Editorial

At time of writing, it has been 144 days since the official start of lockdown and things are continuing to open up. Holidays are being taken, relatives visited and shopping done. However, many places abroad are seeing the much-feared second wave and the curve for the UK itself is looking worryingly upward-turning. In public libraries, more services are being added and librarians continue to emerge blinking (and, one cannot help but notice, often very tanned) into the new world, with as far as I can tell only 3 out of 150 English services (Barking and Dagenham, Bedford and Sandwell) still not offering some sort of physical service.

Speaking personally, the high point of my week was hosting a very successful session from John Kirk, who did a brilliant online Twits show for 40 or so enthralled (and highly participating) children. Interestingly, that’s more kids than I’d normally expect for a physical show. We got talking afterwards (see the interview below for the result) and discussed what will be happening to libraries medium term. And basically what we agreed was that it is going to be online. It looks like Covid may well come back, or at least not go away, and that the risks it induces mean that physical events will be difficult for the foreseeable future. This, combined with more people getting used to teleconferencing, shows the need for us to do more of that. And, as time goes by, the quality will need to continue to improve.

The good news is that digital should be very cheap and it is just the skills and the will that libraries need to develop. For example, it’s far less costly for a library service anywhere in the country to hire a storyteller like John for Zoom than it would be to pay his travelling expenses. And if 2 or 3 library services clubbed together, it’d be frankly ridiculously cheaper. So the opportunity is there. Libraries just need to grab it, as they have done before, and not let the digital slip but, rather, continue to improve.

An interview with John Kirk, professional storyteller

What do you enjoy most about storytimes in public libraries? 

I have been working in public libraries since 2012.  To date, I have worked with 80 library authorities in England, Scotland and Wales and a few school’s library services.  I love working in public libraries.  For me, it’s all about getting out there, meeting new people, seeing new places and sharing the fun of stories with family audiences.  I suppose these are also the things I have missed the most during the lock down.  Nobody treats me and my work with more respect than the library staff I have worked with and it’s a real privilege to be a small part (in some cases a fixture) in some family’s summers. 

Nobody treats me and my work with more respect than the library staff I have worked with

What do you least enjoy? 

My life has changed hugely over the time I have been telling stories in libraries.  As the years have passed I do more and more travelling.  It’s very satisfying to work with library audiences across the UK but the nights away from my three year old daughter can be tough at times.  I also find it quite hard to have built relationships with librarians, to hear about cuts and restructures and then to invoice people I consider friends – there are some libraries whom I would pay to work with I enjoy visiting them so much, honestly I would! 

Is there something that a library service did that really impressed you?) 

Librarians are an incredible breed of people.  I don’t think they always get the credit they deserve for what they do in their communities.  They are also risk takers and I owe what has been a fabulous period of my life to people like Sean Edwards, Geoff James, Lesley Davies, and Hilary Marshall to name just a few of the wonderful people who have been so very supportive of my work. 

For me there are a couple of authorities who offer a really varied programme of activities and then promote them really well to their audiences (not to embarrass them but Brent and Redbridge). 

For me the biggest challenge that libraries face is telling the world how great the stuff they do is; that libraries are about more than books.  For me there are a couple of authorities who offer a really varied programme of activities and then promote them really well to their audiences (not to embarrass them but Brent and Redbridge).  Most libraries now push events on social media but nothing beats proactive staff talking to their service users about what they are doing and posters, big, colourful posters. 

Looking at the changes wrought by the current crisis, where do you see storytelling in the next year or so? 

In a word; online.  In the week before lock down I was touring Yorkshire Libraries.  On the Monday we managed to persuade a group into a library in Wakefield, on the Tuesday Rotherham Libraries ran me round to the local schools but by that evening remaining dates in Sheffield, Barnsley and York were indefinitely postponed.  In the following weeks I had to cancel my plans and bookings for summer 2020 and put an entirely new plan in place.  This summer I have run sessions using Youtube, Facebook Live, Zoom and Google Meets literally all over the country (in one day I worked with Stoke on Trent, Bristol and Swindon and North Tyneside without going beyond my front door!). 

I’d love to think that on a given date at a given time I could do an event and simultaneously broadcast to every library in a given authority.  Yes, it’d probably be a technical headache but imagine the sense of community when the different audiences could see each other joining in with a story?  Then there are all kinds of opportunities to work with other library services.  One of my favourite moments of the summer was when I told “The Gingerbread Man” and staff from Croydon, St Helens, Hertfordshire, Thurrock, Swansea, Kingston and Tameside Libraries were there because they had promoted the event in their authorities.  To be a part of the discussions afterwards was very special. 

Yes, this isn’t how I saw my summer and I am gutted not to be telling Mr Gum in libraries as planned but actually the crisis creates an opportunity for storytellers like me to work with more libraries in far flung places at much more affordable prices (I don’t have to charge travel expenses to walk from the kitchen to the spare bedroom).  I can see libraries reopening but I can’t see face to face events taking place for a while yet.  That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to do live events.  It’s a lot easier for a public audience to socially distance if the front portion of the room isn’t taken up with my kit. 

Is there anything libraries can do to adapt to the new world better? 

I think that libraries have to embrace the new normal and the technology.  If you don’t have an active social media channel where you control the content and are engaging with service users everyday this should be a priority – Greenwich Libraries Baby Rhyme Time sessions on Facebook are brilliant example of how social media can work harder for library services.  I know that there has been resistance to Zoom from some councils because of security concerns.  I will always preference video conferencing over video sharing platforms because in a shared space, albeit a virtual one, you can interact with the audience.  In my retelling of Roald Dahl’s “The Twits” I encourage the adult in charge to spray sticky glue (water) over my audience.  I have also developed a scavenger hunt storyline for families with children 3+.  These elements of my sessions have been very popular and came about because I have tried to push the limitations of the technology and make my storytelling a 4D experience. 

How did you get into storytelling? 

Twenty years ago I trained as an actor.  When I decided to stop I struggled with an office job and it was suggested that I should write my own show.  When a school described me as a storyteller the title stuck.  I am still a high energy performer with a fairly theatrical style but these days I do a lot more traditional storytelling.  I have been very lucky with the authors I have worked with; people like Jeremy Strong, Terry Deary and Tom Palmer were brilliant to work with but the key moments were when Haringey Libraries recommended me to tell Michael Morpurgo’s “Private Peaceful” as part of City Read 2014 and when I got the rights to tell Roald Dahl’s “The Twits” in 2016; in two years I went from working in a small area of north London to travelling to libraries, schools and festivals around the country and to date have worked as far afield as Germany and the UAE.  I love what I do.  I wouldn’t have changed the last twelve years for anything but it’s not been without challenges and whatever the world looks like for me after the current crisis you can be sure it’ll include storytelling. 

How do you adapt storytelling to Zoom? 

It hasn’t been easy but I try to make everything I do fit the camera.  I am very conscious of framing when I tell a story to the camera.  I also like to play with my proximity to the camera (I’ll come right up to it and I’ll talk directly to members of the audience).  I’ve already mentioned some of the ideas I have played with to make my sessions more interactive but I also encourage the children to pull faces and I do a lot of role play and movement within stories.  I am also conscious of the adult watching and encourage them to take photos, leave comments and like and share videos.  It’s all about getting them to come back to the library’s website and enagage with the next activity so that when services return, libraries hit the ground running. 

How do kids take to it? 

I do tell a lot of different stories but by far the most popular are by Roald Dahl.  I use wigs, instruments and props to find fresh and dynamic ways to tell my stories which hold the children’s attention but The Twits and The Enormous Crocodile endure as masterpieces and I reckon a child would be hooked by Dahl’s words if they were watching whilst wearing a swimsuit in an igloo.  Seriously though, the feedback has been beyond my wildest expectations and I’m just so happy to have been a part of my seventh Summer Reading Challenge. 

Have you been surprised by anything online / had an amusing moment etc? 

A couple of weeks ago I completely forgot I was supposed to be running a session and had to do all my preparation in literally ten minutes – I can laugh about it now but at the time I was frantic.  I was interrupted by a lawnmower whilst running a session for Thurrock and one of my neighbours went to check on another of my neighbours after hearing a lot of shouting – it was me, I had the windows open!  They’re all quite used to it now and some say they know all the words! 

John Kirk is originally from Chorley in Lancashire but is now based in East Sussex.  He’s trained as an actor, been involved in several theatrical productions, as well as doing other jobs. John works regularly work in early year centres, primary schools, libraries and museums and has been involved in several major events including the Cultural Olympiad (2012), Great War commemorations (2014-2018) and #Shakespeare400 (2016). His website is here.

National news

• 1000 Tiny Fun Palaces – Libraries Connected. Watch recording of webinar from Stella Duffy “This year, Fun Palaces weekend on 3 and 4 October will be different – sometimes smaller, always safer, but as ever remarkable. We hosted this webinar on 4 August led by Fun Palaces’ amazing and inspirational Director Stella Duffy to talk through the new possibilities for extra-small, hyper-local Fun Palaces in libraries.”
• ‘George Eliot’ among 25 female writers being republished using their real names – CNN. “The 25 novels are being offered as e-books, which are free to download via the prize’s sponsor, Baileys. Physical box sets of the republished titles will also be donated to libraries across the UK.”
• Library Open Data: an update – DCMS Libraries. ” How can we engage services and library staff to understand how important this data could be? How do we make sure that staff have the skills and confidence to take on a data role? We hope that some of the examples on the schema site will go some way to highlighting what can be done if data is published in an open and standard format.”
• Local advocacy – Libraries: An essential part of local recovery – Libraries Connected. “In our new local advocacy resource, we’ve identified five key areas where libraries can play a central role in meeting the needs of individuals and communities who may be struggling to overcome the effects of the Covid-19 crisis.”
• Supporting public libraries through a national digital presence – British Library. Looking at the minimum viable product (that is, the least that can be done for it to be worthwhile) and what more could be achieved, plus progress before and future plans.
• What does quality mean for a modern library service? – Libraries Connected. 21 August 2pm webinar. “The session will begin with some provocations from speakers outside of the sector talking about what a quality library service means to them. The virtual floor will then be open to everyone who would like to contribute, or just listen in on what should be a great discussion.”
• When will libraries open in Scotland and have they reopened in the rest of the UK? – Metro.

International news

• Colombia – Pandemic pen pals: How Colombian libraries lift spirits – Christian Science Monitor. ““the kids kept coming to the library,” she says, and family programming continued. “It’s the protective space of the community, a space of liberation from the problems of the neighborhood. Here, libraries have played a really important role in constructing peace, but even more than that, creating community.””

“The written word allows us to understand other humans, and whether we’re reading a novel, a story, or a letter, it helps us understand we’re not alone,”

• EU – Will European public libraries be set back tens of years from 2021? – Biblioteket tar saka. As well as the likelihood of budget cuts “it will not be easy to run, or to re-invent, a library in a generalised two-meter society where events are forbidden, 75 % of chairs are removed, services to customers have to comply with social distancing rules and library’s outreach is restricted in many ways.”
• Ireland – Libraries remove vital trans teen book after disgraceful far-right letter writing campaign linking LGBT+ lives to paedophilia – Pink News. “Beyond Magenta by Susan Kuklin consists of six interviews with trans teenagers about their lives and was published in 2014. Since then, the book has been assailed by anti-trans activists who have called for it to be banned. Cork City Libraries opted to remove Beyond Magenta from its shelves and have it re-processed for “adult/YA lending” – which requires adult consent – after they received a letter from a far-right activist.”
• Lebanon – Help rebuild Beirut’s libraries – Libraries Deliver. “Among the tremendous human tragedy and loss of life caused by the explosion in Beirut on the 4th August came the heartbreaking news that three of the main municipal public libraries in the city had been destroyed”
• Pakistan – Charting the Role of Pakistani libraries in a Post-COVID19 World – Global Village Space. “Crisis like these can be redefining moments and with close collaboration, technology, and digital transformation, public libraries in Pakistan can break free of their old mold and have an overhaul, which is long-due. It is a pity that very few public libraries have any online services and have remained closed, but that could change with collaboration between volunteers, NGOs and the government.”
• USA – Envisioning the New Model Library: Navigating through the pandemic and beyond – Hanging Together. “Our broad questions include:
  • Will the current environment of physical distancing and precautions persist in the post-pandemic era? • If so, will most of our services and programs continue to be offered in an online environment? • How will we – or can we? should we? – create experiences similar to the physical spaces in our libraries in our virtual library spaces?””

Local news by authority

• Argyll – Thousands of library books due back – Oban Times. “Live Argyll, which manages libraries and leisure facilities in the area, has said users can start returning books at town libraries from the week beginning Monday August 24 at designated times”
• Bedford – Bedford libraries’ reopening date still under review – Bedford Independent. “A Borough Council spokesperson said, “With the infection rate locally having been higher than in other places, Bedford Borough Council took the decision that libraries would remain closed for the time being.”
• Calderdale – Safely reopening Central Library – News Centre. “Calderdale Council is pleased to be able to offer access to selected services at Halifax Central Library and Archives from Tuesday 11 August 2020.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Wharton Library might not reopen during the coronavirus pandemic – Winsford and Middlewich Guardian. “”Reopening the remaining libraries in Hoole, Malpas, Tarporley, Tarvin, Tattenhall, Wharton and the mobile libraries has raised some operational challenges. “We are exploring whether an alternative service, such as order and collect, can be offered safely for customers of these sites.”
  • Sandiway Library reopens from lockdown with reduced opening hours – Northwich Guardian.
• Cumbria – Cumbria’s main libraries to reopen today – News and Star. “It’s been more than 140 days since libraries across the county closed …”
• Devon – Wild film fun for Devon’s Summer Reading Challenge 2020 – North Devon Gazette. “Entertainingly Different aka performer Rob Pudner and Great Torrington-based Really Wild Learning’s Kim Insull have teamed up to create two shorts films called Entertainingly Wild.”
• Dorset – Verwood Library reopens its doors – Salisbury Journal. “The opening of the library by Dorset Council, along with others in Shaftesbury and Swanage follows the successful reopening of nine libraries, in Blandford, Bridport, Dorchester, Ferndown, Gillingham, Sherborne, Wareham, Weymouth and Wimborne.”
• East Riding of Yorkshire – East Riding Libraries Re-Open – Yorkshire Coast Radio. “Those wishing to browse books will be allocated a limited time in the library, and may have to queue based on the number of customers in the building, which will vary from site to site based on size. “
• Gateshead – Libraries and gyms in Gateshead are set to re-open over the coming weeks – Chronicle Live.
• Gloucestershire – Gloucestershire libraries reopen – Punchline. “During the past few weeks more than 25 libraries have been offering a collection service that enables customers to request books, DVDs and other available materials they would like to borrow. From this week, four libraries will reopen with strict social distancing measures in place.”
• Hampshire – Consultation on cuts to library hours in Hampshire – Salisbury Journal. “This comes after Hampshire County Council agreed to close eight of its 48 libraries and reduce the opening hours of the remaining ones.” … ““They are looking to make library hours more uniform across the county.”
  • Council’s push for volunteers amid cuts at local libraries – Advertiser and Times. ““We’re also very open to ideas from local groups or organisations who might wish to offer volunteer support to expand on those staffed opening hours to keep their library open to the public longer on some days.””
• Lancashire – More libraries to reopen in Lancashire – The Visitor. “Fourteen more Lancashire libraries will be opened on Wednesday, August 19, but people will need to book an appointment before visiting”
• Liverpool – More libraries reopen in Liverpool – The Guide. “After the successful reopening of Central Library on 13 July, three further libraries will be opening their doors to the public once again …”
• Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire library driver now delivers PPE around county – Oxford Mail. “I make safe deliveries by first ringing the door, placing the items by the doorstep before moving at least two metres further away to let the person know their goods are delivered. Other steps I have to keep safe are gloves, a mask and sanitising spray which I use for the van.”
• Pembrokeshire – Public computer access to resume at selected libraries – Western Telegraph. “Limited computer access will be available to customers at libraries in Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Tenby.”
• Portsmouth – Annual Short Story Competition Now Open for Entries – About My Area. “This year’s theme is ‘Reunion’, which might lead writers to take inspiration from the experience of social distancing during the pandemic, but writers can interpret the theme in any way they wish. Young adults and adults over 16 are invited to share their stories for a chance to win £500 and have their short story published on the Libraries and Archive website and in a future compilation of winning and shortlisted entries.”
• Staffordshire – Families urged to get creative with libraries over summer – Tamworth Informed. “There are two programmes, ‘Creative Explorers’ for children & young people and ‘Createspace’ for adults.”
• Stirling – Stirling libraries now offer more items for collection as part of reopening – Brig News. Click and collect includes dog poop bags, caddy liners and hearing aid batteries.
• Surrey – More libraries to reopen – Surrey County Council. “Further library services will restart in Surrey from Monday 17 August. A total of 40 libraries in Surrey will be operational from that date, offering revised services. Several libraries will newly open their doors to the public to browse, borrow and return books, whilst operating strict safety and social distancing measures. In all, 26 libraries will be open for public access.”
• Swindon – More Swindon libraries reopen after coronavirus lockdown – Swindon Advertiser. “Central Swindon North Parish Council has started a click and collect service for its Moredon and Rodbourne Cheney Library.”. Council libraries reopened: “First the Central Library operated with a new click-and-collect system. In its first week it had more than 1,000 reservations. Then the remaining four libraries – North Swindon, Parks, Highworth and West Swindon – followed suit with the same system.”
• Vale of Glamorgan – Vale of Glamorgan library buildings reopen on a controlled basis – Penarth Times. “Now residents will be able to access further facilities as the use of PCs and the physical browsing of books is permitted again.”
• Warwickshire – Kenilworth Library to re-open on Monday – Kenilworth Weekly News. 10 libraries currently open.
• Wirral – Wirral libraries launch order and collect service – Wirral Globe. Click and collect.
• Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: Access 1,000 new comic titles – Leader Live. “We are delighted to announce that from August, there will be 1,000 additional comic titles from across the globe for you to select from your RBdigital library.”

For a guide to how each library service in the UK is approaching reopening, see this webpage.

Editorial

Physical public libraries are slowly coming back to life, with only 11 out of 150 English library services not physically open in some way. Many library services are offering at least a few open to freely borrow from as well. Meanwhile, click and collect has become the norm in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with opening up more hopefully coming soon. So reopening is continuing apace. Also in the good news category, many in libraries will also be breathing a sigh of relief, no pun intended, that it will soon be mandatory for masks to be worn in libraries.

However, with no regular or one-off events and with only a fraction of all libraries being open and a minority of them being more than than click and collect, it’s no surprise that library usage will take a dive this year. RIBA points out that the 3 months of closure along will likely have cost 50 million of an expected c. 226 million visits annually. Adding in that library service overall will still be very limited in August – the busiest month of the year for the sector – and that people may well be slow in coming back, it is possible to envisage anything up to a halving of physical visits, and of issues of physical items, to libraries this year.

I’m of course careful to say “physical” as 2020 is proving a Wonder Year for the digital offer of libraries, especially in online joining and loan of ebooks, as well as a flowering of social media. However, being this was starting from quite a low base in many library services, it seems to me at least that this is unlikely to seriously affect the overall figure to a significant degree.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather have libraries slow to open and be safe than fast to open and not be. Libraries should never kill people, after all. But the cost of being such a responsible sector is a real one. The fear is that some of the people visiting us may find other ways of getting what they need and may not come back. How many that will be is perhaps, along with possible deep cuts to council budgets, the most serious question facing libraries today.

National news

• Coping with Covid: How library design will need to change – RIBA Journal. “Flexible spaces that allow for social distance, quarantined books and fewer touch points will need to maintain the sense of welcome and community” … “According to Libraries Connected, the national umbrella body for public libraries, there were more than 226 million library visits last year, suggesting that over 50 million visits were lost in the three months of closure.”

“How libraries can return to being the all-welcoming places they were before the pandemic is one of the biggest concerns for senior librarians. They are used to bringing people together, so actively keeping people apart goes against their natural instincts. It will require sterilising the space but not the experience.”

• New research will explore importance of libraries in lockdown – Press and Journal. “A new academic project to examine the importance of public libraries across Scotland and their role in communities during lockdown has received a major funding boost.”

“I’m pretty sure that library stats will be in decline, but I wanted to draw to your attention the fact that CIPFA does not collect any statistics for community managed libraries which are not part of the “statutory network”, as defined by the relevant local authority. So all books borrowed through our library, for example, are deliberately omitted from all “official” statistics. We do collect the information, but no-one seems interested in collecting it”

Chris Clarke
Friends of Jesmond Library

• Public Library Apparel is making a fashion statement for libraries – Big Issue. “Lottie is now plotting a Kickstarter campaign to kick off in September in a bid to raise £2,500 to cover printing, postage and promotion of the new brand.”

International news

• Denmark – Wanted: A new language for the value and impact of libraries – Christian Lauersen. “And that is a problem because new public management is a game libraries can not win and the value of libraries can’t be extended from statistics alone. So at Roskilde Libraries we have decided to launch a project that aims to develop a more nuanced understanding of the value that public libraries brings to citizens and societies. We want to create a new language for talking about the value and impact of libraries.”
• EU – Public Libraries in Europe and COVID-19: Findings from NAPLE Members, April-July 2020 – Naple Sister Libraries. “NAPLE has produced two reports to summarise the measures taken in response to the virus by public libraries in 20 NAPLE member countries to date, with specific focus on the extent of closures across Europe; the engagement of staff during closures; services offered to the public (both physical and online) while buildings were closed; quarantining of books and other health and safety measures; efforts by libraries to support national healthcare initiatives; and library efforts to address misinformation about the COVID-19 virus.”
• Global – Many libraries are moving to a fine-free model. Here’s why —
  and how to do this successfully – III. “Going fine-free might not be the right decision for every library. But when done well, it can remove barriers to library usage while also improving customer relations and staff morale.”
• Taiwan – ‘Not Just Library’ reopens at Songshan Creative and Cultural Park – Focus Taiwan. “”Not Just Library,” the name of the library, has a collection of over 20,000 design-themed books and more than 100 periodicals, according to the state-backed institute.” … “it also has a reading area and is a venue for design related exhibitions, lectures, and experiments”
• USA – Wardsboro Public Library staff resigns over reopening plans – Bennington Banner. “”In a nutshell, the three of us (staff) would not work in an ‘open’ library and would have liked to stay with ‘curbside pickup’ for the safety of patrons and staff”
  • Bridging divides: reimagining the public library – Medium. “We’re building something special in downtown Memphis. We’re building a space that will provide opportunities for people from all walks of life to learn, connect, and share with others. And we’re working to do it in the most equitable way possible. “
  • A Nevada library wanted to back Black Lives Matter. The sheriff said he wouldn’t respond to 911 calls there – Washington Post.
  • Libraries vs Bookstores? No, False dichotomy. They are different Animals – Brewster Kahle’s Blog. “There is a recent written attack on libraries that I find odd and somewhat dangerous– libraries overlap too much with new-book bookstores. At first I thought it was trolling, but I now believe it is sincere. More worrisome is that anti-library lobbying is generally growing in strength but their attacks on the concept of libraries have been more implied and disguised, until recently. Maybe it is time to think a bit about what a library is and what they are for.”

Local news by authority

• Cumbria – Libraries to reopen in Cumbria- Westmorland Gazette. “Cumbria County Council will open Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, Penrith, Whitehaven and Workington libraries on August 10.”
  • Library fines suspended as Cockermouth branch awaits reopening – News and Star. “The town council, which runs the Main Street building which contains the library, announced this week that all library fines are suspended until December 31. “
• Derbyshire – Libraries to allow people to browse the shelves as more re-open in Derbyshire – Ripley and Heanor News. “And from Monday, August 10, the council will start to re-introduce browsing at selected libraries which have already re-opened, and this will roll out as the remaining libraries begin to re-open.”
• Dorset – Dorset council libraries set to reopen their doors today – Dorset Echo.
• Dudley – Dudley’s main libraries re-open for book fans to browse – Stourbridge News. “Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Brierley Hill, Kingswinford and Sedgley libraries had been offering a takeaway service – issuing pre-selected and pre-issued books for customers to collect since July 6 – but they have now re-opened to enable customers to visit once again to select their own books between 10am and 3pm Monday to Saturday.”
• East Lothian – Fines for overdue library books are suspended – East Lothian Courier.
• Essex – More choices for readers as Essex Libraries joins the UK’s largest library consortium – Saffron Walden Reporter. “This is because Essex Libraries is joining The Libraries Consortium (TLC), the UK’s largest library consortium made up of 18 other library authorities. Joining the consortium means an upgrade of the existing library management system which will be managed by SirsiDynix. “
• Fife – Fife libraries confirm date for re-opening – Fife Today. “Limited browsing will be available from Wednesday, August 5, as libraries welcome members back to browse, albeit with restrictions in place.”
• Hampshire – ‘A great loss’ – village libraries confirmed to close – Advertiser and Times. “Blackfield and Lyndhurst are among a total of eight closures across the county. All the remaining libraries will have their opening hours reduced by an average of 20%, with a public consultation on the details.”
  • Majority of councillors recommended Odiham and South Ham libraries to close – Gazette.
• Inverclyde – Young Inverclyde bookworms still have time to get involved in a fun summer reading project – Greenock Telegraph. “Summer Reading Challenge packs – containing books, activity sheets and a special surprise – are now available from Greenock Central Library, Port Glasgow Library and Gourock Library.”
• Lincolnshire – Libraries in North East Lincolnshire ready to reopen with new rules and safety measures – Grimsby Telegraph.
• Middlesbrough – Middlesbrough’s community hubs and libraries start to emerge from lockdown – Northern Echo. “From Tuesday, August 4, a phased programme will see a number of venues re-open part-time, albeit with a different look and feel in order to ensure a safe environment for staff and visitors.”
• Moray – North-east council to offer click and collect service at libraries – Evening Express. “Libraries will offer the “order and collect” service in a phased roll-out by the end of August, starting with Elgin library.”
• North Ayrshire – New call, click and collect library service – Arran Banner. “From Monday August 3, residents will be able to borrow up to four books for four weeks. The new service has been launched as libraries remain closed to allow staff to continue delivering lifeline Community and Childcare Hub provision as part of the council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic”
• Northumberland – Select and Collect libraries pilot service includes Morpeth – Morpeth Herald. “The Select and Collect initiative is now available at Morpeth, Berwick, Blyth and Hexham as part of the phased approach to library services getting back up and running.”
• North Yorkshire – Whitby Library re-opens for book browsing – Scarborough News. “The move is the latest in the phased return of the county’s library services, which so far this month have seen the launch of a select and collect book borrowing service, the return of access to public computers in libraries and the restart of the Home Library Service.”
• Powys – Powysland Museum to reopen Saturday – My Welshpool. “All developments will run alongside the current order and collect library book scheme operating from seven sites, which will gradually extend to other libraries. It will continue to be offered for the long term, for those readers who would prefer a non-contact service. Deliveries of books which have been quarantined are provided across the county by volunteers.”
• St Helens – What to expect from St Helens’ new-look library service – St Helens Star. “Eccleston, Parr and Chester Lane libraries opened on Monday as part of a phased return, with more than 400 people attending on the first day alone.”
• Sheffield – Council announces plans to offer ‘order and collect’ service at Sheffield libraries – The Star. “Sheffield Council is currently carrying out risk assessments and making sure signage is in place as it prepares to introduce the service in some libraries from August 10.”
• South Tyneside – What you need to know as book browsing returns to South Tyneside libraries – Shields Gazette. “Library visitors will be able to browse books again from Monday, August 3, as South Tyneside Council moves to the next stage in a gradual return of services.”
• Staffordshire – County’s teens urged to take on #MissionYTF – A Little Bit Of Stone. “Now in its third year, the scheme run by Staffordshire County Council’s Libraries service is encouraging 11 to 14 year olds to compete in a series of reading themed challenges. Because of the Coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions in place, this year’s activities will be online.”
• Surrey – More of Surrey’s libraries due to reopen – Surrey News. “From 3 August, a further 12 libraries will start offering a click and collect door service allowing customers to return their items and collect Ready Reads and reserved books. These libraries are Ash, Banstead, Bookham, Caterham Hill, Chertsey, Dittons, Ewell, Hersham, Knaphill, Leatherhead, Reigate, and Walton. However, the public will not be allowed into the buildings for the time being.”
• Swindon – Libraries reopen across Swindon – Swindon Advertiser. “Initially only the Central Library in the town centre had reopened with a new click-and-collect system. But now the remaining four libraries – North Swindon, Parks, Highworth and West Swindon – have followed suit. Despite only reopening last week, the Central Library has already received more than 1,000 reservations.”
• Trafford – Three more Trafford libraries are set to reopen – Messenger. “Plans have been put in place to relaunch Partington, Stretford and Old Trafford libraries during August. Altrincham, Sale and Urmston’s sites were given the all-clear to restart limited services in July.”
• Wakefield – More libraries to reopen and extend hours across Wakefield district – Wakefield Express. “Ossett Library and Castleford Museum will re-open on Monday, August 3 in the next stage of the council’s phased re-opening of its libraries and museums”
• Warrington – Culcheth Library set to reopen – Warrington Worldwide. “If all continues to go to plan, the next phase of library reopening will see the remaining four libraries – Birchwood, Padgate, Penketh and Westbrook reopen in September and October.”
• Warwickshire – Young bookworms bury their heads in a good read – Leamington Observer. “Warwickshire Schools Library Service worked with the publishers, authors and Warwickshire Libraries to ensure the books were as accessible as possible for pupils during the pandemic…”
• Wiltshire – Wiltshire leader says library consultation is not about closures (but is considering click and collect) – Wiltshire Times. “”All the town libraries will re-open at some point.” But he said that some of the very small libraries run by volunteers could become click and collect services based in village shops.”
  • Author who talks of the ability of reading to free the imagination – Wiltshire Times.
• Wokingham – Wokingham Libraries To Open Next Week – Woking.co.uk. “We’re happy to announce Wokingham Borough libraries will begin to reopen from next Monday 3 August, starting with Wokingham and Woodley.”
• Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service: order and collect, and free ancestry access – The Leader. “Wrexham Libraries are taking the next step towards the phased re-opening of the service. The new Order and Collect service is being rolled out to Coedpoeth Library, Llay Library, Cefn Mawr and Ruabon Library from Wednesday, July 29. “

If you’re trying to find how your local library service is reopening, please see the list here.

Editorial

After digitally checking all of the services in the UK over the last week, it is possible to say that at least five-sixths of all English library services will have some sort of physical service to the public by the end of July, with more library openings being announced each day. Some library services are starting their second round of service extension after “successfully” trialling a few libraries since the start of July.

I put “successfully” in quotes because it’s really hard to tell if a library is passing on infection or not. We may never know if any public library has, even with track and trace in operation. Indeed, being that this may mean that a library has been a epicentre of an infection, perhaps its better if we never formally know. This isn’t just me being nit-picky: a new report on public libraries pointedly says “covid-safer”, not “covid-safe” and this is not an accident. Taking this into account though, valuable lessons are being learnt which will help make later library openings easier.

So what about the sixth that aren’t opening in July? Well, with some it is frustratingly hard to tell. Even in 2020, there are services with terrible communications, poor websites and opaque social media out there. Others are being cautious for good reason, notably Leicester and Milton Keynes, which have both had local outbreaks.

National news

• 2020 Silly Squad summer reading challenge launched today – Western Telegraph. “I’m really pleased the Welsh Government can support libraries with this year’s challenge. The scheme has become an annual event for many children, who look forward to taking part every year”
• Can gardens, libraries and museums improve wellbeing through social prescribing? – CEBM. “The research identified three key concepts that underpin the potential of garden, library and museum activities for improving health.”
• Covid 19 Safer Spaces: Helping public libraries to reopen safely – If_Do / Libraries Connected. “The Covid-19 Safer Spaces project is developing a series of free-to-access and easy-to-use design guides, to support people who work in those places to understand how adapt them to enable their safe reopening and operation. The first guide to be published, Covid-19 Safer Libraries, is available to download below, with others coming soon.”
• Libraries could be leaders once again – BookSeller. Tim Coates: No clear way to be covid-safe yet “those who open aren’t being brave; they are being stupid and placing other people at risk”; reputation with public has declined; 3000 English libraries in “mostly quite big” buildings; libraries have lost local connection and interest in books; “There is no reason why libraries could not get the reputation back. Like many things, if the public believe that is what you do well, it doesn’t take long to revive their faith. Eighty percent of library use is about books and nearly all of that is for printed work.”
• Libraries in Lockdown – Activisit Group / Youtube. “Over the last few months, Activist have been finding out how public library services have been responding to the coronavirus epidemic and the interesting new roles their teams have been taking on.  They’re celebrating the surprising (and often heroic) work that library staff are doing, especially where they have taken on new roles that have allowed them to demonstrate the extraordinary range of skills and knowledge that Council library staff have.  They’ve just uploaded the final episode in the 6-part series of short YouTube videos capturing these conversations”
• National Lottery Project Grants – What’s new? – Arts Council England. Funding available for libraries, amongst others. “The portal is reopening for applications from 22 July, with a budget of £59.8 million available until April 2021.  “

“As part of this process, public libraries can now apply for a wide range of activities that support, enhance and enrich libraries’ work, and develop the role of libraries as cultural providers in their communities, ie: relating to the four Universal Offers (Reading, Health and Wellbeing, Digital and Information, and Culture and Creativity).”

Arts Council England

• Navigating Change and Uncertainty – British Library / Living Knowledge Network. Webinar Thursday 23 July 11 am. “This webinar will explore strategies for maintaining personal and professional resilience. Back by popular demand, Creative Consultant, Lawrence Becko will lead the session, which will include plenty of opportunity for interaction and reflection.”
• Re-opening libraries – An international and UK perspective – Libraries Connected. Webinar 20 July. Including presentation from If_Do.

International news

• Global – An interview with “Lets Move In Libraries” – Knowmads.
• Norway – Atelier Oslo and Lundhagem unveil Oslo’s “huge but intimate” central library – De Zeen. “Designed by Atelier Oslo and Lundhagem, the five-storey building contains space for 450,000 books wrapped around a large, top-lit atrium that connects the floors and breaks them into smaller spaces.”

“The library is arranged vertically, with a cinema and 200-seat auditorium in the basement, and a cafe, restaurant and newspapers and magazines on the ground floor … The first floor contains fiction and children’s books, while the second and third floor contains more books and several enclosed areas that include recording studios, a mini cinema and gaming rooms.”

• USA – Summersville Public Library issues statement following incident – WVVA. Man deliberately coughs around library after being asked to wear mask. “This is not the first incident of aggression our staff has endured since we opened the library on Monday.” Due to the safety of the staff and members of the community, the library has resumed operating with curbside service only.””
  • America’s libraries are essential now — and this beautifully renovated one in Washington gives us hope – Washington Post. “If you want to understand the abject failure of America, look to its libraries. All across the country, it is libraries that have become a haven for the homeless when it is too hot or too cold to live outdoors. They offer free Internet service for families who can’t afford the vital connection, and they’re an essential educational resource for parents who can’t pay for preschool. In some cities, libraries have evolved into social service hubs, for the mentally ill, the jobless and the victims of domestic abuse. Libraries do all of these things because our society has failed to meet the basic needs of its people.”
  • How Libraries Are Stepping Up as a Front Line of Resilience – Governing.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Click and collect service announced for Aberdeen libraries – Evening Express. “Aberdeen City Libraries will begin the staged reinstatement of services with the introduction of a click and collect service at several libraries and the reintroduction of the Home Library Service from July 22.”
• Aberdeenshire – Library books to be dropped off at doorstep for eager readers across north-east – Press and Journal. “A new “click and collect” service will begin in Oldmeldrum on Wednesday, followed by libraries in Fraserburgh and Banchory, then Ellon and Stonehaven by the end of July”
• Barnet – Four Barnet libraries reopen on ‘select and collect’ basis – Times series. “Towards the end of July, the library service is planning to re-introduce pre-booked access to PCs in Chipping Barnet, Colindale, Edgware and Finchley Church End libraries.”
• Blackpool – Here’s what you need to know as Blackpool takes ‘first steps’ to opening its libraries after lockdown – Lytham St Anns Express. “When the doors reopen, people will be able to: return books and other items; borrow and browse items; and access computer facilities”
• Blaenau Gwent – This is when library services in Blaenau Gwent will resume – South Wales Argus. “From Wednesday, July 22, customers will be able to pre-arrange to collect books and other library stock from Abertillery and Ebbw Vale libraries where the service is being trialled.”

• Bradford – More Bradford libraries offer ordering service – Telegraph & Argus. “In addition to City, Keighley and Shipley libraries which have been running the service for the past two weeks, Eccleshill, Manningham, Wibsey, Burley, Menston and Silsden will be the latest libraries to offer this facility. This phase of reopening includes three community-run libraries.”
• Brighton and Hove – Brighton & Hove Libraries awarded Library of Sanctuary status – Brighton and Hove Council. “Working towards becoming Library of Sanctuary, all library staff completed Refugee, Asylum Seekers and Migrant Awareness training, to ensure sanctuary seekers feel welcome in our libraries and staff have a greater understanding of their needs.”
• Cheshire West and Cheshire – People entering reopened Cheshire West and Chester Council buildings will be asked for contact details – Chester Standard. “People visiting reopened Cheshire West and Chester Council libraries and other communities buildings will need to provide their contact details as part of essential coronavirus safeguarding.”
• Croydon – Plans announced to reopen five libraries after covid lockdown – Inside Croydon. “Croydon has announced that five of its dozen public libraries will begin operating again with a reduced service from next Monday, July 20, including offering a home library delivery service for some.”
• Cumbria – Cumbria County Council has revealed when Barrow library will re-open – The Mail. “the county’s six main library buildings in Carlisle, Penrith, Whitehaven, Workington, Kendal and Barrow will reopen to the public on Monday, August 10.”
• Darlington – Darlington libraries will start to open on Monday – Northern Echo. “From Monday, quick pick borrowing and book returns will be reintroduced at Crown Street Library, while Cockerton Library will be open at various times for a click and collect service.”
• Devon – Libraries in Exmouth and Sidmouth to reopen after Honiton hub’s relaunch – East Devon News. “Libraries in Exmouth and Sidmouth are to reopen from Monday (July 20) after Honiton’s hub welcomed back users earlier this month. “
• Dorset – Order and collect borrowing service will be operating in Dorset libraries – Bridport News. “Customers will be able to order online their preferred categories of books, DVDs and talking books and to arrange to collect at an allocated time from 22 of Dorset’s 23 libraries.”
• Dundee – Councillor spearheads call for city libraries to reopen – Evening Telegraph. “It looks like libraries will struggle to open any time soon”.
• Durham – Pick and collect library service – Newton News. “The Pick and Collect service will initially be available at libraries in Barnard Castle, Chester-le- Street, Consett, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee and Seaham as well as Belmont, in Durham, and Woodhouse Close, in Bishop Auckland”
• East Lothian – Library service allowing people to pre-order books returns – East Lothian Courier. Click and collect from Haddington 16 July. “Musselburgh Library is expected to follow suit early next month with a similar service on offer.”
• Essex – See which Essex libraries are reopening this week… – Clacton Gazette. 44 libraries open with limited numbers to browse but no computers.
• Flintshire – Aura expands Flintshire ‘select and collect’ book service with mobile library – The Leader. “Library users have been able to use the “select and collect” service provided by Aura Leisure and Libraries since July 6. Under the scheme, books have been available to collect from either Mold or Connah’s Quay Library. But now the company has said from Monday, July 20, its mobile library will be travelling across Flintshire visiting different locations to drop off pre-ordered books.”
• Gloucestershire – Gloucestershire Libraries launch new reserve and collect service – So Glos.
• Hampshire – Everything you need to know about visiting a library – Gazette.
• Harrow – Stanmore and Wealdstone Libraries to reopen on July 14 – Harrow Times. “visitors will not be allowed to browse in the usual fashion, with an ordering service in place.”
• Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire Libraries are launching a new Chatterfamilies session to celebrate Reading Together Day 2020. – Hertfordshire Council.
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries launches Connect and Collect service – Greenock Telegraph. “Library members can now request five items which can be picked up at Greenock Central, Gourock or Port Glasgow library.”
• Isle of Wight – Place your order to borrow from your local library again – Isle of Wight Observer. “Although the libraries are not yet ready to fully reopen the Isle of Wight Council will be offering an ‘order and collect’ service for borrowers to pick up items from their local library.”
• Lancashire – Libraries across Lancashire set to reopen with online booking system – Lancashire Post. “From Monday July 27, 12 libraries are set to reopen across the borough, however customers wanting to visit will need to book an appointment and make use of two of the new services available. Library staff will be able to select up to six books …”
• Leicester – Families can enjoy #ReadingTogether with digital resources and activities – Leicester City Council. “And to celebrate silliness and laughter, there’s a Joke-a-Day posted Monday to Friday on the Leicester Libraries Facebook page.”
• Midlothian – Midlothian Library service due to resume following lockdown closure – Midlothian Advertiser. “The Midlothian Library service is set to resume on Monday, July 27 with Dalkeith Library the first branch to be re-opened.”
• Moray – Moray libraries working towards reopening date – Grampian Online. “The libraries are likely to re-open in stages and it will be some time before all services are available.”
• North Somerset – Here are the libraries offering click-and-collect services in Weston – Weston Mercury. “Book pick-up services will run at The Campus in Highlands Lane, The Healthy Living Centre in Lonsdale Avenue, Winscombe Library in Woodborough Road, Worle Library in Mendip Avenue, Yatton in the High Street and Weston Town Hall”
• Oxfordshire – More libraries to reopen across Oxfordshire – Oxford Mail. “A further five libraries in Oxfordshire are set to reopen next week. Libraries in Banbury, Cowley, Carterton, Henley and Kidlington will welcome visitors again from Monday. It will join those in Abingdon, Thame, Witney, Bicester and Didcot that reopened on July 13.”
• Powys – Lockdown Library Delivers – FE News. “Powys libraries have not been open since lockdown but have offered an ‘Order and Collect Service’. “
• Renfrewshire – Renfrewshire libraries total 24,000 online loans during lockdown – Renfrewshire 24. “more than 24,000 ebooks and emagazines from Renfrewshire’s libraries during lockdown. The remarkable figure – representing an 80 per cent rise on this time last year – is among a string of successes secured by library staff”. All now click and collect.
• Rochdale – Special collection service is launched at selected libraries – Rochdale online. “Starting on Monday July 13, library customers will be able to borrow books in a safe, contactless way at five local libraries.”
• Shropshire – Ellesmere’s Our Space offers new book services – Whitchurch Herald. “the Ellesmere Community Centre and Library, has set out its plans for a new service as a way of getting more books to people. From this week (Tuesday), the ‘Ready Reads’ will allow users to collect more books until the service resumes on Tuesday, August 4, on reduced hours”
• Slough – Slough’s new ‘click and collect’ library service – Windsor Observer. “Between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday libraries at the Curve in Slough, Britwell, Cippenham and Langley will be allowing customers to come in and collect pre-ordered books.”
• Somerset – Somerset libraries begin order-and-collect service again – In Your Area. “Library buildings in Frome, Yeovil, Minehead and Bridgwater opened for the order-and-collect service from Monday July 13, with members able to choose up to 10 books for collection.”
• Southend – Southend Libraries Digital Summer Reading Challenge – Leigh Times.
• South Lanarkshire – No reopening date yet for Rutherglen and Cambuslang libraries – Daily Record. “At this stage it is too early to confirm when libraries across South Lanarkshire will be reopening.”
• Warrington – Library re-opening safety measures working well with more than 3,300 visitors in just five days – Warrington Worldwide. “LiveWire, the community interest company that manages library services in Warrington on behalf of Warrington Borough Council, say the procedures put in place to safeguard the safety of customers and staff worked very well. If all continues to go to plan, the next phase of library reopening will see Culcheth reopen in August, followed by the remaining four libraries in September and October.”
• West Berkshire – Newbury, Hungerford and Thatcham libraries open from today – Newbury Today. “From today, book collection services by appointment at Newbury, Hungerford and Thatcham Libraries have been resumed but operating hours will initially be limited.”
• West Lothian – Libraries begin phased re-opening – Daily Record. “The service will begin with a click and collect service from  Wednesday (July 15).”

Looking for the latest information on libraries reopening in the UK? Click here.

Editorial

For the first time since March 23rd there are public libraries open again in England. It’s been a surreal few months and there was a lot of worry about getting the buildings open again properly but first indications from around the country is that things went smoothly.

More and more library services are announcing their plans (see this page) with the majority going for (variously named versions of) click and collect. A few councils (Milton Keynes, Newcastle and Wokingham), though, have warned that they will not be open for considerably longer for various reasons.

Libraries have, at last minute notice, been advised to take contact details of those who need them for track and trace. There were some complaints and surprise expressed at the time and further mentions, notably from CILIP, about whether libraries should actually do it.

This video, produced by Nottinghamshire Inspire is a 30 second animation on basic measures I think all libraries are doing. They have graciously allowed all other services to use it.

Finally, I’m sorry to see China wasting no time in censoring public libraries in Hong Kong. We hear a lot about the heroism of librarians on social media etc but, when it comes down to it, library workers aren’t saints and should not be martyrs. People, including us of course, need to try to make sure that society doesn’t get that way in the first place.

National news

• England’s libraries begin to reopen but grave fears remain over long-term futures – Guardian. “experts are warning that local authority shortfalls could be the “canary in the coalmine” for a fresh wave of cuts to libraries across the country.” … “According to Libraries Connected, 34 library authorities in England are planning to open on either 4 or 6 July.” … “Across the whole of the UK, libraries in Scotland are set to reopen from 15 July, and in Northern Ireland from 20 July. In Wales, some libraries are already offering a click and collect service, but there are no plans to open before the next review of lockdown measures on 13 July.”

Reopening Libraries: stories from Denmark part II, 15^th July, 11am: With Christian Lauersen Director of libraries and citizens services, Roskilde Municipality, Denmark: sign up here. Christian believes that libraries are crucial institution in every community, public as academic to create and open, more diverse, inclusive and equal world and that the key to lift this is skilled library workers – the most important asset of any library. Christian is co-founder of Library Planet – the crowdsourced travel guide to libraries of the world – and the first library bossa nova song in the world. He is based in Copenhagen and loves socks and Lego. Recording Available:  Part 1 of the “stories from Denmark” series: Reopening Public Libraries; stories from Denmark, with Marie Oestergaard Library Director of Aarhus Public Libraries. Resilience for Library Professionals 23^rd July, 11am sign up here. Ss libraries embark on the process of reopening, library staff will face inevitable challenges navigating the “new unknown”. This webinar will explore strategies for maintaining personal and professional resilience. Back by popular demand, Creative Consultant, Lawrence Becko will lead the session, which will include plenty of opportunity for interaction and reflection. This is a chance to take a step back and consider how to approach the ever-changing landscape that lies ahead with a resilient mind set. “

Free Webinars from the Living Knowledge Network [Not the Loving Knowledge Network which I called it last week, oh dear – Ed.]

• Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace – Gov.uk. “Trace and trace” information for public libraries, released less than 2 days before first library reopened.
• New guide to help libraries to reopen – Libraries Connected. “Today Libraries Connected publishes its toolkit to help libraries to reopen in July and to reintroduce their services gradually, in line with the latest public health advice. Placing the safety and health of staff, volunteers and users at the forefront, the toolkit was developed in partnership with heads of library services and their teams. The set of resources will support their planning for service recovery as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.”

• UK libraries are set to reopen – but not as we know them – Guardian. Archibald Corbett volunteer library in London described, open from 4 July, with “space marshall”. Leeds, who recently threatened to close all their libraries, also interviewed.
• Your libraries are open – London Review of Books. Mainly academic libraries but says “Many public library staff have had to be redeployed to other services by local authorities struggling to cope after years of austerity-driven cuts, highlighting other problems in the gaps exposed by the pandemic. In November 2018, the United Nations special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights pointed out that ‘public libraries are on the frontline of helping the digitally excluded and digitally illiterate who wish to claim their right to Universal Credit.’ Who has been providing that support during lockdown? As public libraries slowly reopen to walk-in users, some hope for those who depend on them is returning.”

International news

• China / Hong Kong – Democracy books disappear from Hong Kong libraries – Yahoo News. “Books written by prominent Hong Kong democracy activists have started to disappear from the city’s libraries, online records show, days after Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on the finance hub.” … “The city’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department, which runs libraries, said books had been removed while it is determined whether they violate the national security law.”
• USA – Millions of Americans Depend on Libraries for Internet. Now They’re Closed – Markup. “Kids sit scattered in the library’s parking lot with phones or video game devices, catching some of the Wi-Fi outside that’s now left on 24/7.  And Hahn spends his days trying to help some older patrons get online by shouting instructions to them through the library’s windows. “

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Quarantining books and drop boxes: How Bolton’s libraries are being reopened – Bolton News. “Readers can borrow a bundle of books which can be collected at Breightmet, Central, Farnworth, Harwood, Horwich, and Westhoughton libraries from Monday (July 6).”
• Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole – Bournemouth libraries to reopen next week in ‘phased approach’ – Daily Echo. “The four largest libraries will initially provide book loans and quick choice browsing, with all stock will go into 72 hours quarantine on return.”
• Bracknell Forest – Bracknell Forest libraries reopen with lockdown rules – Bracknell News. From 6 July, ” libraries in Bracknell, Crowthorne and Whitegrove have been adjusted in order to ensure the safety of residents, including only remaining open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm (Bracknell library closed on Wednesday), a select and collect service, as well as limiting browsing options and ensuring social distancing is adhered to.”

• Buckinghamshire – Libraries will re-open in Bucks on Monday – Bucks Herald. 22 libraries reopen to browse from 6 July.
• Calderdale – New sixth form centre heralds new era for learning and regeneration – News Centre. “The Central Library which previously occupied the town centre site has been completely reimagined into the stunning, modern Trinity Sixth Form Academy, whilst conserving and restoring some original features.” [Campaigner says by email: “No plans for a Sixth Form College were ever mentioned during the whole of the five year controversy about the site. The former Library had one-third more floor area than its replacement.” – Ed.]
• Cambridgeshire/Peterborough – Libraries set to reopen in Cambridgeshire but not yet in Peterborough – Peterborough Telegraph. “Cambridgeshire County Council is starting a phased re-opening of library services from Monday, July 6, in line with the latest health and safety guidelines. The council’s nine major libraries – Cambridge Central, Huntingdon, St Ives, St Neots, Bar Hill, Cambourne, Ely, March and Wisbech will be re-opening.”
• Cheshire East – Wilmslow library set to reopen – Wilmslow.co.uk. “reparing to reopen its 16 libraries and library services on a phased basis.” from 6 July.
• Cheshire West and Chester – Council confirms reopening dates for Chester, Ellesmere Port and Neston libraries – Standard. “Chester Library at Storyhouse will welcome back visitors again from tomorrow (Saturday, July 4) with its usual opening hours in operation. Libraries in Ellesmere Port and Neston will then open their doors from Monday, July 13 but with reduced hours in place.”
  • How Northwich Library visitors will be kept safe from coronavirus – Northwich Guardian.
  • Love Reading? Join the Online Adults Read Two Challenge – AboutMyArea. ” Choose from an eBook, eAudio book, a library book or one of your own, to be in with a chance to win £50 of book vouchers through a prize draw. A winner will be chosen at random.”
• Derbyshire – County libraries to roll out reopening with safety a priority – Derbyshire Councty Council. “We now plan to reopen 7 libraries initially, with 3 opening on Monday 6 July, followed by 1 on Tuesday, 1 on Wednesday and 2 on Thursday. Residents must book an appointment to visit their library if it is one of the 7 set to reopen first, and people are being urged not to turn up without having arranged their appointment first.”
• Devon – Reopening of libraries – Devon Libraries. “We are planning a phased reopening of our libraries from w/c 6th July, with mobile libraries returning from 13th July (Timetable Week 1) offering a contactless Choose and Collect service.”
• Dorset – Dorset Council libraries to reopen – Mags 4 Dorset. Click and collect from 8 July. Return items through letterboxes.
• Durham – Pick and Collect Library Service will Launch 6th July – Durham Magazine. From 6 July, “The Pick and Collect service will initially be available at libraries in Barnard Castle, Chester-le- Street, Consett, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee and Seaham as well as Belmont, in Durham, and Woodhouse Close, in Bishop Auckland”.
• East Riding of Yorkshire – More East Riding Services To Re-Open – Yokrshire Coast Radio. Click and collect.
• East Sussex – Here’s when Hastings Library is reopening – Observer series. Click and collect from 13 July.
• Essex – Leigh author Claire Freedman champions the importance of libraries – Echo series. “best-selling south Essex author – whose books are checked out more times every year than Agatha Christie and Enid Blyton – believes the lockdown has shown us we need our libraries more than ever. Figures show that during the first three week of the lockdown, when libraries were closed, there was a titanic 358 per cent increase in the number of people borrowing e-books from online sites.”
• Glasgow – Communities urge Glasgow Life to re-open ‘lifeline’ libraries and sports centres – Glasgow Evening Times. Two-thirds of libraries to be closed indefinitely, with dates mentioned in October. “Glasgow Life is facing major losses, estimated to run into the tens of millions of pounds, as a result of Covid-19 and nearly 1000 staff have been furloughed during the pandemic”.
• Gloucestershire – New ‘reserve and collect’ library service set for Stroud – Stroud News. “The new service, available at Stroud Library from July 13, will ensure customers can request books, DVDs and other available materials that they would like to borrow and book a slot for collection.”
• Hampshire – Libraries to open next week – but don’t browse too long – Advertiser and Times. 30 minute maximum. Book computers in advance.

• Hillingdon – Temporary library services – Hillingdon Council. “We are offering a reserve and collect service at 6 of our libraries – Manor Farm, Oak Farm, Hayes End, Northwood Hills, West Drayton and Uxbridge.”
• Isle of Wight – Libraries to re-open but no late fees for overdue books – Island Echo. Click and collect from 6 July, reduced opening hours.
• Kent – Plans for gradual reopening of Kent libraries announced – Media Hub. “Kent County Council will start a phased reopening of its libraries from Monday, 13 July, with a new ‘Select and Collect’ service that will temporarily replace bookshelf browsing.”
• Lancashire – Coronavirus: Libraries, archives and museums – Lancashire County Council. Closed until further notice. “Our phased approach will involve initially reopening at least one library in each district across the county, so that you can return your books and we can quarantine them.”
• Leeds – Fantastic support for library appeal – Ilkley Gazette. “The gofundme appeal for Rawdon Community Library was launched by Janet Leeks on June 11 with the aim of reaching £300 – but it has already raised more than seven times that amount, with the figure now standing at £2,155.”

• Manchester – Phased reopening of Manchester’s libraries to begin on 4 July – Manchester Libraries Blog. “The eight libraries which are reopening at this stage are Chorlton Library, City Library (at Central Library), Didsbury Library, Gorton Library, Longsight Library, Newton Heath Library, Withington Library and Forum Library, Wythenshawe.”

• Milton Keynes – Libraries won’t be open ‘for some time’ in Milton Keynes, says council – MK Citizen. ““We’ve seen an outbreak at a nursery in MK recently where 23 people caught the virus while all sensible precautions were being followed on site. Facilities such as libraries and children’s centres are rightly much loved by residents and we’re proud to deliver them – but we won’t reopen them at the wrong time if the risk is too great. We all have a part to play to help MK control Covid-19, and we’re taking that seriously.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk libraries to begin reopening next week – Norfolk County Council. “There will be a total 12 sites reopening on 6 and 7 July with the rest to follow in the coming weeks and months.”
• North Somerset – This is when libraries across North Somerset will start to re-open – Bristol Post. Phased from 6 July.
• North Yorkshire – Phased Return For North Yorkshire Libraries – Yorkshire Coast Radio. “To begin with, visits will be by appointment only. From Monday 6th July, customers will be able to take advantage of a free Select and Collect service.”
• Northamptonshire – Northamptonshire libraries to introduce phased reopening – Northamptonshire County Council. “From Monday, 6 July, seven of the county’s libraries will reopen to ensure accessibility for the maximum number of customers. The libraries to reopen are Wellingborough, Irthlingborough, Brackley, Kettering, Weston Favell, Daventry and Oundle, with initial opening times being Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10- 4pm, and Saturdays from 10 – 2pm.”
• Northern Ireland – Libraries to have ‘phased reopening’ in July – Larne Times. “Libraries NI has announced plans to reopen its branches with a “phased programme of return” from 20 July onwards” … “As part of the programme for reopening branches, Libraries NI will provide a new Book and Collect service which will begin on Monday, July 20 and will remain in operation until a branch reopens”
• Northumberland – Northumberland libraries to reopen with some offering order and collect service – Berwick Advertiser. “It is expected that a number of libraries across the county will be able to offer an order and collect service in the first few weeks of opening. Collections will only be available by appointment and it is expected that there will only be limited numbers of visitors who may access library buildings at any one time.”
• Pembrokeshire – MS welcomes extended ‘click and collect’ system for libraries – Brecon and Radnor Express. click and collect: “delighted to hear libraries in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire will be offering this service from July 1 and 2 respectively.”
• St Helens – St Helens libraries won’t be opening this weekend – St Helens Star. No indication as to when they will reopen.
  • Calling all young bookworms to join this summer’s reading challenge – St Helens Star. “St Helens Library Service is hosting a very special online performance of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Twits’ via YouTube at 2pm today – while many more silly sessions will be held throughout the day through the Library Service’s Facebook page.”
• Sheffield – Libraries working hard to welcome you back soon – Sheffield Newsroom. “On a phased basis during July, some libraries will be offering an Order and Collect service, where library users will be able to phone or email in and ask for a selection of books to be prepared for them.”
• Shropshire – Ludlow Library prepares to launch contactless service – Shropshire Star. “The service, Ready Reads, enables customers to pre-order books and collect them from the library foyer and will be available at Shrewsbury, Oswestry and Ludlow from July 6.”
• Somerset – Somerset libraries to introduce new ‘personal shopper service’ on re-opening – Burnham on Sea. Click and collect called “personal shopper” here.
  • Can you help Somerset Libraries by being part of a focus group? – Glassbox Taunton. “Somerset Libraries would like to invite people to help shape the library service of today and the future, by evaluating of their diverse range of services (both physical and online). Feedback from frequent, occasional and non-users will be sought through informal focus groups and/or one-to-one conversations”
• South Tyneside – Phased Reopening of Libraries – South Tyneside Council. “From this Saturday (4 July), library users will be able to pre-order books over the phone for collection from Monday 6 July on a strict appointment-only basis. Libraries will operate with reduced operating hours, from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with normal hours on weekends.”

• Surrey – A new chapter: Thirteen Surrey libraries to reopen on Monday – Liphook Herald. Some reopening “libraries will have to operate in a different way with a reduced service, limited capacity in buildings, additional cleaning measures and guidelines in place for social distancing.” No computers.
• Swindon – Swindon’s museums and libraries staying shut for now – Swindon Advertiser. Not opening this week but will announce on social media soon.
  • Swindon libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge going online next week – Swindon Advertiser. “new videos with demonstrations and live story-telling will be put up on the Swindon Libraries YouTube channel throughout the summer holidays.”
• Telford and Wrekin – Public libraries in Telford and Wrekin re-opening under social distancing conditions – Shropshire Star. Some librarie reopening but with 15 minute limit.
• Vale of Glamorgan – Vale of Glamorgan libraries offer click and collect service – Penarth Times. Though they remain closed for browsing or use of ICT facilities, libraries in Barry, Penarth, and Cowbridge will be open for” click and collect.

• Warrington – 7 Warrington libraries to reopen next week – but 5 remain closed – Warrington Guardian. “libraries will open in Great Sankey, Orford Jubilee and Woolston Neighbourhood Hubs, Stockton Heath, Lymm, Burtonwood and Warrington Museum and Library.”
• West Berkshire – Coronavirus West Berkshire: Libraries to pilot click-and-collect scheme – Newbury Today. “the district’s libraries would not be opening in the week of July 4, but a click and collect service would be trialed instead.  “
• West Sussex – West Sussex libraries to offer ‘select and collect’ service – Littlehampton Gazette. “This will allow residents to collect books from the front doors of all 36 West Sussex County Council owned libraries without the need to enter the building. Starting on Monday (July 6) …”
• Westminster – Coronavirus information – libraries reopening – City of Westminster. “Four sites – Charing Cross, Church Street, Paddington and Victoria – will reopen on Saturday 4 July. The remaining sites will be opening as soon as possible next week, “
• Wiltshire –  Consultation on Wiltshire Council reopening libraries safely during the COVID-19 pandemic – Wiltshire County Council. “Wiltshire’s public libraries want your views as they look to reopen some library services safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have to manage their resources carefully and ensure you the public, staff and library volunteers are safe, so they’ve put forward three options for how the service might operate while social distancing is required.”
• Wokingham – Libraries to stay shut as quarantining books is too ‘labour-intensive’ – Wokingham Today. ““We won’t be reopening libraries because quarantining books is a labour-intensive exercise. But now our electronic offering is huge.””
• Worcestershire – More people than ever before are using Worcestershire County Council’s online services – Bromsgrove Standard. “Nearly 50,000 e-books, audio books and e-magazines (47,703) have been downloaded from the council’s digital library service in the last three months – double the amount in the same period last year.”

For a guide on when public libraries in the UK are reopening, and the current situation, see this page.

For a guide on how libraries around the world are coping with the crisis, and the various health and safety precautions that are being used, see this page.

Editorial

Well, the consequences of shutting down libraries for a few months started to be shown this last week. The leisure trust Vivacity, which has been running libraries in Peterborough since 2013 and has interests in Cambridgeshire libraries too, handed back control to the council due to running out of money because lockdown meant it had no income. This is the third trust involved in libraries to have failed in six years and leaves question-marks over some of the other organisation of this model, especially common in Scotland, who must be facing similar problems.

Announced pretty much at the same time was a terrifying story from Leeds, where the council has announced it may close every library because of extra costs incurred this year. It justifies this – on the face of it a clear breaking of the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act – by claiming “a skeleton, online-lending resource” would do. Nonsense, but, as the CILIP CEO has pointed out, the Act has been a dead letter for years. How Leeds, though, will square this with the Equalities Act is anyone’s guess though. The suspicion is that this is just a way of pressuring the government and preparing the people of Leeds for deep cuts that don’t quite reach the library-geddon threatened last week.

Finally, we have the sad news that library supplier Bertrams has gone bankrupt. This is a tragedy for the hundreds of those who have lost their jobs but also represents a further tightening of the screw on the library stock supplier market, which has few enough competitors as it is.

The worry with all this is that these stories may just be the first as councils and companies up and down the country start look at their balance sheets and see Covid-related red lines. And there’s us just concentrating on infections.

Changes

• Bath and North East Somerset – Paulton Library transferred to parish council, to be run by volunteers.
• Leeds – All libraries under threat.
• Peterborough – Leisure trust Vivacity hand back contract for libraries to council after losses caused by lockdown.
• St Helens – Opening house changed, 5 voluntary redundancies.

National news

• Bertram Books collapses with 450 jobs at risk – BBC. “Joint administrators Turpin Barker Armstrong said the majority of staff would be made redundant with “immediate effect”. Kip Bertram, who started the company with his mother Elsie before selling it in 1999, said its collapse was “very sad for the staff, the city of Norwich and the customers”. He disputed the claims of the administrators over the reasons for the collapse, saying: “It’s nothing to do with e-Books or Covid-19 – people still like to hold and smell books.” U.K. Wholesaler Bertram Group Is Up for Sale – Publishers Weekly. Worries reported in early May. Subsidiaries are Dawson Books and Education Umbrella.
• Libraries Connected Statement on Black Lives Matter – Libraries Connected. “We condemn racism and discrimination in all its forms. Public libraries were founded 150 years ago on principles of social justice and equality … Libraries Connected believes in a society where that racism and discrimination are replaced by equality and justice for all. We will work with libraries and partners to ensure that we use every resource at our disposal to make this happen.”

The Carnegie UK Trust is looking into how public libraries across the UK have helped and supported people and communities across the UK during lockdown. We want to use this information to help raise the profile of libraries’ contributions during Covid-19 and to advocate for public libraries’ role in supporting individuals and communities in the rebuilding process following on from lockdown. We  also want to find out and share information and learning across the sector about challenges and what didn’t work. The Trust is keen to hear the views of all library staff, including frontline staff, managers and heads of service. We would be grateful if you could circulate the following survey widely:  If you and your colleagues have 10 minutes, the Trust would love to hear your views. The deadline for responses is Friday 3 July.

Carnegie UK Trust, via email

• Libraries of the future – Living Libraries. Ten minute audio on what the future may hold.
• Puppy Demand, Bike Thefts and Library Openings – BBC Radio 4 You and Yours. “The book shops are open again on our high streets but what about our libraries? There’s no date set for opening in any of the nations with only Wales offering a click and collect service for borrowers.”.

“if the Secretary of State agreed today to ensure that, as part of this, he will develop a national plan for education, where local authorities are funded to make a summer holiday local offer to children and young people; where schools are provided with additional resources, such as an enhanced pupil premium to help disadvantaged children; and where public buildings such as libraries and sports centres are used to expand the space available to schools to ensure safe social distancing.” They Work For You.

Rebecca Long-Bailey MP

• Rencontre avec Cécile Touitou, directrice scientifique de l’ouvrage collectif “Bibliothèques publiques britanniques contemporaines” – Presses De l’Enssib. Interview with Cecile Touitou who has recently edited a book on contemporary British public libraries. She is surprised and impressed by the level of public interest an involvement in protecting libraries.

International news

• Australia – Shoalhaven Libraries Leading way in Contactless Service – Mirage. “the Shoalhaven Libraries App provides a one-stop shop for all library services. By using the app, library users can deactivate RFID security without using a public kiosk or any other hardware.”
• Canada – As libraries go digital, paper books still have a lot to offer us – Conversation.
• EU – Libraries in times of coronavirus: Viana Public Library (Spain) and Public Library in Aleksandrów (Poland) – NAPLE Sister Libraries. “encouraged the children that normally go to the library to make drawings during the confinement. Children from 3 to 5 from both libraries made a total of 77 drawings, 37 from Aleksandrów and 40 from Viana.”
• Global – Meet the librarians going above and beyond to get books to kids in lockdown – Big Issue. Ethiopia: More than 26 million children are out of school during the Covid-19 lockdown so Save The Children’s camel library is bringing the life-nurturing power of books to 22,000 children in 33 villages. USA: “in the US state of Virginia, the books travel via air. Montgomery County public schools became the first in the world to use a library book drone delivery service.”
  • Webinar: Phased Reopening of Libraries | Roskilde Municipality and Fayetteville Public Library – Bibliotheca. On-demand.
• India – Bengaluru’s iconic British Library to shut its doors and go fully digital – News Minute. “The British Council announced earlier this week that five of its eight libraries in India would be completely digitised. In a communication to its physical members in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Pune, the British Council said it would now offer full online services and extended the online membership for existing physical members by 6 months.”
• USA – How Libraries Are Supporting The Black Lives Matter Movement – NPR. “Boston librarian Stacy Collins about how libraries are taking up issues of policing and Black Lives Matters.”
  • How to Tackle Library Signage in a Pandemic and Make Visitors Feel Comfortable With Your New Rules – Super Library Marketing.
  • Librarians of the World Unite – The Nib. The horrendous experience of one US library system before and during lockdown.
  • Libraries Are Dealing With New Demand For Books And Services During The Pandemic – NPR. Ebook loans up around 60% nationally, with adult fiction doubling. “if this burst in digital lending is sustained, it could be a financial problem for cash-strapped libraries.”

Local news by authority

• Aberdeenshire – Live Life Aberdeenshire Summer Reading Challenge returns in a new format – Grampian Online. “By simply signing up online Live Life will take you on a journey filled with fun, fantasy and action-packed activities for children and families of all ages and interests.”
• Bath and North East Somerset – Winners of local library service’s lockdown writing competition revealed – Bath Echo. “Bath-based writer Bel Mooney and Chris Beale, a performance poet from Bristol, were among the writers who appeared in a series of videos to announce the winners and runners-up on Saturday 13th June from a total of 60 entries. Adults were invited to submit either a short story or a poem online on the theme of ‘Lockdown’ in competitions designed to give people a creative outlet as they adjusted to restrictions on everyday life.”
  • Parish council set to take over running of Paulton Library – MNR Journal. “Paulton’s library is to become a community run library after the lease is transferred to Paulton Parish Council next week.”
• Buckinghamshire – Bucks libraries set for partial reopening from next week – Advertiser. Returns and Select and Collect from 22 June.
• Calderdale – Halifax Central Library – Joseph Coelho. Pictures and descriptions of visit to Halifax Library. “The current site opened in 2017 (there have been four central libraries in Halifax since 1881) and is a mix of modern and old as a huge modern, light brick rectangle intersects with the remains of Square Congregational Church, a church built on the site 112 years ago.
• Ceredigion – Libraries in Ceredigion to partially reopen this month – Cambrian News. “From 22 June, people will be able to order and collect items from Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, Cardigan and Lampeter libraries”
• Denbighshire – Denbighshire libraries to offer order and collect service – Journal series. “Libraries across Denbighshire will be offering an order and collect service for books from Monday, June 15, as part of on-going efforts to re-introduce elements of the service in the county”
• Devon – Let’s get technical, technical … – Libraries Unlimited. Podcast. “oday, the FabLab managers Kerala Cotter and Marcus Brown join us to talk about the technically wonderful things that they can do in their workshops and we hear about the amazing Tovertafel table at South Molten”
• Dorset – Libraries boost wellbeing and reduce loneliness during lockdown – Lyme Online. “There has been a 48% increase in people joining Dorset’s online library service, with almost 27,000 e-books, e-audio and e-zines accessed.”
• Dundee – Dundee Libraries project recording social history of coronavirus pandemic to inform future generations – Courier. “The centre is keen to hear first-hand experiences of how the virus and subsequent lockdown is affecting people.”
• Edinburgh – ‘Let’s Get Fabulous’: Edinburgh Libraries welcomes Drag Queen Story Hour – Edinburgh News. “Drag Queen Aida H Dee will be live on Facebook reading stories to children across the city”
• Guernsey – The library is open – Guille-Alles Library. “With the start of Phase 5, the Library is now open as normal with no need for social distancing. That means there are no restrictions on how many people can visit at a time, no queuing or one-way system, and all services have recommenced including events, study space, newspapers & magazines, community libraries, and children’s activities like story times, TOTs, and Baby Bounce.”
• Hampshire – Ready Reads from Andover library – Loveandover. ““Given that library buildings are not due to reopen until July, we are pulling out the stops to bridge that gap by offering paperbacks and hardbacks for loan once again, with ‘Ready Reads’. This is a new book collection service where our staff select books according to your preferences, for you to collect from your local branch.””
• Kent – Summer reading challenge bringing happiness to Kent children – In Your Area.
• Lambeth – Lambeth Library events for the Windrush Day and Pride Month celebrations, June 2020 – Brixton Buzz.
• Lancashire – The Award-Winning ‘Silly Squad’ Joins Summer Reading Challenge – Preston Hub.
• Leeds – All libraries, museums and galleries in Leeds at risk of closure as local councils count cost of coronavirus – Independent. “Every library, museum and gallery could be closed in one of England’s biggest cities as local authorities across the country struggle to balance the books in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.”

“While councils have a legal duty to provide library services, it is widely thought this could be pared back to a skeleton, online-lending resource without breaking that obligation.”

The scariest quote ever published on Public Libraries News

It’s all so drearily predictable. Councils will signal horrendous outcomes because they’re facing a £10bn #COVID19 bill, the Govt will come up with some 11th hour fudge, we’ll have expended so much energy being appalled that the mildly less appalling option will seem preferable.

— Nicholas Poole (@NickPoole1) June 18, 2020

• Monmouthshire – Library books now available in Monmouthshire through council ‘request and collect’ service – South Wales Argus. “Customers will be able to browse the library service online and use the My Monmouthshire app to choose their preferred books and reserve a time to collect them. Collections will initially be available from the Monmouth and Chepstow Community Hubs.”
• Neath Port Talbot – Libraries will reopen with new pick-up service in Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe – Wales Online. “The partial reopening of the borough’s three main libraries is the “first step” towards the full restoration of all libraries in the area, according to Cllr Rees. The Call and Collect service will allow readers to borrow up to 10 items ….”. Returns box.
• Peterborough – Peterborough leisure and libraries charity Vivacity shut by lockdown – BBC. “Vivacity has been running 10 libraries, a theatre, swimming pools, gyms and a museum in Peterborough since 2010. All services ceased with the lockdown, with a loss of £8m a year, and 98% of its 500 staff were furloughed. Peterborough City Council leader John Holdich said it was committed to continuing the services.”
• Powys – Order-and-collect library books service launches across Powys – Brecon and Radnor Express. “From 22 June, residents will be able to ask for a new collection of books via the Powys County Council website”
• St Helens – Library opening hours to change in St Helens – St Helens Star. “hours reduced at some sites and increased at others, although the council says there will be no reduction in the overall service.” … “Five members of staff have also taken voluntary redundancy as a result of the review”. Unclear when new central library at Heart of Glass will reopen.
• Shropshire – Shropshire’s libraries keep up their online presence during COVID-19 – Shropshire Live. “Shropshire’s libraries have also recently launched Shropshire Summer Reads. In this new challenge for adults, contenders who submit reviews of four books over the summer will be in with the chance of winning book vouchers to spend in local independent book shops.”
• Somerset – Burnham-On-Sea Library looks set to re-open to visitors during July – Burnahm on Sea. “Social distancing measures will be in place and a ‘personal shopper’ service will be available as customers will not initially be able to browse.”
• Southend – Phased return of Southend library services – Times series. “A ‘click and collect’ service will be available at all six libraries from July 6.”
• Suffolk – Ipswich library staff record audiobook for 102-year-old – BBC. “Doris Bugg wanted to reminisce with the 1927 novel Portrait of Clare, but the out-of-print book was unavailable at her library in Ipswich, Suffolk. Touched by her memories, librarians bought a copy for her online and are reading all 873 pages, recorded on CDs.”
• Warrington – LiveWire unveils plans to allow reopening of select leisure and library sites – Warrington Worldwide. “Restrictions on the number of people accessing the library at any one time and the duration of visits will be limited.”
• Warwickshire – Warwickshire Libraries staff receive heartfelt letter of thanks for being ‘lifeline’ to people isolated by lockdown – Kenilworth Weekly. “One Rugby resident thanked the staff. They said: “Your call has come at just the right time – I’m climbing the walls without having any books to read! Thank you so much.”

• Wiltshire – Wootton Bassett book swap started up as libraries closed for lockdown – Wiltshire Times. One thousand books borrowed from makeshift little free library set up after closure.
• Worcestershire – County’s libraries and University of Worcester offering weekly webinars to help college, uni and sixth-form students – Worcester Observer. ““Study Happy has been a great success in helping both University of Worcester and local school and college students feel more confident and motivated about their studies.”
  • Worcestershire libraries set to re-open next month – Malvern Gazette. “Six of Worcestershire’s libraries are currently due to re-open on Saturday July 4 according to the county council although this is dependant on confirmation from Government.”
• Wrexham – Wrexham Library Service celebrate Pride Month – Leader. “BorrowBox have pulled together their 2020 selection of key LGBTQ+ titles”