• “What constitutes a comprehensive and efficient library service for the 21^st century?” – The phrase “comprehensive and efficient” relates to the definition of the 1964 Act governing library provision.  That the Inquiry adds on “for the 21st Century” at the end suggests that, perhaps, it is seeking to change the definition.  It may be considering the argument of detractors that branches are not so important in the age of the internet and the ebook.  Campaigners must demonstrate that this is not the case.
• “the extent to which planned library closures are compatible with the requirements of the Libraries & Museums Act 1964 and the Charteris Report” – This again relates to what constitutes a proper public library service and is perhaps asking what number of libraries, in what configuration, should be seen as necessary in each authority.  That the Charteris Report is mentioned will be welcomed by many library campaigners.  This report is widely seen as being an effective argument for public libraries and it is favourable that it’s conclusions will be part of the formal Inquiry.
• “the impact library closures have on local communities“.  There is much evidence now available on this subject due to activities of both councils and of campaigners.  Anyone just seeing the boarded up walls of Brent’s closed libraries – and what the heartbreaking messages that their ex-users have written on them – will consider the case amply put.
• “the effectiveness of the Secretary of State’s powers of intervention under the Public Libraries & Museums Act 1964.”  These powers are completely ineffective at the moment as it is clear that the Secretary of State will not use them unless forced to do so.  It is to be hoped that the Inquiry can do something about this.

423 libraries (333 buildings and 90 mobiles) currently under threat or closed/left council control since 1/4/11 out of c.4612 in the UK, complete list below. Librarian professional body CILIP forecasts 600 libraries are under threat (inc. 20% of English libraries).  The Public Libraries News figure is obtained from counting up all reports about public libraries in the media each day.

Actions

• Write about your views on public libraries to the Select Committee on Culture Media and Sport.  Email cmsev@parliament.uk with “library closures” in subject line. Emails stand more chance of being effective if they give your views on (1) “what constitutes a comprehensive and efficient library service for the 21st Century”, (2) to what extent library closures are compatible with the law and the Charteris Report, (3) the impact closures have on communities and (4) the effectiveness of the secretary of state’s powers of interviention.  Deadline: 12th January 2012. NB full details on how to submit your views are here.  More guidance on giving written and verbal evidence is here. 
• 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

• Bridges over the digital divide – Guardian.   “At a time when many local authorities have cut back on their library services, Brighton & Hove city council has made them central to improving its performance and the experience of service users”.  Libraries set up volunteer-staffed IT assistance to encourage internet use – 60% of library users don’t have the internet in certain libraries.
• Culture, Media and Sport Committee: Library Closure Inquiry announced – FoGL.   “We will be submitting evidence. We are sure we played a big part in prompting them into action with our high court victory. As you may remember many of us wrote to the DCMS (who are supposedly, although we have not seen much proof of this yet, responsible for superintending the provision of public libraries) over the year asking them to intervene in Gloucestershire and a group of us went to London to see DCMS officials in April http://foclibrary.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/fogl-meet-with-dcms-officials-over-concerns-around-gccs-library-plans/ they did nothing however and allowed GCC to continue down its unlawful path.”

• Select committee to put libraries under spotlight – BookSeller.   Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport will hold inquiry on library closures. Campaigners and CILIP “delighted”.   “Tim Coates, chair of umbrella group Libraries for Life for Londoners, said: “At long last the culture select committee have decided to interrogate the activities of the DCMS because that is their job.” However, he warned that to have any authority, the committee needed to explain why it had allowed the DCMS to ignore the findings of the last committee inquiry, chaired by Gerald Kaufman, published in 2005. Coates said it found the library service was in poor condition and made recommendations for its improvement.”

Changes

• Lambeth – Self-service to be introduced in at least some branches, wifi in all.  Confirmed Waterloo Library will be moved so site can be sold. 
• Rotherham – £500k cuts from budget of £3.3m before March 2014.   Cuts already identified mean less opening hours (£40k), bookfund/materials fund cut (£80k over two years), events cut (£16k).

Local news

• Caerphilly – Council says it is on budget – Campaign.  “Caerphilly is also investing in new libraries. An exciting new library and customer service centre has recently opened in Bargoed and a similar scheme will be launched in Risca in December. “We want to send out a clear message that we aim to cut costs, but wherever possible protect services for our local communities,” added Cllr Colin Mann.”

“Ulverston Library was opened on November 21 [1961] by judge Lord Birkett, who said in his opening speech that he ‘hoped that television and radio would never replace the habit of reading” Cumbria – Ulverston Library celebrates 50 years – Westmorland Gazette

• Gloucestershire – Library decision ruled “unlawful” – Stroud News and Journal.  
• Herefordshire – Future Libraries Programme: how this might affect Herefordshire, an update – HLUG.  Review of situation in Herefordshire and an unflattering (but realistic) assessment of the Government’s only library-related initiative to date.
• Kent – Is Kent County Council on the road to widespread library closures? –  Voices for the Library.  Meeting earlier this year, with minutes still secret, had discussed closing 40 out of 103.  Recent meeting had the chief librarian suggesting “libraries” in doctor’s surgeries and that the council was “prepared” to be challenged on closures.  “Locality boards” will decide future of libraries, but previous boards were not fully open to the public.  Questions apparently already proposed to some boards include the withdrawal of funding of 81 libraries either closing them or blackmailing local groups/councils to fund them instead.  There needs to be full transparency and publicity to ease fears.
• Lambeth – Waterloo Library to be “relocated to a better building” – London SE1.   “Cllr Florence Nosegbe, cabinet member for culture, explained how the council’s proposed community hubs will work. She said: “It’s not just about handing over buildings to community groups, it’s about co-designing and co-producing those buildings and services with our community groups in the spirit of the co-operative council.”
• Upper Norwood Library faces an uncertain future – Alan Gibbons.   “Croydon have now given Lambeth three options. 1. Buy Croydon’s half share of all UNJL assets and accept responsibility for the UNJL. 2. Take a lease of Croydon’s half share in the premises and become solely responsible for the UNJL. 3. Agree that the library will be sold with the proceeds, after settlement of all costs, equally divided between the two boroughs.”. Meeting to discuss situation: “will be held on Wednesday 30th November, 7.30 pm at the Salvation Army Hall, Westow St. SE19.”

• Northamptonshire – Lending time to the library – Evening Telegraph.   Council launches campaign to boost volunteers in libraries from 450 to 1600 to cut £1m of trained staff.  If volunteers don’t come forward, council will close branches. Volunteers already help with rhymetime, housebound book deliveries.
• Rotherham – Library managers struggling to hit £500,000 savings demand – Yorkshire Post.  Libraries have come up with £136k of cuts.  Councillor want to cut more than one-seventh of budget while making service “modern, vibrant”.  Libraries chief says ““Initial discussions have identified potential impact on the location of libraries, opening hours, service delivery and the range and number of books purchased.” … “As library managers continue to look for ways to save money, it is likely that they will have one eye on the situation in Doncaster, which has led to angry public meetings and criticism of the town’s elected mayor Peter Davies.”

News

• A radical transformation? Not without political leadership – Guardian (New Local Government Network).  Simon Parker suggests decline in library use is due to lack of leadership, not budget and that the “best way to democratise book access in future will be to make a radical shift to e-readers, online ordering and book vending machines in public places. This would make it much easier for the public to access books while freeing up library space for use by families and communities. Libraries would still hold the most popular titles and children’s books and act as a crucial community hub.”.   … “At the moment, the public sees the debate over libraries as being entirely about what stays open and what closes. The real debate is about how to create a library system that meets the needs of citizens in the 21st century. The solutions we are designing for waste, including the introduction of “producer pays” technology, requires political leadership to explain to communities this new approach is better for all.”

“Many thousands in rural areas are losing access to mobile and village libraries.  Many others visit village libraries to use the Internet which they do not have at home.  Thousands of older people, of whom there will be more every day,  rely on their local libraries and will not be attracted to a distant ‘hub’, vending machines in train stations and online access.  Young parents and carers likewise depend on the intimacy of the smaller local library to give their children a start in life.  The disabled and disadvantaged will also be overlooked in this zeal to impose an ill-defined Big Society’ on the populace. These points are vital to the  “debate”.  Mr Parker ignores them –  and that is distressing.” Alan Gibbons respondes to Simon Parker (above).

• Campaign shouts about school libraries – BookSeller.   “A campaign to promote school libraries and school library services aims to make them statutory. The campaign, Shout About, is backed by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), the Association of Senior Children’s and ­Educational Librarians (ASCEL) and the School Library ­Association. The initiative aims to use lobbying and PR to halt the closure of school libraries and to prevent more qualified school librarians from losing their jobs. Shout About will also campaign for school libraries to be inspected by Ofsted.”.  Includes comprehensive comment about state of school libraries in Australia.

“Annie Mauger, chief executive of CILIP, said: “I have had positive discussions with schools minister Nick Gibb who is looking for answers on how to promote a culture of reading in schools. We believe that taking away pupils’ libraries and librarians is not the best way to do it.”

• Library users opt to pay higher taxes than lose services – Inside Toronto (Canada).   “When Irene Atkinson, the Toronto District School Board trustee for Parkdale-High Park suggested raising taxes during a public consultation meeting about potential library cuts, the entire room erupted into applause. Runnymede library patrons say they are willing to pay more in taxes to keep their branch and others across the city from losing valuable services and hours.”
• Library victory and interviews – BBC Politics Show (40:43 – 48.15) .  Shows celebration at Watchet and links with Gloucestershire as well. “I expect a fundamental change” in library cuts due to this says campaigners’ lawyer.  Glos Leader says he’s not going to “throw away” the £2m cut in libraries.  Leader of Somerset Council, Ken Maddock – “it’s a very long and complicated judgement” – said complying with 1964 Act.  Leader accepts that they fell short on equalities legislation. Cllr Maddock is straightaway lifting threat to 11 libraries and says he does not have “leave to appeal” so will not be revisiting it.  Will still need to save £1.2m libraries via efficiencies (e.g. self-service machines).  
• Measuring our value – British Library.  A useful report for (1) showing the value of a national library and (2) as a very good indicator of how to demonstrate the value of a library, that could be used by others to persuade councillors etc not to cut them quite so readily.  The BL estimates it creates 4.4 times more wealth than it consumes.
• This book is 119 years overdue – Slate.  “The wondrous database that reveals what Americans checked out of the library a century ago” … “The website’s deliberately open architecture has made it easy for data hounds, scholarly and otherwise, to jump in. Douglas Galbi, for example recently analyzed the median date of publication of the database’s 20 most popular books: 1878. Hence, he pointed out, these books were probably between 13 and 24 years old when read, far older than the average book checked out nowadays.”

Changes

• Northumberland – Mobile Library review completed – some route changing, re-establishment of Saturday service.  However, will reduce mobile libraries from four to three.
• Nottinghamshire – Has cut bookfund by 36% over two years (£1.3m 2009/10 down to £863k 2011/12).
• Somerset – 11 libraries are safe “for the moment”.

Local News

• Cumbria – Victory as libraries in Allerdale saved from closure – News & Star.  Council confirms that it has no plans to close any libraries due to popular outcry.  However, declines in usage will be addressed by increase use of volunteers and linking with other facilities, for instance possibly a cafe run by a learning-difficulties charity.  Previous suggestions to close libraries and replace “replacing smaller libraries with borrowing points in shops and community centres … sparked an outcry in Moorclose and Seaton, which were mooted as areas where that might happen.” [NB. there has been no clear announcement that volunteers will not entirely replace library staff – as had previously been mooted) and so these libraries still count as “threatened”.
• Hertfordshire – National Libraries Day – We Heart Libraries.   “Here are a few ideas we’re working on for February 4. If you’re organising an National Libraries Day elsewhere in the UK, feel free to use them yourself – and to let us know about your good ideas as well! If you’re local, and would like to get involved, please do get in touch…..” .. library pledges, read-ins, gifts for staff, book trails.
• Northumberland – Borrowers have a say on libraries – Morpeth Herald.  1400 responses to library review result in suggestions for improvements
• Nottinghamshire – County Council cuts library book budget – BBC.  36% bookfund cut in two years.  “It said the savings had helped prevent the closure of some of Nottinghamshire’s 60 libraries.”

Interesting fact about Gloucestershire’s approach to library provision.  The council there was pushing through a cut of 43% of a library budget they had already cut 30% the year before. Little wonder that the council there can claim that library usage is declining… Boyd Tonkin from the Independent says it all:

News

• ALA alarmed at seizure of Occupy Wall Street Libary, loss of irreplaceable material – American Libraries.  “The dissolution of a library is unacceptable. Libraries serve as the cornerstone of our democracy and must be safeguarded. An informed public constitutes the very foundation of a democracy, and libraries ensure that everyone has free access to information.  The very existence of the People’s Library demonstrates that libraries are an organic part of all communities. Libraries serve the needs of community members and preserve the record of community history.  In the case of the People’s Library, this included irreplaceable records and material related to the occupation movement and the temporary community that it represented.”

• Boyd Tonkin: A bookish battle won, but not a war – Independent.  “To close a library is a crime” Michael Morpurgo.  “Crucial to the judgment is the opinion that both councils failed to mount a “thorough information-gathering exercise” and then “properly analyse… the data”. Judge McKenna noted that the authorities had ignored their statutory duties to provide an equal service to all.”.  Hopes Glos/Somerset decision will act as a precedent for Brent appeal. “Loans and visits sometimes drop – although not everywhere, and certainly not for children – but generally less than by the level of cuts imposed. And in those areas where local-authority investment holds up – from Hillingdon to Blackpool – so does popularity.”. Jonathan Sumption QC of Supreme Court is trying to reduce power of judicial reviews and claims that ministerial overview is perfectly adequate [cue shocked gasps from anyone aware of record of Hunt/Vaizey – Ed.]

Gloucestershire and Somerset Judgement

Coverage on Points West this evening (17th) and likely to be on Politics Show on Sunday 20th, although it is unclear as to whether this will be the regional or national edition.

“Judge Martin McKenna ruled that, as the closures would hurt disadvantaged groups such as the elderly and the disabled, which is contrary to the conditions laid down in equalities legislation, the councils would just have to scrap their plans and think again. And he also made it crystal clear – as he quashed the closure decisions and told the councils to pay campaigners’ legal costs – that he was sending a message to other local authorities intent on restructuring their library services. The councils had claimed “hyperbole, exaggeration and hysteria” on the part of the campaigners. But Judge McKenna, reflecting on how the case had been conducted, described the campaigners’ approach as “perfectly reasonable” and “proportionate” even in the areas where their legal claim had not been successful… a clear line has now been drawn on equalities law, and up and down the country, local authorities will now be closeted in urgent meetings with their legal advisers to review their library plans” Campaign against library closures has scored a vital victory – Guardian. 

• DMBC must take equalities duties seriously – Save Doncaster Libraries.  “The council should not force its own citizens to take it to court for failing to address their needs and legal rights. The council knows that these library cuts will impact those most in need – young people, the elderly, unemployed, the poor and those unable to travel, for example – so why is it taking such a risk? The council must scrap its volunteer plans and take responsibility for the provision of a library service across the whole borough, not just the lucky half. The law takes public sector equality duties seriously – DMBC can’t afford not to.”
• Donaldson: Gloucs/Somerset ruling “best news all year” – BookSeller.  In a statement given to Somerset group Watchet Library Friends, Donaldson hailed the ruling “a triumph for the all those committed campaigners, for libraries, and for common sense”. But she added: “While it is admirable that the residents of Gloucestershire and Somerset were determined, organised and brave enough to go down the route of litigation, it is shameful that they had to do so. This costly process could have been avoided if the councils had listened to the arguments and above all if the government had fulfilled its statutory requirement to superintend library services.”
• Dorset library campaigners cheered by Somerset court statement – Dorset Echo.  “In Dorset there is no current legal action by campaigning group AdLib but a spokesman said it was still considering it after seeking detailed legal advice. Graham Lee, the chairman of AdLib, said the judge’s decision that Somerset County Council needed to pay more attention to the needs of dependent people meant that the decision to cease funding to nine libraries in Dorset was ‘rushed and ill-considered’.He said: “The parts of Dorset where most of the threatened nine libraries are located is much more rural than many parts of Somerset.” 

“The authority said extra research would now be done into how closures could affect vulnerable people. Council chief Peter Bungard said the judgement had shown that community-run libraries were perfectly legitimate. “We had a fantastic response from the community on all 10 libraries that we were asking them to run,” said Mr Bungard. “We have had some brilliant offers, which in all honesty could be better services that we could ever afford to run, and I really do want those community groups to stay around.” Gloucestershire Council “committed to library plan” – BBC. No real acceptance by Council that they did anything wrong. Council Leader Mark Hawthorneays that £2m would still need to be cut.  “”Some people might disagree with me and think that I should be cutting social services to protect libraries but I don’t think that is right and I am willing to stand by that.”” 

• Landmark victory in Gloucestershire libraries battle – This is Glos.  “Gloucestershire County Council is now expected to draw up a fresh plan for library cuts. But it is understood the council will proceed with its plan and any consultation is likely to lead to a similar or identical scheme. Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries (FOGL) member John Holland said: “Quite frankly, the people have been treated with disdain by the county council. The proposals were deeply flawed and from the beginning many of us told the council they were likely to be breaking the law.” … “The decision will come as a hammer blow to the Conservative administration, which had insisted its plans were legal, despite repeated warnings from opponents.”

“But, despite the judgement, Councillor Mark Hawthorne (C, Moreland) said the council’s plan for community-run libraries was still “sound”. He said: “The most important thing here is that the judge said there is nothing wrong with our plans to transfer some libraries over to communities. We are very disappointed for the community groups who are lined up to take over their services, but our promise to them is that we will continue to work with them on delivering successful community-run services.” [NB. none of these community groups want to run libraries in preference to the Council.  To an uneducated ear, that does not necessarily feel like being sued, Cllr Hawthorne may here sound suspiciously like a man in denial – Ed.]

• Library cuts stopped in their tracks – Counterfire.   “Gloucestershire and Somerset Councils may well take the case to the Court of Appeals but for the time being this is an anti-cuts victory that has the potential to scupper the destructive plans of Councils across the UK.”
• Save Bolton Libraries Campaign Statement – via Alan Gibbons.  “We welcome yesterday’s High Court ruling that planned library closures in Gloucestershire and Somerset are unlawful and call upon Bolton Council to reconsider its own planned closure of one third of our library network … We have made a strong case to Bolton council that older people, families with children and disabled people will all be adversely affected by these closures, especially where they do not have a car, or access to the internet at home, and we still do not feel these concerns have been properly addressed.”

Other News

• Daunt: Booksellers face same “crisis” as libraries – BookSeller. “Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s “Four Thought” last night (16th November), Daunt said both bookshops and libraries have an important role to play in tackling illiteracy in the country. He said the benefit of libraries was “inestimable” in comparison to the “tiny amount” of money that would be saved by local councils closing them down. He said: “We are facing a particular and rather dramatic moment of crisis which we share with our fellow purveyors of the written word, librarians, for quite different reasons but coincidentally at precisely the same moment.” Radio interview here. “James Daunt argues libraries and bookshops should be vital social and cultural spaces.”

“”It seems to me a point of national scandal that element of our community is being imperilled and I think all of us should encourage our political masters, in whom obviously the decision ultimately resides, to recognise that this is a tiny cost to keep this inestimable benefit within our communities….You can be part of an ecosystem which has digital, which has this very impersonal internet offer which is highly efficient if you know what you want—bang it can give it to you, but it doesn’t give you discovery of a physical bookshop or [the] physical interaction a library gives you.”

• Election Ehustings – CILIP.  Now on Youtube, edited so one can play answers to specific questions.  The one on librarians being at least partly to blame for closures due to keeping a low profile is here.
• Middle classes love libraries, says Dame Joan Bakewell – Telegraph.  “The baroness told neighbours she was a regular library user and her two children and six grandchildren had also signed up as members of Chalk Farm library. “It is crystallising part of this community, which is really not just about buying, shopping and eating, eating, eating,” she added.”It is about the people who live here and I will be appealing to everyone to do everything they can to help.”
• Questions for political parties with responses – Lianza (NZ).  The professional library organisation in New Zealand wrote asking questions of all poltical parties prior to the general election there.  Here are the questions and responses.  All parties replied. 
• Surefire, can’t fail way to prove your library’s relevance – 21st Century Library Blog (USA).  Forget quantitative or anecdotal, go straight for qualitative day one 9am.  “The only way to collect these data is to get up-close and personal with your customers, constituents, partners, stakeholders. You should be already, but in order to prove your value to the community – it is essential.” 
• Why the NYPD are kidnapping books – New Statesman.   “It would appear that the New York Police Department has finally jumped the shark. One day after the eviction of Occupy Wall Street, the image that has shocked the world most profoundly — and I mean image in a purely theoretical sense, since a solid wall of state heavies, now part-financed by JP Morgan Chase, stopped the press getting near enough to take photos — was of police and sanitation workers tearing up the tent of the encampment’s extensive library, and reportedly tossing the books into dumpster trucks. I mean, books.”

 Local news

• Bolton – January start for book collections – Bolton News.  “Neighbourhood book collections, which are to replace five closing libraries in Bolton, will start as early as January. Bolton Council has said no libraries will be closed until their corresponding collections are up and running.”. 300 books for each collection point, self service other than one visit per week.  79% of online poll don’t think scheme will work.  Council wishes to charge rent, and repair costs, to any volunteers who wish to run endangered libraries.
• Brent – Classical concert for libaries –  Save Kensal Rise Libraries.  28th November.  “Each Razumovsky member may be king of their chosen instrument, but they scale the heavens as a team. England’s sport teams could learn a great deal” The Times. TICKETS: £10 (£5 unwaged/children) from Queens Park Books Salusbury Rd, L’Angolo’s deli College Rd, Minkie’s deli Chamberlayne Rd, The Pop Up Library, Kensal Rise Library Piazza. Refreshments thanks to Mionetto Prosecco”
• Buckinghamshire – Cafes bid to help preserve Great Missenden Library – Bucks Advertiser.  Local cafe wants to be based in threatened local library in mutually beneficial relationship.  Great Missenden is likely to become volunteer-run but will be bigger than any previous Bucks example, hoping to retain some paid staff.
• Bury – £17.7m savings to be made before 2015 – Guide.  £540k cut to libraries. “The draft programme of savings is now subject to a 12-week consultation before the budget is set in February. More than 3,500 people took part in a Choices consultation to identify their most important priorities.”
• Hammersmith and Fulham – Barons Court Library to house Citizens Advice Bureau – Chronicle. £400k to upgrade/add a CAB to previously endangered branch.  “Initially the council was set to shut Barons Court Library last year, but abandoned plans after an outcry from residents and civic groups.  Welcoming the decision, chairman of the Hammersmith Society, Melanie Whitlock, said: “We welcome any money being spent on a listed building provided that core library services are being preserved. There’s no reason not to have other services provided in the same building, as long as the provision of books is protected.”.  However, fears that books will be shoehorned into corner.
• Kirklees – Council plan casts doubt on future of village libraries – Huddersfield Daily Examiner.  Several smaller libraries feared under threat.  “A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: “At this time of year the council embarks on the process of setting the budget for the coming year as part of the three-year budget plan to balance the books. “The financial situation having not improved, there is a continuing need for us to achieve efficiencies from across the whole range of services and councillors will have some difficult decisions to make. As part of last year’s budget settlement, there was all-party agreement to continue to fund the library service whilst requiring officers to review provision.”
• Leeds – Village will decide library’s fate – Morley Observer and Advertiser.   “Following public consultation, it was said that Drighlington Library would stay open to allow talks over the possibility of it being run by the community. A steering group, The Friends of Drighlington Community, has now been formed and two meetings will be held this week where everyone will be welcome to given their views.”

“We have asked people around the village what they want to see at the library and they have said everything from coffee mornings to a computer club. But to make it a success, we need the community’s help. We would need staff – from people working on the counter to cleaners – even if people can only spare an hour or so a week, even a month, it will all help.”

• Middlesbrough – Pupils launch campaign to save Marton Library – Gazette.  “Marton Library is earmarked for closure by the council under plans unveiled by mayor Ray Mallon to reduce its annual budget. The children of the school’s own council are now writing to Mr Mallon and council officers to highlight their concerns. Chairman of the school council 11-year-old James Wood said: “The library is so important to us. Lots of the children at school go there to get books to read and help with homework and projects.”
• Oxfordshire – Save the back offices at all costs – Question Everything.   Oxfordshire is surrounded by other Conservative-run councils so the defence of the back office to the expense of branch libraries is not political.  Big savings can be made by merging behind the scenes officers/management but is not doing so.  Suspicion council is protecting its own officers and also keen to promote Big Society libraries even if other ways are there to save the money.
• North Yorkshire – Libraries to lose 36 jobs – Whitby Gazette.   One-fifth of library workforce to be cut. “County councillor Chris Metcalfe, executive members for libraries, said: “We have listened to what people have said about how they want to become involved in the provision of this service, we have examined the proposals they have put forward for achieving those aims and I’m delighted to say that the result is a set of proposals designed to ensure a viable and sustainable future for our libraries.””
• Surrey – Concerns raised over future of Hersham Library – Elmbridge Today.   “However, in the village itself, there are fears that volunteers will be asked to take control of the facility and that it may even close if nobody comes forward. The friends of Hersham Library have now organised a protest march on November 23. A public meeting is also being held on November 30 to discuss the library and its future. Local resident Roy Green said: “This is the third time in 25 years that we have had this problem in Hersham and had to fight to keep Hersham Library open. “It is a vital asset and a community centre. We are very proud of the staff we have got there. Some of the staff have been there for more than 23 years.”.  Estimates 100 volunteers needed to keep branch open.
• Wokingham – Libraries’ future to be debated – Get Wokingham.  “The council’s executive approved proposals in June this year to seek a private organisation to take over the running of the libraries in a bid to save £170,000 a year. But the move prompted a huge backlash from library users and a campaign and petition were launched by Liberal Democrats Anthony Vick and Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey.”

“We are currently in a competitive dialogue process with potential library partners and cannot discuss details of these discussions. But many exciting and innovative ideas have come forward that could build on what is offered at our libraries.”  UllaKarin Clark, Councillor, Wokingham.

News

• CALIX responses to library privatisation and LSSI – Pacific Library Partnership (USA).  Fascinating exchanges on privatisation of libraries between LSSI employees and non-LSSI employeers.  For whatever reason, all non-LSSI remarks are negative, all LSSI employee remarks are positive.  Good to read to get some idea of the issues involved.
• End of Borders and the future of books – Bloomberg BusinessWeek (USA).   Half of Borders stores were profitable, right up to the moment they closed.  Borders made a lot of mistakes. 
• February march planning meeting details confirmed – Library Campaign. “The planning meeting for the national demonstration to save libraries will be at 11 am on Saturday 19 November, in Room G16, Birkbeck College. Use the entrance in Torrington Square: Birkbeck College’s interactive map.  The meeting will end at 1 pm, to allow time for a lunch break before the meeting of the Library Campaign Executive Committee at 2pm. EC meetings are open, so do stay if you can.”
• Number of children’s centres by local authority –  Department of Education.  124 less SureStart Centres in one year has implications for libraries, literacy, all sorts of things.
• Public libraries: a briefing paper – Carnegie UK Trust.   “This short briefing paper sets out the history of the Trust’s involvement in public library provision, and outlines how the Trust may re-engage in the policy debate on access to knowledge and the future of the public library service in the UK and Ireland.”
• Public library standards in Wales – Alyson’s Welsh libraries blog.  “The analysis of the last three years provided some very interesting findings. It appears that spending on staffing and materials is crucial in influencing how well a library service does overall in the standards. Well that’s obvious, you say. Possibly, but there were also additional qualifiers and deeper analysis that showed a more complex picture. It was agreed that social, economic and geographical factors can also play a part in how well a library service does in the standards, as well as the ‘culture’ of the local authority. It may not be a perfect model, but it’s a good set of indicators.”
• Recession-proof library funding? We’ll drink to that – Bethlehem Patch (USA).  “Public libraries are among the unsung heroes of our age. At the Emmaus and Allentown libraries, I’ve joined scores of regulars and blackout refugees using the computers and Internet service for work, job hunts, school and leisure. These places virtually hum with activity.” … “If libraries had liquor licenses, they’d never have to worry about funding again! A round of gin and tonics and Proust for everyone! Alcohol might actually make some of us more ambitious readers — there are authors I’d hesitate to tackle without a glass of Chardonnay.”
• Six amazing, and possibly unexpected, things about life as a cataloguer – High Visibility Cataloguing.  [Including the classic “Cataloguing is fun” claim – Ed.]
• Urgent: Raid of Occupy Wall Street – Occupy Wall Street Library.  Last few hours of the Occupy Wall Street protest, from the perpective of the People’s Librarians. “This shouldn’t be happening to a library.”.  More from Library Bazaar with links to yet more.  “Matthew Battles, author of Library: An Unquiet History,  compares the libraries of the Occupy movement to the reading rooms of the Chartists of 19th-century Britain. A timely discussion given today’s removal of the Occupy Wall Street library.”

Changes

Greenwich – Moving towards being run on a 15 year contract by GLL (Greenwich Leisure Ltd) on top of leisure centres etc.

Local News

• Birmingham – David Cameron visits Birmingham’s new library and science park with Dutch counterparts – Birmingham Mail.  “Then we moved onto the Library of Birmingham where both Mr Cameron and Mr Rutte were impressed by this incredible Anglo-Dutch project.” Dutch premier also present “As part of the tour of Aston Science Park, the two leaders were given a virtual tour of the new library before visiting the construction site.”.  [Unclear if drastic cuts to libraries in city mentioned during visit – Ed.]
• Coventry – Fears for future of Coventry’s historic library building – Coventry Telegraph.   “Concerns have been raised about the future of Coventry’s historic library buildings. They include landmark buildings at Earlsdon, Stoke and Foleshill built by the great industrial philanthropist Andrew Carnegie – one of the world’s richest men at the turn of the 20th century.”  Councillor said “said many library buildings were old or not suitable for modern facilities for families, with some requiring roof repairs, toilets and disabled facilities.”.  Locals not impressed – “Earlsdon library for example is not just a fine building, but a key piece of social history”
• Croydon/Lambeth – Lambeth Council tells Croydon to “put down the gun” in library row – This is Croydon Today.  “Cllr Steve Reed, the Labour leader of Lambeth Council, said: “It is clear that Croydon’s Conservatives have long been seeking a way to kill off the Upper Norwood Joint Library after years of failure to meet their funding obligations. Now, instead of coming clean about their true intentions, they have tried to create a smokescreen of false allegations to cover their decision.”
• Essex – Libraries launch Youtube channel – This is Total Essex.  “Launching on Thursday, the Essex Libraries channel will feature “playlists” updating readers on the latest adult and young-adult fiction and non-fiction, as well as a “book of the month” recommendation.”
• Gloucestershire – “Library loans plummet in county”: a response – FoGL.  “This comes as no surprise to us given that there was a 40% cut in the book budget in 2010 and a cut of 30% in the library budget overall. The county council administration is running down our libraries and using the subsequent decline in usage to justify yet more cuts.”  … “Councillor Noble goes on to champion an eBook service that does not even exist yet, and when it does, is not going to be compatible with the use of Kindles.”
• Library loans plummet across the county – This is Gloucestershire.  Council says “popularity across the county is declining rapidly, with 25,000 fewer books being borrowed from Cheltenham town centre a year.” … “”People have more access to books and they are much cheaper to buy. We are also seeking to modernise our service by improving access to electronic library services and we will have a good collection of e-books available in the new year.”.  “Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries member John Holland, who was assistant head of Gloucestershire County Council’s library service until July 2010, said: “We are talking about a service that has been asset-stripped. They cut the service and then fewer books are taken out, so they use that to justify a further cut and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
• Greenwich – Moves closer to hiving off libraries – 853.  “Tuesday’s cabinet meeting is likely to rubber-stamp a new contract for Greenwich Leisure Limited to carry on running its leisure centres, which includes provision for GLL to take on the borough’s libraries as well as its swimming baths and gyms.” … “But unions are nervous – while GLL is a social enterprise, they say there is little union recognition there, and they fear jobs could be put at risk. GLL was set up to take over Greenwich’s leisure centres during cuts in the early 1990s, and has expanded across London and beyond.”

• Newcastle – Genealogy service at Newcastle City Library – Chronicle.  “The city is to become one of only seven sites across England and Wales to offer a full set of records from the General Register Office (GRO).
• Oxfordshire – Yet more places to look for savings – Question Everything.  “Now here is a mad idea: why don’t you use the five million and put those same lights in all the libraries? That way you could save money each year on the library budget and would be using the money in a way you suggested. This one off money would make savings each year and decrease the councils carbon output. The prices are only going to continue to rise so it is a very sound investment.” … “When the volunteer thing doesn’t work and you come to close my library down,  I will be the one handcuffed to the heating pipe in the toilet in our library. You send your boys down and try and move me.”.  Structure chart of library staff also appears to show quite a top-heavy management.

• West Sussex – Bid to save West Sussex libraries – Bognor Regis Observer.   “Axing a personalised library service to residential care homes and sheltered housing would be ‘another nail in the coffin’ for vulnerable people, it was warned this week. Members of the county council’s community services select committee called for a rethink on proposals to axe the service in order to save £75,000.”