Editorial

Well, that was nail-biting. Libraries finally knew what they were doing late on Tuesday for what they had to implement less than two days later, on Thursday. It turned out eventually that, like many things in this semi second lockdown, libraries will be far less closed this time than before. They will be able to, and many are, offer click and collect services, PCs “for essential purposes” (good luck defining that), home library services and one or two other things.

This has dismayed a few, such as Unison, who understandably worry for staff welfare. It’s worth pointing out though that the library service now is not what it was in March. There are plastic screens, hand gel, track and trace, stripped buildings, masks … the works. Indeed, the difference in safety levels between a highly risk-conscious library now and, well, any high street shop you can think of is stunning.

Strategically too, a quasi-open library service makes a lot more sense this time round. While it’s generally thought that libraries had a good first lockdown, the budget vultures will be circling like never before this year ends and to have thousands of branches entirely closed, dark and empty, may give them ideas. As it stands, libraries are able to make the case that they are being useful, and not just digitally, during this time and that may bring dividends later on. We can hope so anyway.

For the full breakdown of what is happening in every library service in the country click here.

• The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 – Legislation.gov.uk. 18 (1) allows click and collect, 18 (2) says “A person responsible for providing library services may open the library premises for the purposes of (a) support groups; (b) childcare provided by a person who is registered under Part 3 of the Childcare Act 2006; (c) education or training; (d) to provide essential voluntary services or public support services, including digital access to public services.”

Changes by local authority

• Northamptonshire – Raunds Library now volunteer.
• Tower Hamlets – £1m cut. Cubitt Town Library to close pending consultation. Watney Market and Bethnal Green Idea Stores to be closed for several months as being used by the NHS and then to reopen with reduced service. Sunday opening hours to be reduced.

National news

• Are libraries closing in second lockdown? – Express. [Inaccurate report on Monday] “Libraries provide a broad spectrum of services in the UK beyond books, with computers, food, drinks and advice to offer. But lockdown threatens them much more than they already are, given their potential to become a coronavirus hotspot. As such, the Government has zeroed in on them alongside a swathe of other services it deems “non-essential” for daily living.” … “The Government has lumped them in with leisure, hospitality, community centres and tourism in its second national approach to COVID-19. As such, they will have to close for the duration until the Government’s proposed review date on December 2.”
• Are libraries staying open during the second lockdown? – Metro. “Here’s what we know”. Details situation, including Wales and Scotland, as of Tuesday morning.
• CILIP calls for better use of evidence in HM Government’s COVID-19 response – CILIP. “The statement welcomes the new Regulations for public library services in England, which will see them able to continue to provide online and ‘click and collect’ services, as well as some public access to computers. At the same time, it calls on employers to work with library staff and Unions to ensure that service provision is ‘COVID-safe’, particularly in schools, colleges and Universities which will remain open under the new rules.”

“The Government is providing local councils with unprecedented support during the pandemic with a £4.3 billion package, including £3.7 billion which is not ringfenced and £600 million to support social care providers. This is part of a wider package of almost £28 billion which the Government has committed to support local areas, with funding going to councils, businesses and communities. The 2020 Spending Review will look at pressures facing the sector and provide them with the certainty they need to aid financial planning.”

Baroness Barran, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

• Coronavirus: What you can and can’t do after England goes into second lockdown – Sky News. “Leisure, hospitality and tourism businesses, community centres, libraries and recycling centres are all closed. Places of worship are shut except for funerals or wedding ceremonies.” [Not clear where the source for libraries is – Ed.]
• Covid: toddlers from UK’s poorest families ‘hit hardest by lockdown’ – Guardian. “Sally Hogg, head of policy and campaigning at the Parent-Infant Foundation, said: “Sadly too many of our young children live in poverty, poor housing and without stimulating toys and books at home. These results show the impact that the closure of libraries, playgrounds and drop-in groups had for these children.”
• Government clarifies if libraries, opticians and dentists will close in lockdown – Liverpool Echo. “According to Isobel Hunter, the Chief Executive of Libraries Connected, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is still in discussion with Cabinet Office to confirm the position for libraries during the lockdown.” (Tuesday 4.23pm)
• Libraries That Are Local – Princh / Leon Bolton. “the library was local, enabling, as they do now, easy access for families, older people, teenagers, and jobseekers. In the intervening decades reading formats might have evolved, digital services developed, and service delivery changed but access to a local library remains as important now as it has always been.”

“A mistaken assumption amongst policy makers is to insist that libraries become ‘community hubs’, missing the essential point that local libraries are and have always been hubs of their communities.”

Leon Bolton

• Libraries Taskforce: six month progress report (October 2019 to March 2020) – DCMS. “The Libraries Taskforce ended as a formally constituted body on 31 March 2020 with the agreement of all members.”. Summary of last six months before then.
• Safety in libraries must be a priority – Unison. “Under the government guidelines, libraries can still provide some services such as access to IT and click and collect. Unison believes that even providing these services contains risks to staff and the public and that during this lockdown libraries need to close completely. “All parts of the UK have been experiencing increasing rates of infection,” said Unison’s head of local government Jon Richards. “We all love our libraries, but it is paramount that libraries play their part in reducing the risk of transmitting the virus. “And ‘closed’ must mean putting a temporary stop to all click and collect services and access to IT provision too.”
• Service recovery toolkit – November 2020 – Libraries Connected. Updated for Lockdown 2.0.
• ‘This is revolutionary’: new online bookshop unites indies to rival Amazon – Guardian.
• What’s On – Living Knowledge Network. Events that those services in the LKN are putting on. See also this link for past events, including video, that may be useful to posthumously promote.
• Will libraries be closing in the second lockdown? – Woman and Home. “Right now the situation is still not entirely clear when it comes to England’s libraries. However this does suggest that it might be possible for some libraries to continue to provide Click and Collect services safely.”

International news

• Australia – Burning the Books, by Richard Ovendon, is a chilling history of the steady destruction of knowledge, which continues today – Canberra Times. “Ovenden uses this in the context of the huge cuts imposed on English local councils by the Conservative government in the last decade. In 2010, there were 4356 public libraries in Britain, but by 2019 the number had fallen to 3583.”
• China – Chinese and British libraries look forward to new development – China Daily. “Chen Ying, deputy-director of the National Library, delivered a speech at the forum. She said libraries in China and the UK have adopted efficient measures since the pandemic’s outbreak, a positive contribution to the control of the epidemic. The present difficulty eventually will be conquered and the libraries will see new development.”
• Global – Library tales from here and there – CILIP ILIG. 18 November, 6pm. “Ayub Khan MBE and John Dolan OBE share their experiences of working together with the British Council and overseas Governments. What motivates developing countries and international institutions to invest in libraries? What are their aims and aspirations? What were the outcomes, envisaged and realised?”
• Ireland – Irish librarians call for action on the electronic content crisis facing libraries and library users – Library Association of Ireland. “Irish Librarians and library-related organisations call on the Irish Government, publishers and other stakeholders to recognise, and take action against, the electronic content crisis facing libraries and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are deeply concerned about the rising costs and unfair licensing conditions for such content”
• Norway – Kengo Kuma & Associates wins first prize for Ibsen Library proposal in Norway – Design Boom. Nice pictures. Article has no capitalisation because … style?
• USA – Connections Summit 2020 – SirsiDynix. “Connections Summit 2020 is finally OnDemand. Prepare to learn, be inspired, and even entertained! Easily browse and select presentations you missed or want to re-watch. Sessions are fast-paced and concise with most being 20 minutes or less.”
  • Libraries, Publishers, and Readers: The Freckle Report 2020 – Go To Stage / Tim Coates. “The 2020 version Freckle Report covers two studies: a consumer survey that sought to discover how people get hold of what they read, and particularly where libraries fit into that; and a time study of ILMS data which shows how the data from the consumer survey is changing over time. A decline in per-capita visits to libraries is a noted finding, and the report makes several recommendations to reverse those trends”
  • Vandalization at major libraries aims at voter intimidation – BookRiot. “In 2017 and 2018, a rash of vandals damaged library books and spaces with swastikas as a means of intimidating Jewish patrons. Now, on the precipice of one of the most consequential American elections, vandals have turned to voter intimidation in their crimes. Outside the Boston Public Library in Boston, Massachusetts, vandals set fire to an official ballot box … “

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Ten libraries to remain open during November lockdown for ‘essential services’ – Bolton News. Click and collect, PCs, schools and home library service.
• Calderdale – Select & Collect – Calderdale Council. “As part of the move to increase access to libraries we are now offering the Select & Collect service. Library staff will select a variety of stock based on your specification for you to collect from your chosen library. Once items are available to collect you will be asked to book a collection slot. Each of our libraries has careful social distancing measures in place to keep you and our staff safe.”
• Cheshire East – Borough’s children get chance to tell world leaders how they feel about climate change – Cheshire East Council. “The borough’s library service is running a year-long project for children, the results from which will be shared with organisers of COP26 – the United Nations climate change conference, due to take place in Glasgow, in November 2021.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Covid lockdown: How the restrictions affect Cheshire West and Chester – The Standard. “All libraries, including the home and mobile library services. It is hoped that order and collect services will be made available from selected libraries. Existing loan periods have been extended to December 7 and overdue charges are suspended.”
• Denbighshire – Details of council services in Denbighshire which reopen after the firebreak – Rhyl Journal. Browsing, PCs, home library service.
• Dorset – Libraries and TICs close across Dorset – Dorset Echo. Click and collect, home library service.
• Flintshire – Aura Libraries: Stay Connected with Zoom Reading Groups – The Leader. “Our ‘Reading Friends’ Shared Reading Zoom sessions are suitable for adults of all ages and take place on every second Tuesday of the month from 11am-noon, with our next session scheduled in for Tuesday, November 10. We were delighted to host our very first online Children’s Reading Group last Thursday …”
• Hampshire – Hampshire library customers encouraged to click and collect – Southern Daily Echo. Click and collect.
• Hertfordshire – Coronavirus lockdown 2 rules: Are libraries open during second lockdown? – Hertfordshire Mercury. “the Government has revealed that Click and Collect services for ‘non-essential retail’ is permitted.”
• Kent – Kent library services to resume during Lockdown 2 this week – Kent Online. Click and collect, PCs.
• Leicester – Libraries to offer order and collect service for customers during lockdown – Leicester City Council. Click and collect, home library service.
• Lincolnshire – Library services to continue in Lincolnshire through November’s lockdown – Sleaford Standard. “All 15 core libraries and a number of community hubs across Lincolnshire will remain open”. Click and collect, bookable PCs.
• Manchester – Using Manchester libraries during the COVID-19 lockdown – Manchester Libraries Blog. Click and collect, returns, PCs.

• Norfolk – Norfolk Libraries to re-introduce borrowing rules – Planet Radio. “Since the lockdown began in March, all items borrowed from Norfolk libraries have been renewed automatically and users could keep up to 45 items at a time. From today, books will need to either be renewed or returned before the due date.”
• Northamptonshire – Team effort leads to a new chapter for Raunds library – Northants Telegraph. “Raunds library is now operating under the management of a charitable trust. The trust has worked with Northamptonshire County Council to set up a tenancy arrangement to allow the trust to start delivering valuable services again.”
• North Yorkshire – Changes at libraries, but book borrowing and computer use continue – Harrogate News. Click and collect, bookable PCs
• Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire library services to resume after fire-break – Pembroke Observer. Browinsg, bookable PCs, click and collect.
• Renfrewshire – Book lover Clare wins top national award for librarians – Renfrewshire 24. “The 38-year-old schools library support co-ordinator with Renfrewshire Leisure has won the 2020 Library and Information Professional of the Year Award. The award is made by CILIPS – Scotland’s Library and Information Professionals – and is sponsored audio digital publishers, Bolinda.”
• St Helens – St Helens residents reminded of alternative offers as libraries and leisure centres close – St Helens Reporter. Click and collect, home library service.
• Suffolk – What you can and cannot do at libraries during lockdown – East Anglian Daily Times. “All the libraries – except Stradbroke, which has a post office – have been classed as essential services”. Click and collect, bookable PCs.
• Surrey – Surrey Libraries to offer Click&Collect service across the County – Surrey News. Click and collect, bookable PCs, home library service.
• Telford and Wrekin – Libraries and leisure centres in Telford & Wrekin set to close again in new lockdown – Shropshire Star. ” borough council has confirmed that this week its libraries, leisure centres and popular ice rink are to close for almost a month in line with Government lockdown guidelines.”
• Torbay – Torbay readers can use new lockdown library services – In Your Area. Click and collect, home library service.
• Tower Hamlets – Agenda and decisions – Tower Hamlets Council. Watney Market and Bethnal Green Idea Stores closed for “for several more months” due to being used as Covid centres. Cubitt Town Library to be closed as too small.
• Wandsworth – Which public services are still open in Wandsworth over lockdown? – Wandsworth Times. Click and collect, returns, bookable PCs, home library service.
• Warrington – LiveWire’s Leisure and Library sites to close – but online services available – Warrington Worldwide. All closed.
• West Berkshire – West Berkshire libraries to close during Lockdown 2 – Newbury Today. Click and collect, home library service.
• Wiltshire – Wiltshire libraries to support residents during lockdown – Wiltshire Times. Click and collect, PCs.
• Wokingham – Wokingham: Libraries and leisure centres closed after new lockdown announcement – Bracknell News. “Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech to the nation on October 31, announcing a four-week-long nation-wide lockdown, the Wokingham Borough Council (WBC) has taken the decision to close down leisure centres across the borough, as well as closing the only two previously-reopened libraries, and encouraging residents to use the library services available online.”
• York – Some library services may be able to continue if they are declared ‘essential’ – York Press. “Fiona Williams, chief executive of Explore York Libraries and Archives, said it was still possible that library services may be categorised as ‘essential’ by the government – although it was not yet clear. If that did happen, some library services may be able to remain open after Thursday, she said.”
  • Acomb, Tang Hall and York Central libraries will allow PC access – York Press. “Acomb, Tang Hall and York Central libraries will remain open from Tuesday to Saturday, starting from November 10 – but only for ‘essential PC’ use and to offer a click and collect service.”

Editorial

Great to see Public Library Apparel, featured in this blog a few weeks ago, reach their crowdfunding target. This will mean that an online shop, selling library-themed clothes, with some of the profits going to libraries, will open soon. Crowdfunding for more normal library things, though, is more challenging, as I suspect Libraries Unlimited will discover, asking for the public to fund refurbishing a van for mobile library use. This is the sort of thing that councils would normally fund and it’s a bit sad to see it now being a matter for charity.

Moving further afield, and perhaps more philosophically, I have been thinking about the implications of the British Library partnership with China recently. It’s a difficult issue and I’m not sure about it either way but I think the pros and cons could do with listing.

For partnering with China:

• It’s a partnership with Chinese libraries, not their government. It keeps lines of dialogue open between professionals in both countries. Let’s keep politics out of this, librarians should work with each=other regardless of what their countries are doing.
• An extension of the “soft power” diplomacy that the UK is famous for, influencing others at relatively low cost.
• Helping to develop another country’s libraries, and our own. The partnership advances knowledge and mutual understanding.
• The British Library partnered with 80 (yes, eighty) countries last year alone so this is normal. Under CENL, we brought 70 national library staff from almost 40 (out of 44) European countries together this month. So this is quite normal.
• There won’t be any tangible impact to the Chinese by withdrawing from the partnership and there may be some harm, professional development-wise, in withdrawing.
• Partnerships with organisations which are in countries which have problematic governments is common. My own wife’s school (she’s a teacher) has a partnership programme with a Sudanese school.
• Where do we draw the line? If the French Prime Minister says something off, do we cease having anything to do with them?

Against partnering with China:

• China is an authoritarian dictatorship engaged in outright ideologic if not ethnic cleansing. This can be seen in the last year in Hong Kong and with the Uyghurs. They, again just this year, imposed censorship in libraries and imprisoned a bookseller. I won’t mention their record in hacking because, frankly, as an owner of a website, I don’t want to give them ideas. Being authoritarian, there is no real separation between libraries and the State, with librarians expected to fully co-operate and assist actions which at least some in the UK would find abhorrent.
• Soft power works both ways and China has a lot more power, and wealth, than the UK. While being connected to them, those involved may be (there’s no evidence of this, it’s just theoretical) may be influenced by them.
• The ethics of the UK profession, specifically state the need to  uphold, promote and defend human rights, equalities and diversity, intellectual freedom, including freedom from censorship, impartiality and the avoidance of inappropriate bias … and a few other things that would be anathema to the Chinese regime.
• The partnership, quite apart from any benefit, unintentionally implies that the British Library – the national library – does not see what the Chinese are doing, including their librarians, as wrong enough to cease their partnership. This gives the view, mistaken or otherwise, that the institution supports the Chinese, encouraging further partnership and support to the Chinese from others.

So, as I say, arguments on both sides. I’m not sure myself. But I think that the ethics and implications of the arrangement should be thought about publicly by our profession. We don’t live in a world where what we do is exempt from consequence, either way, and rightly too. Let me know what you think. I’m genuinely interested. Whisper it if you like.

Email ianlibrarian@live.co.uk

Changes by authority

• Devon – Bovey Tracey Library moves into colocation, Crowdfunder for refurbishment of ex-van as a new mobile library
• Essex – Harlow Library to become “modern learning hub”
• York – Plan to rent out museum gardens for mini golf in order to raise funds.

National news

• Award-winning Belfast novelist Anna Burns claims €100,000 prize – Irish News. “Milkman was nominated by libraries in the UK, USA and Germany, as well as Limerick City and County Libraries.”
• Dyslexia Awareness Month: What Makes a Book Dyslexia Friendly? – School Library Journal.
• Exploring the impact of Digital Technologies on the Library, Knowledge and Information workforce – CILIP. “Are you, or any services you know of, currently using or working towards implementing any ‘new; and emerging technologies – such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics and Process Automation – then please tell us more. “
• The Importance of Libraries: by Riva Dawar , Dartford Grammar School for Girls – This is Local London. “the loss of libraries- even for an impermanent period of time- is something that feels wrong. We can’t go out and get a book, and then pass it on to someone else, not for a while now. And that’s good, because we do need to fight this virus, and shutting down libraries is a small but easy way to do that- and a necessary way.”

My department has not undertaken a recent assessment of the financial sustainability of public libraries in England.

The most recent assessment was the National Audit Office report published in 2018 on the Financial sustainability of local authorities for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

The Government is providing local councils with unprecedented support during the pandemic with a £4.3 billion package, including £3.7 billion which is not ringfenced and £600 million to support social care providers. This is part of a wider package of almost £28 billion which the Government has committed to support local areas, with funding going to councils, businesses and communities. The 2020 Spending Review will look at pressures facing the sector and provide them with the certainty they need to aid financial planning.

Caroline Dinenage, Secretary of State, DCMS, 19 October

• Library ebook lending surges as UK turns to fiction during lockdown – Guardian. Increase in digital lending and events described. Nick Poole says ““Yes, absolutely we have found this new digital audience [but] we also need to continue supporting [the] face-to-face audience.”. Top ten borrowed lists.
• Libraries see surge in e-book borrowing amid concerns over book hygiene during lockdown – Telegraph. Paywall.
• McKee shares the secrets of Elmer success after lifetime achievement win – BookSeller. ““Going from being banned to winning a lifetime achievement award is very strange,” said McKee (pictured above), who thinks the librarians in question “didn’t get” the message behind Tusk Tusk: a 1978 story about two groups of elephants (one black, one white) that fight each other because of the colour of their skins. “My first wife was Anglo-Indian. We were invited to South Africa but we would have been staying at different hotels, so we didn’t go,” he told The Bookseller. “
• Neil Gaiman thanks librarians – Instagram. “A big thank you from me to librarians everywhere. You are heroes, and I am so glad you exist and do what you do”
• New report shows Community Managed Libraries evolving into Community Hubs – Community Libraries Network. “CMLs have more and more been operating as Community Hubs and during the COVID-19 crisis have been important in helping maintain the health and well-being of their area. “
• On your marks. Reset. Restart – DCMS Libraries. Business support service to be run from the BL Business and IP Centres based in libraries. “Although it has been a tumultuous year, it has also been a landmark moment for our services to business: in the March Budget, the Chancellor announced a £13 million investment to fund the expansion of the BIPC Network to 20 Regional Centres in England (outside London) by 2023 and a further 90 local centres in towns and rural and coastal areas”
• Public Library Apparel – Kickstarter. Crowdfunding goal reached.
• The row over free school meals is a loud and distinct testimony: those in power do not represent the people – Independent / Letters. “Rotherham council is consulting on turning libraries over to volunteers, following the example of neighbouring Sheffield and Doncaster councils, which did the same with their libraries years ago. Calling libraries “community libraries” and running them with volunteers was, and is, a deliberate ploy to mask cuts and hide the fragmentation and destruction of a crucial statutory service. It is disingenuous to say the least, and an insult to library workers and library users.”
• Study will look at the reading habits of Scots 200 years ago – Press and Journal. “Experts at the University of Stirling have been awarded £1 million for a unique project that will aim to show what people really borrowed from 15 historic libraries, including some in the north and north-east, from 1750 to 1830.” … “It will give people a sense of the role libraries have played across history and recognise that without libraries knowledge could not have been spread and disseminated in the way that it has”–
• ‘We are going to be needed more than ever’: A librarian on how her job has changed amid the Covid pandemic – I News. Anonymous Scottish public librarian interviewed. “More and more people are coming to her library in a small Scottish town for help with applying for benefits on the computers … It’s mostly quite frustrating because you realise how little help there is for people and you really are the safety net …  If I come down with a cold, and I’ve not got Covid symptoms, I’m just going to have to go in.”

How’s 2020 been for you? A few questions answered by Lunde Ljungberg,  Lejre Library & Archive, Denmark

What digital strategy have they found most successful this last year? For us at Lejre Library & Archive, the most successful digital strategy this last year has been to focus on presenting content and ”educating” our users in the accessibility to our digital services.  

Have their libraries experienced a big rise in digital usage in 2020 and a drop in physical loans? The last couple of years we have experienced a steady growth in usage of digital services, but due to the Covid-19 and people staying more at home we have already spend the entire digital budget for 2020 coming out of August. A change of usage that we need to take in consideration going into 2021. In 2019 the physical loans were on a rise at Lejre Library & Archive and in the first couple of months of 2020 we saw a continuing tendency, but because of the Covid-lockdown in the spring we are expecting a bit lower numbers this year.

Is this something you see as temporary or something which is likely to be permanent to some extent? We expect (and encourage) a continuous rise in digital usage in the years to come but not necessarily in contrast to physical loans and visits, more as a qualified supplement to the whole library experience.

What steps have they/are they thinking of taking to meet this change? We have at Lejre Library & Archive an approach to the (digital) library services, which you could call ”shared hosting”. Both in our physical libraries as well on our digital platforms we try to invite the local community and cultural partners to share a focus on a common user. We are not there yet but building on strong community-energy and always trying to facilitate a natural presence of the library in these processes we are confident that we will get there in the near future.

Are there new services you have introduced this year and why? From January 2020, all five libraries in Lejre Municipality are open for self-service from 6am to 22pm. All week. But there are no new digital services as such this year, more a growing production of already digital presence, facebook, instagram, video, streaming talks etc …

Has there been any training or investment in boosting social media provision?  No direct training of staff in matters of e.g. digital hosting, but Covid-19 created a necessary learning platform to reach users in alternative ways. The staff did not think twice and with courage – and an open mind – they raised the levels of digital presence within a very short period of time and in that way ensured the relationship with the users during unknown times. A relationship we can benefit from in the future we think. An interesting observation here is that some of the staff’s personal (literary focused) social media profiles also has increased in user interest and now produce cross-references to both libraries and literature.

Are they in a happy place nationally? How is the overall funding of libraries in their country this year? Lejre Library & Archive is one of the smallest library economies in Denmark, but the local energy and staff spirit is amazing, and in that perspective we only see good things coming for the citizens of Lejre Municipality

Lunde will be speaking at the Webinar: Digital strategy & innovation in libraries webinar on Tuesday 27 October 2pm.

International News

• Ecuador – What it’s like to be a librarian in the Galapagos – I Love Libraries. “I work yards away from the sea, and the marine iguanas usually walk in front of the library’s door.”
  • People’s Libraries – Princh. “what every library should consider as its main mission: to be of the people, for the people and by the people. That is, “popular”.”
• Nepal – A library in rural Nepal – Designing Libraries. Earthquake hit part of Nepal raised international funds. Wifi and computerisation to happen shortly. Donations, especially of old e-readers, required.
• New Zealand – Weeding is essential for healthy library collections – Libraries Aotearoa. Library comes under fire for weeding books, explains why.
  • Libraries Looking Forward – Libraries Aotearoa. “We asked four attendees from New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific who joined the recent LIANZA Libraries Looking Forward panel to report back and reflect on their personal highlights of the popular event.”
• Singapore – Children’s book with racist content moved to adult’s collection in public libraries – Yahoo. “The Library Consultative Panel, described as an “ an independent citizen-based committee comprising members from a cross-section of society”, provides recommendations to the board on its review of books that members of the public have raised concerns about”
• Sweden – Sweden ‘to start lockdowns’ as it has world’s 12th highest Covid-19 death rate – Mirror. “health authorities are reportedly set to ask people to stay away from shopping centres, gyms, libraries and museums.”
• USA – It’s Time to Talk About Covid-19 and Surfaces Again – Wired. Researcher “was aware of the practical issues raised by putting books in purgatory for so long, but she had a broader concern: that all this research was encouraging an undue fixation, or even a fear, of the objects librarians are meant to joyfully share with the public” … “In my opinion, the chance of transmission through inanimate surfaces is very small” … “That was months ago, and since then the scientific evidence has tipped in Goldman’s favor. And yet, here we are all the same, wiping down pews and hiding away books, among countless other disinfection rituals molded by those early perceptions”
  • A Reset for Library E-books – Publishers Weekly. “usage of e-books, digital audio, and other digital resources has indeed risen dramatically at the nation’s public libraries—no surprise. But the question remains: will this spike in usage be a game changer for digital content in libraries?” … ” the easing of prices and restrictions by publishers during the pandemic has helped—a lot. ” … “this is not a time for publishers and libraries to “put aside” their differences, librarians say, but to resolve them.”
  • What happened to YOUmedia?  – Chicago Reader. “The Chicago Public Library’s flagship teen program was a refuge for Black and Brown youth. Recent layoffs put that in jeopardy.”

Local news by authority

• Bournemouth Christchurch Poole – Foodbanks and groups helping to feed people in Dorset – Daily Echo. “All 24 BCP public libraries are accepting food donations for local foodbanks, with Branksome and Rossmore libraries also host community fridges for residents to use.”
• Bury – Final borough library to be reopened – Bury Times. “Staff at Radcliffe Library, which was given a major makeover in 2019, are making final preparations to relaunch the Stand Lane facility.”
• Cardiff – Cardiff community services changes for the fire-break period – In Your Area. ” four core hubs in the city will remain open on an emergency appointment only basis for the duration of the new measures until Monday, November 9. The remaining hubs and libraries will be closed during that time.”
• Devon – Bovey Tracey’s books on the move as new library opens – In Your Area. “The library will close at 4pm onOctober 29 and will open again on November 12 in the new Riverside Community Centre which has been built on the site of the Old Thatched Inn in Station Road The state-of-the-art new centre will also house the Bovey Tracey Town Council offices, meeting and events spaces, public toilets, Incubation Offices and the Information Centre.

• Devon crowdfunder for new mobile library as ‘Gertie’ retires – In Your Area. “Rachel Gee, service development manager (Rural Services), Libraries Unlimited, said: “Purchased at £15,000 from eBay, just a tenth of the cost of a brand-new mobile library, this six-year-old van will improve the reliability of our service for rural communities. It desperately needs to be renovated to meet the needs of our book lending services and the communities who use them. We need to fundraise £15,000 to help get this new mobile library on the road.””
• East Riding – Bid to inspire people during Get Online Week – Bridlington Free Press.
• Essex – Harlow Town Library task group to implement ‘modern learning hub’ – In Your Area. “the library will receive funds from its Getting Building Fund. The Harlow Library Task Group (HLTG), set up by Essex County Council (ECC), will help create a modern learning hub. At the core of this will be Adult Community Learning (ACL), which will relocate from its existing site at Latton Bush.”
  • Talks over Post Office plans for Greenstead Library halt – Gazette Standard. “The Greenstead community needs a post office. Footfall was never a problem. “We have spent three years talking about it coming to the library. “Then they have gone and agreed it for Prettygate, I feel rather let down.””
• Flintshire – Aura Libraries: we’re back on the road – Leader Live. ” Back in July, we introduced a new service called the Aura Library Link – Community Calls. This service provides a telephone link for Flintshire residents who are lonely, socially isolated or finding it difficult to get out.”
• Hampshire – Tadley Library hours to be cut – Newbury Today. “The library, at Mulfords Hill, was previously open for 42 hours, Monday to Saturday. Now, the library will only be open for 34 hours a week, and will be closed completely on Wednesdays as well as Sundays.”
• Highlands – Council leader proposes new and modern library for Highlands – Press and Journal. “Mrs Davidson said it was time libraries became a fully blended service, online as well as physical.”. Councillors “will call for a cross-party meeting on the matter.”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde libraries provide computer access for jobseekers – Greenock Telegraph. “Given the current climate the team are aiming to offer help to those on Universal Credit and looking for employment. Inverclyde was the first place in the country to offer PC access again when restrictions eased. Two hundred people have used the service since July.”
  • Libraries have 4,000 books available for connect and collect – Greenock Telegraph.

• Leeds – Leeds Council reschedules Children’s Drag Queen Story Hour UK event after ‘concerns’ raised – Yorkshire Evening Post. Independent councillor had criticised first scheduling on social media but subsequent public responses positive. Comments disabled on social media post for new event.
• Lincolnshire – Community libraries ‘have gone from strength to strength’ in Lincolnshire since controversial move four years ago – Lincolnshire Live. “A controversial shake-up of library services in Lincolnshire is being heralded as a success four years on. Lincolnshire County Council outsourced 15 core libraries to Greenwich Leisure Ltd in 2016 and handed control of about 30 smaller libraries for local groups to run as community hubs to save £1.9m.”
• Northern Ireland – Coronavirus: NI Libraries see 24,000 new online users during pandemic – BBC. “In March, there were 7,590 new library members – 10 times as many as the same month in 2019.”
• North Yorkshire – Harrogate libraries highly commended in Library of the Year award – North Yorkshire County Council. Council has its own award ceremony – volunteer libraries awarded.
  • New digital heritage trail brings Skipton’s past to life – North Yorkshire County Council. “The Skipton High Street Heritage trail, available on the What Was Here app, uses a selection of photos from Skipton library’s Rowley Ellwood collection. Users can access the app when out and about to check ‘what was here’ at any given location.”
• Pembrokeshire – Wales fire-break: Pembrokeshire libraries to close – Western Telegraph. “any libraries that have re-opened to date will close” .. “Any Order and Collects that have been placed already will have to be collected” by specific deadlines.
• Powys – Guilsfield youngster wins library prize for Revolting Recipe – Powys County Times. “The winner of the Powys County Council libraries’ Roald Dahl Day Competition to write and illustrate a ‘Revolting Recipe’, is seven year-old Saffron Hyland, a pupil at Guilsfield Primary School.”
  • Powys libraries, leisure and recycling centres and others to close – Brecon and Radnor Express. “there will be no Order and Collect library book collections or deliveries, no use of the computers nor browsing sessions in libraries for the firebreak period. All library books out on loan will be automatically renewed, and no fines will apply”
• Torfaen – Library services postponed during ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown – South Wales Argus. “‘request and collect’, IT appointment and Library at Home services will be suspended through the circuit breaker lockdown. Services closed at 5pm today, Friday, and will resume on Monday, November 9. Details on how services will resume will be released shortly.”
• Warwickshire – Kenilworth library reopens for visits – Kenilworth Weekly News.
  • Council to host online event on virtual library services – Leamington Observer. ” an informal online chat through Microsoft Teams, allowing residents to ask them about eBooks and eAudio, eMagazines, eNewspapers, and eInformation and Learning resources.”
• Worcestershire – Digital help on offer from local libraries across Worcestershire – Redditch Standard. “a ‘Digital Champion’ volunteer who can help residents to set up an email address, connect with friends and family online, shop online or get to grips with social media.”
• York – ‘Completely barmy’ plan for mini-golf lawn with York history theme – The Press. “New company York Mini Golf has plans for a 12-hole mini golf course to be run at the site for the next five years – which could help make money for York Explore, which would rent out the land.”

Editorial

There were several librarians named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year. The name that stood out to me was Isobel Hunter, the current and first CEO of Libraries Connected, who despite only being in post two years has not put a foot wrong in what could have been quite a difficult time, ensuring that LC has had a strong founding. A notable thing to me is that those honoured have been at chief or very senior level in libraries. While understandable, because they’re at the level that can get things done and are thus noticed, this I think is a bit of shame as there are tons of highly committed and gifted librarians who may not get to that level but still make a huge difference. See my article here for more thoughts on the subject.

Changes by authority

• Cornwall – Liskeard Library transferred to non-profit.
• Redbridge – Woodford Green Library to be refurbished.

National news

• CILIP announces Honorary Fellowships including Library Champion Bobby Seagull – CILIP. “Bobby Seagull and CILIP are delighted to announce that he will be continuing in the role of CILIP Library Champion for 2020-21. In recognition of his services to libraries” … “Alongside Bobby, Honorary Fellowships are also being awarded to Margaret Casely-Hayford, CBE, for services to children’s literature and illustration through her leadership of the CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Awards Diversity Review; and Pamela Martindale, for her sustained and significant contribution to the library, information and knowledge profession through professional registration.”
• How can libraries play a positive role in the Covid crisis? – Eurolis. Zoom, Wednesdays 14, 21 and 28 October 2020, from 4 to 6pm. Speakers from UK, Portugal, Poland, Catalonia (Spain), Italy, Germany and France.

• How shipping container libraries can help save the public library crisis – Open Access Government. Shipping Container boss praises shipping containers.”BiebBus is a mobile container-based in The Netherlands, which has the ability to let kids have fun and explore the world of books before travelling on to a new place. We all love novelty and shiny new things, and can often get bored when things stay the same. With portable, alternative libraries which are only in town for a limited amount of time, people may feel more of a need to visit. It’s new, and it’s an experience people can try out with their friends.”
• Libraries Week features nationwide Haig event and Bonnier book club launch – BookSeller. “Libraries Week kicks off today (5th October), featuring behind the scenes looks at authors’ bookshelves, a nationwide live reading of The Midnight Library by author Matt Haig (Canongate) and the launch of a Bonnier book club.”
• Living Libraries – Soho Radio. “a celebration of public libraries in the words of people who use, work in and run them. Sarah Pyke and Shelley Trower present the Living Libraries oral history project, 2019-2020 at the University of Roehampton, supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The oral history collection is copyright of The British Library Board and is used with permission.”
• Supporting economic recovery – Local Government First. “With their offer of access to computers, job clubs, CV writing support, skills training and targeted support for start-ups through Business and Intellectual Property Centres (BIPCs), libraries have an important role to play.”
• TWA Heritage Digitisation Grant – Amended to Reflect the Changing Face of 2020 – Town Web Archiving. 3 grants of £3000 each open to libraries.
• Why libraries hold the key to a start-up revolution – Times. Behind paywall.
• Young north-east football fans can support reading challenge – Grampian Online. “This year’s 4-4-2 Reading Challenge has been launched with Peterhead FC supporting the initiative in the north-east. It is the third year of the successful programme which is spearheaded by the SPFL Trust, Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC), and Scotland’s libraries.”

Honours

• Susan Hill and Mary Berry awarded damehoods in Queen’s Birthday Honours – BookSeller. “Librarians were well represented in the Birthday Honours. Receiving OBEs were Libraries Connected chief executive Isobel Hunter “for services to public libraries”, and Julie Oldham, head of Library and Museum Services at Bolton Council, and professor Steven John Broomhead, “for services to public libraries” in Chorley, Lancashire. MBEs were awarded “for services to libraries and the arts” to Andrew Bentley in Cheshire and “for services to public libraries” to Michelle Alford in Lancashire, Janet Holden in Suffolk, Sarah Smith in London and Gateshead Library Service manager Stephen James Walters.”
• Andrew Bentley – Queen’s Birthday honours see Holocaust survivor, Storyhouse boss and Crewe hospice fundraiser recognised – Cheshire Live. “Storyhouse chief executive Andrew Bentley, who has been working hard to try to save the theatre from the devastating financial impact of the coronavirus lockdown.”
• Steven Broomhead – Steven Broomhead awarded MBE in Queen’s birthday honours – Warrington Guardian. “Professor Steven Broomhead’s name was listed among others deserving of recognition for their contribution to society following the publication of the full honours list. The award comes following his leadership and chairmanship of the National Libraries Taskforce, in which he helped to implement the Independent Library Report and reinvigorate the national public library service.” … “Prof. Broomhead was previously chair of Warrington’s Libraries Working group, which formed to review the results of consultations over the borough’s provision.”
• Council Chief receives MBE for services to libraries in Queen’s Birthday Honours – Warrington Worldwide.
• Peter Gaw – Inspire CEO honoured in Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2020 – West Bridgford Wire. “The British Empire Medal (BEM) has been awarded to Peter Gaw the CEO of Inspire – Culture, Learning and Libraries in the Queen’s birthday 2020 Honours list in recognition of his service and commitment to Libraries and Culture.”
• Janet Holden – Suffolk’s community heroes celebrated in Queen’s Birthday Honours – East Anglian Daily Times. “Janet Holden. For services to Public Libraries (Halesworth, Suffolk)”
• Julie Oldham – Bolton librarian to be honoured by the Queen for a second time – Manchester Evening News. Julie Oldham received an MBE in 2002 and now has OBE. She retired this year. ““During my career I have been privileged to work with some fantastic people who have inspired me and worked with me to deliver our services, often through challenging times.”
• Stephen Walters – Gateshead individuals honoured – Gateshead Council. “Stephen Walters, Gateshead Council Libraries Manager, awarded the British Empire Medal for services to public libraries”

International news

• USA – A former Austin Library employee is accused of stealing $1.3M in printer toner – CNN. Bought it for the library and then stored it in garage until sold online. He also allegedly fraudulently used library credit cards.
• Walmart’s new store design proves browsing is dead – Fast Company. “Walmart is rearranging many items across the store, consolidating categories such as electronics, toys, and baby products into their own dedicated sections rather than having some items scattered. Then they’re loading these stores with clearer signs to point you around the space. These signs match up with the exact categories and icons you’ll also find inside the surprisingly great Walmart app. The intended effect is what the company is billing as a “seamless” shopping experience between the digital store and the physical one.”

Local news by authority

• Bexley – Sidcup Library closed after staff member in close contact with person with coronavirus – London News Online. “The move may have a knock-on effect with other libraries in the borough, with the authority adding that opening times of other buildings may be impacted as staff are switched around.”
• Blackpool – Two more libraries set to reopen in Blackpool – here’s what you need to know – Blackpool Gazette. Anchorsholme and Revoe.
• Bradford – More services now available at three Bradford District libraries – Telegraph and Argus. “This service will be available at City Library, Keighley Library and Shipley Library.”
• Bury – Ramsbottom becomes second library in borough to reopen – Bury Times. Ramsbottom now open for browsing.
• Calderdale – A hive of activity at Elland Library – Calderdale News Centre. “around 50,000 bees had to be rehomed as part of work to refurbish Elland Library. The town’s library is currently undergoing a £1.75million refurbishment, transforming the building into a community hub providing a range of services.”
  • Decision made over axing of Calderdale libraries, waste centres and services in £2m worth of cuts – Halifax Courier. “Coun George Robinson (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) argued his ward would have lost two libraries in a matter of months and it would affect older people in the area. The council had been able to find money for Elland Library, some funding for Square Chapel, which has just been rescued from administration, and funding or revenue support totalling more than £6 million for Halifax Piece Hall, he said, which impacted on the reserves it had available to be used in situations like this.”
• Camden – Belsize entrepreneur joins forces with community library to boost local businesses – Ham and High. “He founded the Purposeful Project earlier this year, and his aim is to help one million people start their own businesses. As part of this goal, he’s working with BCL to create a business advice hub and remind people of the power of a good library.”
• Cornwall – Keys to Liskeard Library handed over – Cornish Times. “ handed over the keys to the Library to Lindsey Hall of the Real Ideas Organisation (RIO).” … ““We can now crack on with what is quite a significant renovation project to bring this fantastic building back up to scratch, and able to fulfil its potential as a contemporary library, cultural hub and co-working space.”

“The library building in Barras Street has sat empty for over a year in the heart of our town centre with no refurbishment work even commencing during this whole period. “I just hope that Cornwall Council learn from this debacle and ensure we are never put in this position again where decisions are taken to vacate buildings before the next steps have been secured and agreed.”

Cornwall Councillor for Liskeard Nick Craker

• Coventry – More services on offer at Coventry’s libraries – Coventry Observer. “People can now book 30-minute book-browsing slots and 45-minute computer selections, along with click and collect services at Bell Green, Central, Foleshill, Stoke, Tile Hill and Willenhall libraries.”
• Cumbria – Ulverston, Ambleside, Grange and Windermere Library to reopen to the public within weeks – The Mail. “Ulverston, Grange, Ambleside and Windermere Libraries will all open to the public on the week of October 19.”
• Devon – Lucy’s long list of books reaps rewards at Budleigh Salterton Library – East Devon News. Reward for reading 100 books.
• Edinburgh – Book a return to re-opened Kirkliston Library – Linlithgow Gazette. “Library services will be restricted to start, with numbers within buildings limited and social distancing measures in place including face coverings being mandatory.”
• Falkirk – Falkirk area libraries to reopen in phases – here’s what you need to know – Falkirk Herald. “Falkirk Community Trust (FCT) has announced Falkirk Library will return to business as of Monday, October 12, with seven others to follow throughout the rest of October and the beginning of November”
• Flintshire – Aura Libraries: discover what your Flintshire library can do for you – The Leader. “You can now visit Buckley, Broughton, Connah’s Quay, Flint, Holywell and Mold Libraries for select browsing, computer use, or to print and access the photocopier, as well as pick up Select and Collect orders.”
• Hampshire – Changes to Hampshire Libraries’ staffed opening hours now online – Hampshire County Council. “details about the upcoming changes, which the County Council plans to have fully in place by 1 January 2021, are now available”
  • Roll-out of changes to library opening hours in Hampshire – Salisbury Journal. Cuts “to staffed opening hours across libraries in Hampshire will be put in place “gradually” over the next three months, the county council has revealed.”
• Inverclyde – Join Inverclyde Libraries book group – Greenock Telegraph. Twitter.
• Lancashire – Discover “Whodunnit” During Libraries Week In Preston – Preston Hub. “A competition will be held for adult library members to win an iPad. To take part, readers need to review a crime or detective story, and submit this online by using the library services Facebook or Twitter accounts. A winner will be selected at random from the entries.”
• Leeds – National Libraries Week 2020: The Staff of the Central Library – Secret Library. ” In 2019 we invited ex-Library staff from Leeds Central Library to attend something of a reminiscence session with the aim of discovering more about our 1884 Grade II listed building and, while we did discover many things about the building itself, including underground tunnels, tall tales of ghosts and even a missing snake living in the heating system, what was really discovered was a treasure trove of staff memories of day-to-day workings in a large public Library.”
• Leicester – Jobseeking advice on offer at three city libraries – Leicester City Council. “From next week, Jobcentre work coaches will be located at St Barnabas Library, Beaumont Leys Library and the Pork Pie Library & Community Centre.”
• Leicestershire – Book in to take a book out: How to secure your place if you want to visit Harborough library – Harborough Mail. “You are still being asked to book beforehand if you would like to visit Market Harborough library and take out a book. People will be able to queue instead at 15 other main libraries throughout Leicestershire. But the county council said queueing won’t be possible at the library in Market Harborough.”
• Lincolnshire – Take part in Market Rasen Library’s guessing game – Market Rasen Mail. ” have your guess for the books displayed and return the form to the library”
• Manchester – Manchester Libraries – Resilience in 2020 – Manclibraries Blog. “We took many of our services that normally make our libraries bustling hives of activity online. The online reading offer was heavily promoted and our major e-book and magazine platforms saw a big increase in usage. The yearly Chorlton Book Festival went online with author discussions and panel events. We knew digital support for vulnerable and excluded residents would be vital and our offer included 1-1 telephone support, free tablets and data, and even free Chromebooks. “
• Middlesbrough – Middlesbrough library book returned 57 years late – BBC. “The fine would have been more than £500 but charges have been suspended during the pandemic and there would be “no questions asked”, a council spokesperson said.”
• Moray – Moray libraries join in Library Week celebrations – Northern Scot.
• North Yorkshire – North Yorkshire libraries celebrate black history – Northern Echo.
  • App puts the library at your fingertips – North Yorkshire County Council. “Using the app, members can view their account, search the library catalogue and reserve and renew books, as well as downloading e-books and e-audio books and accessing free online reference resources.”
• Northamptonshire – Raunds library ready to welcome readers back this month – Northamptonshire Telegraph. Volunteer library. “The library in High Street, Raunds, will be re-opening on October 20 after several months of closure”
• Oxfordshire – £66k on offer for new short term Oxfordshire library boss – Oxford Mail. “A spokesman for the council said its current libraries manager was leaving to relocate and an interim manager was needed while the search for a permanent boss takes place.”
  • Botley Library to stay shut until it is connected to county council network – Oxford Mail. “It has now been closed for six months and will not reopen until cables are installed to connect the facility to the Oxfordshire County Council network.”. Resident says “”I’m just worried it’ll never reopen.””
  • County takes part in National Libraries Week – Witney Gazette. “The news comes as Chinnor, Woodgreen, Charlbury and Wychwood libraries are set to reopen this month after others across the county have successfully reopened.”
• Pembrokeshire – Newport Library to offer order and collect service – Western Telegraph. Volunteer library.
• Redbridge – Woodford Green Library set for much-needed makeover – Ilford Recorder. “Work on the Woodford Green Library will include redecoration, refurbishment and rewiring throughout. Plans are still in development, but there is a possibility of additional services opening.”
• Richmond – Richmond Council sets out calendar for Black History Month – Richmond and Twickenham Times.
• Shetland – Wishart raises motion in recognition of Shetland Library – Shetland Times. “Isles MSP Beatrice Wishart has lodged a motion highlighting the library’s work, and even pays tribute to the “light-hearted sparring” against Orkney Library – something which, in recent times, has even been highlighted on Radio 2.”
• Shropshire – Library hours to be extended in Shropshire – Advertiser.
• Southampton – Prestigious new title for Southampton library services – Southern Daily Echo. “Southampton’s library service is only the third in the country to be awarded the title that is overseen by City of Sanctuary UK.”
• Staffordshire – Families invited to join celebrations for National Libraries Week – Tamworth Informed.
  • List of most borrowed digital library books in Staffordshire during lockdown is revealed – Lichfield Live. “The county’s library service said The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri had been the most borrowed e-book.”
• Swindon – Vacancy – Library Development & Innovation Manager – Swindon Council. Part-time permanent £32k.
  • Swindon children’s author Steve Antony celebrated during Libraries Week – Swindon Advertiser. ““During Libraries Week, we will be celebrating the time that Steve has generously given to Swindon libraries by showcasing some of the projects we have worked on together and by reading some of his brilliant books online.””
• Warwickshire – Vacancy – Delivery Lead – Libraries (South) and North. Information Professional Jobs. Full-time permanent, £49-56k. Plus other jobs inc. hub team leaders, team leaders, principal librarian.
• West Dunbartonshire – National Eye Health Week: West Dunbartonshire libraries join in – Clydebank Post. “The rule is to look up from your screen every 20 minutes and focus on something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. “
• Windsor and Maidenhead – Coronavirus: Windsor and Maidenhead may need to save £18m in five years – Royal Borough Observer.”In the medium-term financial strategy report, it states the 2021/22 budget will have to make a projected saving of nearly £8.4 million which could see some services, like libraries, being cut back.”

“Libraries were listed as a ‘discretionary service’ to be potentially looked into despite the council having a ‘statutory duty’ to provide efficient library services to residents. The council leader acknowledged libraries are statutory but said RBWM could be looking at a number of avenues to deliver the service such as changing the opening times, the number of libraries and their locations in the borough, integrating the service into another model, etc.”

• Maidenhead Library installs new COVID-19 measures to keep visitors safe – Maidenhead Observer. “Maidenhead Library has opened its doors to the public for browsing and computer use.”
• Wokingham – Earley: Plans to reopen library paused due to covid laws – Reading Chronicle. “The announcement that reopening plans would be delayed was made at the end of September, shortly following the Prime Minister’s ‘rule of six’ public announcement.”
• Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: Strictly Come Dancing-inspired reading – The Leader.

Editorial

The BookSeller have published an interesting article on library usage, pointing out that it is only at one-fifth to one-third of pre-covid levels. There are many reasons for this situation, some of which are listed below, but it’s still a worrying statistic to be made public at a time when councils are looking for ways to save money:

• much usage has moved online. On the other hand, while such usage is often larger than any single physical library branch, it won’t account for a significant amount of the fall. There were 157m book loans in 2018, while the article states that ebook loans March to August were 3.5m. The “600% increase” figure often quoted as an e-lending rise is not an overall accurate figure for the whole period.
• many libraries are still closed, on reduced hours or click and collect only.
• unlike shops, libraries are not promoting themselves or encouraging visitors. The focus is on safety, not income. Libraries need to be models of safety for their councils, and being risk averse, unlike retail.
• the unique returns aspect of libraries means quarantining of books unlike in shops. This may have a knock-on effect in highlighting risk to users and in keeping popular titles outside of circulation.
• A significant user base for libraries is amongst the old: a demographic most at risk and thus less likely to go out.

An example of an authority trying to save money is Kent, which has the largest number of library buildings of any UK authority, has announced that it will 66 of its 99 branches closed until 1st April 2021. Those normally working in the closed branches have been moved to open ones. Also, reading between the lines, the closure of Stockport Central Library and its moving some time next year to a co-location in an old Argos shop is as likely to be as much about saving money as modernising the service, although it is true that sometimes both can be achieved.

Changes by local authority

• Kent – 66 out of 99 libraries to stay closed until 1 April to save money. Staff redeployed to open libraries.
• Stockport – Central Library to remain closed – will move to old Argos site in shopping centre.

National news

• Collaborations For Libraries: How To Create New Things With Partners – Princh. Includes room hire, using a wedding dress designer to come up with a new staff uniform, and jazz … plus a please to not hurt reputation of library.
• How Yorkshire towns can lead UK fightback – The Yorkshire Post says – Yorkshire Post. North and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership says lack of broadband holding back region.
• It Took Covid Closures to Reveal Just How Much Libraries Do Beyond Lending Books – Observer. A look at York Explore, Tacoma, New York, Suffolk, with increase in online usage. “Its many proposals also include the use libraries – many of which are fighting for their futures – as centres to teach new digital skills to the less computer-savvy.”

The American Library Association’s Games and Gaming Round Table (GameRT) is proud to announce that despite COVID-19, International Games Week (IGW) will take place from November 8 to November 14, 2020.  Libraries of all stripes around the world are encouraged to sign up between now and October 24 to be eligible for a drawing for one of three special GameRT Loot Boxes. While GameRT encourages participants to hold a gaming event at their Library during IGW, due to the pandemic, any event held during the month of November can be counted.  This year, GameRT will be spotlighting freely available print-and-play games and listing resources available for libraries to use to set up gaming events online at games.ala.org. 

Darren Edwards, Lis-Pub-Libs

• Levelling Up Our Communities – UK Government. Report by Danny Kruger MP (Conservative) to the Prime Minister on improving community. “The local Library is or should be a crucial element of the social model we need to create, or re-create. Libraries are no longer dusty book depositories. Increasingly they serve as digital hubs and information centres for communities, and places for classes and sessions of all kinds. The British Library’s Business and IP Centre network is supporting local libraries to assist people in starting their own businesses. Even more is possible: siting BBC local radio stations in libraries, spreading the Library of Things network, using libraries for cultural events and exhibitions, and working with Historic England to establish new libraries in old buildings.” … “Government should make a major commitment to support the local library as the hub of the 21st century community”

• Library footfall down 80% on last year – BookSeller. Libraries Connected “… collects weekly figures and, up to the week ending 13th September, they show a very gradual uptick in the number of physical users since lockdown ended for libraries from early July, with footfall still at only around 20% of last year’s level.” … many libraries still closed so those open more at 35% … “the figure is still far lower than for the commercial high street, where more shops have opened fully and footfall has peaked at close to 70% of previous levels.”
• Public Library Apparel – KickStarter. “Apparel to raise awareness and funds for public libraries in the UK.”. Check out these literary themed t-shirts to support ailing libraries – Big Issue.
• Public Library Reopening Poll – Summer 2020 – Lorensbergs. “The results provide a snapshot of the services available at late August/early September and libraries’ plans for the months ahead. A total of 96 library authorities have taken part, with participation stretching across the UK. The findings represent how it’s been necessary for library authorities to respond according to the guidelines and different circumstances of their local areas.”

• Transforming the digital offer for public libraries – BookSeller. “Our goal was not just to conceptualise what a website for public libraries might look like, but rather to think more deeply and strategically about how to improve the use of digital technology throughout the whole public library sector. ” … “We believe that a national digital presence should help everyone discover the power of the public library by making access to knowledge easier and more enjoyable, and supporting every public library to deliver digital services of the highest quality.” … “to build a national digital channel for public libraries” and “develop patterns and designs that local libraries can use and re-work”

International news

• Canada – Book vending machine outside Vancouver Mall library revives pleasure of browsing the stacks – The Columbian.
• EU – News from the NAPLE sistership between Iisalmi City Library and Edinburgh Libraries – NAPLE Sister Libraries. “correspondence between libraries has been active and we have been keeping in touch with emails and Skype meetings. We have also done some small projects together. These have included country specific book exhibitions, sharing content in social media and joint activities of our book clubs. The exchange of ideas has been fruitful and we have very similar opinions concerning the development of our cooperation.”
• Global – Occupy Library – Occupy Library. 3 day online conference. “Occupy Library brings together the innovating ideas that are implemented in libraries in the Central, Eastern European, Black Sea, Caucasus, and Caspian regions. The conference will provide a virtual space for sharing good practices and support best ways to make libraries more involved in their communities.”. Happened last week.
• Ireland – Shhh! Downloads prove a big noise for Ireland’s libraries in lockdown – Times. “Figures show that due to the restrictions imposed because of the pandemic, downloads of ebooks via the app in Ireland have increased to 529,416 in 2020 to date, compared with 345,877 over all 12 months of last year.”
• Maldives – ‘Barefoot bookseller’ sought to run island bookshop in Maldives – Guardian. ““Last time we had everybody from the White House press corps to film directors, lawyers, IT managers, beach poets, retired librarians,” said Blackwell, who is a member of the British bookselling family that sold their chain in 2006. “What works best is somebody with bookselling experience. “
• USA – Passenger Pigeon Manifesto – Peta Pixel. A call for all libraries to preserve and make public historical records.

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Chance to share memories as Bath Central Library marks 30th anniversary – Bath Echo. “The libraries team will be posting on social media throughout the ‘birthday’ with photos through the ages, memories of staff past and present and activities for all ages to enjoy including 30 years of books, a quiz and downloadable bookmarks.”
  • Libraries across Bath & North East Somerset set to reopen for browsing – Bath Echo. “Bath Central, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Libraries will reopen for browsing and collection of reservations from Tuesday 22nd September, from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.”
• Bradford – Activities planned in district to celebrate Libraries Week – Keighley News. “Top authors from a range of genres are involved in the initiative, which includes free theatre sessions, small-animal workshops and interactive story times for under-fives.”
• Cumbria – Step up in Covid safety measures as more libraries prepare to open – The Mail. “after careful preparation plans are in place to reopen an additional 12 branch libraries across the county on Wednesday, October 21.”
• Hackney – Hackney librarian Jack Houston shortlisted for prestigious short story award – Hackney Gazette. “Come Down Heavy is a moving tale of a friendship between two women living chaotic lives and has been nominated for the BBC National Short Story Award with Cambridge University”
• Hertfordshire – Get Creative with Fun Palaces – Hertfordshire County Council. “Look out for suggestions of creativity for adults and children and simple ideas for community engagement on the libraries social media pages – both the Hertfordshire Libraries pages and those of many local libraries. Join in – it’s fun and it’s free and it will create essential new community connections. #FunPalaces”
• Highlands – High Life Highland announces it will reopen eight further libraries which were forced to close during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic earlier this year; the sites set to reopen in the next week include ones in Ross-shire, on the Black Isle, on Skye, in Sutherland, Badenoch and Strathspey – Ross-Shire Journal.
• Kent – KCC acts to tackle financial impact of Covid pandemic – Kent County Council. ““As far as libraries, children’s centres and community learning services are concerned, our decision was not an easy one. We know that these are popular service and residents may be disappointed by our decision, as will those staff who will not be able to work at their usual building.”
• Lancashire – Bamber Bridge Library Will Reopen Next Week – Preston Hub. “Libraries at Bamber Bridge, Barrowford, Burnley, Burscough, Cleveleys, Halton, Haslingden, Kingsfold, Kirkham, Mellor and Sharoe Green will reopen from Wednesday 30 September. And libraries at Earby, Ingol, Knott End, and Rishton will reopen from Thursday 1 October.”
• Lincolnshire – Libraries in the Donington, Spalding and Long Sutton area are back open – Spalding Today.
• Liverpool – ‘My First Library Card’ launched for under 10’s across Liverpool – In Your Area. “Parents across Liverpool are being encouraged to pick up a special card for their under 10’s to develop their child’s love of reading. Week beginning September 28, Liverpool City Council’s Libraries and Information Services, in partnership with Edge Hill University, will launch the ‘My First Library Card’ for youngsters up to the age of 10. The library card features a friendly liver bird design, created to appeal to little readers.”
• Norfolk – One of Norfolk’s smallest libraries reopens for first time in six months – Fakenham and Wells Times. “Reepham Library is set to reopen next week after being closed for more than six months.”. Mobile library service to replace Hingham Library for time being because it is too small.
• North Yorkshire – Libraries in Craven prepare to celebrate national poetry day – Keighley News. Virtual poet reading.
• Nottinghamshire – Read all about it: the mobile library is back out on Nottinghamshire roads – Newark Advertiser. “Mobile libraries are back on the roads of Nottinghamshire ­— but offering a click-and-collect service only.”
• Pembrokeshire – Customers set for safe return to Pembrokeshire’s libraries – Pembroke Observer. “Libraries in Tenby, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Fishguard will welcome customers back to browse their shelves in person for the first time since March.”
• Portsmouth – Beddow Library Set to Re-Open and Saturday Hours Returning – About My Area. “The re-opening of Beddow library follows after the successful re-opening of Central, Southsea, North End and Cosham libraries in July and August.”
• Southend – Leigh: New chapter for Southend libraries as doors reopen to the public – Leigh Times. “Residents can now visit their local libraries to browse for their favourite novels and books.”
• Stockport – Stockport’s historic Central Library set for move to new ‘cultural hub’ at Merseyway – Manchester Evening News. “Stockport Central Library is to move to the Merseyway Shopping Centre as part of plans to create a new cultural hub in the town centre. It has remained closed since March when the council shut all libraries and museums in the borough as the coronavirus pandemic took hold.”
• Thurrock – Five more libraries to reopen in Thurrock – Your Thurrock. “A further five libraries will open in Thurrock over the next two weeks, following the successful reopening of Grays, Belhus and Corringham in July.”
• Warwickshire – Council urges Warwickshire residents to download NHS test and trace app – Solihull Observer. “The mobile phone application lets users ‘check in’ to any venue or business with areas open to the public – such as pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, cinemas, places of worship, or community facilities such as libraries – by scanning a QR code displayed on a poster at the venue. It will automatically alert users if they have visited a venue where they may have come into contact with the virus”
  • Book lovers can now visit Shipston-on- Stour Library again – Cotswold Journal.
• York – World Turned Upside Down 2020 #haiflu edition – Explore York. ” We are asking people in York to send us poems and drawings that we will use to create a lasting record of what has happened in our lives. The project is called World Turned Upside Down 2020 #haiflu edition.”

Editorial

Windsor and Maidenhead, the” tax avoidance capital” and one of the wealthiest parts of the UK, is considering cutting library opening hours by a quarter in order to save money. Elsewhere, Kingston has also announced a consultation but it is avoids mentioning if this is simply cover to cut funding or not. A new library has opened in Waltham Forest and another in the Vale of Glamorgan has closed for extensive refurbishment. Meanwhile, the troubled Library of Birmingham has been earmarked £3m of the £10m it needs just for maintenance. That place sucks in money. So – good news – this almost sounds like a normal news week pre-Covid.

A librarianship MA student is researching the use and purpose of volunteers at Oldham Libraries for her dissertation and is looking for information professionals to share their thoughts on the topic. The study will involve information professionals completing a survey about their experience and knowledge of volunteers. If you find the project of interest and would like to participate in this survey, please contact the researcher, Nicola Semple. Her email address is nicola.semple@stu.mmu.ac.uk

Changes by authority

• Birmingham – Library of Birmingham needs £11m maintenance over ten years: £3m to be spent on it over 3 years.
• Kingston – Consultation.
• South Gloucestershire – Filton Library closed for repairs.
• Vale of Glamorgan – Penarth Library to be extensively refurbished inc. makerspace.
• Waltham Forest – New Wood Street Library opens.
• Windsor and Maidenhead – Consultation on cutting opening hours by 26% /123 hours from current 475.5

Whichbook

I’ve been a fan of Whichbook for years and so was delighted to see that this one-of-a-kind book recommendation site has been radically improved. Rachel Van Riel, the Director of Opening the Book, the creators of Whichbook, very kindly agreed to answer my questions about it …

What is Whichbook?

A new way to choose a book where the reader is in control. Searching books sites and catalogues usually means keying in an author name or book title. But if you know the name already, your search is likely to turn up books you already know about. No surprises there. Whichbook starts instead from the reading experience you are looking for. Are you in the mood for something funny and optimistic or beautiful and a bit sad? Mix the mood sliders to match what you want and see what comes up. You can choose the race, age, gender and sexuality of the main character or spin the globe and pick the country your book is set in.

What is it like now?

This site is in a completely different league from the old one. The old one had the central idea but it was dated in design, you needed to be keen to use it. People still were keen – we averaged 35,000 a month – but this new one is so juicy and tempting – I defy anyone not to get sucked in to look at just one more possibility – and then another ….

So what’s actually new?

It’s dynamic and not linear. When you change the mood sliders, the book covers instantly rearrange to match, it’s magic. When you choose a main character, you can pick Asian and see a big choice, then choose gay, the book covers change instantly to show that. It’s a celebration of the richness of book cover design and a visual feast. Everything is intuitive – instead of a drop-down menu of countries to choose from, you can spin a globe and land anywhere and see which books are set there. And it is designed to work on tablets and phones as much as PCs and Macs. That’s been a huge job with such a complexity of interaction. But we knew that more than half of users access by mobile phone so it’s essential.

Is it free?

Yes, it’s completely free. For the first time, we have added a donate button as the site has had no public funding since 2003. We have looked at using ads too but they do spoil the design so we’d rather not.

How are the book choices made?

We concentrate on books which may fly below the radar – first-time authors, quirky titles and knock-out covers. Any user can suggest a book. We don’t include the big bestsellers as they don’t need any help to be found. Another great new feature, though, is that you can pick a current bestseller you enjoyed and see a selection of whichbook titles you might like to try next. That could be very useful for libraries with a big waiting list for bestseller reservations.

What’s the library connection?

Click on any book cover to get the book details and you can then Borrow or Buy. Borrow brings up a choice of UK library services with a link that goes straight to author/title level so you can see which branches hold it. The other big connection with libraries is that whichbook readers mostly work in libraries. We have just started a training programme with 10 new readers in Leeds Libraries.

National news

• Annual Report to Parliament on public libraries activities from April 2019 to March 2020 – Gov.uk. “This report provides a review of library activity from April 2019 to March 2020 by government and a number of library stakeholders.”

• Libraries need change from the top – BookSeller. Tim Coates says “Public libraries have been losing the plot for years.” … “and if those currently in charge can’t see or do that, they should be replaced—and very quickly, this autumn. “

• Together We Read – Digital bookclub. “During this two-week program, there will be no waitlists and no holds for the selected ebook. Download Libby to borrow the free ebook from your library using your phone or tablet. “

International news

• China –  Concrete wormhole library – Designing Libraries. “The wormholes, of varying size and intervals, provide surprise and let in natural light. As well as provision for around 10,000 [censored – Ed.] books, the library has bicycle parking facilities, bathrooms and showers.”
• Global – Libraries In Movement – Princh. A look at mobile libraries worldwide including those using donkeys and boats.
• India – Pandemic is the perfect time to build community libraries, here’s why – Times of India. ” news of small community libraries being opened up in different places in Balochistan caught international bestselling author Paulo Coelho’s attention. The idea is to convert unused buildings or places previously misused for drug consumption into small community libraries in towns and villages so that people and young readers get a glimpse of the outside world through stories and books”
• USA/Ireland/ – What’s it like to be a library cat during the pandemic – I Love Libraries. “Library staff know him to be extremely self-sufficient, but during the pandemic people have still been sure to drop by his hut to check in and share snacks.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Aberdeen’s libraries open doors to welcome back readers – Evening Express. “Central and Tillydrone libraries opened on Monday and the libraries at Airyhall, Bridge of Don, Cove, Dyce and Mastrick opened on Thursday.”
• Aberdeenshire – Public access PCs available to book at Aberdeenshire libraries from next week – Evening Express. “Hour-long slots allow 45 minutes use and the chance for staff to ensure hygiene between users, who are asked to wear face coverings.” From 2 libraries.
• Birmingham – Millions to be spent after fears Birmingham library could soon become unsafe to occupy – Birmingham Mail. “Around £3 million is set to be spent on the Library of Birmingham over the next three years.” … “Last week it was revealed that the library, which opened in 2013, risks becoming unsafe to use without £11 million in maintenance works over the next ten years.”
• Bradford – Call for Bradford poets to enter library competition – Telegraph and Argus. “Libraries hopes to produce two books – one book featuring poems and artwork by children & young people under 18 and another with artwork and poems by adults (over 18).”
• Bridgend – Libraries Reopen For Book Browsing – Awen Libraries. “reopened its Aberkenfig, Bridgend, Maesteg, Pencoed, Porthcawl and Pyle branches for book browsing and borrowing”
• Buckinghamshire – Marlow residents urged to contribute to library art – Maidenhead Advertiser. “Bucks Council is urging Marlow residents to take part in the creation of a new art installation for the refurbished library.”
  • 3,000 people still have library books from before lockdown, but be warned – fine amnesty ends this month – Bucks Free Press. “The fines amnesty that has been in place during lockdown will end on September 30.”
• Denbighshire – Libraries across Denbighshire open for appointment visits – Journal. “Visits to browse and choose books are limited to 20 minutes, and computer sessions are currently limited to 45 minutes, and one per week.”
• Derbyshire – Derbyshire’s mobile libraries gear up to return to the road – Derbyshire County Council. “From Monday 21 September both our mobile library vehicles will start operating again for mornings only and following new routes.” … “Appointment times will last 5 minutes, and for the time being people will not be able to select their own books by going onto the vehicle. Instead, they will be asked what type of books they like reading and a selection will be made for them so they can pick them up at their allotted time.”
  • Derbyshire county libraries to be open by end of the month – Derbyshire Council. “A total of 44 of the county’s 45 libraries will be open and welcoming customers to browse the shelves and choose books by 28 September 2020. Only Wingerworth Library will remain closed for the time being.”
• Dorset – Bookworms rejoice as reservation system gets back up and running – Bridport News. “Reservations will be limited to 10 items per library member at any one time.”
• Edinburgh – Edinburgh Libraries phased re-opening – Tales of One City. “The first phase of opening will see a selection of library buildings across the city reopening on Tuesday 13 October.”
• Eileen Siar – Western Isles libraries to reopen with ‘Connect & Collect’ – Stornoway Gazette. “The phased reopening will initially involve reduced opening hours at Liniclate and Stornoway libraries which will offer a special ‘Connect & Collect’ service.”
• Glasgow – Glasgow Lib Dem library closure letters ‘untrue’, says Susan Aitken – Glasgow Times. “It is understood that Glasgow Life, an arms-length organisation which manages Glasgow’s libraries on behalf of the council – is facing significant financial difficulties. Despite local concerns and an online petition to “save” South Side libraries, there has been no suggestion that libraries will be permanently closed. But the Greens have said that the council is responsible for causing confusion. “
  • Pollokshields residents frustrated as Glasgow Life removes signs expressing love for libraries – Glasgow Times. “locals in Pollokshields designed signs to hang outside their local hub – but these keep being removed by library staff. Resident Katherine Mackinnon said: “I obviously can’t speak to the reasons other folk put them up but, for me, I put a banner up because I was concerned for the future of our extremely well-used and beloved library.” … “One sign, which was removed, read “Reading is Hope” while another said “Our libraries belong to our communities”.”
• Gwynedd – Library appointments available to book from today – Cambrian News. “As part of a pre-booking system, residents will be able to access the public computers and go to the library to browse and choose their own books.”
• Hampshire – Library opening hour changes to be unveiled in Hampshire – Salisbury Journal. This month. “The 40 county council-run libraries, including Fordingbridge and Ringwood, are set to have new opening hours following  a public consultation.”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries has unveiled the new theme for its online discussion group – Greenock Telegraph. “For the next few weeks, readers are being encouraged to choose books with strong female lead characters”
• Kingston – Kingston Council to work with local communities to reimagine local library services – Kingston Council. “The first phase of the transformation process will take place between 1 September and 21 October. “
• Leicester – Five more city libraries to reopen next week – Leicester City Council. “From Monday 14 September, Evington Library, Fosse Library, Knighton Library, Rushey Mead Library and Westcotes Library will reopen to the public.”
• Leicestershire – Thousands of people have visited Leicestershire’s main libraries – including Harborough’s – since a browsing service has been restarted – Harborough Mail. “More than 5,500 people have visited Leicestershire’s main libraries”
• Manchester – More Manchester libraries set to reopen from next week – About Manchester. “Abraham Moss, Arcadia, Beswick, Brooklands, Hulme and North City will all reopen, along with community libraries in Burnage, Barlow Moor, Fallowfield, Miles Platting and New Moston. For the two remaining Manchester libraries where a reopening date is yet to be confirmed, Northenden and Powerhouse, work is continuing to ensure that these facilities can reopen to visitors as soon as possible.”
• Northern Ireland – Libraries in local area return to normal hours – Coleraine Times. “Libraries NI has announce that libraries that were part of Libraries NI’s first two pilot phases for reopening have returned to normal hours including opening Mondays and Saturdays.” … “These libraries are Antrim, Ballymoney, Bangor Carnegie, Belfast Central, Brownlow, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Cookstown, Derry Central, Downpatrick, Enniskillen, Lisburn City, Maghera, Newry City, Omagh, Portaferry and Strabane.”
• North Somerset – More libraries reopen across North Somerset – Mercury.
• Northumberland – Some services could return to Northumberland libraries – News Post Leader. Time limited browsing in some libraries.
• North Yorkshire – North Yorkshire’s home library service resumes – Harrogate Informer. “Home library service volunteers select books and audio books for delivery. All books are left on a pre-arranged date in a secure place and collected and quarantined afterwards.”
  • Libraries welcoming back customers with measures – Northern Echo. “Customers can visit, browse for and borrow books in many libraries, and most are offering access to computers, which allow for two-metre social distancing and are cleaned between each use.”
• Plymouth – All Plymouth public libraries to reopen in the next few weeks – Plymouth Live. “Following the coronavirus lockdown, the council introduced a collection service at Central, Plymstock, St Budeaux and Southway. In a second phase, Central Library in the city centre opened for browsing and pre-booked use of computers.”
• St Helens – Letters in lockdown initiative praised after engaging with 180 isolated residents – St Helens Star. ” sending hand-written letters in stamped addressed envelopes to residents registered with the library service’s Home Delivery Service.”
• Shropshire – Million-selling author at online libraries event – Whitchurch Herald. “Lesley Pearse will give the talk to Shropshire on Wednesday, September 17 at 6pm to complement the Libraries from Home initiative from Libraries Connected”
• Somerset – Book lovers invited back to browse at Somerset library – In Your Area. “The county council in Somerset rolled out a phased opening of libraries by offering an order-and-collect service and now Wellington is one of the first libraries to let the public back in to browse the shelves for themselves – all done with strict social distancing and infection control measures in place.”
• South Gloucestershire – Leader’s column: Libraries are now fully open again – Gazette series. “All customers are required to wear face coverings. Opening times are shorter than normal hours with all libraries closing at 4pm. The number of people using a library at one time is limited and IT users are encouraged to book in advance to ensure a PC is free at the time they want to visit.”
• Southend – Southend Council re-opens libraries today – Clacton Gazette. All now open.
• Suffolk – Online coffee mornings for new parents – Ipswich Star.
  • Browsing returns to Suffolk’s libraries in September – Suffolk Libraries. “Around half of libraries have reintroduced browsing already, with one-way systems in place and limitations on the number of customers allowed in library buildings in any one time.”
• Vale of Glamorgan – Penarth Library to undergo extensive refurbishment project – Vale of Glamorgan Council. “Brand new computing facilities will replace the current IT suite. The space will also house a makerspace, a location where library users can gather to co-create, share resources, work on projects and network.”
• Waltham Forest – New Wood Street Library building opens – Waltham Forest Echo. “Originally supposed to open late last year, the new building in Troubridge Square on the Marlowe Road Estate is open seven days a week, for double the hours of the previous library building. The former Wood Street Library site will be sold for redevelopment to fund both the new library and part of the extension of Lea Bridge Library. Many residents have mourned the loss of the original building, which dates from the 1950s and is set to be demolished.”
• Warrington – Padgate and Penketh libraries latest to reopen – Warrington Guardian. “Warrington’s remaining closed libraries, Birchwood and Westbrook, are provisionally scheduled to reopen in late October.”
• Warwickshire – Whitnash and Lillington libraries are now open for click & collect services for first time since lockdown – Kenilworth Weekly News.
• West Berkshire – Funding pledge to support Thatcham Library for another year – Newbury Today. “Town councillors agreed to pay West Berkshire Council the sum, which amounts to around £24,000, at a meeting last week. The district council had proposed to close libraries as part of budget cuts. But after strong protests and the Government saying it couldn’t, the council asked town and parishes to help cover a £150,000 shortfall to keep eight of its nine libraries open.”
• West Sussex – Share a Poem of Hope with West Sussex Libraries – District Post. “The poems are being requested as part of an online campaign to celebrate National Poetry Day which takes place on Thursday 1 October.”
  • Lesley Pearse to give free online talk through West Sussex Library Service – The Argus.
• Wiltshire – Further eight libraries to reopen – including Amesbury – Salisbury Journal. “From Monday, September 14, libraries in Amesbury, Bradford on Avon, Calne and Marlborough will open, followed on September 21 by Royal Wootton Bassett, Westbury and Melksham. People won’t be able to drop-in and browse at these libraries but an order and collect service has been set-up providing access to books.”
• Windsor and Maidenhead – Windsor and Maidenhead library hours could be slashed to save money – Royal Borough Observer. “It is proposed to reduce opening hours during the week by 123 hours – which RBWM believes it will still deliver a ‘comprehensive library service’ and deliver savings at the same time.” … “The borough currently has 475.5 total library opening hours a week – the most in the Berkshire area.”
• Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: research your ancestry for free – The Leader.