The big news is that the court case to decide the legality of the cuts in Gloucestershire (10 libraries and 6 mobiles) and Somerset (6 libraries) is to be heard this Tuesday.  This follows on from the Brent court case, whose result will be known in October.  The importance of these cases, and of libraries, can be seen in another item: that two-thirds of all books read in the UK come from public libraries.  Two-thirds.  With figures like that, campaigners are quite right not to let libraries go gently into that good night.

• Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.
• Book your place on the Library Campaign conference, 22/10/11

• About two thirds of reading in this country is of books from public libraries – Good Library Blog.   “The figures are pretty plain.  About 230m books are sold each year (from books shops, Amazon, mail order etc) . About half of these are read – the rest are gifts of one kind or another and aren’t generally read through. (These figures are widely recognised in the book trade- they are supported by statistics and surveys). 310m books are issued from public libraries – nearly all of which are read. (these figures come the national CIPFA survey data). So, without over complicating the analysis it is pretty safe to say that betwen 60 and 70% of the books that are being read, today, come from a library.”
• Add to my library vol.II – Christina Mitrentse – Artwork about libraries
• Advocacy: “Everyone is an advocate” – Lianza (New Zealand).    “Advocacy is about making sure that libraries are valued, supported and connected to their stakeholders and communities because libraries can be taken for granted.”
• Hard-pressed councils set to miss cuts target by over £50m – Yorkshire Post.  “In the past six months a total of 16 libraries, one leisure centre, two swimming pools, four tourist information centres and two homeless hostels have closed across Yorkshire.”
• High Court trial of library closures in Gloucestershire and Somerset gets underway -Public Interest Lawyers.  “A three-day High Court hearing to examine the legality of massive cuts to library provision in Gloucestershire and Somerset will commence on Tuesday 27 September 2011 at the Civil Justice Centre in Birmingham (10.30am)…”Whatever the ‘Big Society’ is, it should not be a fig leaf for excessive and ill-conceived cuts or the surrendering of cherished public services. These cuts will disenfranchise the elderly, the vulnerable and those living in isolated communities. We are confident that the High Court will require a fundamental re-think of the Councils’ plans.”
• Library vandals unleash water from fire sprinkler – Yakima Herald (USA).  “Vandalism in the men’s restroom at the downtown Yakima Valley Library Friday afternoon set off a fire sprinkler, releasing about 200 gallons of water, according to a news release today from the Yakima Fire Department. “
• Most annoying thing about my job: librarians tell all – LISNews (USA).  List includes lack of support from management, unclear rules, people assuming one has few qualifications.  “I have found that my library fills what would be an incredible void in our community. I acknowledge that we are not a perfect organization; however, where every other bureaucracy in our city has told you “No,” we are the organization that says, “Yes. We can help you.””
• Their Library: Emmy the Great – Clash Music.  “The songwriter has a real depth to her lyrics, which go beyond the surface level introspection employed by so many acoustic-clad troubadours. Returning with her second album – an analysis of religious thought and mythology – Emmy The Great had obviously been making frequent use of her library card.”  … “Did you make good use of your library card as a child / teenager? Yes. The library near my parents’ house has the most amazing Point Horror and Point Romance collection. Still does – same books. And the library at my school was the known place to go fool around, because it was dark and had a lot of corners.”

Changes

Cumbria – Music CDs now free for visually impaired. 
Isle of Wight – Bembridge, Brighstone, East Cowes, Niton and Shanklin will be run by volunteers from October.
Northamptonshire – Free use of computers on Fridays, in conjunction with Job Clubs.  
Oxfordshire – Campaign group:  Friends of Neithrop Library formed.   
Stockton – Stockton Library reopens in November after £1.9m refurbishment, to include co-location with other council services. 

Local News

• Bristol –Reading Challenge has a happy ending as children collect prizes – This is Bristol.  “More than 4,000 children and young people took part in 40 special events, workshops and activities under the summer reading scheme.  Over half of those taking part in the scheme completed the Circus Stars challenge and received a medal to reward their achievement. Medal winners were entered into a free prize draw, with the chance to win book tokens, books and other educational prizes.”
• City Council hopes to create a new library on Gloucester Road – Redland People.  “Barely a month goes by when we’re not hearing about the closure of community facilities, from youth centres to police stations and schools to libraries. But Bristol Council looks set to buck that worrying trend and actually opening a new library.” … “The Bristol North Pool development is a classic example of how – in the current economic climate – the public sector is having to step in and take a leading pro-active funding approach. Previously, developers looked to banks and financial institutions to provide sensible funding packages, now the economics of borrowing just don’t add up” 
• Calderdale – Have a say on library service – Halifax Courier.   “The council is looking for members of the public to pass on their views and ideas for the region’s libraries. The session is part of a consultation process set up by Calderdale Council in its review of services. Wider efficiency measures are being cited as the motivation behind the review as the council is increasingly under pressure to cut costs following the recession.”
• Cumbria – Cumbrian man wins fight to end CD charge at county libraries – News and Star.   “Bosses at Cumbria County Council have introduced a new concession on CDs at the county’s libraries following a campaign by 53-year-old Tim Wilson, from Queen Street, Maryport.”
• Isle of Wight – Volunteers step in to run Isle of Wight libraries – BBC.  “The libraries in Bembridge, Brighstone, East Cowes, Niton and Shanklin will be community-run from October.”
• Freehold or leasehold transfers for loos and libraries still not finalised – Ventnor Blog.  “Draft agreements have been provided to each community group and agreement on terms is being negotiated with each group. In order to ensure continuity of the library service Tenancies at Will are be used to enable the community groups to take occupation of the buildings. Cllr Bacon pointed out that the process had been far more costly than predicted and asked whether lessons had been learnt to avoid this happening in the future.”
• Manchester – New chapter: £170m revamp of Manchester’s Central Library takes shape – Manchester Evening News.   “The ambitious project, due for completion in 2013, will open up the historic gem and expose parts of the building, opened by George V in 1934, that have been hidden from public view for years….It will make the library a destination. When people step inside they will get that ‘wow factor’ from the sense of space we are creating”
• North Somerset – United against “unfair” public spending cuts – Mercury.   “A selection of speakers representing teachers, libraries, the criminal service and transport said the most vulnerable members of society would be at risk if the draft proposal is carried out.”… “libraries, youth centres and bus services could be lost unless volunteers take over running them.”
• Northamptonshire – Visit your local library and change your life – About My Area.   “New Change! zones are being launched in Northamptonshire County Council libraries next week (Monday 26th September).  Change! zones are a new collection of books covering everything from job seeking, skills improvement, business start up, volunteering opportunities, financial information and building confidence.”
• Oxfordshire – Friends support library’s future – Banbury Guardian.   “Earlier this year the library, in Woodgreen Avenue, Banbury, was upgraded from a community library to a core library to protect it from funding cuts, but users are keen to take a proactive approach to ensure it is well-used. They hope this will prevent it being targeted by any future cuts.”  Friends of Neithrop Library formed.  
• South Tyneside – Libraries lift ban on “too controversial” books – Shields Gazette.   “The series of books, taken off library shelves across the world for various reasons, go on display at The Central Library in South Shields and Jarrow Library from today. The event is part of the annual Banned Books week.”
• Stockton – Stockton Library £1.9m refurb running “on schedule” – BBC.  “Councillor Ken Dixon said: “We are on track to reopen on 1 November, with work on schedule and on budget. He said: “Once the refurbishment is complete, residents will be able to call into one central point to access various council services, pay their bills as well as visit the new cafe and library facilities.”

• Special report “Big Societese” below
• Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.
• Book your place on the Library Campaign conference, 22/10/11

News

• AB 438 Will Help Save Public Libraries from the Privatization Beast – California Progress Report (USA).  “As a public librarian, I believe that library services should be available to everyone, and this can best be done through a strong public library system. The residents of Santa Clarita did not have a choice or a voice in their City Council’s decision to privatize their libraries and how their tax dollars are spent but AB 438 will change that for other communities. With the help of CREDO and change.org more than 71,000 Californians signed petitions in support of AB 438 and librarians along with public library supporters across the country joined them.”
• ACE library report “a disappointment” – BookSeller.   “Library campaigners have expressed intense disappointment with the Arts Council (ACE)’s first strategy document on libraries. with one claiming it is not “devised to meet people’s needs”… Desmond Clarke says it advocates replacing paid staff with volunteers,  Tim Coates says it missed a lot of important research – “There is no consciousness about the real issues that matter, books, operations, opening hours, and you have to have been living on another planet not to know what these issues are.” – CILIP are in discussion with ACE but fear lack of funding.
• Amazon turns your local library into retail book chain – New York Times (USA).   “Amazon threw down the gauntlet against terrestrial competitors today by announcing that Kindle and Kindle app customers can borrow and purchase Kindle books from more than 11,000 local libraries in the United States. In essence, these first 11,000 local libraries just became a chain of local bookstores for Amazon’s catalog of virtual books.”
• Local government’s “duty to involve” the English is being scrapped – Our Kingdom.  ““…it could easily lead councils to consult on everything regardless of whether decisions have already been made or not. This is a recipe for consultation overload, cynicism and a devaluing of consultation more broadly.”” 
• Maximise the potential of your public library – Knowledge Network.   “Learn how public libraries can help local governments tackle critical community priorities such as economic development, public safety, environmental sustainability, cultural diversity, education, and literacy.”
• New trends in European Children’s Libraries – Eurolis.  Seminar –  “At a time when libraries’ educative mission is endangered and children’s literacy is declining, European experts present ideas and innovations for children’s libraries. This one day seminar is organised by Eurolis, the consortium of librarians of European Cultural Institutes in London and CILIP. The speakers will come from library services in the following European countries – UK, Germany, France, Portugal and Spain.”
• On the other side of the counter at Winsford Library – Voices for the Library.   Hannah Bailey, libraries officer for UNISON spends a day with library staff.  “Meanwhile on the counter, a constant stream of people were coming in and out, putting paid to the rumour that nobody uses libraries anymore. Remember earlier this year when John Redwood MP made some startlingly ill-informed comments about libraries after a brief visit to one? Anyone deeming themselves worthy of comment needs to spend at least a day in a library before drawing any conclusions. After all, a visit to an uncharacteristically quiet supermarket at 10pm wouldn’t lead one to conclude that modern retail as we know it is dead would it?”.  [Disclaimer – Winsford Library is the branch that I manage].

Changes

• Barnet – 3 under threat – Friern Barnet Library, Hampstead Garden Suburb Library and North Finchley Library (previously marked as 2)
• Dorset – Campaign group: Dorset for Democracy. 
• Newham – Campaign group: Save our language papers. 
• Oxfordshire – Campaign group: Save Old Marston Library. 

Local News

“Friern Barnet Library, Hampstead Garden Suburb Library and North Finchley Library are under threat of closure in the London Borough of Barnet.  Consultation has closed and Friern Barnet and Hampstead Garden Suburb are set to close 31 Dec 2011 unless local campaigners come up with an acceptable community option to saving the services provided at these libraries.” Barnet – Email to PLN.

• Bradford – Library plan is chance to shop and borrow a book – Ilkey Gazette.   “Ilkley-based company Fairbrook Developments Ltd has applied for planning permission to refurbish and extend the Bradford Council-owned Grange Road library. The plan, now available for public inspection and comment, proposes space for a Co-op store on the ground floor, plus storage, staff room and car parking, plus a first floor extension to house the library.”
• Croydon – Fears over Croydon library plans – Guardian series. “She argued this option [outsourcing] was the only way to keep all the libraries open and predicted the decision could reduce the cost to the council by £367,000 annually, while only costing £250,000, spread over two years, to implement. Asked to clarify how these figures were reached she was unable to provide details.”
• Dorset – Dorchester: Dorset voters stand up for democracy – View online. “Dorset for Democracy (D4D) rose from the ashes of the former Fair Votes for Dorset group, at Thursday’s meeting at the George Hotel in Bridport. The protest group plans to address a “democratic deficit “ in local government, which has led to unpopular plans going ahead against the wishes of the community. The building of new district council offices in Charles Street in Dorchester and the closure of nine community libraries in the county have angered members in particular.”
• Hounslow – 40% reduction in spending on new books planned – ChiswickW4.com. “In its statement, the Council said that John Laing Integrated Services (JLIS),who hold the contract for staffing, building maintenance and other services, were working over and above the hours contractually required and there was a savings opportunity to review opening hours and reduce them accordingly. A total of £ 1.25 million had been saved using the company over the past three years. The Council said the target of £ 540,000 savings could be made with ” limited impact” on the library service.”
• Isle of Wight – Council confirms library handovers – IWCP.  “The council will continue to run Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Ventnor and Freshwater libraries, while community groups will take over at Bembridge, Brighstone, East Cowes, Niton and Shanklin. The council has said the new arrangements will save around £500,000 a year.”
• Hoarder’s attic at Ventnor Library – Ventnor Blog.  “Members of FVL and users of the library have cleared their own ‘attics’ and donated a variety of items for gardening, crafts, household, ladies wear, health and beauty and of course books. The proceeds will go towards funding projects in the Library.” 
• Lincolnshire – Scheme to introduce children to books – Sleaford Standard.   “A new initiative will help introduce children to the wonderful world of books. The Bookstart Bear Club has been designed to encourage families with young children to make the most of their local library. The club is open to children aged up to the age of four, with members receiving a paw print stamp each time they return a book or attend a story or rhyme time activity in the library.”

• North Yorkshire – County Council axes mobile libraries – Craven Herald and Pioneer.  “As part of the savings, 10 out of 11 vehicles that served more than 800 villages have been taken off the road. The remaining “supermobile” library, which is equipped with internet-enabled computers as well as books, has been spared.” … “Library user Mary Vineall, from Hebden, said she was “saddened and appalled” by the cutbacks. She said: “This is a service which provides a lifeline to many people in remote villages up and down the Dales. Many clients are elderly and have no cars. Numerous mothers collect books for children to encourage them into the joys of reading.” 

“We all need to do our bit for society; I (like many others nationally) have been giving up hundreds of hours to ensure we keep our small library running a normal service. Time I could have spent with my baby girls & wife. It has actually cost me time & money. I’m sorry to say this but you & the rest of the Taxi users in OCC are becoming a parody of fair play & decent public spirit. You all seem to want a BIG society but not actually get involved. Let me remind you people have lost their jobs, are losing their public services & you have “not the slightest intention of getting on a bus or a tube train”?” Oxfordshire – From our Oxfordshire correspondent – Alan Gibbons.  Council spends £25k per month on private transport for councillors.  

• Oxfordshire – Villagers sing out to save their library – Oxford Mail.  “More than 80 Old Marston residents joined by children’s songwriter Nick Cope, took part in a sing-in to save their library.  The musical session was organised by the Save Old Marston Library group over Oxfordshire County Council’s plans to have volunteers run it two-thirds of the time.”
• Surrey – County Council implodes – SLAM.   “The Deputy Leader of Surrey County Council (David Hodge) was dismissed on Monday and the Leader (Andrew Povey) resigned last night. The library plans and the car parking issues are believed to be the major factors in these events.” … “Take the day off work, cancel your dentist appointment, take friends in your car – tell everyone.  We must stop the library plans – we must stop Surrey County Council – we must act NOW! Next Tuesday (27th) 2pm at County Hall, Kingston – be there – be there early.”

• Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.
• Book your place on the Library Campaign conference, 22/10/11

News

• Amazon Kindle gets a library card – Wired. “Starting today, library patrons and Amazon e-book lovers have no reason to needle each other over which source of books is superior. Or at the very least, they have a comfortable meeting place where they can (quietly) exchange both book recommendations and spirited taunting.  As announced in April, Amazon now supports borrowing e-books from local libraries. Library-lent books will work on both Kindle e-readers and Kindle smartphone or tablet apps. Library books, though temporary, work just like any other Kindle e-book…”  … “It’s a good thing (I hope) for libraries, who can reach or reconnect with a wide range of patrons in different media. (Let’s hope whatever deal they struck with Amazon doesn’t prove ruinous, or gets slashed back by budget-busting administrative and government crusaders.)”
• Florida Library Association opposes outsourcing of Osceola Library System – FLA (USA).   LSSI interested in taking over Osceola, librarians not so keen as (a) loss of local community control, (b) “LSSI has acknowledged that they reduce costs in part by laying off all current employees, then rehiring some, but with reduced salaries and benefits. What services and service levels will be reduced to achieve LSSI’s budget projections?”, (c) need for enforceable service plan, (d) need for future transparency, especially as no public notice before now, (e) profit margin “One report suggests LSSI’s profits are around 15% and that any unexpended funds become profit. The public should have a right to know how much a private company is being paid to provide a service.”, (f) no competitors, “In at least one community (Fargo, ND), LSSI fees were substantially increased after the initial contract.”

“Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back the right one.”–Neil Gaiman 

• Guidance to local authorities dealing with the media – WhatDoTheyKnow.   Query regarding advice MLA had been given to local authorities about avoiding using the word “closure”.

“This government should hang its head in shame for even considering axeing this programme. For all the talk about improving literacy among children, they seem to be bent on destroying it, first by trying to get rid of BookStart, then by shutting libraries and now by cutting the one programme that has a proven track record in teaching children to read.” Perspectives on literacy: They are axeing the scheme that taught my son to read – Independent (Letters). 

• Librarian – Reed.  “We are currently recruiting for experienced Librarians for ongoing temporary work within the Sutton, Croydon and Merton Areas. £7.00 Per Hour” … National Minimum wage is £5.93 – the main rate for workers aged 21 and over.
• Online registration form, the Library Campaign conference – Library Campaign.  
• Public Libraries improve access for blind and partially sighted people – SCL.  “Public libraries are adopting six steps in a UK-wide effort to improve access for blind and partially sighted people. For the two million blind and partially sighted people in the UK this will be a lifeline to the leisure, learning and information resources offered by public libraries.”  Also shown by Voices for the Library.

Changes

• Durham – Consett library in poor condition, fears of closure.  
• Newham – Protest group: Library E15 (Newham Library).
• Nottinghamshire – One-week loan for “top ten” books.

Local news

• Brent – Council spending in spotlight – BookSeller.  “Local library campaigner Samantha Warrington termed the spending “yet more evidence of shocking waste and incompetence” by the council. She told the Harrow Observer: “Officials are paying more than £1 million a month to consultants while cutting frontline services such as libraries.”

“The libraries paper on this must be longest political suicide note in #croydon history” Cllr Wayne Lawlor on the outsourcing of libraries in Croydon (Twitter).

• Cumbria – Is it time to change Cumbria’s libraries? – Cumbria Council (email).  “ Cabinet has agreed that changes to the service should be made on an area-by-area basis which will see county councillors in each district work closely with communities to bring about improvements which meet the differing needs of residents around the county.”.  Cuts to services in those areas with reduced usage, no cuts in service funding.  May mean closures, co-location of libraries with other services, even in shops. 

“Public library services stand at crucial point in their development. They are no longer regarded as the “street corner universities” of their early days and they now have to compete with a host of information and leisure services, many of them IT based, that did not exist even 20 years ago. If public library services are to survive and prosper they must adapt to change to ensure that they are as relevant to people today and particularly tomorrow as they were to our forebears.”

• Cabinet Report – Cumbria Council.  Cabinet agrees changes to library service, details inc. “The Community library – an initiative designed to test out the validity and practicality of a return to the idea of the village reading room, organised by the local community for the local community under the sponsorship of the County Council;” … “The depth and intensity of feeling generated recently in a number of Cumbrian communities by the perception that their local library was under threat of closure is a powerful force that needs to be harnessed and channelled to achieve positive outcomes that may vary according to local need, circumstance and opportunity”
• Durham – Report condemns Consett library condition – Chronicle Live.  ““There is no sense of arrival in the town. No conservation area and only one listed building (a church) in the town centre. A number of buildings are run-down and the library in particular is in poor condition and poorly integrated.” says consultants.  Council refuses to confirm library building will stay open, ““This could mean the town being served by a mobile library.”
• Newham – Save the children’s area in Stratford Library – Library E15.   “Newham Council plan to close the library to the public for “refurbishment” for as long as six months from 1 October 2011. In these building works, the children’s library will be radically reduced in size in order to accommodate non-library Council services that will reportedly move from where they are now over the road at the Local Service Centre at The Grove. One member of library staff reported that the planned changes would see our cherished children’s library reduced to a space similar in size to the small children’s area at The Gate in Forest Gate. “.  Very little warning to the public, no consultation.
• Hounslow – Books no longer apparently a priority – Brentford TW8. “This ten year strategy helps to prioritise how we manage, fund and operate libraries across the borough, whilst retaining our high standards against the background of huge cuts from central government. We understand how important libraries are to the community, with almost 1.75 million visits to libraries during 2009-2010 and over 50% of the population in Hounslow having visited a library in the past 12 months.”
• Northern Ireland – Library hours under review – Carrick Times. “All my children are avid readers, but I don’t see how we can encourage children to read when the libraries are hardly open,” she said. “They have spent a fortune on refurbishing the Whitehead branch so we hoped that opening hours would increase.” … ““Whitehead is a beautiful village, but there fewer and fewer places to go. I worry that eventually the town will just become empty,” she said.”
• Nottinghamshire – Loan limit placed on most popular books – Dispatch.  “A top ten of the favourite paperbacks is compiled and the charts will change regularly as more users take out certain books.”.  Top ten books will only be allowed to be borrowed for a week, in order to cut down on waits.

• Oxfordshire – How very courageous, Minister… oh dear, is it, why? – Question Everything.  Libraries having funding withdrawn in Conservative-voting rural areas, sometimes with small majorities “When the councillors are on the doorstep in 2013 and the library users are volunteering and are too busy to vote or more likely having to travel great distances because some of the libraries will have closed by then, it is unlikely they are going to want to pop to the polling both and support the party who took their library away.”.  Cuts falling most harshly on front-line, “the complete opposite of government policy”.
• Somerset – Library campaigners hit fundraising goal – BookSeller.  “In July, lawyers representing the campaigners obtained an injunction stopping all closures ahead of a judicial review in Birmingham from 27-29th September. The campaigners have raised more than £9,000 towards funding their legal battle. Kay Hoskins, chair of Friends of Somerset Libraries, said: “We are extremely pleased and grateful for all the wonderful support we have received across the county.”
• Wiltshire – Libraries on area agenda – Wiltshire Times.   “Topics on the agenda include youth and leisure services, libraries, recycling and community campus projects.”

“On 22 October 2011 the Library Campaign in association with Voices for the Library will be hosting a conference for library user groups. It will be a chance for users to compare notes, find out more about the issues confronting them and produce some proposals for future action both locally and nationally. Philip Pullman has agreed to speak and there will also be contributions from some of the campaigns that are making news.

• working with volunteers
• outsourcing, privatisation, trusts etc
• legal challenges
• using the press
• using social media (Facebook. Twitter etc.)

Please sign the national petition in support of public libraries.

News

“Indeed. Here’s the problem: when it’s an actual private company doing work for profit, there’s an incentive to keep costs down. When it’s an actual government worker with democratic oversight, there’s an incentive to keep costs down. But when you contract out to a private contractor and take both competition and government oversight mostly out of the picture, you’ve created a government-sanctioned monopoly – a private company basically does the work of the state but with an eye toward making profit, not through competition but through a parasitic relationship with the state. This is bad for taxpayers, obviously, but it gives politicians an opening to say they “shrunk government” and often line their own pockets. This is called cronyism in many circles, and with good reason.” Do private contractors save the government money? – Forbes (USA).   “But a lot of faux privatization schemes are not short term – public libraries turning their operations over to private for-profit companies just to name an example.”

• Library meetings protested by Tea Party – Cincinnati.com (USA).   “About eight people showed up at the Campbell County Public Library’s meeting at Plum Creek Christian Church to discuss the new planned South Branch – most [5?] wore yellow stickers stating “No new library.”
• Moorpark City Library holds card sign-up event, Star Wars style – Ventura County Star (USA).   ““Just like the library, Star Wars Day has something for everyone,” said Moorpark City Librarian Heather Cousin about the event.  The day featured a costume contest, crafts including Wookie cookie decorating, even a Chewbacca pet look-alike contest.”
• Privatisation of public library services – Voices for the Library (Alan Wylie).   “In the UK there is evidence that the majority of opinion is “anti”.  Reasonable people of all economic backgrounds and political colour do not welcome the piecemeal destruction of their valued public library service.”.  Reasons against privatisation include: first loyalty is to shareholders, not the public; private companies can go bankrupt; commercialisation of a neutral space; deprofessionalisation of the workforce.

  “A pioneering project which has switched thousands of struggling pupils on to reading is being axed in primary schools. Research shows that the Reading Recovery Project, which involves daily one-to-one half-hour reading sessions with pupils, has had a major impact in boosting reading standards. After 12 to 20 weeks in the scheme, five- to six-year-olds saw their reading ability increase by up to 20 months – an improvement which was sustained when they were tested a year later. But schools are being forced to axe the project – or at least reduce the number of pupils to whom they offer it – because of a squeeze on school budgets, according to the National Association of Head Teachers” Reading scheme axed in cuts to school spending – Peter Scott’s library blog.

• What are the toughest questions tossed at reference librarians? – Christian Science Monitor (USA). “And then I got to wondering. Never mind Dewey and his decimals. What are the most difficult questions that reference librarians have ever had to answer? I decided to ask them. Here’s what librarians from across North America had to say via email: …” 
• When did books become decorations? – Calgary Herald (Canada).  “”Mine’s on the other one,” she said, pointing to the kid zonked out on the other computer. I shook my head and explained how I’ve been trying to impart that libraries are for discovering good books. She just looked at me and shrugged. “Different generation,” she said.” 

Local News

• Angus – Arbroath Guildry dean says library proposal would represent ‘immoral quarrying of common good funds’ – Courier.  “”Just because Angus is now governed by a single unitary council doesn’t mean to say the district’s individual towns are no longer entitled to their own heritage.”
• Bolton  Number’s not up for plate on mayor’s limo – Bolton News.   “COUNCIL chiefs have ruled out selling the Mayor of Bolton’s private WH1 number plate to help save the town’s libraries.” … “current laws prevented the council from spending the money on public services and it would only be able to invest profits in another asset.”… ““Half-a-million pounds was mentioned at the meeting, but there is no number plate selling for anything close to that.” [GS1 sold for £258,775]
• Brent – Wilson to hold Brent libraries benefit – BookSeller.   Former children’s laureate Jacqueline Wilson is the latest high-profile author to take part in a fundraising benefit in aid of Brent’s six threatened libraries…. The Brent campaign has now raised close to £25,000, including a £1,000 donation from The Library Campaign and £3,000 raised by Kensal Rise campaigners selling memorabilia on eBay. Pub quizzes, dances and “tin-rattling outside Sainsbury’s” have also contributed to the total, which campaigners say brings them close to their fundraising target.”
• Buckinghamshire – Volunteers praised for library action – Chalfonts.   Chalfont St Peter saved from closure by Friends of Chalfont St Peter Library.  “Residents in the village came together to keep the library opened and its future has now been all but secured to the delight of residents.”
• Gloucestershire – County council cuts: 838 jobs and counting – This is Glos.   “The cuts, which bosses want to realise by 2014 under its ‘Meeting the Challenge’ project in order to balance the books, have resulted in the vast majority of jobs not being filled as staff leave. It has also led to scores of libraries and community centres being handed over to the public to run to save cash, as well as vastly reduced spending across all departments.”
• Newcastle – Let’s talk libraries – Newcastle Council.   “Join in the conversation to have your say about Newcastle Libraries’ priorities, how we spend our money and the future of our library service. Help us take your views and those of the wider community into account by participating in our public consultation event on Saturday 29 October from 10:30am – 12:30pm.”
• Northern Ireland – Further library provision slashes revealed – 4NI.   Cregagh library to be reduced from 40 to 30 hours.  “Cllr Michael Long stated: “We intend to challenge this proposal, which is a further significant blow to library services in the Borough. Our experience in Braniel, Gilnahirk and Belvoir is that in all three cases significant reductions in hours, far from stabilising the situation, in the end led to the closure of those libraries.”
  

  “Without professional staff like Mrs Dunstan, I can’t see how the library could ever be as good as it is now. I want our library to stay as it is…. It’s great just as it is now, so please can we keep it that way.” 

• Oxfordshire – Children’s public plea to save “vital” library staff – Henley Standard.   Sonning Common –  “Isabel Mulligan, 11, and Oliver Matthews, 10, addressed Oxfordshire County Council officials at a public meeting in the village hall on Monday.  More than 100 residents, library staff and teachers at the village primary school attended the meeting”. 
• Plea from former headteacher – Henley Standard.   Sonning Common – ““I make this appeal that you consider this as a specific and special case,” he said. “When the library was taken into the school, the school went into partnership with the authority, The school still pays for heating, lighting, caretaking and the upkeep and that is a real partnership. You as the authority would have lost quite a lot of money.”
• Staffordshire – Libraries thrive as e-book use increases – Express & Star.   “County Councillor Pat Corfield, cabinet member for culture, said that presently more than 40 per cent of e-titles are downloaded outside library opening hours.”
• Surrey – Ebook borrowing booming for Surrey libraries – Surrey Comet.   “More than 4,700 people have checked out 18,450 e-books and 11,500 e-audio books since they became available from the county council’s online library last summer.”…”“We’re determined to embrace new technology to make it easier and quicker for people to access county council services while providing better value for money.”
• Warwickshire – Communities set to run their own libraries – This is Tamworth.   Dordon, Kingsbury, Baddesley and Water Orton have put in bids to run libraries withdrawn from by the council.  “The business cases will now come under the scrutiny of everyone from library and property, to finance and legal experts, to ensure they are realistic and allow the community every chance possible to make their library a successful operation.”

The councillor then states a shocking fact that I have not come across before and, if true, sheds a different light on the debate to that normally seen:

News

• 9 ways libraries can help you live frugally – Suddenly Frugal (USA).  “Everyone knows that you can borrow regular books from the library, but here are 9 ways that free library services can help families save hundreds of dollars per year…”
• Beyond the book: Libraries in the 21st Century – Westport Now (USA).  “I would challenge all of you to put the book aside and think of the library as a place of continuous learning, a safe place where the only price of admission is curiosity,” … “in an age of information technology, libraries have to transform into educational and social centers where individuals can be put in touch with experts in fields they are researching, attend lectures, retrain for jobs, learn interviewing techniques, think and dream.”
• “Cycle for literacy” Bike ride to save Detroit Libraries – CBS Detroit.  “Event organizer Brandi Anderson said the ride is an act of solidarity of communities preventing the demise of it’s utilized DPL branches for the purpose of learning and as public resource centers.”

• Future of UK Tourism – Inside Government (Conference).  One session is from the British Library covering – The role of the British Library in promoting cultural tourism in London, maximising opportunities for cultural tourism in 2012, developing the visitor experience, providing a modern service that reflects people’s changing expectations, modernisation and embracing new technology – digitisation of all collections, improving the contribution of libraries to digital access, employment and skills, business and economic development.
• Lifetime Libraries – LGA.  The libraries section of the Local Government Association, “It is no surprise, therefore, that local people are fighting to save their libraries from closure in areas where the council is having to take difficult decisions. But the reality is that councils are facing a funding shortfall of around £6.5bn for the next financial year, and are having to balance this with their statutory duty to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service.”
• Pages from history: the best of the Bodleian  – Telegraph.   “‘We don’t want the Bodleian to be a book museum,’ says Dr Thomas, whose transatlantic enthusiasm cuts through the arcane layers of her duties. ‘It’s not just about white gloves and hushed voices. It’s about access and interpretation and the excitement of discovery and a sense of community.’ This is not a sentence I ever expected to write, but by heaven it must be fun to be a librarian.”
• Total victory, now it’s time for public floggings – Good Library Blog (Tim Coates).  “A year ago we were faced with the prospect of 600-1000 public libraries being closed across the UK. There has been a mighty campaign to stop this — and the campaign has been totally victorious. In comparison to what might have been, almost no libraries have closed.” … grass-roots local protests (along with figures such as Alan Gibbons) have led to a far smaller number of branches closing, yet, than expected.  National organisations such as the MLA, DCMS and DCLG, even Parliament, have been surprised by the public opposition and  “…deserve to be locked in a dungeon and have unkind words printed about them every day until their mothers notice.”.

Changes

• East Lothian – Opening hours cuts inc. Ormiston (from 30 to 21). 
• North Lincolnshire – Brigg library to move to shared “The Angel” building (£300k investment).

Local News

• Angus – Arbroath library campaigners get off to good start – Courier.   “Arbroath member Bob Spink has led the library campaign and at a full meeting of the council in Forfar on Thursday evening he won overwhelming support for a motion that places emphasis on gathering evidence as to why it should not remain on the common good.”.  Describes plan by Angus council to move it to general council ownership as “corporate theft”. 

 

• Calderdale – Library users urged to “fill in survey”– Todmorden News.  Friends group highlights importance of completing questionnaire and to answer questions in a way that does not encourage removal of opening hours or closures of mobile libraries.  “Friends of Todmorden Library, whose patron is nationally known author Cate Haste and which hosts its first festival at the end of this month, was set up to encourage as many people as possible to explore and use the services on offer and fight any prospects of cuts.”
• Croydon – Cllr Mansell speaks out: no support for local bid – Sanderstead Library Campaign Group. Reports on letter to No support for in-house bid – Croydon Today from Cllr Mansell, Labour spokeswoman for libraries.  Croydon council refuses to provide support for their own staff to put in a bid to run the soon to be outsourced service.  Council has also failed to listen to the public or to consider putting in reasonable resources themselves to keep libraries open.  Very very interesting things said about privatisation (see above) and about trusts.
• Protecting and developing Croydon libraries – Timothy Godfrey.  Long and detailed article on how to keep Croydon libraries open, with sufficient staff on the front-line while abolishing massive (45%) behind-the-scenes corporate costs such as ICT.
• East Lothian – Villagers condemn cut in library hours in Ormiston – East Lothian News.   “Chairman James Blane said the proposal was pushed through in the middle of the holiday period, without any consultation with the community council.”
• North Lincolnshire – Town library on the move to the Angel – Market Rasen Mail.  “Brigg Library will be re-housed in the Angel Suite by next March and North Lincolnshire Councillor Rob Waltham is convinced the new arrangement will offer far better facilities for the town … “North Lincolnshire has allocated £300,000 to the project. The library will go on the ground floor and the heritage centre on the first floor. We also hope the project will liven up the courtyard area in the building.””
• Scottish Borders – Council brought to book – Peeblesshire News.  Anger as Innerleithen Library will have reduction in hours.  “”Locals are very angry about these proposed changes. This is purely to save money and has nothing to do with serving the community. The plan is for contact centre staff to be trained as librarians and vice versa, rather than two decent services we’ll end up with just one average service.”