton was offered up to £22M of town’s fund’ government cash in order to ‘level up’ and regenerate town centres. Bolton Council’s planning committee unanimously approved the final plans for the listed Le Mans Crescent building. The work, which will include the installation of a mezzanine floor in the building, is expected to begin in September and take around a year to complete.”
• Cambridgeshire – A feast of arts-based events announced in libraries across Cambridgeshire – Hunts Post. Tenth season.
• Cheshire East – Cheshire East Council on track to deliver its open, fairer and greener vision – Cheshire East Council. ““We have seen 600,000 visitors to our libraries with over 1.5 million books borrowed.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Northwich library will be closed until late September – Northwich Guardian. “It was announced on August 2 that the library will be closed to allow for structural investigation to take place. The alleyway to the side of the library will also close for the duration of this time. The Council is currently finalising plans to fully refurbish the library to make it fit for the next generation and it considers this initial phase of work to be the start of a longer-term renovation project.”
  • Malpas residents invited to have say on revamped mobile library service – Whitchurch Herald. “Cheshire West and Chester Council will be introducing a new, modern mobile library later this year, with a new electric vehicle replacing the old one to be cleaner and greener. Other sustainable features include solar panels and LED lighting, while there will be improvements to services offered, such as an awning for summer activities and onboard Wi-Fi and digital access for customers.”
• Cornwall – Cornwall is a brilliant place to be a child as summer fun in libraries gets underway – Cornish Times. “The Summer Reading Challenge, a performance of Peter Pan, a Lego workshop and Drag Queen Story Hour are some of the highlights in Cornwall’s libraries this summer.”
• Cumbria – All the commode-tion has big results – Cumbria Council. “As part of the pilot project two week-long take-back events have also taken place with the Kendal library take-back collecting over 40 items and a second at Barrow library collecting over 80 items.” … “The convenient central location of many of our libraries has allowed us to offer a convenient alternative reception point for returns. Bringing local people to the library is a real plus for us and it’s a great initiative as well. We’re keen to support additional take-back events as the pilot continues.”
  • Simon Lamb Poet finishes workshop tour of Cumbria – The Mail. “In each library, he lead workshops with 7-11-year-olds helping them create their own poetry, but he said that even the parents got involved. “
• Devon – Books and bubbles at Moretonhampstead Library – Libraries Unlimited. “Moretonhampstead Library is reopening after a lengthy period of closure for roof repairs.” Closed since 1 March.
  • Libraries offer young nature lovers free kit to explore the glorious Sid Valley – Devon Live. “Young nature fans are being offered a free kit to help them explore the glorious Sid Valley. Sidmouth Library is offering the Nature Explorer Backpacks as a new initiative to encourage children and families to get out and about in the area. Each backpack contains magnifiers, specimen pots and information about the flora and fauna of the area. The backpacks have been funded with the support of The Keith Owen Fund, Devon County Councillor for Sidmouth, Stuart Hughes and the Sidmouth Library Friends Group.”

• Dorset – Author Anthony Burt goes full circle at Dorset Libraries – Dorset Council. “Anthony grew up in Wyke Regis, and regularly used Wyke Regis Library. He had a love for books from a young age, and dreamed about being an author. He was delighted when we asked him to run events in our libraries, and it was extra special when one of the events gave him the opportunity to re-visit his childhood library “
• East Dunbartonshire – Lennoxtown Library temporary opening hours – East Dunbartonshire Council. “The amended opening hours are only temporary while we recruit new library staff due to a number of unforeseen vacancies arising.”
• East Renfrewshire – East Renfrewshire libraries receive cash boost – Barrhead News. “As a result of their efforts, the ERCL team has been praised for providing “outstanding service” and the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), backed by support from investment management firm Baillie Gifford, has awarded local libraries a £500 book bundle.”
  • East Renfrewshire libraries praised for being ‘breastfeeding friendly’ast Renfrewshire libraries praised for being ‘breastfeeding friendly’ – Barrhead News. “The Breastfeeding Friendly Scotland Scheme aims to help people who breastfeed, as well as businesses, know their rights and responsibilities and help mothers have positive experiences”
• Gloucestershire – Stonehouse library reopens with best-selling author Katie Fforde – Stroud News and Journal. “The library moved from its old location in Elm Road to the town council offices on the high street in 2020, so it could be based in a more central location.”
• Halton – Halton Lea Library | HBC newsroom – News Anyway. “For the safety of library staff and customers, Halton Lea Library will be closing earlier, in line with Runcorn Shopping City’s opening times. Halton Lea Library currently stays open Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7pm and the two members of staff leave the building at 7.15pm. The shopping centre is desolate at this time as the shops and car parks are closed from 6pm.”
• Hampshire – Free and Fun – Romsey children visit their local library to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge – Hampshire Chronicle.
• Haringey – Pianos installed in Haringey libraries to give all residents access to music – Enfield Independent. “All of the libraries will now be home to the digital Casio GP-310 – a model that was selected for its high sound quality and weighted, wooden touch-sensitive keys that make it as close as possible to playing a traditional concert piano.”
• Hertfordshire – Fifty Thrifty Adventures huge success – Hertfordshire Council. “Hundreds of you placed your votes over the past couple of weeks, to decide which of Hertfordshire’s thrifty adventures was the best, and earlier this week we revealed ‘checking out an activity in your local library’ as your winner. We spent the day with the library team, finding out why Hertfordshire residents thought that they were the best ‘Thrifty Adventure’”
• Hull – Gather round for a Summer of Stories with Hull Libraries – Hull Live. “Following the success of The Big Malarkey Festival, Hull Libraries is launching a new children’s summer programme”
• Inverclyde – Children welcomed into libraries for fairytale reading sessions – Greenock Telegraph. “recently welcomed children’s author and environmentalist Alex Mullarky along for a special storytelling session from her first novel.”
• Kent – Sandgate Library temporary closure – Kent Council. “to allow for refurbishment work to be carried out. It will reopen on Monday 26^th September.”

• Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries highlights their Summer of Fun August 2022 – listings, events, workshops and more – Brixton Buzz. Readers and Writers Festival. “We have a bumper programme of events and activities in August. Every Lambeth Library will be running weekly activities for children so do check with your local library and join the fun”
  • StoryTrails puts Brixton on virtual storytelling map – Lambeth Council. ” “We are both proud and pleased that Lambeth is one of only a handful of UK locations selected to pioneer this creative and innovative project that uses new technology tools to bring us closer, than ever before, to the human roots and stories of our borough – and might change the future for learning history.””
• Middlesbrough – Libraries lend a hand to like-minded readers – Middlesbrough Council. “Middlesbrough Libraries have just the thing for both budding and established book groups. The service – based at the historic Central Library – has multiple sets of titles on offer to save bibliophiles costly trips to the bookshop.”
• Newham – Newham children invited to join the gadgeteers with this year’s summer reading challenge – Newham Council. “In its second year of a pilot scheme with the Reading Agency, Newham libraries has been working with primary schools in the borough to ensure that children are registered to take part .To continue the challenge, children will need to pop in to any Newham library with their collector folder, take out, read and return books.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk County Council launches consultation on the future of mobile libraries – Norfolk Council. “Norfolk County Council has launched a consultation about changes to the rural mobile library service, as part of proposals to save £13 million. The six mobile libraries operated by Norfolk County Council stop outside a variety of places within local communities, ranging from playgroups, schools, care homes, and traveller sites – as well as locations where there is high footfall such as parish halls, pubs, and supermarkets. There are currently 1,304 stops and time spent at each stop ranges from 10 minutes to an hour.”
  • As King’s Lynn swelters in 30-degree heat, library is sanctuary of cool and calm – Lynn News. ” I read an article the other day that explained how libraries have for so long been safe havens for people seeking temporary refuge – homeless people, recent immigrants, bored teenagers during the summer holidays. Right now, as the country swelters in 30-plus heat, they are also sanctuaries of cool and calm.”
• North Northamptonshire – Kettering museum future uncertain as building remains structurally unsound – Northants Telegraph. “while the future of the museum depends on finding further funding, objects from the collection may be housed in the newly-restored library.”
  • Raunds Library – A step closer to being community managed – North Northamptonshire Council. “The Creating Tomorrow Academy Trust and the Raunds Community Library Trust have been selected to run the library in partnership. The lease arrangements will now go back before the Council’s Executive for final approval.”
• North Yorkshire – Library workshops helping residents to explore the county’s dialect – North Yorkshire Council. “Residents have really enjoyed celebrating Yorkshire’s rich dialects and it’s a great way to increase awareness of local history and bring research into the way we speak to the attention of library users.”
  • North Yorkshire library initiative to help children – Press. “Tough Topics packs consist of books and activities chosen by librarians and professionals to help children aged three to eight process their emotions and discuss difficult life-changing events.”
• Nottingham – City Council throws Nottingham libraries a lifeline after thousands fight closure – Nottingham Post. “It is now understood closing the three sites would only save £79,000, less than previously anticipated” … “Nottingham City Council has opened the door to keeping three community libraries open. The Labour-run authority has detailed five possible options to save them after thousands of residents, organisations and a campaign group condemned plans to axe them and save just £79,000.”. “saving” originally quotes as £233k. See commitee paper.
  • ‘Threat remains’ for closure of Nottingham’s libraries as plans again condemned – Nottingham Post. “The city council says “there remains a threat of the closure of the libraries” in some of the most deprived areas of Nottingham. As such a councillor in Radford fears there will be “nothing left at all” within the community if the library in her ward is axed.”

• Nottinghamshire – Retford Library receive blue plaque in honour of Mr Thomas Hercy Denman – Inspire Culture. “The blue plaque was presented in honour of Mr Thomas Hercy Denman who, in 1926, presented his Georgian building to the town of Retford for use as a library. The building is still being used to provide the same service today as a part of Inspire.”
  • Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries to take occupancy of the upper floor of Newark’s Buttermarket – East Midlands Business Link.
  • Nottinghamshire BIPC announces record year for supporting local businesses – East Midlands Business Link. “Specialist library-based centres to support local entrepreneurs in Nottinghamshire have reported a record year after giving more than 1,000 instances of free business support to Nottingham’s start-up and small businesses owners – over half of them women.”
• Oldham – We want to hear your views on library service – Oldham Council. “The consultation results will provide an insight into what residents’ value about the service, what they would like to see more of and if there are any barriers to access that we can address. “
• Portsmouth – Children’s love of libraries soaring this summer – Portsmouth Council. 82% increase in Summer Reading Challenge compared to 2021.
• Powys – Books for those living with cancer available at libraries – Shropshire Star. “Four sets of 50 books were purchased a year ago thanks to a grant from Powys Teaching Health Board’s Charitable Fund to the Improving the Cancer Journey in Powys programme.”
• Richmond – Chatterbooks Reading Groups return in September – register your interest – Richmond Council. “Chatterbooks is relaunching after being put on hold during the pandemic.”
• Shropshire – Readers invited to ‘travel the globe’ with Shropshire Council libraries – Shropshire Council. “The team at Shropshire Council’s libraries service has joined with BBC Arts and The Reading Agency to offer an adult reading challenge with a difference this summer. Readers can enjoy The Big Jubilee Read experience by borrowing or downloading books for free from a list of 70 intriguing titles written by celebrated Commonwealth writers over the past seven decades. And a programme of special book club events will follow in early autumn, allowing readers to swap views on their book list selections. All of Shropshire’s libraries are taking part, offering readers their own copy of the book list and opportunities to read many of the absorbing titles stocked in local branches.”
• Slough – Slough libraries to close on certain days – Windsor Observer. “it is changing the opening hours, altering self-serve provisions, and closures on certain days from August and beyond as pressure on staff builds.”. Lots of vacancies and sickness.
• Staffordshire – New chapter for Tamworth’s library – Birmingham Mail. “The library in Corporation Street is set to turn over a new page, moving to a temporary home to allow for a major refurbishment of the current building.”
  • Staffordshire – Fabulous Fancies brings former shop back to life as a community library – Central Bylines. “Volunteers have helped to transform the space in Astley Walk formerly used by Appetite to host exhibitions and arts activities into a library offering a range of books for children and adults. The venue will also continue to host exhibitions, performances, and other events run by Appetite and other groups.”
• St Helens – The cause of funding pressures is the government – St Helens Star. Rainford Library likely to close. “The Tories have cut our council funding by more than £100m a year since 2010. Such a cut inevitably means difficult and sometimes impossible decisions have to be made, especially when we are legally obligated to set a balanced budget.”
  • Events held in libraries near you to help with cost of living bills – St Helens Star. “Due to the concerning increase, St Helens Borough Council have announced that services to help deal with the growing costs will be held at libraries from next month.”
  • Fears over future or Rainhill Library and Trials Exhibition – St Helens Star. “The Star reported that six libraries in the borough, including Rainhill, are in line to be closed at the end of October, unless prospective partners come forward to help them become “community managed” facilities. Villagers and councillors turned out to a recent public meeting at Rainhill Village Hall to discuss the matter.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries to celebrate tenth birthday on 1 August – Suffolk Libraries. “Over this time Suffolk Libraries has kept all 44 libraries open, saved Suffolk taxpayers £25m and worked hard to develop new and innovative services and activities at the heart of our communities, all with the aim of making an impact on people’s wellbeing.”
  • Library service celebrates decade of creating a ‘better place to live’ – Stowmarket Mercury.
  • New Suffolk Garland book now available in all libraries – Suffolk Libraries. “created as part of the jubilee celebrations and copies were recently presented to every library and secondary school in Suffolk.”
  • Suffolk Libraries announces second Autumn online book festival – Suffolk Libraries. “Thousands of people have enjoyed our previous online author events, with many interviews being available to watch on our YouTube channel. This year’s line-up includes a range of different authors including Elly Griffiths, Jill Mansell, Jack Jordan and more.”
  • Suffolk Libraries offers third entrepreneur programme for women – Suffolk Libraries. “Our September 2022 programme is funding 10 spaces for women to take part and gain the skills, support and confidence needed to bring their business ideas to fruition.”
  • Suffolk Libraries’ Open Space sessions are open for everyone – Suffolk Libraries. “Open Space are weekly informal drop-in sessions for anybody interested in talking about their mental health and wellbeing, as well as families and carers.”
  • Suffolk’s first new library in more than ten years opens in Bury St Edmunds – East Anglian Daily Times. “Suffolk’s first new library in more than ten years has opened to coincide with Suffolk Libraries’ tenth birthday celebrations today. The county’s newest library branch opened on Monday, August 1 in Moreton Hall Community Centre, Bury St Edmunds.”
  • Mobile library services suspended during heatwave – East Anglian Daily Times. “As with the previous very high temperatures, we feel the more enclosed space on the mobiles would prove too hot for staff and customers.”
• Swansea – Cost of converting former Swansea BHS store into library and community hub now nearly ‘two-and-a-half-times’ higher – Wales Online. “The cost of converting the former BHS building in Swansea into a new central library, hub and archives building is likely to exceed £15m, councillors have been told. The building will also be home to housing options, the revenue and benefits service, the lifelong learning and employability service, and potentially other public sector partners.”
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire Libraries use the arts to promote library settings as inclusive and safe spaces for all – Warwickshire Council. “Warwickshire County Council Libraries have delivered professional art workshops for two groups of refugees through ‘Warwickshire Libraries Alive’, a participation, literature and arts project helping members of the community to engage with their local library spaces.”
  • Library users in Warwickshire urged to take their books back on time as fines return – Leamington Observer. “re-introducing fines for overdue books from September 1 as part of a return to normal operations following the pandemic.”
  • Search for Warwickshire’s eighth ​Young Poet Laureate begins – Stratford Observer. “The competition is open to anyone aged between 13 and 17 who lives and is educated in Warwickshire, and who would like to perform their own poetry to an audience.”
• Warwickshire – Library users in Warwickshire urged to take their books back on time as fines return – Stratford Observer. ” re-introducing fines for overdue books from September 1 as part of a return to normal operations following the pandemic.”
• West Berkshire – Summer Reading Challenge 2022 off to flying start – West Berkshire Council. “t. There are already over 2,500 children taking part …”
• West Northamptonshire – Refugees who fled war-torn Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria get helping hand job-hunting in Northampton – Northampton Chronicle. At Central Library: “It’s a chance to make friends, be a part of the community and fully contribute to UK society – all with a new sense of purpose and identity.”
  • Developer pledges £2.2m to improve healthcare, sports, transport and libraries alongside 349 new homes for Northampton – Northampton Chronicle. “Additional funds of £190,752 are also to be put towards improving transport links, with a particular focus on connections to the Northampton ring road plus another £81,105 for Northamptonshire libraries.”
• West Sussex – Love your local library with free ‘Discovery Day’ events across West Sussex – West Sussex Council. “Starting this month, libraries across West Sussex will be holding free events to smash conventional library stereotypes and help people discover what libraries have to offer beyond books.”
• Wigan – Wigan’s libraries extend their opening hours during busy summer months – Wigan Today.
• Wokingham – First look inside Wokingham Library at the Carnival Hub – Bracknell News. “The resource will move from its home in Denmark Street, which closes on September 3, to the Wokingham leisure centre. A kilometre of book shelving will be accompanied by computers, a children’s area, exhibitions and meeting rooms.”
• Worcestershire – Thousands sign up to summer reading challenge – Bromsgrove Standard. “More than 2,500 of Worcestershire’s young readers have signed up so far – 500 more than participated last year and there’s still five weeks to go.”

Editorial

One of the big things about the CILIP Conference, which I was going to write about last week before a whole bunch of social media trouble, was the launch of the Green Libraries Manifesto. This looks like a sure winner to me. There’s no need to “greenwash” libraries. We’ve been pretty darn green to begin with. A book bought in a bookshop perhaps gets read once, twice if it’s lucky. And a lot of books aren’t even read at all: they’re just gifts. A library book gets taken out, what, twenty times? Thirty? I’ve withdrawn books with eighty date-stamps on them. And they’ve been doing it for ages. I bet those papyri at the Library of Alexandria got read a lot more than a typical “The Man Who Got Mummified Twice” by Richardeses Osmanakhun.

And, oh yeah, there’s a climate emergency going on at the same time as energy prices smash previous record highs. So public libraries can shout about their green credentials while at the same being a place of refuge for those who cannot afford to heat their houses. A tweet from Martin Lewis suggesting “warm banks” got 44,000 likes last time I checked. Wow.

And, as I write this, we’re living through a heat wave and in a country where barely anyone has air conditioning. I see an opportunity there for “cool banks” in libraries there, like they already do in the USA. And not just because I don’t want to melt in the libraries I work at this week. Oh no.

Changes by local authority

• Blackpool – Combined library and launderette opens in Mereside.
• Derby – Ten volunteer libraries potentially under threat.
• St Helens – Billinge Library, Garswood Library, Parr Library, Peter Street Library, Rainford Library and Rainhill Library to close or go volunteer.

National news

• Green Libraries – CILIP. “The Green Libraries Partnership works in collaboration with leading organisations: Arts Council England, the British Library, Libraries Connected and Julie’s Bicycle.”. Sign up to the Manifesto via Green Libraries Manifesto– working together for people and planet – CILIP.

• Green Libraries Manifesto – Libraries Connected. “As libraries we occupy a place at the heart of the communities we serve. Through this manifesto, we want to come together towards a shared vision: to lead by example through our own environmental actions and use our power and reach to inform and inspire people to take positive action and build resilience in the diverse communities we serve.”
• How to Apply – E to G Libraries Tour 2023 – Simon Armitage. “Does your library’s name or location in the UK (village, town or city, but not street) begin with the letters E, F, G or Welsh Ff or Ng? If so, you’re welcome to submit an invitation by August 19, asking Simon Armitage to visit during the next Tour: Mon-Sat, March 20-25, 2023. “
• Kerry Hudson: School librarians saved me – Scotland can’t afford to lose them – Press and Journal. “I’m writing this to you because I credit so much of this to school libraries and librarians. I don’t know how I would have survived those years had I not been able to disappear into the books and safe space you provided me.”

Public libraries also play an important role in supporting digital inclusion. Around 2,900 public libraries in England provide a trusted network of accessible locations with staff, volunteers, free wifi, public PCs, and assisted digital access to a wide range of digital services. Library staff and volunteers have been trained in digital skills so that they can provide library users with in-person support in using digital applications and services.

Damian Collins, Chair, Draft Online Safety Bill. They Work For You.

• Libraries as Dysfunctional Organizations and Workplaces – Routledge. “Libraries as Dysfunctional Organizations and Workplaces expands the ‘dysfunctional’ concept in the professional and academic LIS discourse by exposing the internal problematics of libraries, especially at the social and organizational level.”

• Libraries Hub – Libraries Week. “In 2022, Libraries Week celebrates how libraries support life-long learning. Visit our ‘Get Started Guide’ to explore our marketing and publicity toolkits and download posters and social graphics in four eye-catching designs to showcase how your library is inspiring learning for all.”
• Novels that Shaped our World libraries programme: Evaluation Report – Libraries Connected. “Here is just a snapshot of the impact on participants. Much more detailed information is included in the full report. At the bottom of this page you will also find the project brochure, produced to highlight and celebrate the fantastic work of each participating library.”
• Sustainability, Accessibility and Resilience: Reflections from the CILIP Conference + Expo 2022 – CILIP NW. “it really was terrific to have the opportunity to see people in person and listen to – and have – great and interesting conversations with people from all different places and experiences.”

International news

• Australia – Why your library could soon change completely – News.com.au. Report on libraries going fines-free. “Last year, Cambridge Library raked in just under $15,000 in fees for overdue library books. However, Ms Shannon says the juice just isn’t worth the squeeze. “The report to council explained that the cost of the administration was actually greater than the fee collected”
  • Libraries are about ‘people, not books’ as they survive and thrive in digital age – ABC News. “Librarian Chris Jones remembers being warned in the late 1980s — just as the internet was emerging — that libraries would be “dead in five years”. But despite advances in technology and the emergence of the digital age, he said libraries were thriving as people changed the way they used them. Mr Jones said libraries were “here to stay” because they were about so much more than the books.” … “Libraries are about people, not books, they are about a safe, socially inclusive space where people can interact”

• USA – Montana rejects library logo over similarity to pride flag – AP News. “a member said the main feature — a prism — brought to mind the rainbow LGBTQ pride flag, something she suggested would set off a political firestorm.” [They’re going to get really angry when they see sunlight reflected through rain – Ed.’]. $130k logo design consultancy wasted. “suggested the logo be toned down to shades of blue, black and gray.”
  • Bee Cave librarian: Summer reading program winds down – Austin American Statesman. “World Champion trick roper Kevin Fitzpatrick and his horse Romeo helped us kick things off, drawing more than 350 people to the plaza in front of the library” … “The annual Summer Reading program has been a mainstay of public library service for the past hundred years or so”
  • Found in a Library Book – I Love Libraries. “The librarians at Oakland (Calif.) Public Library have collected the treasures they’ve found in books over the years and digitized them to create the “Found in a Library Book” project. The ephemera includes drawings ranging from crude to intricate, photos, homemade bookmarks, maps, personal letters, odd lists, and more. It’s all endlessly fascinating and incredibly bingeworthy.”
  • Libby is stuck between libraries and publishers in the e-book war – Protocol. “While they might be worried about their budgets, at the end of the day librarians just want people to read more, and Libby is helping them do that. “We only see it as a positive,” Jeske said. “It has introduced the library to folks who weren’t using it before.””

• More than 200 Stuffed Animals Sleepover at the Goleta Valley Library – Santa Barbara Independent. “Staff were prepared for a great turnout as they have had in the past but were thrilled to see more than 200 “stuffies” dropped off this year for the “all-nighter”.”
  • Urban Library Trauma Study Final Report – Urban Libraries Unite. “Almost every library worker has a story about one event at work that left them shaken. Sometimes it’s an abusive patron, sometimes it’s workplace bullying, and sometimes it’s that haunting feeling left behind when a patron needed more help than you could provide.  The Urban Library Trauma Study (ULTS) looked to take these anecdotal stories, quantify them and build a pathway to practical solutions for the issue and move the library industry towards a culture of community care.”
  • With another leader leaving, Vinton Public Library closes for now – Gazette. “The Vinton Public Library, which lost two directors in two years amid community complaints over books, is now closed indefinitely as the interim director has left, too. The previous directors left after city residents complained about the library’s display of LGBTQ books and books about Democratic President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.”
  • The ‘world’s first library farm’ is home to plush gardens and community innovations – Shareable. ““This is as grassroots as you can get,” Buswell said. “We saw the grass and we decided we could garden there.””

Local news by authority

• Blackpool – Grand opening announced for new Mereside library and launderette – Gazette. “The Langdale Library and Laundry Room – also called Wash Your Words – on Langdale Parade will officially open to the public at 11am on July 30, following a ceremonial procession to transport books from the old Mereside Library at Crummock Place. Clifton ward coun Paula Burdess said: “This new facility is great news for Mereside. The new library and laundry space will be a fantastic asset for residents to be able to use and socialise.”
• Borders – Mobile Library Service – Live Borders. “Need to print something?  Our East Mobile Library van now has a shiny new printer which can print, scan to USB and photocopy”
• Bradford – Money for mobile libraries among schemes to benefit from developer cash – Telegraph and Argus. “£312,216 will be spent on boosting education facilities, £191,587 on parks and green spaces, £70,958 on walking and cycling schemes, £70,958 on improving wildlife habitats and £63,862 on library services.”
• Calderdale – Calderdale councillor calls for sale of Hipperholme Library to be suspended – Halifax Courier. “A councillor has called for a halt to the sale of a library building in Calderdale while a complaint about the circumstances of its closure is considered.” … “Coun George Robinson (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) said Calderdale Conservatives have submitted a formal complaint to the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) arguing that the council’s Labour Cabinet had not properly consulted the public immediately before agreeing to close the buulding – one of eight libraries across Calderdale – in November 2020 under the Future Council proposals.”
• Derby – There’s ‘no intention’ to close Derby libraries, says leading councillor – Derby Telegraph. “These are libraries run by volunteers and managed by Derby based charity Direct Help and Advice (DHA). The libraries involved are located in Allestree, Allenton, Blagreaves, Chaddesden, Chellaston, Derwent, Mackworth, Sinfin, Spondon and Springwood Library in Oakwood. But there are growing fears that some or possibly all of the libraries will close permanently as a result of the review as Derby City Council seeks to find “options for a sustainable library provision that meets the needs of its communities”. see also Council urged to take back control of under-threat Derby libraries – Derbyshire Live.

• Devon – Popular escape room experience comes to South Molton Library – North Devon Gazette. “Following a sold out run at Exeter Library last year, the escape room experience will be visiting” … “The Lost Librarian is a ground-breaking escape room for inquisitive explorers of all ages. Using interactive mechanical books, groups of up to six people experience a 60-minute journey, uncovering a fantastical tale of the last known witches in the UK and the legacy that they have left behind. Work together as a team to solve the mystery of the Lost Librarian.” £12 per session.
  • Police probe after Devon mobile library destroyed in savage fire – Devon Live. “Owners of Torrington Mobile Library are “devastated” after their vehicle was destroyed in a fire last night. A spokesperson at Libraries Unlimited said the service is currently suspended and would have serious financial implications for the charity.”
• Dudley – Go explore with Beat the Street Dudley – Dudley Council. “This week is Go Explore and events include a Mystery Box event, where random Beat Boxes all across Dudley will be giving out triple points this weekend and a Wild Letter Hunt at Brierley Hill Library on 9 July 11am – 3pm. Pick up an activity sheet and find the letters hidden around the library. Earn double points at our Mobile Box and win great prizes. People can also post selfies of themselves playing the game and share on twitter @BTSDudley with the chance to win their own stuffed toy cuddly hedgehog. So far, 22,385 participants have signed up and have together walked, cycled, run, scooted and wheeled nearly 48,000 miles across the game area.”
• Gateshead – Gateshead warm buildings plan for people in heating crisis – BBC. “On Monday, Mr Lewis, the founder of the Money Saving Expert website, tweeted he could not “believe I’m writing this, but I wonder if this winter we’ll need ‘warm banks’ the equivalent of ‘food banks'”. He suggested public buildings such as libraries might be used for people to keep warm.”

• Glasgow – Call for Springburn Library to restore opening times and fix staff shortage – Glasgow Evening Times. “Springburn Library is only open on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday and has also experienced a string of sudden closures. Glasgow Life, which runs the facility, said there have been recruitment issues and staff absence. “
• Gloucestershire – ‘Ambitious’ new library strategy aims to fight climate change in Gloucestershire – Gloucestershire Live. “Libraries will encourage wildlife and tree planting in library gardens, install electric vehicle charge points in library car parks, promote recycling and raise awareness of initiatives to help the environment”
• Hampshire – Hampshire County Council faces £200m budget hole – BBC. “The social care budget has also hit by cuts while plans to close eight libraries to save £1.76m were unveiled in 2020. Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Keith House said the county council was in “a deep, dark financial hole that gets worse each year”.”
• Kent – Get ready for the Gadgeteers, coming to Kent libraries – Kent Council.
• Lancashire – Greater Manchester council plans ‘warm banks’ in libraries to help struggling residents survive the winter – Manchester Evening News. “It comes after concerns were raised by the money saving expert Martin Lewis about the prospect that ‘warm banks’ may need to be used. Warm banks are spaces where people who can’t afford to heat their home can go to stay warm. Lancashire County Council (LCC) has announced that some of its public buildings, such as libraries and other council buildings, could be used as “warm and welcome places” amid fears vulnerable people could freeze to death this winter. Rising fuel and energy prices with rocketing inflation are driving more and more people to food banks and other support areas, but this is only set to get worse.”. Only Tameside of the Manchester councils went public on what they plan: “Tameside was the only council to issue a full statement. They suggest residents using libraries in the borough to keep warm if needed, but they are also exploring ‘other options’ which could also be used.”
• Lincolnshire – Summer Reading Challenge – Spalding Voice. “Children aged 4-11 can visit the Victoria Street building to meet the Gadgeteers and get involved in a science and innovation themed challenge.”
• Middlesbrough – Libraries and Hope Foundation join IT poverty battle – Middlesbrough Council. “The town’s Library Service has joined forces with the Hope Foundation to get IT equipment to those who need it most. They’ve teamed up with the FurbdIT partnership which collects unwanted devices and IT equipment, and refurbishes and breathes new life into it for the benefit of local communities. Residents, organisations and businesses can drop off unwanted IT equipment such as PCs, laptops, iPads, tablets and mobile phones at Middlesbrough Central Library and community hubs and libraries at Acklam, Hemlington, Marton and Thorntree.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk libraries announce record year for supporting local businesses – Norfolk Council. “From April 2021 to March 2022, over 700 attendees received free business support from the Centre. 36% of these attendees were aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to start their own business and 27% were looking to grow an existing business. Additionally, there was a 180% increase in people receiving support from the Centre during this period.”
• North Somerset – Free sim cards to be handed out to people in part of Somerset – Somerset Live. “Residents who need a data voucher should contact their local library to make an appointment to collect it.”

• Nottingham – Nottingham library campaign group concerned as councillors ‘discussing’ running them with volunteers – Nottingham Post. “A campaign group seeking to save three vital Nottingham libraries from closure fears attempts may be made to have them operated by volunteers. The group says libraries are “nothing without library staff” and volunteer-run schemes generally favour more affluent areas.”
• Oldham – Summer Reading Challenge can help inspire young people – Oldham Council. “Sign up for the challenge and have fun making Lego Robots, musical instruments and slime”
• Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire libraries invite children to get curious and inventive this summer – Oxfordshire Council. “get entered into a countywide prize draw. Prizes include exciting science kits and national book tokens.”
• Plymouth – Former North Prospect Library site will be turned into homes – Plymouth Live. “Plans for homes to be built on the site of the former North Prospect Library site have been approved. Plymouth Community Homes’ scheme, which would see four two-bedroom flats and four one-bedroom flats built, has been backed by Plymouth City Council.”

• Portsmouth – Book your tickets for the Drag Queen Story Hour tour – Portsmouth Council. “Cllr Steve Pitt, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development, said, “We are committed to supporting diversity, as well as developing children’s love of reading, so I am really pleased that the summer tour is visiting our city and hope many families will choose to support this event.””
• Redbridge – Redbridge Holiday MiniMix – Redbridge Vision. “Redbridge Holiday Mini Mix is a programme of books, culture and creativity for children 4 years and over happening in Redbridge Libraries this summer holidays.”
• Solihull – Library Specialist – Stock and Resources – WM Jobs. £31-37k, full time permanent.
• South Gloucestershire – ‘Reading challenge can support literacy in South Gloucestershire over holidays’ – Gazette Series. “There are also lots of incentives to encourage young readers to participate such as free swim vouchers and brilliant books.”
• St Helens – Libraries decision ‘one of the most difficult’ councillors in St Helens have taken – St Helens Star. “a decision that could lead to the closure of six libraries is arguably one of the most “difficult” choices senior local authority figures have had to make.” … ” “some people were in favour” of having just one library in the entire borough which he was “strongly against”, which is why that plan “did not come forward”.” … “The current library service includes 13 libraries – although Billinge Library, on Main Street, is temporarily closed due to the condition of its roof and floor. The council says the findings of consultation and engagement exercises have been considered and are reflected in the final library strategy and delivery plan. These include the relocation of St Helens Library to a refurbished Gamble Building, making it a “state-of-the-art cultural centre”. However, the report confirms that the council proposes to reduce the number of library buildings to seven.” see also Historic building to be transformed as six libraries marked for closure – Liverpool Echo.
• Stockport – Stockport’s Central Library to continue to offer library services – Stockport Council. “the town’s Central Library will continue to offer library services to the borough’s residents. Following a consultation regarding the move of library services from the Central Library Building to Stockroom, it had previously been announced in February that the council’s adult education service, currently based at Hardman Street, would be the preferred service to relocate to the historic grade 2 building on Wellington Road South. Whilst many consultation respondents were very positive about the opportunities offered by Stockroom, others expressed concern that the Central Library Building would no longer house any library services. Some respondents said that they wanted to ensure that the public could continue to access and enjoy this important heritage building.”
• Stoke on Trent – Tunstall Library set to move into refurbished Tunstall Town Hall – Stoke on Trent Council. “We are really excited to be moving Tunstall Library into the Ballroom of the recently refurbished Tunstall Town Hall. “We have organised additional pop-up library facilities in Tunstall throughout the summer, to ensure our members can access all of their regular services while we transport the library to its new home.””
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries supporter announced as new children’s laureate – East Anglian Daily Times. “known for his Luna Loves picture books and Fairy Tales Gone Bad, which are often featured in Suffolk Libraries and recommended for children. Mr Coelho visited Ipswich County Library as part of a library marathon, where he pledged to join every library service in the UK. “
• Warwickshire – Could you be Warwickshire Libraries’ next Young Poet Laureate? – Warwickshire County Council. “The competition is open to anyone aged between 13 and 17 who lives and is educated in Warwickshire, and who would like to perform their own poetry to an audience.” … “ate’s Storytree ‘Stories of Innovation’ sessions will also be taking place,”
• Libraries across Warwickshire are inviting children to participate in the ‘Gadgeteers’ Summer Reading Challenge from Saturday 16 July 2022 – Warwickshire County Council. “Warwickshire libraries will be hosting a range of free events for children to enjoy during the summer, including an action-packed storytelling adventure game with Pyn Stockman called “The Lost Book of The Magic Flying Ship”.”

“The library boom has council officials both pleased and baffled. “Maybe during the pandemic people have got more into reading books,” said chief executive Nigel Lynn.”

• West Berkshire – Osman’s whodunnit most popular book in West Berkshire libraries – Newbury Today. “The council says there has been an 86 per cent increase in the number of people visiting, at around 60,000 for the first quarter of the year. Around 150,000 items were borrowed which is up 15 per cent on pre-pandemic levels.”

• West Northamptonshire – Campaigners’ joy as Northampton library gets set for a new chapter in a new home – Northampton Chronicle. “St James’ Library will open its shelves to customers at the Doddridge Centre on July 25, followed by an official opening on Saturday, July 30. The move comes after the library was shuttered during the Covid-19 pandemic and years of battling to avoid it becoming a victim of county council cutbacks.”
• Wrexham – Summer Reading Challenge book collection with Aura Libraries – Leader. “visit www.aura.wales/holiday-activities to view our list of Summer Reading Challenge activities including workshops with authors Karen McCombie and Ben Davis, plus mad science workshops, Lego clubs and Xplore Science Wrexham.”
  • Celebrating milestone of Wrexham Library – Leader. “In December 1972, Wrexham Library moved from its previous location on Queens Square to a new purpose-built building off Llwyn Isaf. To help us celebrate this milestone we would like you to share with us your stories and memories of you using the library, either the old building or the new one”

Editorial

As you may have noticed from last week’s editorial, the subject of intellectual freedom and public libraries is on my mind a bit recently. This is partly due to me being about to do a short presentation on it at the CILIP Conference this week. But it’s also because it’s, well, been in the news a lot. The far-right in the USA have been targeting public libraries for a while now for a range of things that they don’t agree with. Being this is the USA, this includes turning to children’s libraries with guns and liberally scattering accusations of paedophilia around.

This infection is now spreading to other countries, with Canada reporting multiple outbreaks as well. The disease of aggressive close-mindedness is also, worryingly, becoming part of the scene in the UK with very similar tactics (thankfully, minus the guns) being deployed against drag queen story-times here. The time when such thought-burning trends could be seen as part of just one country’s make-up appears gone. The internet has allowed such prejudice to go global as easily as local. And the English-speaking world, being able to understand American bigoted social media posts and the like easily, is as susceptible as anywhere else. Perhaps even more so.

Of course, being British, some of this tragedy translates as something closer to comedy. You will recall from last week that Nottingham, which is moving forward with its plans to close libraries, decided to ban a radical feminist author from speaking last week. But of course they still have the author’s books. And that of JK Rowling, who prominently thinks the same way. So why? Well, I guess censoring book-stock would be going a bit too far. And banning Harry Potter is, amusingly, exactly what the Religious Right in the USA would want to do. And also there’s a court ruling that could be used against such a thing. But the author is going to sue anyway. Because, well, this is the world we live in now.

Changes by local authority

• Bradford – Becomes fines-free.
• Norfolk – Mobile library service may be cut

National news

• Anti-vaxxers select their next target – Scout News. “Where America leads, Britain follows. Protesters are trying to cancel a tour of the Drag Queen Story Hour traveling across England and Wales this summer. ” … “we don’t know the exact contents of the show, but I’m willing to bet any schedule that involves reading aloud the adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare won’t be especially damaging to children.” … “A group called Outreach WorldWide, which has campaigned against Covid jabs, has turned its attention to LGBT affairs. Based on Telegram, where it has 4,000 members, it has been instrumental in protesting against the story tour. It has encouraged members of its 37 regional teams to complain to their local library and contact their councillors and MPs to get the event cancelled.”

“it’s not like the event is being forced upon children. It’s ticketed and in libraries over the summer holidays, so unsuspecting children are unlikely to wander in. And even if they did, they are only likely to find a solitary drag queen reading the works of Michael Rosen. There are far worse things children could be watching.”

• CILIP Conference – CILIP. Last chance to book for 7 and 8 July. “Libraries, Information and Knowledge for Sustainability”
• Essential services websites in UK ‘should be accessible to all’ – Guardian. DCMS minister says “Public libraries play an important role in tackling digital exclusion. About 2,900 public libraries in England provide a trusted network of accessible locations with staff, volunteers, free wifi, public PCs, and assisted digital access to a wide range of digital services,”

• Inflation could push English councils into bankruptcy, say leaders – Guardian. “When budgets were set earlier this year, councils were typically factoring in average pay and inflation costs of about 3%. However, inflation is now at 9%, with the Bank of England predicting it will hit 11% by October.”
• Libraries Connected welcomes Ayub Khan MBE as new President – Libraries Connected. “As the first Black President of Libraries Connected, Ayub has vowed to use his platform to encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to pursue a career in libraries.”
• Libraries key to closing post-pandemic literacy gap, new report reveals – Libraries Connected. “Public Libraries and Literacy Recovery – produced for Libraries Connected by the National Literacy Trust and supported using public funding by Arts Council England – examines the role of libraries in raising the literacy skills of children whose learning has been disrupted by the pandemic. It highlights evidence that, despite the huge achievements of teachers and librarians in supporting pupils through periods of school closures, the pandemic has exacerbated the literacy gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers.”
• Library fines – Libraries Hacked. ” Library fines are a policy that should be informed by data. Libraries cannot argue to continue doing something with no affirmative research, just because they don’t think there’s enough research to stop.” … “no service has released any publicly available open data that would make such analysis possible. “

“Why would someone return books to the library if they were going to have to pay £20, and they need that to feed their family? It’s more likely they’ll stop using the library.”

• New training programme aims to improve diversity in library leadership – Libraries Connected. “The modules, which were produced by the Birmingham Leadership Institute at the University of Birmingham, are structured around four core leadership capabilities: Leading for Resilience, Leading for Dialogue, Leading for Inclusion and Leading for Innovation. Unlike many online learning modules, Leading Libraries has been designed to be worked through gradually, allowing time for personal and group reflection. It can be accessed by all library staff, regardless of seniority.”
• Website survey – DCA/Koios. “a new survey for librarians designed to shed some light on how library websites are perceived and used. The survey includes questions on discoverability, purpose, and utility and asks how successful librarians think their websites are at supporting the library mission. The survey takes five minutes to complete and DCA will make a donation to Clear Voice Interpreting Services, a social enterprise that supports refugees and other people in need with free translation services, for every response received.”

International news

• Australia – Decolonising Libraries: Who controls the narrative? – ABC. “Hit play to hear Kerry’s story and learn what you can do to make sure libraries are a safe space for all.”
  • The world gets worse, but public libraries are forever – Sydney Morning Herald. “With all they have to offer, it’s odd then that the main users of libraries are babies, students and tech-phobic grandmothers looking to print out emails at 8am. The rest of us should rediscover the public library’s infinite assets. In fact, take my credit cards because the most valuable card in my wallet now is my library membership. (Note: Don’t take my credit cards.)”

• Canada – Libraries in Canada hit by wave of hate, threats, as right-wing groups protest all-age drag events – CBC. “More than half a dozen libraries and drag performers, from Saint John to Victoria, reported being inundated online and over the phone by homophobic slurs and, in some cases, threats of violence” … “library staff were, among other things, accused of assisting paedophiles and threatened with lawsuits. Their personal information was also circulated online.”. Comments include “one that said it was time to “light the torches,” and another that called for Saunders and a fellow performer to be burned alive.”
  • Calgary’s Central Library is a stunner to rival Seattle’s – Washington Post. “Visitors could easily spend an entire afternoon engrossed in the Calgary Central Library’s architecture, amenities and programming — or not. It’s also a beautiful place to simply pass the time and people-watch.”
• Ireland – Library reopening: ‘It’s one of the last great sanctuaries’ – Irish Times. ” you quickly begin to believe that if librarians were running the show, the world would be a better and nicer place. ” … “In February, when Libraries Ireland asked people to join the Ireland Reads campaign (irelandreads.ie) and pledge to put aside time to read a book each day, 570,000 people signed up.”

“It’s inherent in being a librarian that you move with the times, you move with society, you move with the world. You still work with people, that hasn’t changed. The library is a safe, secure, democratic space. it’s not for any one category or group. It’s a place where people can be free to meet, they don’t have to spend money. It’s one of the last great sanctuaries.”

• New Zealand – Horowhenua Libraries To Be Fine-free – Community Scoop. “We want our libraries to be inviting to everyone, allowing equal access to the information and inspiration found within the walls and resources, however fines can deter people from enjoying the services our community centres provide.”
• UAE – UAE unveils ‘Library of the Future’; over 1.1m books available for readers – Baaghi. “‘Mohammed bin Rashid Library’, a new cultural beacon in the region.” £225m cost (1 billion UAD). … ” “The economy needs knowledge … politics needs wisdom … nations need to learn … and all of that can be found in books.” see also Dubai opens new book-shaped library – Book Riot. “It’s been deemed the largest cultural project in Dubai. In addition to its unique design, it features eco-friendly features such as solar panels and and water recycling, used for its green spaces.”

• USA – Pride Month Children’s Library Event Canceled After Proud Boys Disruption – Newsweek. “Proud Boys confronting with staff about the LGBTQ+ books that were going to be read to children”
  • The Emerging Role of Outdoor Public Librarianship: Understanding the Need for Strengthened Infrastructure – Taylor and Francis Online. “Data reveal these services are expected to continue, and possibly expand. Given this potential growth, future research to uncover effective practices is needed so that libraries can effectively help their communities benefit from being outside in nature.”
  • The Important Role Libraries Play in Building a Creative and Innovative Society – Arch Daily. “Despite the rise of the online age, therefore, resulting in what we believe is the death of printed books and a growing lack of interest in libraries, there are still more libraries in the U.S. than there are Starbucks or McDonald’s franchises. Public libraries have continually evolved throughout the years, serving as important community hubs to aid learning, professional development, and healthcare.”
  • A panel at national conference for librarians raises questions over approach to Holocaust denial – Jewish Insider. “Two prominent literary figures argued that opposing book bans means allowing the dissemination of books that promote the Holocaust, sparking controversy and clarifications” … ” “The truth is, the hard truth, is that if we are going to unite against book bans, it includes all the books, and I think that’s what makes it a complicated gig.” but ““Disinformation is inconsistent with professional library collection development practices that have made libraries trusted community resources,”
  • Proud Boys who targeted LGBTQ+ story time met with ‘human shield’ of LGBTQ+ love – Pink News. “the far-right mob was met with a veritable wall of counter-protesters wearing kaleidoscopic colours, waving Pride flags and holding up signs in support of the LGBTQ+ community. “

Local news by authority

• Barnet – Barnet City of Stories Home Celebration Event – Eventbrite. “Come along to this special free event celebrating the launch of the City of Stories Home Anthology featuring talented new writers from across London, alongside published authors.”
• Bradford – Bradford Libraries scrap overdue book fines from today – Telegraph and Argus. “This decision has been taken in recognition of the financial pressures facing communities, particularly given the current cost of living crisis. Several library services across the country have dropped the charges and noticed more use of libraries and more stock returned.”

• Cheshire East – Cheshire East libraries helping support people in crisis – Winsford and Middlewich Guardian. “Adults coming in to browse the book stock and borrowing of books has not returned to pre-pandemic levels yet” … “Winter wellbeing resources were delivered to all Cheshire East libraries enabling other agencies working in communities and library staff to provide residents in need with much needed equipment including duvets, hot water bottles, gloves, and slow cookers.”
• Coventry – Digital Spaces present event to showcase at Coventry libraries – Coventry City Council – News Anyway. “a two-day showcase of live events that will feature digital activities, artwork and immersive experiences that celebrate Coventry Libraries as places of creativity, community and new perspectives.”
• Croydon – Croydon Mayor makes statement on South Norwood Library – Croydon News. “mayor has blamed “rising costs and construction delays” after a new library left empty for two years was put up for rent as a shop.” …”In 2021, there was a chance the library was going to be sold off as the building was not finished to the standard expected, but the council said it would use Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money to make it usable.”
• Devon – Secret Book Quest on a mission to reverse the literacy gap – Libraries Unlimited. “The Secret Book Quest – aimed at kids aged five and older. The Secret Book Quest has been challenging them to read a total of 50 books to collect all the stickers, decipher the code, and win a special prize”
• Dorset – Dorset Library Service participates in the ‘Gadgeteers’ Summer Reading Challenge – News Anyway.
  • New proposed strategy for libraries across Dorset – Bridport News. “Councillors reviewing the future strategy for the service say that while libraries should change to meet emerging needs and offer new services books should still be at its core. A new proposed overall strategy recognises that there has been a year on year decline in library use with some age groups seldom, if ever, stepping inside one.” … “the pattern over the last 20 or 30 years had seen the heavy use of libraries for younger children and their parents, followed by a drop in interest and then more library use by older people.”

• East Lothian – Continued staff shortages impact opening of several East Lothian libraries – East Lothian Courier. “Council libraries have faced closures ever since the Covid-19 outbreak, but recent staffing issues have resulted in difficulty fully reopening the sites. Six of the county’s smaller libraries have been affected, with the larger facilities remaining open on normal hours.”
• Essex – New partnership with HSBC UK to improve financial literacy – Essex Council. “We have joined forces with HSBC UK to bring a series of pop-up events to residents, sharing the bank’s financial literacy programmes in Essex Libraries.” … “They will offer face-to-face guidance around things like digital banking, fraud awareness and managing finances.” … “I am delighted that colleagues from HSBC UK are partnering with us to support our levelling up agenda”
• Gloucestershire – Proposal to move Stroud Library to shopping centre approved – BBC. “Gloucestershire County Council has agreed to move it to the Five Valleys Shopping Centre in Stroud. The council is expected to enter into a 25-year lease for the property within on the lower ground floor of the shopping centre in King Street. More than 500 people took part in a survey asking for people’s views on the proposal, with 70% in favour.”
• Highlands – High Life Highland libraries offer boost for those with type 2 diabetes – Ross-shire Journal. ” provide iPads to support those with type 2 diabetes. Packed with information and support the project is a partnership with NHS Highland, Diabetes Scotland and AbilityNet to support those at risk of developing diabetes as well as those newly diagnosed with the condition.”
• Inverclyde – Summer Reading Challenge set to sizzle – Inverclyde Council. Events include “the BodyWorks roadshow from Glasgow Science Centre, ‘Wee Storybox’ storytelling sessions, ‘Animal Man’ visits, and silent discos, as part of the challenge. “

• Lambeth – Lambeth library events and services for July 2022 – full listing – Brixton Buzz. Include children’s literature festival, musical recording and biodiversity.
• Lancashire – Lancaster teen’s ‘access all areas’ taste of music industry – Lancaster Guardian. “Skye Lumb, 15, took part in the Get it Loud in Libraries (GILIL) Academy Gig Camp at a show from rap artist Enny at Lancaster library, which saw her involved in a variety of aspects of putting on and promoting live music including marketing, digital media, photography and floor management.”
• Manchester – Suitcase unearths ‘treasure trove’ of Manchester history – BBC. “The free exhibition at Manchester’s Central Library will recount Ms Retallack’s life in the 19th and 20th Centuries.”
• Middlesbrough – Seed Library – Middlesbrough Library / Facebook. “The newly launched seed library is open to the whole community and will allow aspiring and novice gardeners to share and swap seeds and plants for free.”
• Newcastle – Summer Reading Challenge 2022: Gadgeteers – Newcastle Council. “the Summer Reading Challenge 2022 Trophy will be awarded to the school who has the most children completing the Challenge. The school in second place will receive a £50 voucher to spend on books for your school library.”

• Norfolk – Adult social care and mobile libraries at risk as council seeks £15m savings – Norfolk Live. “Dramatic measures including cuts to adult social care, mobile libraries and recycling centre are all part of measures proposed by County Hall in a bid to cut £15m from its budget. Options being considered by Norfolk County Council include raiding adult social care reserves and possibly cutting funding to mobile library services by almost half.” … “The council is also being asked to undertake a review of mobile library services. What changes could be made have not been announced but a saving of £200,000 is anticipated, almost half its £422,000 yearly budget.”
• Northumberland – Councillor welcomes efforts to improve promotion of Alnwick Library and TIC – Northumberland Gazette. ” work is underway to improve the advertising and visibility of both library and Tourist Information Centre which be believes have been ‘inadequately promoted for visitors’.”
• North Yorkshire – Experiment with new reading for summer challenge at libraries – Harrogate News. “A programme of events for families will support the challenge, including junk modelling, Lego sessions, science workshops, art and craft sessions, storytelling and theatre performances.”

• Nottingham – Nottingham City Council confirms it will not remove Julie Bindel books from library – Nottingham Post. “Nottingham City Council has confirmed that they will not be removing author Julie Bindel’s books from libraries across the city following the decision to cancel her talk on Saturday, June 25. Author Julie Bindel was due to speak at the library in Aspley.” … “There are books available by several other authors who hold similar views to Ms Bindel that have caused controversy. This includes books by authors J K Rowling and Kathleen Stock. Nottingham City Council has confirmed they will not remove any of the books. see also Julie Bindel: Council cancels author’s talk over trans views – BBC and Julie Bindel to sue Nottingham council after talk cancelled – Guardian. ““I was going up to speak about feminism, about violence against women. I was invited by a group of community activists who are trying to keep the library open.”” … “Bindel has been accused of transphobia because she says does not believe trans women can legitimately say they are a woman.”
• Reading – Aida H Dee to host Drag Queen Story Hour in Reading – Reading Chronicle. “Author and five-star Edinburgh Fringe Act, Aida H Dee, will be promoting diversity, acceptance and reading through interactive storytelling at four libraries in the town. Families are set to be entertained and children inspired to attend libraries as the comedian and activist makes Reading their first stop on a tour of 100 libraries in 100 days.”
• Sandwell – Sandwell to host summer jazz festival – Sandwell Council. Libraries as venues.
• Southend on Sea – Keep reading this summer and become a ‘Gadgeteer’ with Southend Libraries – Southend on Sea Council.

Editorial

A truly scary newspaper article from the Guardian points out that without major Government funding, there’s going to be some very serious cuts to local council funding and libraries may be one of the services that bear the brunt. Yay. Been here before. This time around though it’s not austerity but rather inflation and the subsequent necessary wage increases, which haven’t been budgeted for. But don’t worry, the Government is arguing that inflation doesn’t affect a lot of council business (which parts exactly?) and of course if wages are not increased then inflation will go slower. So, that’s OK then.

Faced with potential news like that, it’s good to see that the Libraries Connected conference went really well last week, with lots of sharing of ideas and positive and productive talks about the impact of libraries. And the discovery that Lord Parkinson, who is the Libraries Minister, not only knows his own library card number but is also willing to be used as a library champion. That’s as long of course as he gets robust library data of course. Oho …

National news

• Fermeture en masse des bibliothèques britanniques : quel bilan ? – ABF. Summary of French library conference panel talk on the closure of English public libraries. In French.
• How Local Libraries Help Welcome Refugees – Book Riot. “while many libraries have stepped into the role of supporting refugees, there is always more work that can be done. Vincent’s CILIP article gives suggestions on ways that libraries can become more accommodating of and welcoming to refugees and asylum seekers, including consulting with these users and the local organisations that support them to ensure that all their needs are met, and promote the library’s role as a centre for information provision, language learning, and community support.”

• Libraries Connected welcomes Ayub Khan MBE as new President – Libraries Connected. “As the first Black President of Libraries Connected, Ayub has vowed to use his platform to encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to pursue a career in libraries.”
• Library fine survey: results and summary report revealed – Libraries Connected. “In March 2022 we surveyed our members and had 61 responses”. 16 of the 61 told us they had removed library fines, 15 more considering it. “40% of libraries that had removed library fines had seen an increase in adults using the library, 30% had seen an increase in families and people from disadvantaged areas, and 20% had seen an increase in 5 – 16-year-olds.”. Response from those not considering going fines-fress is income-related and fears books will not be returned.
• Making Music publishes proposal to save UK music libraries – Classical Music. “The public library network, which has so far been the largest and most cost-effective provider of sheet music to music groups, has been impacted by local authority budget cuts. A lack of investment in developments towards financial sustainability has placed the future of this resource in peril.” … “Local music library services under threat can email info@makingmusic.org.uk for support from Making Music and its partners.”
• Reading the Planet: Libraries in a Changing Climate – Youth Libraries Group. 16 to 18 September Conference in Sheffield. “We will be offering a virtual programme for those who cannot travel or who cannot afford the full conference. Those who sign up for the live conference will be able to access the virtual sessions for free.”

• Re-engaging Library Customers – LIEM Training. Webinar, 30 June, charged. “Even before COVID libraries faced the dual problem of reduced funding, but also, more worryingly, reduced usage. Our readers are getting older, using online sources of information or using their time in other ways. This has lead to a decline in the use, and possibly relevance, of libraries.”
• Schools and libraries face huge cuts after soaring costs create £1.7bn shortfall – Guardian. “School-building projects, swimming pools and libraries have been earmarked for emergency funding cuts because town halls have been hit by an unexpected £1.7bn hole in their budgets, the Guardian can reveal. Rampant inflation and soaring energy bills mean that council leaders have been forced to rip up financial plans from a few months ago” … “The deterioration in the financial outlook is rapid and unexpected. In January, when 2022-23 budgets were agreed, councils were typically factoring in average pay and inflation costs of about 3%. However, inflation is currently 9%, with the Bank of England predicting it to hit 11% by October.”

International news

• Global – Four impressive libraries nominated for the Public Library of the Year 2022 award – Systematic. “This year, four widely differing libraries have been nominated – from a library in the mountain-ringed city of Missoula in north-west USA to a library in the provincial town of Ogre in Latvia.”
• Ireland – Everything you always wanted to know about Irish Libraries – IFLA. Webinar, Monday 20 June.
• Ukraine – Ukraine Tells Its Libraries to Pull ‘Russian Propaganda’ From Shelves – Wall Street Journal. “Among the Russian books to be removed are those that: call for ending Ukrainian independence; promote war, national and religious enmity; promote change through violence of the constitutional order or territorial integrity of Ukraine; deny that the Russian Federation attacked Ukraine, according to parameters detailed by the ministry.”

• USA – Group of men disrupt Drag Queen Story Hour at California library – NBC News. Group of aggressive eight far-rightwingers (possibly “Proud Boys”) scream about paedophilia and terrify children. Event took place with windows covered after the men were removed. Library says nothing will stop them from celebrating Pride Month.
  • 5 ways public libraries are being used to fight food insecurity – Shareable. “Free, safe, and accessible to all, community-led libraries serve as a both a resource hub (providing education and information) and an access point, delivering food and other goods directly to the groups that need it most. Here’s how: …”
  • Book bullies attempt to hide our diversity – Chicago Sun-Times. ““Any book with a cover showing a person of color on it gets covered up,” explained Ginny Wehrli-Hemmeter, director of events and marketing at Anderson’s, one of the largest independent bookstores in the Chicago area.” … ““They have a website, a social media presence,” Caldwell-Stone said. “It’s stunning to see they have this idea that public libraries are just for them, and they should take actions to sanitize the library from materials that reflect the lives of gay, queer or transgendered people. It’s a real effort to silence the voices of communities that are finally finding a place on the public stage in our society so that we can understand the experiences of others.””
  • Healthy Aging at the Library – EveryLibrary. “Aging can be lonely, whether you live alone, miss old friends, or want to get out of the house occasionally. Public libraries understand these needs and offer activities, live and virtual, to engage seniors and help make connections with others.”
  • Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Targeted by Anti-LGBTQIA+ Vandalism – Library Journal. “the word “Groomer” was spray-painted on exterior library walls” … “a school librarian at Northview Elementary in Bowie, MD. Sutherland confessed to the vandalism and is currently facing two counts of malicious destruction of property and multiple hate crimes” [I had to read this twice to make sure I had got it right – Ed.]

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Bolton Town Centre Library to move to a temporary home from September – Bolton Council. “Bolton Council has secured the £23.9m Towns Fund and is investing in four key projects one of which is the upgrade of the library. An investment of £3 million has been secured for the work, the refurbishment will expand and upgrade the children’s area, improve social spaces and update the digital facilities in the main area with the addition of a mezzanine floor. A report proposing temporary relocation of Central Library will be considered by the Leader of the Council on 21 June.”
• Calderdale – Halifax library staff rescue rare peregrine falcon chick – Halifax Courier. “Calderdale Libraries said: “With her coordinator’s help, and some towel support from the chefs at Trading Rooms in The Piece Hall, little Cilip was taken back up to the library roof where mama could keep an eye on him.””
• Cheshire West and Chester – West Cheshire Museums sustainability festival begins in July – Standard. “There will also be a prize-giving for West Cheshire Libraries’ and West Cheshire Museums School Competition”
• Cornwall – Redruth’s former library building unveiled at community event on Murdoch Day – Cornwall Council. “A new Redruth Former Library Community Interest Company has plans to breathe new life into the striking historic building after agreeing with Cornwall Council to take on a five-year lease.”
• Coventry – More than a million library books read in Coventry’s City of Culture year – Arts Council England. “Launched by the Duchess of Cornwall and beginning in May 2021, One Million Reads Coventry (OMRC) was funded through Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants as part of the City of Culture programme and invited people to record everything they read over the year.”
• Croydon – South Norwood doesn’t want to see ‘incredibly ugly’ library demolished – Sutton and Croydon Guardian. “It is two years since a brand new library in the area was built but the service still hasn’t moved from it’s 1970s building loved by many fans of its architecture. More than 1,700 people signed a petition to save the brutalist library last year. There were fears the library would never move into its new home as the building, from council-owned developer Brick by Brick was not up to scratch. The new site in Pump House, next to Norwood Junction Station, still hasn’t opened despite signs on the window reading: “New library coming soon, delivered by Brick by Brick on behalf of Croydon Council.””
• Darlington – A first glimpse inside Darlington library during its £3.2m restoration – Darlington and Stockton Times. “The first artist’s impressions show how the £3.2m refurbishment is going to create light, airy rooms within the Gothic building full of comfortable workstations and collaborative areas.” … “In 2016, councillors voted to close the library and move its services into the Dolphin Centre to save £300,000-a-year, but the public outcry forced a rethink – and perhaps even a change in the political make-up of the council. A new Conservative-led administration was elected in 2019 and is now overseeing the library’s reshaping.”
• Enfield – ‘Sensory space’ launches at Enfield Town Library – Enfield Dispatch. “The facility, created by Enfield Council’s library services team, employs the latest in sensory technology to provide “a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment” specifically designed to help both children and adults develop through sensory play. The space includes an interactive projected floor, activity panels, an infinity mirror, colour changing mood lights and a projector TV.”
• Highlands – High Life Highland’s libraries to provide technological support for people living with type 2 diabetes – Highland Council. “The project is a partnership with NHS Highland, High Life Highland, Diabetes Scotland and AbilityNet to provide iPads, mobile internet connections, training and support for people at risk of diabetes and those newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.”

• Leeds – Yorkshire Ghostbusters fan, 8, with heart condition, hunts ghouls in library and thanked by mayor in dream day out – Yorkshire Post. “With the help of Make-A-Wish UK and a supportive community, George was driven to Leeds Central Library in the film’s famous Ecto-1 vehicle alongside a group of local Ghostbusters volunteers.”
• Manchester – Manchester Festival of Libraries returns for its second year – Manchester Council. “This year, there are roughly 100 vibrant events happening in Greater Manchester’s public libraries and special libraries. 20 of these events will take place in Manchester’s public libraries.” …”See Myself in Books is an initiative launched by Read Manchester and Manchester City Council to increase the diversity of children’s literature and to ensure characters come from a wide range of backgrounds.”
• Middlesbrough – ‘Always ahead of the game’: Innovative service launched in Middlesbrough libraries – Teesside Live. “It is the first service in the North East to add eMagazines to Borrowbox” … “Central Library has received £270,000 from the Libraries Investment Fund, plus an extra £30,000 in match funding, to provide technology upgrades to help the library adapt to the new ways people access its services.”
• Monmouthshire – Library’s 25th birthday upgrade – Forest Review. “Caldicot Library closed yesterday (June 9) for work to start on providing new flooring and two new community rooms at the Caldicot Hub where it is based.”
• Norfolk – Norwich Millennium Library awarded Library of Sanctuary status – Norfolk Council. “The award recognises that the libraries are safe and welcoming spaces for everyone and highlights our commitment to helping those seeking sanctuary have all the help and support they need to settle into the community.”
• Northamptonshire – Council agrees set to off-load three more libraries in final chapter of cost-saving saga – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “Out of the original 36 county libraries, 21 were surplus to statutory requirement” … Irchester, Rothwell and Raunds to become volunteer.
• North Yorkshire – Praise for Colburn community library’s welcoming refurbishment – Darlington and Stockton Times. “Richmond MP Rishi Sunak conducted the formal re-opening of Colburn Library after a refurbishment designed to create a bright and comfortable space to encourage use by the local community. The work was carried out after the charity which manages the library, asked the community” … “Low cost options were pursued including using kitchen worktops instead of standalone desks for the public computers, recovering soft furniture and reusing shelving. The library has been re-carpeted throughout, energy efficient windows installed and the computer suite relocated to improve the layout.”
  • The next stage of public engagement on the £450,000 revamp of Scarborough library will begin this month (June). – North Yorkshire Council. “The library has secured £200,000 through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports/Arts Council England Libraries Improvement Fund, which helps libraries upgrade their buildings and boost their digital offer. This grant, backed by a further £250,000 investment from us, will be spent on reconfiguring the ground floor to create a brighter, more attractive space with areas for relaxation, study and to meet friends”

• Nottingham – Landmark building wins major award – My Nottingham News. “The development of the new Broad Marsh Car Park, Bus Station and Central Library building has won a major construction industry award. The £50m project was winner of the Integration and Collaborative Working Award and came runner-up in the Building Project of the Year at the East Midlands Construction Excellence Awards.”
• Nottinghamshire – We Talk to Entrepreneurs on Overcoming Business Fears at Notts Libraries’ BIPC Mansfield launch – Left Lion. “four shiny new Business and IP Centres at Beeston, Bulwell, Mansfield, and Sutton-in-Ashfield Libraries. Run by Inspire Libraries on behalf of the County Council, entrepreneurs and business owners can meet with BIPC Advisors to discuss their business and access online reports and resources which have a combined worth of over £5 million.”
• Powys – Less than a fortnight left to join discussion on library hubs development – Brecon and Radnor Express. Survey in two parts: “Access to Services and Digital Exclusion Survey -will assess how easy or difficult it is for residents to access key services and information in Powys and how that might be improved by creating digital hubs in libraries where people can get support. Digital Hub Workspaces Survey – will gauge the interest in the development of workspaces within libraries aimed at people who might currently be working from home or those considering starting a small business.”
• Tower Hamlets – The London Underground station that has the ‘weirdest entrance’ in the basement of an old library – MyLondon. “Aldgate East station must have the weirdest entrance anywhere on the network as it is actually entered through an opening in the ground floor of Whitechapel Library. It’s one of the oldest libraries in London, and can feel like you are walking down the steps into the lost basement of a gothic mansion – one which wouldn’t look out of place in any Scooby Doo cartoon.”
• Warrington – Warrington Libraries’ first LitFest is a hit – Warrington Worldwide. “he week-long celebrations included the performance of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist by Neil Gore of Townsend Theatre Productions, at Padgate Library, which was sponsored by Torus and Unison. The Jubilee family fun day attracted 500 participants with sessions by Cheshire Fire and Rescue, Mulan Culture and The Warrington Signing Choir.”
• Wirral – Why you will see more than 8,000 flowers on display – Liverpool Echo. “8,372 white paper flowers will go on display at Birkenhead Central Library. Each flower will represent one Muslim man or youth who was killed in a bid to raise awareness of the tragedy and spread a message of unity and tolerance throughout the region.”
  • Wirral Council cuts: Golf courses and libraries spared – BBC News. “Libraries will be retained at Birkenhead Central, West Kirby, Wallasey Central, and Bebington Central, with a further four smaller locations in Eastham, Moreton, Upton, and Heswall. Libraries earmarked for closure in Hoylake, Irby, Pensby, Prenton, Wallasey Village, Higher Bebington and Woodchurch will also move to the next stage of a community asset transfer.”
  • Wirral’s first covid testing site to reopen as a library – Liverpool Echo. “Heswall Library, on Telegraph Road, was the first indoor covid testing site to open in the Wirral. First opened in November 2020, it remained open throughout the pandemic until the government ended the requirement for testing on Friday, April 1 of this year, when it was closed. The building has now been decommissioned as a testing centre and will resume its original purpose, as a community library, next week, on Tuesday, June 21. The council said that library staff have been working “flat out” to restore the space to its past life.”
• Worcestershire – New tech allows customers to visit county libraries after hours – Worcester News. “Libraries Unlocked membership is only available for those aged 16 and over however under 16s can visit during the new hours if accompanied by a member.”
• Wrexham – Build your own fun with Lego Clubs at Wrexham libraries – The Leader. Library news update.

Editorial

This week will go down in everyone’s memory as Platinum Jubilee week. Public libraries have played their part throughout the country, with flags, displays, coffee mornings and other events. An impressive number of librarians – no less than ten – have also been named in the Platinum Jubilee Honours. While there are arguments against as well as for Honours, I would argue that they at least boost the status of those holding them, which can be very useful.

I had the honour of speaking at the French library conference this week – due to my limitations online alas, rather than where it was taking place in Metz. While the cuts situation has apparently cooled off, for now at least, in many library services, it’s worth reminding ourselves that the UK is see as a warning for what could happen in many countries. The French librarians were anxious to learn about the situation and many were concerned that what happened here could happen there. And well they should. There have been one or two cases there of cuts recently. I remember the complacency of many librarians in the early 2000s. That has gone now in this country and those elsewhere would do well to learn what lessons there are from it.

Finally, well done to Knowsley, which becomes the 39th library service in the UK to go completely fines-free. For those wishing to know how it can be done, New Zealand has produced a toolkit on the subject, including case studies.

Changes by local authority

• Knowsley – Becomes fines-free.
• Monmouthshire – Caldicot Library being refurbished.

National news

• Are libraries open on Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday? – The Sun. “t is likely that your library will be open at some point across the weekend, although running on shorter hours for the Queen’s Jubilee. If you have a very small local library then you may find the library is shut as employee numbers are minimal.”
• Fun Palaces: The Library Special – Fun Palaces. “In this podcast, we meet librarian Zoey Dixon who will tell you all about why Fun Palaces are so perfect suited to libraries.”
• Helping jobseekers help themselves – Arts Council England. “investigates how jobseekers use libraries, and the role library services play in improving employment outcomes. The report recommends that libraries should take actions such as coordinating their support for jobseekers with other forms of jobseeker support, and reinstating in-person support for jobseekers in libraries that was paused because of the pandemic.”

• Nine Scottish libraries to loan out musical instruments – West FM. “There will be six libraries from Edinburgh, two from North Ayrshire, and one from Fife all part of the new project.” … ““There’s a music group going to be associated with each library. So, there’ll be music classes and taster classes for young people to try it out. And we’ve also got the tinderbox online music school, where people can get online lessons for free.””
• Not as I like it! War Horse author Michael Morpurgo says Shakespeare plays ‘need a bit of editing’ – Mail Online. “Sir Michael said: ‘Libraries, and particularly the librarians who work in them, are vital for us all, but especially for those who need them most.’”
• PRH UK donates entire audiobook library to charity Calibre Audio – BookSeller. “Under the new partnership, around 6,000 titles as well as future releases will be made freely available to Calibre’s 16,000 members, who have a range of disabilities that make reading and understanding text difficult, including visual impairments, learning disabilities, cognitive impairments and physical dexterity conditions. Earlier this year, the service was made available to people with long Covid …”
• Refugee week and Libraries of Sanctuary – Libraries Connected. Monday 13 June, 2pm. “In this webinar we will have an update on support for Ukrainian newcomers from Larysa Bolton from the Association of Ukrainian Women in the UK, Julie Hayward from Book Trust, and a more general update on the Libraries of Sanctuary submission process from Ashley Beckett of City of Sanctuary.
• Thousands of UK public buildings now have gigabit broadband – Techradar Pro. “The figure includes 1,200 schools, 340 libraries and 50 hospitals …”

Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours

MBE

• Catherine Mann. Head of Libraries and Arts, Staffordshire County Council. For services to Public Libraries.
• Christine May. Head, Libraries at Bradford. For services to Public Libraries.
• Helen Joy Osborn. Lately Director of Library Services, Libraries NI. For services to Public Libraries.
• Susan Lesley Williamson. National Director, Libraries, Arts Council England. For services to the Library Sector.
• Susan Elizabeth Wills. Assistant Director, Lifelong Learning and Culture, Surrey County Council. For services to Public Libraries.

BEM

• Anthony Lambert Tyrrell Brown. Chair, Suffolk Libraries. For services to Public Libraries
• Christopher John Lawrey Clarke. Company Secretary and Treasurer, Friends of Jesmond Library. For services to the community in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.
• Sorrelle Clements. Service Development Manager, Coventry Libraries. For services to Libraries.
• Susan Ann Comitti. Libraries and Heritage Service Manager, London Borough of Hackney. For services to Public Libraries.
• Robert John Jones. Library Service Manager, Isle of Wight Council. For services to Public Libraries.
• Emma Claire Noyce. Assistant Director, Culture and Information Services, Hampshire County Council. For services to Public Libraries during Covid-19.

• Bookworm and Arts Council boss Sue Williamson gets MBE for her work in the library service – Lancashire Post. Arts Council England director for public libraries.
• ‘Emma helped thousands of people access libraries during lockdown’ – Yahoo News. “Emma Noyce, 45, had only been in her post as Head of Hampshire’s Library Service for a year when Covid hit. After overseeing the closure of 48 libraries in just 24 hours, Emma quickly organised a team of staff to phone 500 vulnerable residents who would normally use the home library delivery service.” … “She then convinced senior leadership to invest in £100,000 worth of ebooks which resulted in an 84 per cent increase in daily loans.” … she “also inspired the digital library team to create an online timetable of events and activities including Baby Rhymetime, Story Time and bedtime stories, created on video by library staff. These were being watched more than 1,700 times a day.”
• Honours Week – Showcasing the best of the UK’s honours system – Cabinet Office.
• Islanders recognised for public service in Queen’s Birthday Honours list – Island Echo. “64-year-old Robert Jones from Rookley has been awarded a BEM for services to public libraries. Robert is the Isle of Wight Council’s Library Service Manager. Robert is an active member of the Libraries Connected regional network and was previously involved in the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians. He represented public libraries nationally on the Prison Library Service Partnership Board.”
• ‘Lovely surprise’: Hackney’s long-serving libraries manager recognised in Queen’s honours – Hackney Citizen. Sue Comitti: ““Hackney’s given me my career,” she said as she reflected on the work that has led to her being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday honours. It includes the refurbishment of Hackney Central, Clapton and Shoreditch libraries, and helping generations of residents discover a treasure trove of books and activities.”
• Man who fought to save Beccles Library named in Queen’s Birthday Honours – Beccles and Bungay Journal. “Anthony Lambert Tyrrell Brown, known as Tony, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his outstanding service to public libraries. The 67-year-old former chair of Suffolk Libraries initially started a campaign to save Beccles Library from closure, before becoming involved in a wider project to protect sites across the county. Mr Brown has been a member of the Suffolk Libraries board since 2013, including spending time as chair between 2013 and 2021.”
• Queen’s Jubilee birthday honours: Library manager gets BEM for autism work – BBC. “Sorrelle Clements is the Service Development Manager for Coventry Libraries and said “we’re not just about books”. She worked with parents of autistic children in the community to find ways to make library spaces more welcoming.”

International news

• Australia – One of Sydney’s most underrated treasures: our incredible libraries – Sydney Sentinel. “Rather than fork out hundreds of dollars a week for a co-working space where the fridge reeks and people get inordinately excited by ping pong, I get to work somewhere quiet and peaceful, with ample plug sockets and free WiFi. Membership is also free and entitles me to book private rooms to conduct phone calls and interviews. This, my friends, is why I pay my taxes.”

“As the UK closes libraries, we’re opening them in Sydney. And they look unlike any library I saw growing up in Britain, which were mostly dingy, unremarkable, cold and somewhat forgotten buildings.”

• Canada – Promoting Food Security in Public Libraries – Hamilton Public Library and McMaster University. “This project reviews relevant literature on food insecurity, investigates current food access initiatives in Hamilton, and outlines promising practices and initiatives from other Canadian public libraries to help inform HPL’s involvement in addressing food insecurity in Hamilton”
• Global – Odilo raises $64M as its white-label e-learning library passes 8,500 customers and 170M users – Yahoo. “Odilo has so far racked up 8,500 customers in 52 countries, covering some 170 million users in all, with the list including government bodies, libraries and education organizations like MIT, but also big corporate customers such as Google and Vodafone.”
• New Zealand – Removing Library Fines – Lianza. Excellent guide to how to remove fines including case studies. “Our toolkit helps libraries, councils and communities remove significant barriers to accessing trusted information, the joy of reading and connecting with others.”
• USA – Louisiana County Libraries Block Displays for Groups, Issues – Bloomberg. Libraries self-censor to avoid fighting. “Book displays targeting specific groups or topics such as Cajun heritage, Pride Month or Black History Month are prohibited indefinitely at public libraries in Louisiana’s Lafayette Parish, a newspaper reported.” … ““I’m doing this because everything’s a fight,” he said. “And if I put these books out right now, I feel like I am inviting people to challenge these books.””
  • DC is sending 10,000 copies of DC Pride 2022 anthology to US libraries – Pop Verse. “DC is doing this in partnership with PFLAG National, the US’s largest organization supporting LGBTQIA+ people and their allies.”

• How Rural Librarian Jessamyn West is Alleviating the Digital Divide – The Slate. Podcast. “a librarian in rural Vermont who’s working to improve computer literacy and access to library services in her community.”
  • Library, author, bookseller groups condemn legal action attempting to censor books in Virginia – ALA. “No book has been banned for obscenity in the United States in more than 50 years. Prohibiting the sale of books is a form of censorship that cannot be tolerated under the First Amendment.”
  • Once More for Those in the Back—Libraries Are Not Neutral – Publishers Weekly. “In a February New York Times editorial, conservative opinion writer Stanley Kurtz took to task the efforts of what he called “woke” librarians and pleaded for a return to “neutrality” in libraries. What Kurtz got wrong, however, is that libraries are not–and have never been–neutral.”. Those arguing for censorship have argued that having LGBT books on shelves is like having bleach accessible for children on the bottom shelves of shops. Those wanting to ban books wants libraries not to be neutral but rather biased towards them, and not others.

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Big borough book hunt hailed a huge success – Bolton News. “Bolton Library hid Lenny Henry’s new book ‘The Boy With Wings’ across the borough for a chance to meet Lenny in June and hear all about the book.” … “”The book hunt was very successful, with a fantastic response on social media which resulted in hundreds of families’ searching high and low across Bolton’s for books”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Six-year-old lands first prize in Jubilee art competition – Northwich Guardian. “The competition was organised across Cheshire West and Chester libraries, with two aspects – one for poetry and another for art.”
• Coventry – Coventry reaches One Million Reads – Coventry Council. “The project, which has been running throughout the City of Culture year, set the ambitious target of counting 1,000,000 reads across the city. HRH Duchess of Cornwall launched the project and submitted the ‘first read’ back in May 2021. Now, in May 2022, that figure stands at a staggering 1,262,798. Reads have been counted across Coventry’s libraries, as well as at universities, schools, and workplaces.”
• Halton – Book your Jubilee fun at your library – News Anyway.
• Knowsley – No more library fines in Knowsley – Knowsley News. Includes amnesty for late books. ““I hope the end of late charges will mean more residents will take out a library membership, visit their local branch and discover all Knowsley libraries have to offer.””
• Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries – listing of events for June 2022 including the Children and Young People’s Readers and Writers Festival – Brixton Buzz.
• Leicester – City libraries take part in Big Jubilee Read – Leicester Council. Also “lots of displays, events and activities”
• Liverpool – Business support scheme at Liverpool Central Library sees record year and supports hundreds of entrepreneurs – Business Live. “The Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Liverpool City Region said it had a record year, supporting more than 1,500 people between April 2021 and March 2022 – up 39% on the previous year.”
• Manchester – Festival of Libraries: what’s on at the Greater Manchester event, when it is and how to get tickets – Manchester World. “The Manchester UNESCO City of Literature’s Festival of Libraries celebrates the 133 public libraries as well as heritage and independent collections of books across the city-region.”
• Monmouthshire – Refurbishment to close Caldicot library for six weeks – South Wales Argus. “Caldicot Library is celebrating 25 years of providing books, community spirit and support this year. To mark the milestone, Monmouthshire County Council will be rejuvenating the community hub building in which its based. The refurbishments include new flooring, re-painting and the creation of two new community rooms, making the space ready for its next quarter century. “
• Newcastle – Newcastle named among 10 best places to raise a family in the UK – here’s why – Chronicle Live. “The figures also highlighted the number of museums (17) and libraries (35) in the city.”

• North Yorkshire – Knaresborough library closes for bank work – The Press. “The project will see a new community branch of the Newcastle Building Society created within the library building. Executive member for libraries, Cllr Greg White, said: “We can’t wait for the community branch to open which will offer the Society’s full range of services.”
• Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire eBook Short Story Competition 2022 winners announced – Oxfordshire Council. “An unconventional sci-fi story, a magical tree and a much loved grandad are the subjects of the well-scripted tales that have been selected as winners of Oxfordshire County Council Library Service’s eBook Short Story Competition for 2022.”
• Southampton – Southampton library celebrates Platinum Jubilee with residents – Southern Daily Echo. Tea and scones, tree planting.
• Warrington – Summer Reading Challenge to take place at LiveWire Libraries – Warrington Guardian. “Young volunteers between the ages of 14 to 24 are needed to help with activities and events for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge”
• West Sussex – Library mural gives insight into children’s vision of the future in Crawley – West Sussex Council. “Crawley Library unveiled its new mural depicting what the future of Crawley looks like to local nine- and ten-year-olds. The library was able to offer a previously blank wall at the entrance of the Children’s Library to display this 6ft x 6ft vinyl mural permanently, inspired by a series of interactive workshops over several months.”