• Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.
• Email Justin Tomlinson MP for Swindon about your concerns.  He is the chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for libraries to be launched in December. 
• Vote for public libraries to be campaigned on by the highly successful 38 degrees group, you can vote three times.

News

• A vital library we should not lose – Yorkshire Post.  “…the loss to Yorkshire of the Wakefield Music and Drama Library has not been fully reported. Almost it seems by stealth, or under the smoke screen of other spending issues, the 10 local authorities who have long supported this facility, unique in Yorkshire at least, are of a mind to pull the plug completely.”
• Has the Big Society been a big success or a big waste of time? – Radio Five Live (2h 44mins to 48mins).  Covers York Gardens Library (Wandsworth).  Council closed it but volunteers reopened it on 1st November, most deprived ward in Wandsworth.  12 to 16 volunteers need if library is to kept open “which on an ongoing basis is going to be quite difficult” and need to raise £70,000 via room rental.  Library again well-used though.  £35,000 council refurbisment plus £5,000 grant “from the Big Society” described as “drop in the ocean”.  Local councillor Jonathan Cook thinks volunteering is “tremendous” and “very exciting, it points the way perhaps to some future models for libraries working much more closely in partnership with libraries … providing extra capacity through volunteering … they have our full support”.  Volunteers asked if Big Society is working in library, volunteers pause and say “Hmmmmmm, we’ll have to wait and see”, “let’s come back in twelve months time and see”.  Councillor Joe Anderson, Liverpool boss (2:53 to 2:54) says he will be closing libraries.
• Justin Tomlinson MP needs to hear your story – We Heart Libraries.  “Do you want to share the story of what libraries have meant to you, and how they’ve been a positive influence on your life? Or maybe you just want to get your feelings about the recent cuts off your chest? Well, here’s a new opportunity to do just that…”
• Libraries have thrived, despite technological developments – Vancouver Sun (Canada).  “Libraries are essential today, as they have been for years. The fact that we live in an information age does not mean there is no place for libraries; in fact, they are more important than ever. John McTernan’s thoughts on the future of libraries, which were printed in The Vancouver Sun on Oct. 28, have already appeared in several newspapers in the British Isles. His opinions have been roundly criticized there, for good reason. He is wrong.” … “For many people, losing their library access would mean losing a vital part of their lives. Libraries are that important.” … long, detailed defence of libraries.
• Attack on libraries misreads public sentiment – Vancouver Sun (Canada).  “If you unplugged my cable TV I probably wouldn’t notice, but close my public library and my world would turn from colour to black & white. A final comment from my sixyear-old son, who, when I told him that some people didn’t bring their children to the public library, said, “But that’s just mean!” (and he was serious).”
• Why this working class whinger needs public libraries – From the Shop Floor. The one response Mr Mcternan liked.

• New figures show how cuts are damaging the library service nationwide – We Heart Libraries. “‘Death by a thousand cuts’ – it’s a bit of a cliche, but it’s also exactly what’s happening to the public library service around the UK, as new usage statistics have just revealed.” … “We believe library cuts are a false economy because depriving people of access to their services will only lead to the need for costlier and more difficult interventions later on – child literacy is a perfect case in point. It is also arguable that people experiencing the kinds of problems that lead them to seek social care benefit from early access to information and advice that goes some way towards reducing the pressure on acute services.”
• New political group to focus on literacy – National Literacy Trust.   “Amazingly, Parliament did not have an All Party Parliamentary Group for Literacy until last Tuesday. Which is  why I found myself in Dining Room B of the House of Commons explaining how to speak ‘dragonese’ to a backbench MP with a couple of members of the West End show Wicked….”
• The stock of the Scientific Library of Mainz city must not be dispersed! – Open Petition (Germany).  City of Mainz Scientific Library (670,000 books) may be broken up.  “Libraries are not just collections of books: they are treasure houses of the Spirit, a witness of the culture of a city and region. For the last two hundred years this been true for the Mainz Town Library, the successor to the Bibliotheca Universitatis Moguntina. Its historical and regional collections hold unique treasures from the Ninth Century to today”.  Petition has over 3,000 signatures. Please note article is in German.
• What can libraries learn about customer service from the retail industry –  ALIA (Australia).  Includes an examination of all the promotional techniques that can be used including stock rotation, marketing, greeting, etc.

Local News

• Row over Brent’s “you’re always near a library” claim – London Evening Standard.  “In defence of Brent’s decision to axe half its libraries council leader Ann John had said that – despite the closure of libraries in Barham Park, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton – “every resident in Brent will still be within 1.5 miles of one of the six libraries staying open in the borough”. But council bosses were forced to backtrack after new maps showed hundreds of residents in Brent already live more than 1.5 miles from a library since the closure of Barham Park.”.  Closures will increase this figure further.  This article also reported as Row over council’s Brent libraries claim  in the BookSeller. 
• Dorset – Top literary figures appeal to council over Dorset’s threatened libraries – Dorset Echo. “Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes and Minette Walters have written to Dorset County Council asking them to save nine libraries faced with losing funding ahead of a crunch meeting this week. “.  Meeting on Thursday morning to try to overturn decision to close libraries.

“I have it from the very top of the party that if savings can be achieved without the loss of libraries, nobody will be happier than they. The fact that both Conservative and Liberal Democrat MPs in Dorset support the movement to save the county’s libraries is surely a powerful argument for the truth of this.” Lord [Julian] Fellowes.

• Fife – Trust to “protect” future of culture – Fife Today.   “The new trust will manage and operate libraries, arts, museums and archives on behalf of the council, as well as theatre provision currently provided by ON at Fife (Adam Smith Theatre, Rothes Halls, Lochgelly Centre and Carnegie Hall) and the Byre Theatre, St Andrews.”
• Hertfordshire – DIY libraries plan could spell new chapter for customers – Herts & Essex Observer.  ““To help make the most of these important public spaces, we’re offering local voluntary groups the chance to use them out of hours. “While the buildings will not be staffed during these extended hours, the county council’s customer services team will be available to provide support via telephone.
• Northern Ireland – Fears that cuts to library hours will eventually lead to closure – Belfast Media Group.   “Carryduff councillor Geraldine Rice said she was “disappointed” by the news and urged Libraries NI to keep the current opening hours. “Three hours may not seem like very much but that’s how things begin. If the library has its hours cut and cut, it will continue to lose visitors and therefore it will become much easier to close it permanently somewhere down the line.”
• Oxfordshire – Keith Mitchell: End of an era at county hall – Oxford Mail.  “Blunt, outspoken, and unashamedly politically incorrect, Keith Mitchell has never shied away from making enemies.”… “But as cuts started to bite and Mr Mitchell fronted plans to cease funding youth clubs and libraries, his abrasive style began to alienate sections of the public. In increasingly personal attacks, he branded authors Colin Dexter and Philip Pullman as “well known Oxford lefties” and used The Oxford Times letters page to accuse one library campaigner of showing no love for vulnerable people – despite the fact she was an NHS psychologist who counsels dying cancer patients.”.  Philip Pullman wished him “a long and happy retirement”.  [This blog wishes him the same – as long as he does not even mention libraries ever again – Ed.]
• Suffolk – Libraries edge closer to IPS control – Diss Express.   “The running of 44 libraries in Suffolk is set to be transferred to an Industrial and Providential Society (IPS) after the move was backed unanimously by Suffolk County Council’s cabinet this afternoon.”
• Roads and library plans approved – EDP.   “The library service is to be transferred to an Industrial and Providential Society (IPS) if the move is agreed by the next full meeting of the county council on December 15.”
• Surrey – Dorking Library plans go on display at new venue – Get Surrey.   “The new multimedia facility will open on January 23 following the closure of the old library in Pippbrook House on New Year’s Eve.” … “Surrey County Council, which pushed through with the plans for the move despite opposition from campaigners keen to see the library remaining in Pippbrook House, said it would offer more space and benefit from technological advances.”
• Sutton – Libraries buck the national trend – Sutton Council.   “…in Sutton, there was a 4.12 per cent increase – with 1,484,976 visits to the borough’s nine libraries”.  “The figures show how highly valued our libraries are in our communities. While other authorities are closing branches, we’ve found that by locating them with other services, such as at the Life Centre, the Phoenix Centre and from the end of next year at the new Westcroft Leisure Centre, it enables them to stay open for much longer than was previously possible and attract more visitors – including many who wouldn’t use a traditional library.”
• Warwickshire – Village libraries call for your help to open longer – Courier.  “In a round of grants for groups hoping to take over libraries, Harbury Library received only £13,000 of the £23,000 it was hoping for. Given the need for maintenance on the 150-year-old former school, parish council chairman Cllr Tim Lockley said replacing equipment and buying new furniture might not be possible.”

Keith Mitchell, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council since 1999, and well-known despiser of library campaigners, is to stand down in May.  He called the leaders of those against his plans to close libraries and then, due to widespread protests, his later plans to reduce staffing in them as “well-heeled worthies“.  A keen admirer of Margaret Thatcher, Keith is always keen to point out that more money for libraries meant less money for social care, ignoring both the massive disparity between their budgets and the important social benefits of libraries themselves.  Curiously, it says on the BBC announcement that Mr Mitchell may do some volunteering when he leaves office.  One rather doubts that he would choose libraries for this or, indeed, if any library would have him.  It is to be hoped that his successor will be less keen on replacing paid staff in 21 branches with volunteers and will avoid criticising defenders of one of the nations’ most important pillars of society.

• Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.
• Email Justin Tomlinson MP for Swindon about your concerns.  He is the chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for libraries to be launched in December. 
• Vote for public libraries to be campaigned on by the highly successful 38 degrees group, you can vote three times.

News

House of Commons, 3rd November 2011

 Anchorage Public Library (USA) – Excellent promotional video full of message useful

for all libraries.  “You will notice when you go into a library, it’s not quiet at all”. … “a computer with broadband access in your house – that is the new poverty line”.

• Atkins: Keep our libraries out of corporate hands – Ventura County Star (USA).  City of Simi Valley trying to transfer management of libraries to LSSI before anti-privatising libraries laws comes into force in California.  “Today, sadly, many American cities are abandoning the proud tradition begun by Franklin and Jefferson in a paroxysm of radical pro-privatization ideology. They are placing public libraries in corporate hands, despite strong community backlashes against doing so.” Ex-Microsoft director.

“Paolini spent a lot of time in his local library when growing up and said it was the support of public, private and school libraries that helped launch the self-published edition of Eragon. “When the apocalypse happens, it’s going to be libraries that save civilisation,” he said, referring to public spending cuts to libraries in the UK. “They are the storehouses of knowledge and, as much as I love computers and ebook readers and all that, all it takes is a bad solar storm or an electromagnetic pulse, or something of that nature, to wipe out all of the digital records.” He said libraries were “incredibly important”, and education and libraries were “investments” in society and the future.” Bookshops gear up for the great “Independence” rush – Independent. 

• Help save this vital musical resource – Sheffield Telegraph.   Director of Sheffield Sterndale Singers and Sheffield Chamber Choir writes letter in support of Music and Drama Service Library.  “If the service were to cease operating and the collection lost, the effects would be felt across the music and drama world.” … “National campaigns began only hours following the announcement, and hundreds of Sheffield musicians have signed a petition which was being presented yesterday to Sheffield City Council, calling on the council, through its representative, to support the deferment of any decision on the future of the service pending proper consultation with its users.”
• His libraries, 12000 so far, change lives – New York Times (USA).   “I came here to Vietnam to see John Wood hand out his 10 millionth book at a library that his team founded in this village in the Mekong Delta — as hundreds of local children cheered and embraced the books he brought as if they were the rarest of treasures. Wood’s charity, Room to Read, has opened 12,000 of these libraries around the world, along with 1,500 schools.” Ex-Microsoft director says “In 20 years,” Wood told me, “I’d like to have 100,000 libraries, reaching 50 million kids. Our 50-year goal is to reverse the notion that any child can be told ‘you were born in the wrong place at the wrong time and so you will not get educated.’ That idea belongs on the scrapheap of human history.”
• How to tell if they really love your library – Designing Better Libraries (USA).   Examine advanatages and pitfalls of “I Love Libraries” message and other marketing strategies.
• Library without books is on UF “wish list” – Gainesville Sun (USA).  University of Florida.  “The study center, which would consist of ample seating and some computers but zero books, is now on the “wish list” for the university’s future, she said.” … “The experience would be one where students bring in their laptops or work on available computers to access the library’s extensive electronic collection of books, research articles, course reserves and academic journals. Millions of materials are available through the George A. Smathers Libraries website.” 

Changes

Brent – Willesden Green Library will close in 2012.  £560k annual cost of running Willesden Green will be used for events in “pop up venues”, book storage and temporary facilities.

Local News

• Brent – Campaign update: pop-up library – Save Kensal Rise Library.   “Still open seven days a week 9-5pm. Thank you to all the volunteers who have been turning up. Lovely to see you all. Thank you for the donations of books and plants and the general love that is being directed at the library.”
• Illogical, wasteful and arrogant: Welcome to 21st Century Brent – Preston Library Campaign.   “Willesden Green Library, whose virtues were extolled ad nauseum by Ann John is to be knocked down next year.  And that is one of the saved libraries. So that’s leaves 5 libraries, none of which have enough capacity for the extra users they are supposed to now be serving. Why? Because it was (whisper it) Performing poorly. Unlike Preston. And it was supposed to be the place Kensal and Cricklewood users were to go to.”… “2 floors of the biggest library in Brent will be reduced to a tiny office space, 130 study spaces reduced to 8, books will have to be out in storage costing £9,000 a year, and they’ll have lirbary events in “pop-up” ve,ues around Brent.”
• Long march to Kingsbury Library – Preston Library Campaign.   “Walk to Save Preston Library. Locals from children to octagenarians walked en masse to their “next nearest library” in Kingsbury  from South Kenton. With no direct public transport, the walk highlights how the new library system in miles out.” … walk took one hour, library was small.

“A mother with two young sons said it just didn’t feel like her ‘local library’. At Preston she had known all the staff and felt comfortable to let her children explore the library without close supervision. She had known most of the users by sight.  Localism and feelings of safety and ease would be missing if she had to use this library.”

• Public lies, private apologies – Preston Library Campaign.  “We should be used to it. Whether it’s telling us our library was poorly located and low usage (it was neither), or that they are forced to make budget cuts, or  that we are getting a better service… its always the same. But then, as we take our Appeal to the High Court next week, there is – sadly – no law against politicians lying.”
• Save Kensal Rise Library survey – Save Kensal Rise Library.   “We plan to use the findings to demonstrate to Brent Council how local people feel, what impact the closure is having and whether we can persuade them to revisit their decision to shut the library.”.  Survey takes about five minutes, asks about library use, who is to blame for closures, desire to help out.
• Camden – Is it a sad goodbye to our special library? – From Fun to Mum.   “As of March, three small and friendly neighborhood libraries will close down, one in Hampstead Heath, one in the heart of Primrose Hill and our one, in between the two in Belsize Park. We have a big and new and state of the art one about 15 minutes walk away by Swiss Cottage tube station and that will be where I will take Little Miss G from March on. It has no charm and it is full of rules about pushchairs and what not, but this is it, that will become our new local library.” …“The lovely Tania, who runs Rhyme Time, is the very reason why this Italian mum  has finally learned some English nursery rhymes ” … “ it is really only now that I feel truly part of the community, and this little library and the small park in front are the very reason for it. “
• Dorset – County Council under fire after Dorchester library investigation – Dorset Echo.   KPMG critical over mover of library/offices to new premises.  Alternative sites not sufficiently looked at, needs of library service overlooked.  “It is costing the whole of Dorset a lot of money and, quite frankly, you could well argue that we have lost nine libraries to buy one. It’s unnecessary and thinking big without taking more time to think about the consequences.” says library campaigner.
• Rallying cry to Dorset library campaigners – Dorchester People.   “Tim Lee, deputy chairman of the campaign group Ad Lib, is calling for people to lobby their county councillors before a vote on the libraries in Dorchester on Thursday. He also wants as many people as possible to gather at the front entrance of County Hall before 10am when the Dorset County Council meeting starts.”
• Oxfordshire – County Council leader to stand down – BBC. “The leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Keith Mitchell, is to stand down in May, the BBC has learned. Mr Mitchell, 65, wrote to fellow members of the Conservative Party group, which he has led since 1999, informing them of his decision.”
• Suffolk – New library plan may just add more labour – Diss Express.  ““We’re encouraged by the county council’s latest move and welcome the news that no library will close, although we’re not entirely over the moon as pretty much all it means is extra work.” says campaigner. 
• Charity organisation may be formed to take over Suffolk’s libraries while mobile service will be cut – Haverhill Echo.  Tax exemptions of move of libraries into Industrial and Provident Society explained.  “The move secures the future of libraries in Kedington and Clare which had been under threat from council cuts earlier this year.”

• Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.
• Email Justin Tomlinson MP for Swindon about your concerns.  He is the chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for libraries to be launched in December.

News

• Amazon launches Kindle lending library for US – BookSeller.  “Russ Grandinetti, vice-president of Kindle Content, said the move into book lending had followed its recent offer of Prime Instant Video, which offers film and television to Prime members. He said: “We’re excited to expand that investment to books—with this launch, we expect three immediate results: Kindle owners will read even more, publisher revenues will grow, and authors will see larger royalty checks.”.  Comments make clear that none of the “Big Six” US publishers have signed up as yet.
• Amazon starts lending books but Head of ALA says libraries still offer best value – Digital Shift (USA).  “The Amazon collection, to start, is small at about 5000 titles, and access is limited to those who both own a Kindle device and also subscribe to the Amazon Prime fast shipping and video streaming service, which costs $79 a year.” … “A user can borrow one book a month, with no due date, and any notes or highlights are saved even after the book is returned in case the book is later re-borrowed or purchased. When a new book is borrowed, the previously borrowed title disappears from the device.”
• Axeing region’s vital music library will only create discord – Yorkshire Post.   Long letter showing how terrible the closure of specialist library would be.  “It has helped launch the careers of thousands of professional musicians during their preparatory years of learning and exploration. We cannot allow this national resource to be stopped because it is not considered cost effective to be moved to the new library facility planned for YLI.”
• Espresso Print-on-Demand book machines making inroads at public libraries – Digital Shift (USA).  “Patrons will be able to print books on demand for a fee—in the range of about $8 to $12 for a 200-page book. The EBM’s database, EspressNet, currently includes some four million public-domain titles—including many from Google Books—as well as 2.8 million in-copyright works from publishers, with more on the way. (SPL licenses the database at a cost of $25,000.)”.  However, machines cost $151k each.
• Libray usage: worse to come unless councils change course – Voices for the Library.  “These figures are particularly significant as in the previous years library issues had remained stable.  In fact, both 2008/9 and 2009/10 saw higher book issues than in 2007/8.  So, after two years of stabilisation (if not slight growth), why has there been a sudden drop in book issues now? The answer is, of course, obvious. Since the 2009/10 figures were reported, there has been a steady and determined assault on our public libraries.”
• Library usage falls as branches close – Guardian.   “”The great scandal is that opening hours are being slashed to ribbons,” said library campaigner and twice Carnegie-shortlisted author Alan Gibbons. “If communities don’t know when a library is open how can adults and kids use them? When councillors reduce opening hours they are starting a self-fulfilling spiral of decline. The main responsibility for this is the dismal failure of leadership at the DCMS.”.  Article largely follows Alan Gibbons while, strangely, giving prominence to the relatively small number of libraries closed.
• Library campaigners: CIPFA stats “will get worse” – BookSeller.   ““These figures are really for the period before the major cuts started. We have a very serious situation. People within the profession are totally demoralised.” However, he added: “It doesn’t have to be like this. The sector desperately lacks leadership. We need advocacy. Several successful authorities have been bucking the trend – it can be done.”
• UK library visits fall by 7.5 million – BBC. Summarises the more depressing aspects of the CIPFA figures, also mentions Brent.  “Meanwhile, figures from Nielsen BookScan data suggest that sales of printed books in October fell 7% from the same month last year.”

“No brownie points for the DCMS however. The government is running down the service at an alarming rate. It is using the spurious cover of ‘localism’ to drive what is in reality a centralist agenda. Cut funding, refuse to intervene to implement the 1964 Libraries Act then throw up your hands and whine that it is your local council that is responsible. Politically quite clever in a Machiavellian kind of way and morally indefensible. The British public deserves better. You get what you pay for” – Alan Gibbons

• Should we close our libraries? – AM1150 (Canada).   “So far this year 428 libraries have been closed or are facing closure in the U-K but here in B-C it’s a different story. While we haven’t shut any libraries down the debate rages on whether libraries and books are still being used, or whether it’s moved to the digital age.” … “There has been no move by the Canadian government to show they are planning on shutting libraries, but the closures in the U-K but be an indication of things to come.”
• There is no frigate like a book and no harbour like a library – Sara Paretsky (USA).   Urges people in Chicago to help save their library service.  “Libraries in every jurisdiction in this country and in the UK are under similar threat.  If you live outside Chicago, the American Library Association can help you find out your library’s status, and how to take action to protect it.”

Changes

Bedford – £229k investment in self-service, computers and study areas.  
Bradford – Addingham Library volunteer-run since 1/1/11.  Denholme and Wrose will be volunteer-run by end of month.
Calderdale – Central Library may be replaced by entirely new building in regeneration plan.
Fife – Libraries/theatres/archives/arts/museums to be turned into a Trust. £639k expected to be saved per year due to tax avoidance.
Islington –  £565k investment Self-service to be installed in all branches to save £250k per year via losing staff.
Stockton – £1.29m spend on Central Library: now reopened with council “one stop shop”, self-service, technology suites.

Local News

• Bedford – Borough council library modernisation programme – About My Area.  £229k for self-service, Central Library will have more study space and computers.  ” “Many local authorities have been forced to make library closures, but despite severe budget constraints we are investing in our library service and have not closed any of our libraries. Bedford Central Library will close for a temporary period only, and we hope that future visitors will enter its doors in anticipation to see the new look library, which will be even easier to use. The library will continue to offer a wonderful place to enjoy a book or to work and study.”
• Bradford – New chapter as volunteers take over at Addingham library – Ilkley Gazette.  Addingham Library became volunteer run on Tuesday 1st November.  “The library is now open for more than twice the hours it was under Bradford Council management, and has around 40 volunteers. Addingham was one of five libraries earmarked earlier this year for closure under Bradford Council cutbacks.”.  Hours “doubled” from 6.5 to 13 hours per week. 40 volunteers involved.
• Brent – Private Eye comments on Brent crisis – Private Eye (via Alan Gibbons).  Notes inaction by Government ministers.  “As well as starting to empty and board up the libraries, which remain closed until the appeal next month, Brent cancelled many of the events of “Word Up”, a borough-wide literary festival taking place in those libraries around Children’s Book Week. These events included making heritage collages, treasure hunts and a talk entitled “Yes you can!” For many people in Brent who want to use a public library, the answer is now: “No, you cant!”
• Calderdale – Council’s plan for multi-million pound transformation of centre – Yorkshire Post. “the council wants to create a new central library and archive next to the Square Spire and linking into the historic Piece Hall – itself the subject of a £16m redevelopment if Lottery funds allow.” … paid for by selling other council buildings.  Old library will be demolished.  ““While local authorities across the land are struggling to keep their libraries and archives open, Calderdale is about to embark on an exciting development which will see a completely new and purpose-built library and archive. ” 
• Cornwall – “Burn bible” display withdrawn – Pirate FM. Bodmin library display showing books that should be burnt (chosen by customers) showed Mein Kampf but also the Bible.  Local christians complained and library withdrew display.  [Freedom of speech and impartiality fo libraries both do not come out well in this article – Ed.]
• Fife – A culture of Trust – Fife Today.   “The new trust will manage and operate libraries, arts, museums and archives on behalf of the Council, as well as theatre provision in the Kingdom, for ON at Fife (Adam Smith Theatre, Rothes Halls, Lochgelly Centre and Carnegie Hall) and The Byre Theatre. It will be the fourth trust to be set up in the Kingdom, joining those for Sports and Leisure, Golf, and Coast and Coutryside.”
• Councillors back plan to move services under control of new Fife Cultural Trust – Courier.   “Buildings remain under council ownership and are leased to the trust. Artifacts and artworks in museum collections, non-renewable library stock and archives will also be owned by the council.”
• Gloucestershire – New hope for Moreton library – Tewkesbury Admag.   Hours slashed earlier this year.  Hoped that opening building to other groups would extend.  ““The county council is investigating the possibility of the library premises being shared with other bodies. They could open Moreton library up to the original hours.””
• Hertfordshire – Libraries to be loaned out of hours – Comet.   “Herts County Council (HCC) is proposing to offer library buildings to groups out-of-hours, and is now in a position to start looking into pilot schemes, although a spokesman said the council did not yet know where these would be.”.  Worries over this ensuring recently savagely cut (by one-third) opening hours stay in place despite previous assurances that they would rise again when times improve, confusion about when libraries are open, concerns over security.
• Islington – Self-service could make Islington libraries like supermarkets – Islington Gazette. “Cllr Terry Stacy, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition, said: “The next thing we know, libraries will be run by Tesco. It will be much more impersonal and soulless. Our libraries have always prided themselves on the personal touch and that’s what residents like and expect.”.  Council says ” “We are keeping all 10 libraries open and spending the same on books. If things get better, we have retained all our libraries and would be able to increase opening hours again.”
• Stockton – Services in one place as Stockton Library reopens – Gazette Live.  £1.9m refurbishment, with council services on first floor (meaning four council desks elsewhere close), more self-service.  “There is a specialist technology suite for blind and visually impaired people, another suite is dedicated to local and family history and a multi-media conference facility caters for up to 100 people.”
• Suffolk – Libraries to need begging bowl to stay open – Tendance Coatesy.   “The Industrial and Provident Society (IPS), is a complicated means of community involvement. Why do we need a “middle-man?” Why does the County want to put a company in the middle, between the electorate and its elected Councillors? The County Council seems to be suggesting that this is better than the system we have at the moment. Is it suggesting that elected County Councillors don’t actually engage properly with their communities?”
• Society to take over libraries – Newmarket Weekly News.   “The society would hold charitable status but be funded by a council grant.”.  Councillor says “We are not abandoning the idea of community groups becoming involved in the running of their libraries – we have found that many would actually welcome that.”

• Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.
• Email Justin Tomlinson MP for Swindon about your concerns.  He is the chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for libraries to be launched in December.
  

• Arts Council England launches strategic funding and 2011-15 plan – Arts Council England.   Details of £440m of investment, including for libraries.  35 page document.  “will extend to our new responsibilities for museums and libraries as we look to understand how these important areas can become central to the Arts Council’s work. We see this uniting of the cultural sector as an unprecedented opportunity”. Looking at collaborations between arts/museums/libraries etc. Confirms that ex MLA staff have largely taken over new ACE posts – “37 of 53 new or transferred roles being filled by staff from the MLA“.
• Chinese public libraries see record number of patrons – Xinhua (China).  “China’s 2,880 libraries received about 330 million visits in 2010, according to a document released by the Ministry of Culture on Wednesday at an annual meeting on public library projects in the city of Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province. China’s public libraries contain about 140,000 computers and 80,000 digital reading rooms, nearly triple the number in 2005, according to the document.”
• Conference notes, Reading for Pleasure – bringing the classics to life, 20 October – Guardian.   “Links between school groups and public libraries was discussed as being extremely important.”

“In line with the Local Government Association’s (LGA’s) Taking the Lead approach to sector-led improvement, which the Government support, Arts Council England (ACE) and the LGA have no intention of imposing performance targets on local authorities… ACE will launch the libraries development initiative next month with the aim of building on the Future Libraries programme.” Ed Vaizey answers his shadow Dan Jarvis, House of Commons 31st October. 

Be careful … – courtesy of Cirquedesreeves

• Library card is a barrier to library use – Librarian 1.5 (Scandinavia).  “hy do we insist that library members log into library websites with library card number and a pin-code? Why not let them have the option to log in with their Facebook  credentials, OpenID, Google- or Twitter login? I see this option at more and more sites and would like to have this possibility available for my library members as well.” Cards are (a) only used for one thing and (b) only have the library card number on and (c) can be lost.
• Newly hired librarian completely unaware that books exist – Insert Eyeroll (USA).  Spoof article ““Well, this is completely inefficient. I checked Amazon, and most of these books are available online. We’ll get rid of these things and people can download them on their tablets. We’ll partner with Amazon or something.” When asked about library holdings that weren’t available online, she considered her options. For a moment, Olivo looked troubled. “If they weren’t online, it’s probably because … they weren’t very good?” She brightens immediately. “Yeah, let’s burn this shit.” “That’s the kind of out-of-the-box thinking that this library needs,” said Excelsior CEO and President John Foster. “Ms. Olivo has a future in information management.”
• UK library cuts proceeding apace – World Socialist Web Site.  “In spite of protests all over the country, library closures and cutbacks are proceeding as planned.”.  Accurate survey of cuts [has the author been using Public Lbiraries News? – Ed.].  Critical of union involvement so far … “The role of the unions has been to issue token statements of support for those opposing library closures while ensuring that no effective action is taken.”
• Wales’ libraries fortnight – News Wales.   “Many libraries in Wales will be taking part in the Libraries Fortnight, which is happening from 1-14 November. The Libraries Fortnight comprises a programme of free events for all the family in libraries and communities across Wales. The theme linking all the events is the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme, which inspires creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people.”
• YLI campaign support – Making Music.   “Since emailing our 3,000 members on Friday 28 October, we have received over 1,050 emails and letters in support for this campaign, copying communications which have been sent direct to the YLI Council. A staggering response! But not a surprising one, given the far-reaching implications of this situation.”.  Music and Drama library serving Yorkshire is likely to close.

 Buckinghamshire – Farnham Common Community Library handover “I know that older people use it and kids read books like mad so saving a library is such an important thing to do” Johnny Ball.

• Camden – Plan to create Romantic poets centre to save Hampstead library – Ham & High.  Heath Library may be taken over by Heath & Hampstead Society if agreed by the City of London Corporation who own the building.  ““We want to create a literary and literacy centre based around the core elements of Keats and the Romantic poets.”
• Doncaster – Reprieve for Doncaster’s closure-threatened libraries – BBC.   Carcroft and Denaby Libraries, due to close, will stay open until 10th November after Labour group raises objection.  Decision to close will be go to overview and scrutiny committee.
• Kent – Big Society fails to take off in Kent – Kent Online.   “Kent County Council has yet to spend a single penny of a £5 million ‘Big Society’ fund it has set aside to help volunteer groups to take over council-run services.”
• After his victory, what next for council chief? – This is Kent.   “Mr Carter was forced to backtrack over his plans to close libraries but is now trying to encourage community groups to run small branches which don’t get much use. He said: “There won’t be any closures until we have explored all the options, including community ownership.”
• Northern Ireland – Fighting for library hours – Lurgan Mail.   “Last month the ‘Mail revealed plans to cut hours at Lurgan Library from 53 and a half to 40. Since then the proposal has been roundly criticised by politicians and library users alike.”
• Oxfordshire – Bid to stop linking library and care cuts – This is Oxfordshire.   ” County Council will today debate whether library cuts should be linked to reductions being made to social care.” … Council Leader had linked the two issues.  “At the council’s budget in February, it was announced £37m would be saved by cutting social care and £2m by closing libraries.”
• Portsmouth – The way we use our libraries is changing – News.  “Across the country, library visits and book issues have tumbled – almost to the level of collapse.” … library services manager says “‘Visits are down and the number of books taken out has dropped to less than one per person, per visit. Most people aren’t coming in to borrow books.’” – ebooks, use of archives and other reference facilities mean the same number of people are using libraries but in different ways.  Also includes council and cancer information points.  Hampshire librarian says same thing – deep budget cuts and visitor numbers down.  ” ‘Lending figures have fallen, but people come for information, to use the computers and to meet with friends. It’s vital to us to make sure they can continue to do that, with at least one library open near to every Hampshire resident.’
• Reading – Return to lender, libraries missing 2500 books – Get Reading.   “Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request showed at the start of the month borrowers from Reading Borough Council libraries had 2,418 overdue books – which could be worth more than £14,000 if they reach their maximum fines.” … “Council spokeswoman Sarah Bishton said: “The majority of these overdue books will be returned to Reading libraries and most were overdue by only a couple of days so there is only really a small impact on other users.”
• Suffolk – Reassurances sought over Suffolk County Council library organisation – EDP.  Eye Library campaigner unsure if new Industrial and Provident Society will pay for staffing.  Also worried that money already promised by Suffolk Council to help the transfer to volunteers may be lost.
• Council reveals how it will keep libraries open – Evening Star.  Newspaper appears to copy article from council press release, now taken off server.
• Proposes charitable trust model for libraries – BookSeller.  “Under the proposal, no library would close although the council is still looking for widespread involvement from local community groups, with libraries expected to generate the remaining 5% of their costs through “efficiency savings” and money-making projects.”

“Under the new regime which is about to come in, the libraries would avoid paying business rates, but now that money would reduce the pot in their own local council, which, they will suddenly see when they read the bill, is not a good idea at all. None of these things are actual savings- they are just accounting niceties within the realms of government.” Tim Coates

“Thanks to all who came to support reopening of YGLibrary this evening. Great evening and wonderful to see so many people using the library!” Wandsworth – Save York Gardens Library (Twitter).

• Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.
• Email Justin Tomlinson MP for Swindon about your concerns.  He is the chair of the new All-Party Parliamentary Group for libraries to be launched in December.
  

News

• All hail the public library – Newsarama (USA).  Greg Pak: “In honor of the public libraries that provided me with constant, free access to knowledge, literature, and inspiration, here are a few musings about the stories that compelled me as kid…. 

“Good to meet 12 apprentices at local McDonalds yesterday” Ed Vaizey, minister (technically) for public libraries, tweet of the day.  Apprentices get from £2.60 per hour for two years.  

• Higgins addresses the 2011 Annual Conference of the Northern Ireland Theatre Association – Michael D Higgins (Eire).  The new President of Ireland speaks on libraries, amongst other things.  “”Another striking statistic is that 40 per cent of those using PCs in public libraries were non-nationals and 44 per cent were unemployed.”
• Internet (Governance) – They Work For You.   “It follows that the exploitation of online delivery options by the Government needs to be costed in a way that ensures the availability of services to those who do not go online, which might involve paying for facilitation, perhaps at local libraries or in post offices. However, if it is not built into the Government’s model, it will bring online delivery into disrepute and widen the digital divide into a chasm, ultimately creating a problem that will involve even more expense to solve than building in the solution at the design stage.” Alun Michael MP at a Westminster Hall debate.

“I started to cry. Readers looked up reproachfully, and the librarian reprimanded me, because in those days you weren’t even allowed to sneeze in a library, let alone weep. So I took the book outside and read it all the way through, sitting on the steps in the usual northern gale. The unfamiliar and beautiful play made things bearable that day… ” Jeanette Winterson: all about my mother – Guardian.  As part of a longer piece, describes how important he local library library was to her while she was growing up – the public library helped her to survive.

• Public Libraries in the UK – Deborah Fitchett (New Zealand) summarises keynote talk given by Martin Molloy at LIANZA conference on the national libraries picture in the UK including budget cuts, technological change, protests and need to emphasise importance of service to councils and politicians. In partial note form but makes interesting reading.  Mr Molloy is chief of libraries for Derbyshire.  “Enviable usage figures and exception satisfaction levels. But confusion and lack of competence of politicians re purpose and value of libraries. Public library community also confused, lack of confidence, clarity, vision – librarians ill-equipped to defend services. “Toxic mix of short-term fixes and so-called radical solutions.”

Changes

Doncaster – Cantley Library may be moved to Sycamore School as part of community centre.  Questions over if any of the 12 branches council says will be volunteer run will find necessary volunteers.

Local News

• Doncaster – Overview & Scrutiny (Round Two), Mystery Volunteers and the Silent Death of our Library Service – Save Doncaster Libraries.  Labour have called in plans for scrutiny on Nov 10th due to worries over Equalities Impact Assessment.  Sprotborough Library Action Group does not wish to run library regardless of what council says, similarly in Bessacar.  “We are not convinced that any groups have expressed an interest in running libraries – this is not because libraries are not wanted or needed – the outcome of consultations has already shown that people think libraries are important – but because, as we have repeatedly stated, Doncaster communities are in no position to run libraries.”
• Oxfordshire – Save the back office at all costs – Question Everything.   “The library service is being cut by 25% and of that 25%  almost all the cuts are to the front line 86.22%.” … “Keith [leader of Council] will keep spouting the social care v libraries nonsense to wind the voters of Oxfordshire up and muddy the waters. He should get the back office sorted before a single front line service gets cut. By the time voters get a chance to have their say on his competence in 2013 he will be long gone as his division will have disappeared.”
• Westminster – Miserable Rich and the Real Tuesday Weld – Songkick.   “It’s time to stock up on garlic and deck the halls with boughs of cobwebs as Arctic Circle presents a special co-headline show with The Real Tuesday Weld and The Miserable Rich this Halloween within the spooky confines of the Westminster Reference Library.”