A slow safe move towards normality, whatever that means
May 17th
Editorial
The thoughts of many in the library sector this week are with how to safely reopen libraries while Coronavirus is still endemic and killing hundreds each day. It’s not easy but the clear tone of everything I am hearing and seeing is that it’s safety first. No-one is rushing gung-ho into endangering staff and the public and the process – even barring a likely upsurge in cases due to the obviously premature reopening of schools – towards normality will likely come in slow stages over a period of months or a year. Whatever “normality” means.
National news
- Benevolent Fund support during COVID-19 – CILIP. “The CILIP Benevolent Fund Trustees have agreed an emergency interim policy to ensure that they are able to maximise the support available to CILIP members during the disruption caused by COVID-19 and coronavirus.”
“Arts Council England is working with Shared Intelligence to undertake research into the impact of public library services on employment among their users, specifically those who are out of work or who are economically inactive. As part of this work, Shared Intelligence would like to convene a small group of Heads of Service to act as a reference point for quick testing of ideas, questions and findings, and to help identify examples of practice. Specifically, we would be looking for the group to come together three times throughout this work: At the end of phase 1 to discuss findings from scoping activities (including an national survey of library services and a literature review). At the end of phase 2 to discuss findings and results from conversations with key ‘decision-makers’. At the beginning of phase 4 (the final reporting stage), once all fieldwork data has been gathered and collated. Due to the current situation, the group will look to be convened virtually (most likely through Zoom). Please contact Jenna.birley@artscouncil.org.uk if you are interested in taking part or have any questions.
- British Library asks nation’s children to write miniature books in lockdown – Guardian. “The library is conscious that during lockdown “a high proportion of children do not have access to computers, and that many do not have art materials”, so it will also be distributing a printed pack through public libraries, food banks and sheltered accommodation, and emailing PDFs to teachers nationwide.”
- Health and Libraries – “We hope to set up a network of interesting and interested people who can meet in Libraries nationally and offer workshops, consultation and projects.”
“To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to assist libraries to loan more audio books and e-books during the COVID-19 pandemic; and what conversations, if any, they have had with the publishing industry about that issue.” Lord Bird. Government response notes £151k from Arts Council England. They Work For You.
- I set up a secret library so people can at least escape into books – Metro. Usage of “Little Free Library” shot up when public libraries closed.
- Libraries in Newport, Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly re-opening – South Wales Argus. “Newport City Council said it is also preparing to re-open its libraries “as soon as possible” – but only when it is safe for customers and staff – and with measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.”
- Reopening during Coronavirus: examples and ideas – Public Libraries News. “Included below is information picked up from the UK and internationally, listing different approaches to reopening while Coronavirus is still endemic to some extent.”
- Research finds reading books has surged in lockdown – Guardian. “According to the nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults, surveyed from 29 April to 1 May, the nation has also increased the amount of time it spends reading books from around 3.5 hours per week, to six. Just 10% of adults said they were reading less.”
- Social media toolkit – Libraries Connected. “This toolkit has been created for Libraries Connected as a guide for all public library services on the use of social media to create more open lines of communication between library services and users.”
- Staying alert and safe (social distancing) – Gov.uk. “libraries, community centres, and youth centres” required by law to stay closed at the moment.
“To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the loss of access to public library computer terminals during the covid-19 outbreak on the (a) education and (b) mental wellbeing of autistic children and young dependent adults from households with no access to a computer or smartphones.” Caroline Lucas MP. Government response is note use of social media and plan to provide laptops to children. They Work For You.
- Safety first: The recovery of library services – Libraries Connected. “We are also feeding concerns up to DCMS and into the central government machine that is developing guidance, so we can ensure the specific needs of the library environment are being considered. With 174 million library visits last year – libraries are incredibly busy sites where people from all backgrounds meet closely together, so could also be significant sites for virus transmission if the risks are not fully understood and controlled.”
“The Recovery Toolkit will look in detail at all aspects of library operation to identify risks, and suggest mitigation strategies and work arounds, and provide useful checklists and links to relevant guidance and further reading. It will be designed to be deployed flexibly, as every library service will have to tailor planning to its own risk assessments, available resources and local priorities of need.”
- Tim Coates – Digital Content Associates. “Has libraries’ focus on social issues and activities come at the expense of their core mission to provide access to content and promote reading? Book trade veteran and library campaigner, Tim Coates, thinks so and has published the Freckle Report to prove it. We ask Tim why he thinks libraries are failing and what can be done about it.”
International news
- Australia – Supporting Library Staff during #COVID19 Lockdown – Medium. “The staff Wellness Community Hub that our People and Culture team have developed is a place staff can go to to share and talk about the challenges, coping mechanisims and daily hacks they use to get through the day. Staff are encouraged to send photos or contribute to some conversations about their lives when working from home.”
- Australian libraries responding to COVID-19: Checklist for reopening libraries – ALIA. “Each library will have its own plans for reopening, depending on the sector and the specific needs of the library’s community, but the checklist provides a practical framework which outlines major considerations that library managers should be addressing, when planning to reopen their library.”
- Kempsey libraries’ new Click and Collect service – Macleay Argus. “The service will begin with members who had reserves waiting before the shutdown, but should expand in the coming days to new reservations.”
- Denmark – ”There is a crack in everything – that is how the light gets in”. Experiences with reopening libraries in the age of corona – Library Lab. “Denmark are slowly reopening and so are the libraries. This blog post will be about our practical considerations and actions on reopening libraries in Roskilde Municipality after almost two months of lockdown due to coronavirus.”
- EU – Coronavirus: How lockdown is being lifted across Europe – BBC. Italy opens libraries from 18 May, Netherlands from 11 May, Austria from 18 May.
- Public Libraries in Europe and COVID-19: Findings from NAPLE Members, April 2020 – NAPLE. “Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began to lead to closures of library buildings to the public at the start of March 2020. The following document summarises the measures taken in response to the virus by public libraries in 20 NAPLE member countries to date[1], 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.”
- Libraries as gardens – “Libraries as Gardens is a creative project that wants to geolocate and map, on a global scale, the before, during and after of the coronavirus lockdown, through sound recordings and the stories of people, told and read in the libraries of their houses during the pandemic and about the public gardens that they remember. The recordings are simultaneously transferred in an augmented audio project, creating sound walks for the future, in the gardens when they open again, made available (for free) through CGeomap for all their walkers”
- Netherlands – The library is open: what does that actually mean? – Rafelranden. “in the reopening protocols, drawn up by the VOB (Dutch Public Library Association), on the phased reopening of libraries, the primary focus is on the collection and the provision of lending materials, also with regard to the protocol for welcoming primary school pupils (“what children can do in the library (looking for books, being read to) is for each library to decide for themselves”..) “
- New Zealand – “New adventures in disasterology”: Learning from crisis with Christchurch Libraries – Matt Finch. “I think big learnings from this time are that libraries most certainly have a role to play, we need to be able to adapt for and listen to communities who are going through traumatic events, we need to be willing to try things out and experiment, we need to have our Business Continuity Plans (and all other plans) up to date and have them handy in a variety of formats.”
- An open book: All you need to know for your library visit – Newsline. ““We are introducing a range of measures, including restricting the number of people within library spaces at any one time, along with the duration of visits. We also need to meet contact tracing requirements, so all visitors will need to sign in – and out”
- Global – Market overview – Local Government Library Technology. “The library technology industry, broadly speaking, shows more affinity toward utility than innovation. Library automation systems are not necessarily exciting technologies, but they are workhorse applications that must support the complex tasks of acquiring, describing, and providing access to materials and services.”
- USA – Libraries have spent years reinventing themselves. Will they have to do it again? – Marketplace. “The Boston Public Library, for example, has been working on developing more affordable housing to sit atop some of its branches. The Austin Public Library offers citizenship courses for immigrants and hosts naturalization ceremonies. And the Bristol Public Library in Indiana, like many others, allows patrons to check out baking equipment to use at home. A lot of these new changes mean that people spend more time in libraries.” 4 minute interview. Started “curbside” delivery with masks/rubber gloves delivered in bag to car on demand.
Michelle and I want to do our part to give all you parents a break today, so we’re reading “The Word Collector” for @chipublib. It’s a fun book that vividly illustrates the transformative power of words––and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did. pic.twitter.com/ADYbL6Dzg4
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 14, 2020
- As States Seek COVID Detectives, Librarians Are Among The Candidates – KUNM. “Denver is recruiting staff from the city’s libraries – including librarians – for its contact tracing team”
What might it look like if we fully opened libraries today? Springfield Public Library in the US has a go at illustrating that scenario for us… pic.twitter.com/5V74n5qcrn
— DCALondon (@DcaLondon) May 11, 2020
- Chicago Public Library Calls Staff Back to Work, Plans Full Reopen June 1 – Book Riot. “The Chicago Public Library system, however, is handling this a little differently, endangering the health and well-being of their staff, as well as the communities in which they aim to serve.” … “Gloves are helpful only if they’re disposed of between interactions. Will CPL be providing a day’s worth of gloves? What about enough masks for the realities of working with the public for 8 hours in one? What happens if a staff member wearing a mask sneezes while it’s on?”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeenshire – Reading challenge proved a winner for Aberdeenshire library service – Grampian Online. “The challenge, which ran from December to February, went down a storm with nearly 1000 local readers taking part individually, together as a family or as a group of friends. Although nearly half of those taking part were children aged three to 10”
- Cardiff – Old telephone boxes in Cardiff have been transformed into tiny libraries – Wales Online. ““I visit with my mum, who’s 75. She’s a bookaholic but can’t visit the library at the moment. She was very impressed. As well as books there are puzzles and some DVDs.””
- Cheshire East – Cheshire East libraries to launch digital “summer reading challenge” – Nantwich News. “Although library buildings are closed, the Challenge will be delivered through virtual services and e-lending platforms. The theme this year is “Silly Squad”, which will offer families a chance to have fun and encourages children to read anything that makes them happy.”
- Devon – Libraries want your bunting for end of lockdown commemorations – Devon Live. “apart from ‘phone calls to our customers; we are finding it difficult to interact with those who are not internet users. Our bunting project is a way of helping everyone feel a part of the community under lockdown and for us all to look forward to a brighter (bunting decorated) future.””
- Libraries Unlimited Podcast – Libraries Unlimited. “Welcome to our new podcast that dives into the Library Service in Devon and Torbay. We meet your hosts Lee and Callum, have a chat with the CEO of LU, Alex Kittow and attempt to entertain with our famous lightning book review segment.”
- Edinburgh – What libraries mean to me with Val McDermid – Tales of One City. “A long term champion of books and libraries, here McDermid tells us what libraries mean to her, and why the written word is what will ultimately carry us through”. One of a series.
- Highland – Increased use for High Life Highland online library resources in Inverness and the rest of the Highlands during coronavirus pandemic – Inverness Courier. “Pressreader, the online newspaper service, has more than doubled the number of views in April in comparison with the same month last year – an increase of 30,000 views.”
- Inverclyde – Inverclyde Libraries continues to run its popular weekly Bookbug sessions for tots online – Greenock Telegraph. “The fun takes place live on Facebook at 11am on both Mondays and Fridays. Monday sessions are signed in Makaton.”
- Kensington and Chelsea – Home library service keeps reading on the radar for vulnerable K&C residents – KCW Today. ” More than 200 booklovers across the borough have signed up for the scheme, which sees a member of the Council’s libraries team compiling a bespoke selection of books after contacting each customer to discuss their literary likes and dislikes.”
SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
— Paul Matthews (@PaulMatthews67) May 14, 2020
We will not be re-opening libraries in Monmouthshire yet
❌introduces avoidable risk
❌encourages non-essential journeys
❌takes staff away from supporting ‘shielded people’ and volunteer efforts
Sorry to disappoint but choices have to be made
- Norfolk – Call for small number of Norfolk libraries to reopen is rejected – Thetford and Brandon Times. “library service staff have been redeployed into supporting food distribution, buying personal protective equipment and coordinating the volunteer effort across the county.”
- North Lanarkshire – North Lanarkshire libraries run online reading and learning festival – Daily Record. “Monklands residents can take part in sessions on subjects including family history, coding and creative writing – as well as learning how to access the latest recommended reads – in a two-week online festival being run by North Lanarkshire’s librarians.”
- North Yorkshire – Libraries share a little kindness for mental health week – North Yorkshire County Council. “All libraries will promote their Reading Well mental health collections of books, many of which are available to borrow free as e-books and e-audiobooks.”
- Libraries’ project celebrates beauty of North Yorkshire landmarks – North Yorkshire County Council. “The Then and Now project was funded by a £5,000 grant by Libraries Connected Yorkshire and Humber. It aims to develop creative and digital skills, as well as encourage a sense of pride and belonging among communities.”
- Oxfordshire – Record number join Oxfordshire libraries in lockdown – Herald. “A total of 589 signed up online in April, an 86 per cent increase on the same month in 2019. Loans of eBooks and eAudio loans have nearly doubled compared to this time last year, with more than 22,000 items borrowed from the county’s online library last month.”
- Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire libraries remain closed for time being – Western Telegraph. “On Friday, May 8, the Welsh Government announced that it was enabling local councils to ‘start the process of planning how to reopen libraries’. This planning process has now started in Pembrokeshire but it will still be some time before any libraries are opened.”
- Powys – Tips and libraries in Powys to remain closed for now – Powys County Times. “Now the council has said that while it is “working towards” reopening some tips and libraries, “a great deal of work” needs to be done before any service resumes in Powys.”
- St Helens – Competition deadline extended to encourage youngsters to get creative by writing stories during lockdown – St Helens Star. “annual St Helens Super Writers competition, challenging budding writers – who either live or go to school in the borough – to produce a short story of no more than 500 words, with this year’s theme around classic fairy tales with a modern twist.”
- Swansea – The lifeguard, librarian and other council staff doing completely different jobs due to coronavirus – Wales Online. “Bethan’s now a virtual Helpline call centre team-leader at the heart of a hub supporting those who have been told to stay at home and shield themselves from the virus.”
- West Dunbartonshire – Number of residents accessing West Dunbartonshire’s libraries triples during lockdown – Reporter. “The number of residents using West Dunbartonshire Council’s online library has trebled during lockdown, while the number of e-books and e-audiobooks accessed have doubled.”
- Wokingham – Book Chat -May 13th – Wokingham Borough Libraries. Reviews of available ebooks.
- Wolverhampton – Boost in people signing up for library services in Wolverhampton – Express and Star. “More than 700 people have joined or re-started their library membership in Wolverhampton since lockdown started.” … “And more than 1,200 people have used the virtual librarian service, which sees staff answer people’s queries online.”
- Wrexham – Wrexham Council reveal the most popular e-audiobooks and e-books amongst Wrexham residents – Leader Live. “Council has released a list of the most popular e-audiobooks and e-books amongst residents.”
- York – York libraries boss Fiona Williams on when city libraries might re-open – and how you can access library services even during lockdown – Press. “”So we have no definite date for reopening at the moment,” Fiona says. “We cannot just throw open the doors one day and say ‘we’re back’.” Nevertheless, library staff – those who have not been placed on furlough, at least – are beginning to work towards reopening.” … “With 54 of Explore’s 84 staff placed on furlough, there have been limits to what the remaining library and archive staff have been able to do. Nevertheless, there has been an impressive amount going on.”
Don’t mess it up now: Libraries may reopen during the pandemic
May 10th
Editorial
I attended, virtually, of course, the “Libraries after Covid” digital “thinkin” last week, organised by Tortoise in partnership with Libraries Connected. The session was well-attended, with over 400 apparently watching, but it was a bit derailed as it was already evident that the Government was keen on opening up the country before the lethal pandemic had passed. So it was more a case of “Libraries during Covid”.
The overwhelming sense I got from the session and from reading about the library situation nationally and internationally is that health and safety should come first. After all, if reopening public libraries could potentially kill someone, then we are doing it wrong. This will probably involve reopening in stages, with perhaps a click and collect service coming first, and limited use of the personal computers, with a “normal” service being many months away.
And then the Prime Minister came on TV this evening. It was all a bit confusing but it looks like public services may (or may not if things go wrong) start reopening from July, whatever that means. However, being that one of the steps in June is allowing 4 to 6 year olds back to school, its quite likely things will go wrong. After all, many four year olds can barely remember to use the toilet all the time, let alone socially distance, and they will be in contact presumably with thirty others, teachers and, when they get home, parents and grandparents. Quarantining it is not.
A fifty page document is being released tomorrow and it may have more information in it about libraries but, whatever we do, one hopes that it will be safety first, of staff and the public. This needs to be mixed with our very important social mission of course so this will be a challenge. But nothing about the current situation isn’t challenging. Libraries have done better in the last couple of months than we could have guessed or hoped for beforehand. So let’s not mess it up now, for this could be life and death important.
National news
- £18m support for the culture, creative and sport sector in Wales – Welsh Government. “£250k Digital Library Resources, which will enable public libraries to provide additional digital resources to the public and gives people resources to read and engage with whilst self-isolating.” and “£1m Cultural Resilience Fund for museums, collections, conservation services, archives and community and public libraries to respond to short-term pressures and recovery actions on a grant application basis.”
“The prime minister is effectively trying to pull off the impossible. He wants to try to restart normal life, while keeping the virus at bay with limited means to do so. With no vaccine, the government is reliant on containing any local outbreaks. But the problem is that even with the extra testing that has been put in place over the past month, there are big holes in the UK’s ability to suppress the virus.”
BBC Heath Correspondent
- Boris Johnson speech: PM unveils ‘conditional plan’ to reopen society – BBC. “The next step could see some hospitality businesses and other public places reopen – “if the numbers support it” – but not earlier than 1 July. He said these steps formed part of a “first sketch of a roadmap for reopening society”.
BorrowBox has offered to match library spending up to £10,000. Not ideal but it highlights how pathetically inadequate the support offered by ACE and the DCMS has been given the circumstances.
— Scott Richmond (@scottrichmond01) May 5, 2020
- Lego, learning and laughter: how libraries are thriving in lockdown – Guardian. “The sudden switch from a physical space to online has been challenging for staff and users, but has also highlighted the vital role of library services and the skills of staff. From Orkney’s Lego challenge to Truro’s storytime at home sessions, librarians are coming up with innovative ways to stay engaged with users and each other.”
- Libraries Give Vital PC Access through the Lockdown – Lorensbergs. “libraries’ physical buildings, their resources and staff are still sorely missed by many of their users and their reopening will be warmly welcomed” … “a small minority of libraries have in fact provided physical access to computers during this time” e.g. Westminster … “, it’s anticipated that home library services involving doorstep deliveries may be among the first services to restart.”
“At the beginning I wanted to assist those in need, but was concerned about my safety and well-being. When I was reassured the staff would be provided with the appropriate PPEs as part of the safety protocol, then I felt safe to go ahead and provide this service. People do respect the distance. The cleaner cleans the PC and chair after each user.”
Westminster member of staff
- LocalGovCamp Lockdown – Online conference this week. Online sessions that may be of relevance to public libraries.
- Lockdown surge for library membership and e-book loans – BookSeller. “A 205% surge in e-book library loans and extra investment in digital resources during the coronavirus crisis will have a long-term effect on public libraries, according to leading figures in the service.”
- Tweeting for libraries: a handful of useful tools and examples – Ned Potter. An excellent guide to the possibilities.
- UK minister warns no big changes to coronavirus lockdown – Wic News. Wales: “Garden centres will re-open if they can prove they can keep people a safe distance apart, and local authorities will begin planning how to open libraries and municipal recycling centres.” Lockdown extended for three more weeks in Wales – ITV. “Libraries are seen to be important, as for many they are often their only online access point.” Wales eases lockdown by reopening garden centres and libraries and relaxing exercise rules – Evening Standard.
- VE Day explained for kids: Free events for the family across the UK from the Virtual VE Day 75 Festival to activities for children – I. “Libraries From Home, an initiative from Libraries Connected, will create a huge platform of VE Day material from libraries across the UK.” Nation falls silent to mark VE 75 – Gov.uk. “The #LibrariesFromHome initiative from Libraries Connected brings together a huge array of local offerings from libraries across the UK. These include recordings of 1940s songs from a local band in Windsor, a Facebook Book Chat discussion in Staffordshire on war novels, and a “bake along” with wartime recipes being posted throughout May organised by Wokingham library”
International news
- Australia – COVID-19 Infection Prevention Tips for Libraries – Medium / Jane Cowell. “These tips have been developed by a team of dedicated public library staff.”: don’t touch faces, don’t use mobile phones, wash hands, 4 metre separation, gloves when handling returned books, quarantine books for 72 hours, click and collect only,
“After each shift and before breaks keep your gloves on. Spray them with disinfectant then spray down your workstation and wipe after 10 seconds with paper towel. Wipe trolley handles that you have used with disinfectant-soaked paper towel. Then you can remove your gloves.”
- Belgium – Libraries in times of coronavirus: the case of Public Library of Pittem (Belgium) – Naple Sister Libraries. “on April 6th we started a pick-up service. People can mail a list with materials they want us to prepare. On a fixed moment we put the bags in the entrance hall. We only allow them to ask for materials that are available in our main branch. We did not put a maximum on the number of items requested, none has taken advantage of this.”
Denmark are slowly reopening and so are the libraries 🙏 We opened the physical collection for requests last week and got 200 request in the first 15 minutes 📚❤️ Libraries are still closed, huge focus on safety for staff and citizens, books etc are handed out through a hatch 1/2 pic.twitter.com/DNhLMplR3L
— Christian Lauersen (@clauersen) May 8, 2020
- Finland – “We don’t have frosted plexiglass”: a pick-up service, express service and take-away at PiKe libraries – Akepike (in Finnish). “According to the government’s policy, it is possible to start “borrowing out” in the library immediately. The core message of the guidelines issued by the Regional State Administrative Agency on Wednesday is that borrowing can be done under certain boundary conditions and the premises can be opened on a large scale from the beginning of June. It is possible for libraries to start a material retrieval service (so-called take-away type lending activity) immediately. However, premises other than those necessary for borrowing activities should be kept closed and no stay or other activities on the library premises should be allowed before 1.6.2020.”
- Ireland – Ireland unveils five-phase roadmap to return to normal-will UK plan look like this? – Dorset Echo. Phase 2 June 8 is “open public libraries”.
- USA – LGBTQ children’s books face record calls for bans in US libraries – Guardian. “Attempts to remove books from libraries across the US rose almost a fifth last year, with children’s books featuring LGBTQ characters making up 80% of the most challenged books.”
- An Open Letter to Other Library Directors – Library Journal. “I will not reopen the library until I can ensure the health and safety of our staff. I will not reopen the library just because the governor cancels the stay at home order. We will be slow and deliberate, because for the first time in my 20 years of being a librarian, the decisions I make mean the life or death of my employees.”
“If your plan is to begin reopening as soon as possible, or engaging in curbside soon, then I want to see the library director and administrators on the front lines of service. I want them to be the ones to take books out to the cars, handle materials, and empty book drops.”
Royce Kitts, Director. Liberal Memorial Library. Liberal, Kansas
Local news by authority
- Angus – Coronavirus: Rebus keeps Angus residents company as online library use rockets nearly 500% since lockdown – Courier. “The closure of Angus Alive facilities across the district had led to the growth in the download of libraries’ RBdigital app. Culture chiefs have also reported a 319% increase in e-resource downloads of audio, books, magazines and comics. E-books have shown the biggest rise, with a 182% jump.”
- Barnet – We want to keep you reading – Garden Suburb Community Library. Click and collect system working in volunteer library.
- Bolton – Bolton Libraries and Museums At Home service announce more activities for all the family – Bolton News. Online activities: “A family quiz will be hosted on Wednesday, and on Thursday there’s the opportunity to ask a natural history curator questions.”
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s (Western Isles) – Library service goes online to meet your needs in the lockdown – Stornoway Gazette.
- Devon – Decorate Devon’s libraries with the great Bunting Project – Exmouth Journal. “Contributors are being asked to make triangular flag bunting with dimensions of five inches across the top and six inches from the top to bottom. You can use any fabric, single or double layered, in any colour and sew, glue or staple depending on your level of skill! Once the lockdown is lifted and libraries reopen you can deliver your bunting flags to your local library.”
- Durham – Popular online stories to continue through May – East Durham News. “Durham County Council’s library service recently began teaming up with artists to create video recitals of popular stories and poems which children and their families can enjoy online.”
- Essex – Lockdown library in three spots to fight isolation boredom – Clacton Gazette. Manningtree sets up little free libraries.
- Greenwich – Greenwich librarians proving an online hit during lockdown – London News Online. “Among the media stars is Tony from Woolwich Library, who provides a variety of Rhymetimes in English, Japanese and Chinese, as well as sing and sign, and is proving a big hit with younger viewers and their parents.”
- Lambeth – Lambeth libraries just keep on giving – Brixton Blog. List of online activities.
- Lancashire – Online library use soars during lockdown as bookworms go digital – Blog Preston. “The loans of eAudiobooks increased from 11,771 loans in January to 15,484 loans in March. The increase in eBooks is even greater with loans increasing from 9,845 in January to 14,261 in April.”
- Lincolnshire – Lincolnshire libraries under lockdown enjoy soaring demand for their online resources and tutorials – Louth Leader. “A major success is the number of people now tuning into Facebook and twitter for activities which are normally provided in Lincolnshire’s library buildings. Engagement has grown by 100 per cent.” plus lists various percentage increases.
- Norfolk – Lockdown Norfolk library service offers so much more than just e-books – Eastern Daily Press. “Norfolk libraries are dedicating their time and resources to bring as much of their service to you, online so you can be part of the community again. From knitting tutorials and podcasts, to bounce and rhyme sessions and even a virtual ‘Just a Cuppa’ , they are proving, once again, that our community spirit will get us through.”
- Northern Ireland – Belfast Telegraph Coronavirus podcast: Jan Carson’s Postcard Stories and libraries see jump in virtual members – Belfast Telegraph. “Deputy Head of Service at Libraries NI Julie Reid said more than 10,000 new virtual members have signed up to the library since lockdown began. It’s along with a record month for loans for the service, she said. “In April we saw record figures for our loans, including ebooks and magazines checked out. Nearly 270,000 items were checked out since lockdown started.”
- Renfrewshire – Top e-books and audiobooks borrowed in Renfrewshire during lockdown revealed – Daily Record.
- Rochdale – Virtual library becomes a reality – Rochdale Online.
- Wiltshire – Leisure, library, heritage and arts services continue to support thousands – White Horse News. “The service’s rhyme time and story videos also continue to be popular with families, with more than 44,000 views so far and counting.”
Looking forward
May 3rd
This emergency will end sooner or later and, when it does, public libraries better be ready. This is both in terms of safety – we don’t want to infect anyone – and in terms of adjusting to the changes in society over the last few months. One imagines there will be a huge demand for visits to libraries at least initially but as well as that there will be a heightened expectation for our digital offering, which will need to be maintained. This is not going to be easy but it will be necessary.
On a more national scale, the post by Nick Poole below looks at the future of public libraries and how they should be positioned in the future. There is also an update on the much delayed Single Digital Presence – basically a national website for public libraries which would have been superb to have two months ago but looks like still being in pre-development, after at least ten years of research papers and discussion. I don’t blame the British Library for this – they’re doing their best in a systematic way to develop a top quality product – but rather the only people who could realistically pull it off, which is whoever happens to be the libraries minister. They’re the one who needs to bang heads and put money in to get it sorted and I’m not seeing much of that happening now or indeed during this last decade. Hopefully it will be different looking forward.
National news
- Bibliothèques publiques britanniques contemporaines – Enssib. In French. “This book aims to look back at the massive closures of public libraries in Britain since 2010. What was the timeline of the more than 300 site closures? How can we understand its history and logic? For the first time accessible to French readers, specialized documentation, translated and editorialized, allows us to understand the stakes of the debate on public reading in a country historically spearheaded for its network of libraries. Directed by Cécile Touitou, assisted by Karine Lespinasse, the book brings together a collective of expert authors, French and British”
- Capturing the Voice of CMLs – Community Libraries Network. ACE/DCMS surveying volunteer library response to Covid emergency.
- A new future for Public Libraries – Medium / Nick Poole. “ibraries before COVID-19 had been in a kind of limbo. Having left behind the Victorian era that shaped them, with its basic belief in emancipation and education, there was an implicit question hanging over our institutions — “what will you be for, now that I have the world’s knowledge at my fingertips?”” … libraries have never stopped being a place of refuge and empowerment … COVID-19 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our sector to correct this lingering sense of doubt. We must articulate — loudly and confidently — the role we intend to occupy in the daily lives of every citizen in our fast-moving, connected society. It is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss.”
“It is incumbent on every generation to re-shape libraries to meet the emerging needs of their future society. For too long, we have been in thrall to a previous generation’s idea of what public libraries are for. COVID-19 is a tragedy on a global scale. But it might also just be the impetus we need to transform public libraries. Let’s not waste it.”
Nick Poole, CEO, CILIP
- National Shelf Service – YouTube. Views per video range from 100 to 400.
- A Single Digital Presence for UK libraries: the project and the platform – British Library. “he Single Digital Presence project turned two years old just over a month ago. We can’t really believe it either. During that time we may have published one report, but we have also consulted over 75 library authorities, spoken to hundreds of library users, and learnt from a staggering number of amazing library projects happening here and overseas.”. See also presentation at Building a ‘single digital presence’ for public libraries – SlideShare / British Library.
“I’d love to be able to fast-track our work. Build the website, develop the app and get library users discovering new titles, connecting with each other and taking part in library activities all in one space online. However as we outlined in our report, a future-proof, sustainable digital platform that increases public library use in the digital and physical world requires a future-proof, sustainable technical infrastructure, supported by ongoing resource, and a clear and accountable delivery model.”
Jacob Fredrickson project manager of the Single Digital Presence project at the British Library.
International news
- France – Media library in a landscape – Designing Libraries. “Thanks to the floor-to-ceiling window on the ground floor, users have the feeling of reading while being immersed in the surrounding landscape. The upper floor, on the other hand, offers a different experience. Through the curved glass window, the media reference spaces become part of the large crown of the plane tree.”
- Germany – We are opening the book bus on the Südermarkt for now – Stadt Bibliothek. In German. “With more than 30,000 media items to be returned, we expect a significant influx of visitors and want to reduce the risk of infection for everyone to a minimum. For this reason, we are currently only opening the book bus for picking up pre-ordered media and returns. We will quarantine all returned media for 72 hours.”
- Global – You can’t keep a good public library (locked) down – Eifl. A look at how libraries across all the world are coping with Covid.
- USA – Alaska school board removes ‘The Great Gatsby,’ other famous books from curriculum for ‘controversial’ content – NBC News. “”I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou, “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller, “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald and “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison were all taken off an approved list of works that teachers in the Mat-Su Borough School District may use for instruction”. Good grief.
- 2020 Library Systems Report – American Libraries. “Ex Libris, a ProQuest company, acquired Innovative Interfaces and shifted the balance of power, strengthening Ex Libris’s position in technology for academic libraries and propelling it as a major player in public libraries.” … and other changes.
- Five Unexpected Benefits of Eliminating Library Fines – Infospace. Librarians and staff can provide better service to patrons; Being fine-free is more aligned with the real mission of the library; Libraries seeing an increase in item returns; Libraries can use their resources better; Eliminating fines can lead to a renewed appreciation for the library (or at least provide some good PR)
- Why You Shouldn’t Do Curbside During COVID-19 | Backtalk – Library Journal. “Part of libraries wanting to implement curbside is to demonstrate our value to our county boards, administrations, and managers, because budget cuts are here and more are coming. But we need to figure out new ways to demonstrate our value without putting peoples’ lives at risk.”
Local news by authority
- Bolton – Bolton Library’s At Home service keeps kids busy – Bolton News. “There are lots of resources available including art activities, quizzes, and interactive posts. Book readings are streamed every Friday at 11am on Facebook for babies and toddlers to enjoy. The storytime sessions are interactive with real time two way chats.”
- Brent – Brent Council extends measures on library returns and fines until July – This is Local London. “Library fines across Brent have been suspended for the duration of their closure. It comes as Brent Council announced that loans for items from the borough’s libraries have been extended until June 30.”
- Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire West: Stay at home party and mass sing song is planned to celebrate VE Day – Chester Standard. “West Cheshire museums, libraries, the record office, heritage and the arts teams will be sharing stories, photographs and wartime objects from their collections.”
- Edinburgh – Edinburgh libraries online – access free ebooks, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines – Edinburgh Live. “30,000 ebooks and 150,000 newspapers/magazines being downloaded in April alone. This compared with 116,000 newspapers/magazine downloads and 17,000 ebooks or audiobooks in January this year.”
- Fife – Fife library staff reach out to vulnerable readers – Courier. “Library staff have been phoning customers to keep them informed about what services are available and have a chat to prevent them from becoming isolated. So far more than 80 staff have volunteered to make the calls and the project aims to reach out to more than 2500 readers.”
- Gateshead – Libraries reach milestone for frontline staff – Gateshead Council. 2000 visors produced. “Libraries across Gateshead closed last month to help prevent the spread of coronavirus however, using some of the latest technology, library staff have been helping frontline staff by printing and cutting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The visors continue to be delivered to care workers, care homes and others providing care to Gateshead residents.”
- GLL – Better’s online library views ‘through the roof’ during lockdown – Better. “A major success is the number of people now tuning in for library activities on Facebook and Twitter, which are normally provided in library buildings. In some cases, audiences have grown by 2,000%. Better’s Librarians have shown their creative sides, taking Producer/Director/Actor credits when turning their gardens, kitchens and living rooms into ad hoc broadcasting studios for story times, rhyme and sign, and craft sessions for children. Receiving up to 5,200 views per video, individuals are gaining a loyal fan base amongst viewers who are getting familiar with their local librarians on screen.”
- Glasgow – Woodside Library revamp gets go-ahead from Glasgow City Council – Glasgow Times. “Glasgow Life, which runs the library on behalf of the council, requested permission to refurbish the 115-year-old building.” … “The main objectives of the refurbishment are to address “multiple areas of water ingress, increase the number of sanitary facilities, improve fire escape routes within the library, repair stonework/windows/rooflights and to maximise the potential use of the building”.”
- Jersey – Soaring growth in demand for e-books and newspapers – Jersey Evening Post. 259% increase. “Online membership registration was a relatively new service last year and before lockdown, the vast majority of new members would have joined in one of our libraries but membership registrations have jumped from 24 in March/April 2019 to 345 in March/April 2020”
- Lancashire – Lancashire Libraries undertake pyjama-themed reading campaign – In Your Area. “Beginning on Friday May 1, participants across the UK can get involved by dressing in pyjamas and reading a book with their children.”
- Manchester – Creative Spaces – Creative Spaces MCR. “Longsight, North City and Wythenshawe Forum Libraries are Creative Spaces where you can get involved in arts and culture. Everything from film and music to poetry and storytelling. Be part of your local library this Autumn. Enjoy the arts and get creative, right on your doorstep.”
- Perth and Kinross – Culture Perth and Kinross smashes milestone in libraries fundraising target – Courier. £2000 received. “The campaign to support Perth and Kinross libraries during lockdown raised more than £1,000 in its first few hours with public donations continuing to come in. The Book Heroes campaign encourages people to donate around £7, the average cost of a book in efforts to save local libraries and museums from closing.”
- Renfrewshire – Renfrewshire Leisure cancels all overdue library fines – Gazette. “Bosses at RL have confirmed they have cancelled all existing fines and will not be applying any further overdue charges during the period libraries remain closed.” … “e-book and magazine loans from libraries had rocketed during the lockdown by more than 70 per cent.”
- Somerset – Use of online library services in Somerset soars by 544 per cent during lockdown – Burnham on Sea.
- Hundreds of Somerset families are getting involved in a brand-new library offer – run entirely through social media – Frome Times. “visit ‘Somerset Libraries UK’ on Facebook or find them on Twitter or Instagram”
- South Gloucestershire – Home Library Service supports older and vulnerable residents – South Gloucestershire Newsroom. “The initial phone call to the library users has proved very welcome, many of the people contacted haven’t spoken to anyone for several days so the libraries staff have been able to talk to them and where required refer them to local and Council support. Key contact information is also provided with the books, as many people they support don’t use any digital services.” … “South Gloucestershire Council’s library service is delivering books to Home Library Service users as part of our commitment to supporting older and more vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic.”
- South Lanarkshire – South Lanarkshire team ensure show goes on – Daily Record. Dedicated YouTube channel for children launched.
- Staffordshire – Libraries get ready for Staffordshire Day – Tamworth Informed. “An online Facebook Group ‘Staffordshire CreateSpace’ will also be launched with a series of online crafting videos involving local artists and a Q&A. Library events will be available through the Staffs Libraries Facebook and Twitter pages.”
- Suffolk – Let’s Get Cultural and Creative in Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries. “A new online resource has been launched to make it easy for people to find quality online arts and culture experiences during the current lockdown.” … “The directory includes a wide choice of links to local and national activities to enjoy including dance exercises from Dance East, Time Out’s virtual gallery tours, free National Theatre pieces and Red Rose Chain’s short films about real life Suffolk experiences.”
- Coronavirus: Library books rearranged in size order by cleaner – BBC. “A well-meaning cleaner who took the opportunity to give a locked-down library a thorough clean re-shelved all of its books – in size order. Staff at Newmarket Library, Suffolk, discovered the sloping tomes after the building underwent a deep clean.”
- UK librarian’s worst nightmare as cleaner rearranges books by size – Newshub. Story hits New Zealand.
- Surrey – Use your library on lockdown -Surrey Matters.
- Warrington – LiveWire receives £1,000 grant to develop library service’s e-services during lockdown – Warrington Worldwide. “Since the closure of library sites LiveWire have seen a 194% increase in e book borrowing figures with the online offer attracting 246 new members to the service.”
- West Sussex – Why High Fidelity by Nick Hornby is librarian Tom’s favourite lockdown book – Littlehampton Gazette.
- Wokingham – Youngsters invited to join Wokingham’s virtual origami club – Wokingham Today. “The virtual club has received highly positive feedback, with children enjoying having a focused and calming activity to get stuck into.”
- Worcestershire – Worcestershire libraries see massive increase in online downloads since Coronavirus crisis started – Droitwich Standard. “Since libraries were closed across the county at the end of March, library members have downloaded 9,794 e-books and e-audiobooks – 111 per cent higher than the same period in 2019 – and 3,830 e-magazine, up 53.8 per cent on 2019 levels.”
- Lockdown sees rise in digital borrowing – Worcester Observer.
- York – Library ‘massive help’ in crisis – Press. “York Explore has seen double the number of e-books checked out during the lockdown.” … “The library has seen 514 people join in the past month – four times more than the previous month. City of York Council put £17,000 towards subscribing to Press Reader, buying more audiobooks and e-books and help to get more people online to use the services.”
Another week in
Apr 26th
Editorial
At time of writing, the smart money is on social distancing keeping on for quite a few weeks to come. So much so that it looks likely that the crucial summer period for libraries will be affected. I’m still personally having difficulty working out how the sector will physically reopen with such distancing in place but there’s a lot of thinking going on sector-wide about this, which is really encouraging.
What is obvious now is that this virus is causing a wide spectrum of experiences amongst the public, with the poor and the lonely suffering disproportionately more than the wealthy. This is echoed in library workers with some being told to stay at home on full pay with little work to do, others being able to work full-time at home in some form or another and still yet others taking active physical and, sometimes, front-line roles.
Another variation is in furloughing. Trusts can do this but councils services cannot:
“Where employers receive public funding for staff costs, and that funding is continuing, we expect employers to use that money to continue to pay staff in the usual fashion – and correspondingly not furlough them.”
Coronavirus Retention Scheme.
So we have a case in Greenwich, run by a leisure trust, where staff are furloughed. Thankfully at not 80% pay but, due to a deal which unions hope will be copied elsewhere, on full pay. Speaking of Greenwich, I talked to Diana Edmonds (the Director of Libraries for all GLL) about wider developments and the interview is here.
Finally, my apologies. Embedded below are not just one but two video interviews with me, one from the wonderful Bury Libraries in my capacity as a librarian and the other with a sponsor of PLN, DCA, of which the full length interview will be released shortly. I feel I don’t come across well on video – slightly too many biscuits and an inability to pronounces r’s properly – but watch them if you will.
National news
- ACE gives libraries £151k for e-books and audio – BookSeller. “Arts Council England (ACE) has announced a £151,000 investment into library services to buy e-books and digital audio products. Under the programme, each of the 151 public library services in England will receive £1,000 for immediate and unrestricted use for new digital stock. ACE said library services had seen a significant rise in membership over the past month, up by 600% compared to this time last year. The investment would help them increase the breadth and availability of digital products while also benefiting publishers through library purchasing, ACE said.”
- Britons are reading more in lockdown, says survey for World Book Night – Guardian. “The survey is also backed up by figures from libraries around Britain. Although branches are shut, there has been a boom in registrations, according to the Local Government Association, with Hampshire county council reporting a 770% increase in new digital users, Cornwall a 630% increase and Hertfordshire an increase of 332%.”
- Carnegie Library Lab: Final Project Snapshot from Cohort 3 – Carnegie. “Carnegie Library Lab aimed to support innovation and leadership in the public library sector across the UK and Ireland. This final snapshot outlines the key successes of our third cohort of Carnegie Library Lab Partners and their next steps. The Partners participated in Carnegie Library Lab from June 2018 to December 2019”
- Coronavirus: Libraries see surge in e-book borrowing during lockdown – BBC. “Loans of online e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks were up an average of 63% in March compared with last year. And 120,000 people joined libraries in the three weeks after lockdown began, Libraries Connected said.”
- Digital ThinkIn – Libraries after Covid 19 – what happens next? – Libraries Connected. “The event is hosted for us by Tortoise Media and follows a ThinkIn for Heads of Service on 29th April. We hope the two discussions will help us think beyond the current crisis in ways that informs planning in individual services, and also directs the support work of Libraries Connected and other national bodies.”
- Joseph Coelho to helm National Shelf Service’s World Book Night event – BookSeller. “YouTube book recommendation series the National Shelf Service has announced a series of World Book Night broadcasts, to feature a bedtime reading hour with poet and author Joseph Coelho. Ten broadcasts will be scheduled throughout the day on 23rd April, beginning at 11 a.m. with e-book recommendations for children and young adults from librarians. Coelho will read a bedtime story.”
- Public library services and Coronavirus, GLL a few weeks in – Public Libraries News. An interview with Diana Edmonds of GLL about how her services are doing.
Ian Anstice from @publiclibnews: Covid-19 ‘has been to the library services the equivalent of what the Second World War was to arms manufacturing’ pic.twitter.com/SxHRSTqk5e
— DCALondon (@DcaLondon) April 24, 2020
- Record number of complaints about LGBT+ children’s books in US – Independent. “children’s books featuring LGBTQ+ characters made up a record 80 percent of the most challenged books in US libraries.”
- A short reflection on being a Carnegie Partner – Carnegie. By Maria Reguera, Carnegie Partner, Vision Redbridge Culture & Leisure. “All in all being a Carnegie Partner has given me the audacity to try and fail, and to learn from it and try again until I succeed, and to encourage others around me to do the same.”
- Spring 2020 Magazine – Library Campaigner. The latest news and editorial on public libraries in the UK.
- Stepping into Leadership – Carnegie. “Originally developed as part of the Carnegie Library Lab (CLL), created by the Carnegie UK Trust (CUKT) to encourage creativity, innovation and leadership in public libraries in the UK and Ireland, this course can be accessed by those working in the library and information sector.”
International news
- Japan – Japan: Drone will buzz shelves at Chiba library to check book inventory – Access. “he drone and artificial intelligence (AI) will be adapted to eliminate the troublesome, time-consuming task of regularly examining books at libraries imposed on human staff.”
- Netherlands – Dutch libraries are open online and provide extra (remote) services – Naples Sister Libraries. “the ThuisBieb-app (Home Library app) was launched for iOS users and contains over a hundred free ebooks.” … “. On March 17, we saw a peak of 43,000 visits a day to the online Library, and in the days that followed, the number stabilized at an average of 32,000 to 35,000 visits per day. We also see a tripling of the page views for e-books.”
- USA – Librarians Under Pandemic Duress: Layoffs, Napkin Masks, and Fear of Retaliation – Book Riot. “Some libraries have their staff working entirely from home, while others have their doors shut to the public but are having staff report. Those operating with staff in the building run the gamut in terms of what they’ve provided their employees in terms of health and safety protection.”
- Public Libraries After the Pandemic – Publishers Weekly. “, I suspect that Covid-19 will change some people’s perspective on what can and should be shared. I fear many people will begin to overthink materials handling and the circulation of physical library collections, including books. It’s a reasonable assumption that people will emerge from this public health crisis with a heightened sense of risk related to germ exposure.”
“Some observers have dubbed this crisis “The Great Pause.” But I believe librarians cannot pause. Librarians cannot sit back and wait to unlock the library doors again. We must take this time to begin thinking about how public libraries will function in a society that will certainly be changed for the short term, and may be changed forever.”
- ‘We may need to quarantine our books’ when libraries reopen, New York Public Library CEO says – Yahoo. “Concerned that the disease can survive on surfaces like paper and transmit from one book borrower to the next, libraries once they reopen may impose a quarantine period on books that lasts as long as scientists determine the coronavirus can survive on the materials”
Local news by authority
- Bath and North East Somerset – B&NES Council’s new virtual library proves to be a hit with local residents – Bath Echo. “The virtual library not only has digital items to download but has dynamic, changing content and online events each weekday accessed via the library service’s social media accounts, with mornings dedicated to children and afternoons focussing on adults.”
- Bracknell – Bracknell libraries to get funding for new computers – Bracknell News. “The council is set to spend £85,000 on improvements to technology at its public facilities. Funding contributions from developers will see £50,000 go towards upgrading library PCs, which are still running software which is eleven years old.”
- Cumbria – Cumbria libraries launch new online book club to keep county reading during coronavirus lockdown – Times and Star.
- Darlington – Darlington staff deliver hundreds of books to people self-isolating at home – Northern Echo. “The scheme offers a delivery of ten books to their doorstep, while maintaining appropriate social distances, which is replenished every four weeks.”
- Dudley – Library staff help deliver prescriptions across Dudley borough – Halesowen News. “Staff who would normally deliver Dudley’s Home Library Service are now on call to deliver urgent medical prescriptions to people across the borough, following a request from Dudley Council. The team of five leave medicines on people’s doorsteps, before phoning them to let them know that the delivery has been made”
- East Dunbartonshire – It’s all going on(line) at the EDLC libraries – Kirkintilloch Herald. “resources available include: e-books and e-audiobooks, available to download at home; virtual meetings for reading groups; eNewspapers on PressReader; online guidance on how to use Skype & other online tools to connect with friends & family; virtual Bookbug sessions, family history resources and online resources including Britannica Junior”
- East Riding – Yorkshire Coast Radio – Yorkshire Coast Radio. “The Big Spring Read-In is mainly for children aged between four and eleven, but is open to others as well and it starts from now until 19th July. To take part, the child must be a member of East Riding Libraries, and each week fills in an online review form, to say what they thought about what they have read that week.”
- Essex – Essex libraries see increase in digital users – Clacton Gazette. “The number of people accessing the service has increased by 22 per cent over the last two weeks.”
- Greenwich – Union celebrates victory for furloughed workers – Morning Star. “More than 100 workers at 12 Greenwich libraries will be furloughed on full pay during the pandemic under what the union called a model agreement with Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), which runs library service for the London borough.”
“Since closing our physical library buildings in March, we have moved many services online to provide a continuity of service for customers. We are also maintaining book deliveries for vulnerable people who are housebound. While asking to maintain these services, Royal Borough of Greenwich has also asked us to furlough the majority of workers under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which guarantees 80% of staff wages. Funding will come from the Council to top up wages for both casual and permanent staff to full pay.
“We understand the need to offset costs at this time and are grateful to RBG who share our wish to provide valuable public services which support local communities’ health and wellbeing. The decision has been reached with agreement of RBG, GLL and the union and under the circumstances represents the best outcome for library workers, the library service and local communities during the crisis.”
Diana Edmonds, GLL / Greenwich
- Kingston – Kingston Libraries book cover challenge for World Book Night – Surrey Comet. “Kingston Libraries are encouraging residents to recreate book covers using household items ahead of World Book Night tonight”
- Leicester – Pick up a book and back World Book Night – Leicester City Council.
- Lincolnshire – Libraries continue service online – Market Rasen Mail.
- Northamptonshire – Northamptonshire library staff redeployed to check on vulnerable residents told to shield from coronavirus – Northampton Chronicle. “Around 70 staff from Northamptonshire County Council will be supporting the community resilience hub from today (Friday, April 17) They will be calling vulnerable people from library phones to check that they are safe and well, and if they need any support.”
- North Somerset – There With You: How to join an online library during lockdown – Mercury. “Since temporarily closing their doors due to the coronavirus outbreak, libraries have experienced a 138 per cent growth in online numbers.”
- Perth and Kinross – eBook demand surges and Perth and Kinross libraries stop issuing fines for overdue books – Daily Record. “Culture Perth and Kinross, which operates the area’s libraries, has revealed there was a 74 per cent increase in eBook downloads in March 2020 compared with March 2019.”
- Peterborough – Peterborough library services moved online – Peterborough Today. Ancestry.
- Staffordshire – Library service expands its online offering to meet demand – Tamworth Informed. “As well as the sharp rise in eBooks activity, more than 3,300 new people followed the Staffordshire Libraries Facebook page in a few days – and there have been more than 255,000 interactions with it in the last three weeks.”
- Stirling – E-book demand soars following library closures as a result of coronavirus – Daily Record. “Stirling Council has revealed there has been a 99 per cent increase in eBook loans and a 138 per cent increase in eAudio book loans.”
- Surrey – Number of people joining Surrey libraries has doubled since coronavirus lockdown – Surrey News. “Despite library buildings closing on 20 March, an extra 506 people have joined – double the average joining rate of 260. On top of this, over 4,000 online books, comics and magazines were downloaded last month – ten times the average number of downloads a month. Proving that despite buildings being closed, the county’s libraries are still very much open.”
- West Berkshire – Reading in lockdown is popular according to Reading Agency survey for World Book Night – Newbury Today. “West Berkshire Libraries have reported a 127.39 per cent increase since March 21, when the libraries shut. They have loaned almost 90,000 e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines and e-newspapers.”
- Wrexham – Wrexham Council encourages residents to try their e-audiobooks service, Borrowbox – Leader.
The new normal, 2020
Apr 19th
Editorial
The last couple of weeks have been marked by the settling down of the new normal. More library staff have been redeployed to other services and more people continue to discover and use library online resources. What’s not yet clear is when libraries will get back to normal and what that will be. Will there need to be screens between more distanced out computers? Should library books have their plastic jackets removed? Who knows. Hopefully, hopefully, we will find out soon.
Take care, keep well.
Changes
National news
- The Bookseller’s Library of the Year Award launches despite lockdown – BookSeller. “The coronavirus crisis puts libraries—alongside all the rest of us—in an unprecedented situation. Yet we still want to recognise the crucially important work they do, through thick and thin. A shortlist of outstanding libraries will be profiled in a special issue of The Bookseller to be published in July; that issue will also reveal an overall winner, who will receive a golden Nibbie, the coveted trophy of the British Book Awards, and be named Library of the Year 2020.”
- CILIP moves celebrations for 2020’s Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medal winners – BookSeller. “CILIP is postponing the winners’ ceremony for the 2020 Carnegie and Kate Greenaway Medals and extending its Shadowing Scheme until October, taking into account the government’s advice concerning the ongoing pandemic.”
- Libraries from home – Libraries Connected. “We want to help families to choose live and recorded events not just from their own library service but anywhere in the country. We’re also promoting activities to keep adults connected through library reading groups and book discussion groups.”. Lists five services each doing rhymetimes, storytimes, lego clubs, reading/book groups. Also “efestivals” and code clubs. Also mentions World Book Night and Get Creative At Home. Lists e-resources available.
“Local libraries are important community hubs and a fantastic source of entertainment and education for people. While we all stay at home to protect the NHS and help save lives, I am delighted to see so many libraries increasing their digital offerings through initiatives like this.”
Libraries Minister, Caroline Dinenage:
- Libraries see new online memberships soar amid lockdown – Breaking News. “New online library memberships have rocketed by up to 770% in some parts of the UK, as the nation turns to books for solace during the Covid-19 outbreak.”
- Public library services and Coronavirus: GLL – Public Libraries News. A summary of the first “closed” week amongst GLL library services.
- Yorkshire library volunteers must be treasured – The Yorkshire Post says – Yorkshire Post. “It is simply not feasible for local councils to pay for full-time professional librarians at every remaining branch in the county, the desire of some.” … “And that means supporting those volunteers, backed up by paid library staff,”
International news
- Austria – Austrian museums, libraries can reopen from mid-May as lockdown eases – Reuters. “The conservative-led government says the action it took early in the outbreak and the fact infections are increasing by less than 1% a day make it possible to reopen parts of the economy, but it will make adjustments if infections accelerate.”
- Canada – “We can pack 850 food hampers in two hours”: How the Toronto Public Library turned its branches into food banks – Toronto Life. “The discussions to turn libraries into food banks happened a day or so after the decision to close the branches. We see libraries as community hubs and librarians as public servants… Almost right away, we decided to redirect our resources to help with this critical need. We have 100 buildings in neighbourhoods all across the city. We realized, “Okay, we can do this.” The library handles materials all the time. We do plenty of packing and unpacking. We work with communities. It just made sense.”
- Finland – Finnish libraries adapt to life under quarantine – The Mayor. “while these individual approaches are proving to be somewhat effective, municipalities are lobbying for a nation-wide approach that would bring together all local libraries in a single structure that is able to accommodate the needs of all Finnish citizens who are on the lookout for a good book to pass the time.”
- Germany – Angela Merkel says small shops can reopen and considers easing restrictions on schools, despite Germany seeing its deadliest day of coronavirus deaths, with 285 fatalities yesterday – Mail. Bookshops to reopen.
- Global – “Never let a serious crisis go to waste”: Libraries transforming in the age of Corona – Christian Lauersen. Lists the various ways libraries are responding to the crisis.
- COVID-19 and the Global Library Field – IFLA. “The information and resources below are provided on a non-exhaustive basis but will be updated regularly. It is based on publicly available information, and that submitted to updates@ifla.org. We welcome additional ideas, references, suggestions and corrections to this address. Please see also our FAQs specifically concerning IFLA.”
- Greece – Writing a fairytale together: an initiative from Katerini Public Library (Greece) – Naple Sister Libraries. ““One day I dreamt of becoming a doctor. I think I’ve always wanted to become a doctor. Then, I thought I was too young to make such an important decision. I picked up my toys, placed them in the magic chest and off I went…”.
- Spain – #TheLibraryatHome: the answer of Huesca Municipal Libraries (Spain) to the coronavirus – Naples Sister Libraries.
- USA – COVID-19: How Libraries are Responding & How to Keep Yourself and Your Team Productive and in Good Spirits – SirsiDynix. “onspiring responses of libraries across the country and discuss how to gauge individual and team morale while balancing management during a time when staff may feel uneasy”
- Hennepin County tells library workers to staff homeless hotels or take PTO – CityPages. “Those who weren’t able or willing would have to start using their paid time off days. Should they run out of PTO, they could borrow up to 240 hours of leave and go into debt with the county. Their final option is to take unpaid leave.”
Local news by authority
- Aberdeen – Aberdeen libraries take Bookbug online for children – Evening Express. “On Saturday, the first online session took place, with a 30-minute video created to keep children entertained while continuing to support their development.”
- Aberdeenshire – Aberdeenshire Libraries team tasks 3D printers to create protective visors for health and social care staff – Grampian Online. “using the three 3D printers at libraries headquarters in Oldmeldrum to create protective visors for Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership colleagues.”
- Brighton and Hove – Letter: Our libraries must be treasured because reading is a pleasure – Argus. “People relish books. We must take this opportunity to ensure that our libraries system is better placed to cater for this, by restoring the rôle of librarians in book selection.”
- Cambridgeshire – Coronavirus: Record numbers using online library service during lockdown – Peterborough Telegraph.
- Cheshire East – Cheshire East Council welcomes support for heritage sector – Cheshire East Council. “The Heritage Emergency Fund is accepting applications for funding from £3,000 to £50,000” inc. libraries.
- Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire West offering online movies, drama, crafts and karaoke during lockdown – Cheshire Live. List of library online activities and resources.
- Cumbria – Council reminder that digital services are on offer throughout lockdown – News and Star.
- Dundee – Video: A look back at Tayside’s libraries through the years – Evening Telegraph. “The great thing about the libraries around Dundee is not only do they hold vast collections of novels, children’s books and non-fiction delights but they are also examples of fantastic architecture.” One minute video.
- Online reading rockets at Dundee libraries during lockdown – Evening Telegraph. “Digital book and eAudio books have grown by 67% and eMagazines and comics are up by 60% in the last month.”
- Durham – Coronavirus: Libraries offer free family history learning at home – Northern Echo. Ancestry.
- East Riding of Yorkshire – eBooks and eAudiobooks soaring in popularity at East Riding libraries – more titles added to collection – Scarborough News. “Over the last month, issues of eBooks have increased by 68 per cent, and more than 700 titles have been added, making a total of around 4500. For eAudiobooks, issues have increased by over 30 per cent, with more than 450 titles added, making a new total of over 4000 titles.”
- Essex – Essex Libraries eAudio and eBook users rise during lockdown – Gateway 978. “In response to demand, a selection of e-audio books has been added to Essex Libraries eMagazine and eComic range. The number of e-comics available has also been increased from 238 to over 1,500, all with unlimited access.”
- Fife – ONFife campaign to keep Fifers entertained while libraries, museums and theatres shut – Courier. “Other schemes include ‘LibrarYAY’, a new Facebook group developed by the Libraries Young People team”
- Gateshead – Libraries helping frontline workers – Gateshead Council. “Libraries across Gateshead closed last month to help prevent the spread of coronavirus however, using some of the latest technology, library staff are now helping other Council services by printing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). “
- Hampshire – Coronavirus: Decision on Hampshire library closures put on hold – BBC. “Sean Woodward, executive member for recreation and heritage, said the decision due to be taken in June would be delayed but was still expected to happen over the summer, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. He said he would be “taking into account” the rise in digital users when the responses to the consultation were being considered.”
- Civic chiefs urged to save libraries from being axed as digital service spikes – Romsey Advertiser. “Hampshire County Council (HCC) has seen a 770 percent increase in people joining the digital service to access their favourite books using Borrowbox – an app offering thousands of free audio-book and ebook titles. Now a Test Valley community leader is urging the county council to save ten libraries across Hampshire from being axed, claiming there is “a need for these services in the community”.”
- Herefordshire – Herefordshire’s library service available online – Malvern Gazette. “over 150 new members joining in the past three weeks alone.”
- Hertfordshire – Three hundred per cent rise in BorrowBox sign ups in Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire County Council. “The number of people using our library online loaning service, BorrowBox, increased by 332 per cent in one week during March.”
Kensington and Chelsea’s Home Library Service delivers books and other reading materials to vulnerable residents (e.g. elderly, disabled, people with mental health issues, mobility issues) is returning for our residents from tomorrow Tuesday 7 April. pic.twitter.com/mYQEU7KwLB
— RBKC Libraries (@RBKClibraries) April 6, 2020
- Kent – Bookworms can now join libraries online to access e-books – Times Local News. “To sign up for library e-services, residents of Kent just need to visit kent.gov.uk/libs and submit their details and create a PIN number.”
- Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries online events include reading groups, online quizzes, history talks and film clubs, April 2020 – Brixton Buzz. includes book quiz on Zoom, Kanopy film watch party,
- Leicester – Leicester Libraries launches free online storytelling – Leicester City Council. “From today – 8 April – two new stories will be told online every week, available to stream from Wednesdays.”
- Leicestershire – The eBooks Leicestershire library members are reading during lockdown – Leicestershire Live. “Leicestershire County Council revealed this week that demand for digital books was up thanks to libraries being closed due to the country’s efforts to stop the spread of Covid-19. The authority said it will buy additional eBooks and eAudiobooks to keep up with demand.”
- Moray – Moray libraries open for business online – Grampian Online. Ebooks.
- Newcastle – Newcastle libraries put hundreds of books online to help beat lockdown boredom – and it’s all free – Chronicle Live. “Library staff have added 240 new titles to their online collection and have also made it easier for people to sign up as a new member online, which can also be done for free, so you can get reading or listening straight away to help beat the lockdown boredom.”
- Newport – Children’s art competition deadline extended – South Wales Argus. “young artists now have until the end of this month to submit their entries for a Newport library competition. And the rules have been changed to allow parents or carers to take a photograph of the design so they can be safely sent for judging amid the coronavirus crisis.”
- Norfolk – Revealed: Top 10 books Norfolk is downloading to read during isolation – Eastern Daily Press. “he county’s libraries have closed due to the pandemic, but keen readers have been borrowing downloadable eBooks from Norfolk Library and Information Service, with almost 20,000 borrowed in March. There have been more than 800 new sign-ups to the service.”
- Northamptonshire – Northamptonshire library staff redeployed to check on vulnerable residents told to shield from coronavirus – Northamptonshire Chronicle. “Library staff across Northamptonshire have been redeployed to help vulnerable residents who are self-isolating during the coronavirus pandemic. Around 70 staff from Northamptonshire County Council will be supporting the community resilience hub from today (Friday, April 17). They will be calling vulnerable people from library phones to check that they are safe and well, and if they need any support.”
- North Yorkshire – Action to help North Yorkshire’s libraries serve as ‘community focal points’ – Northern Echo. “authority which handed over 33 libraries to varying levels of community responsibility to cut costs will next week consider the authority’s first strategy for the service since the major reorganisation.”
- Online library service sees surge in demand – Northern Echo. “In the first fortnight of the lockdown, 474 people joined the library remotely, an increase of 490 per cent compared to the previous two weeks.”
- Perth and Kinross – Culture Perth and Kinross appeals for public support – Daily Record. “CPK is asking members of the Perth and Kinross public to consider donating £7 – the average cost of a new book. The chief executive points out how that one single book could then be loaned out up to 30 times in one of their libraries. Helen wrote: “With our venues closed to the public, we are no longer able to generate income, impacting on the budgets and resources we have available for these services.”
- Culture bosses ‘absolutely overwhelmed’ by response to Book Hero crowdfunder to support Perth and Kinross libraries – Courier. Raised £1k within hours.
- Powys – Powys Council waives library fines on books due back during coronavirus – Powys County Times.
- Redbridge – What’s on Redbridge app relaunched to help keep users entertained during lockdown – Ilford Recorder. “The app was originally used to display events on digital screens in libraries. However, it has been refocused to entertain.”
- Richmond – Call for coronavirus stories at Richmond Library for future – Guardian series. “The Library’s Local Studies Library and Archive will coordinate the plan to document residents’ experiences during the unprecedented global pandemic of Covid-19 coronavirus.”
- Sheffield – £20k boost to eLibrary content for Sheffield Libraries – Sheffield Newsroom. “Sheffield City Council is pleased to announce that the eLibrary service has been given a £20,000 boost. This online resource, available to every Sheffield Library member, is accessible on any digital platform and is free of charge to use.”
- Calls for Sheffield libraries to be returned to council control are ‘damaging’ – Star. “A petition demanding that Sheffield libraries are returned to council control has been criticised by the chair of a local volunteer library.” … “Mr Smith argued that Sheffield City Council should follow the Leeds model, which has 33 staffed libraries under Council control. He added: “You’re supposed to be opposing this austerity and all you’re doing is implementing it. If it’s acceptable to run libraries with volunteers why not schools or hospitals?”
- Explore the history of Sheffield and your own family tree at online library – The Star. Stories from Sheffield past online.
- Shropshire – Rainbow at Market Drayton library to spread joy – Shropshire Star. “Market Drayton Library is closed to help address the coronavirus crisis but the team of staff left it with a rainbow and a friendly teddy bear in the windows to keep morale high.”
- Somerset – Lockdown Library Service – here for you 24/7 – Frome Times.
- Stirling – Residents to be given a say on new ‘once in a lifetime’ £500k library – Daily Record. “Residents in the Strathblane area are being given the chance to say what they want from a proposed new library, made possible by the generosity of a local family. Thanks to a £500,000 donation from Angus Graham, the villages of Strathblane, Blanefield and Mugdock are looking forward to creating the new facility.
- Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries goes online and interactive to keep Suffolk stimulated and entertained – Suffolk Libraries. “It’s a very challenging time for everyone at the moment and with library buildings closed we’re doing everything we can to provide content, information and entertainment. We’re working on plans to keep in contact with regular customers who might be isolated but we’re delighted that so many of our wonderful staff have risen to the challenge to run online activities which will hopefully make a difference to people across the county”. Email from library service: Visits to the eLibrary pages are up 600% from the same time last year.
- Fighting and urinating in a lift – extent of anti-social behaviour in Suffolk’s libraries revealed – Stowmarket Mercury. “Urinating in a lift, defecating on a roof garden and fighting are some of the worst examples of anti-social behaviour which has been reported by Suffolk’s libraries over the past two years” … “The information showed that library staff dealt with 511 incidents of anti-social behaviour between January 2018 and February 2020 including racism, violence and bad language.”
- Which Ipswich library is planning a £45,000 extension? – Ipswich Star. “Gainsborough Community Library in Clapgate Lane has lodged plans to expand the facility into its rarely-used garden area. According to the library – which recently scooped a High Sheriff’s Award – the extension will be for a “garden room” space that community groups and activities could use, and feature window boxes and plants”
- Swindon – Swindon Libraries live streamed story time is watched by thousands – Swindon Advertiser.
- Tameside – Public libraries and Coronavirus: Tameside – Public Libraries News. A list of what services Tameside are doing for the public online.
- Warrington – Book in to enjoy an escape – Warrington Guardian. “libraries might be closed but LiveWire’s community librarians have come up with a list of recommendations for some books to read during lockdown.”
- Warwickshire – Hundreds sign up for online library services – Stratford Upon Avon Herald. “More than 500 users have recently signed up to the service as staff work hard to ensure that people still have access to digital books, music and other library material.”
- Wiltshire – Rise in eBook loans from Wiltshire Council’s library service – Salisbury Journey. “In the last few weeks, the council says, the service has seen 177 new members and loans of eBooks are up 43 per cent.” emags up 90%, eaudio up 10%.
- York – Thousands of free online magazines and books available via York Explore – thanks to a £17K council grant – York Mix. “Newspapers, magazines and ebooks will be made available to library card holders online – thanks to a £17,000 grant from City of York Council. Audiobooks and ebooks for children and adults are already available through the York Explore website – as well as ancestry research tools and historic images of the city. But the extra cash means the library can buy more online books – and subscribe to Press Reader – a service that offers access to more than 7,000 newspapers and magazines from all over the world.
Libraries without walls
Apr 5th
Editorial
So a week ago I was worried. I was thinking to myself, well, this website runs news about public libraries – hence its exciting name – and all the libraries closed. Goodbye website for a couple of months.
I could not have been more wrong.
There’s more news this week than in many other weeks where all the 200+ library services in the UK were open. Because, it turns out, all of the services are still open. Just online. Some services are reporting more than a six-fold increase in e-book usage, with more money being invested in their services in a couple of weeks than some spend in a normal year. This is to be expected due to the nature of the crisis – and also due to the, let’s be frank, lack of investment in e-books beforehand. But it suggests that more people may well be into library e-books after this crisis is over and the digital side will be taken more seriously by services. The explosion of creativity in social media – from online theatre shows to story-times to quizzes to reading groups – is also something that is unlikely to be entirely forgotten.
So there will be a challenge mid year and that is that public library services will return to their physical buildings while at the same time having raised public expectations about their digital sides. Keeping both sides up, when budgets are likely to be tight due to having to pay for the crisis, is going to be really difficult. But libraries can do this. After all, if libraries are still doing so well when they’re all closed, nothing is impossible. To help in this, all we need is that Single Digital Presence we have seen delayed for so many years and desperately need now. One of those would take the pressure off the multitude of library services in the Summer. Come on DCMS, you’ve had a decade of not doing it. Do it now.
This post cannot end though without highlighting the work done by library staff that have been redeployed in other services. Some are in food distribution centres, some on Covid helplines and some are even delivering medicine via repurposed mobile libraries. To them, simply, thank you.
National news
- Applications for bursary places at our 2020 annual seminar are now open – Libraries Connected. “As part of our commitment to supporting the development of future library leaders, we are offering two sponsored places at our 2020 annual seminar.” Deadline extended until 30 April. Conference will be postponed if necessary.
- Are public libraries in decline? – Publishers Weekly. Tim Coates once again boots the sector. “U.K. libraries today have a poor reputation. They have become second-rate community centres. And for that reason public authorities are withdrawing funding,” … “The library service needs to be able to listen to the needs of the public and that information is core to what will happen when Coronavirus ends. It has to find and market a service which brings people into the buildings, and that will be people who want to read. The closures give an opportunity to conduct consumer research that can be used to build a renewal program. We should start work now.””
- CILIP launches the National Shelf Service to recommend books to children – BookSeller. “CILIP, the UK’s library and information association, has announced the launch of the National Shelf Service, a new daily Youtube broadcast featuring book recommendations from professional librarians. The National Shelf Service will feature one librarian and one book recommendation each day. The broadcast will start on Monday 6th April and continue every weekday at 11am. “
- Great-grandmother’s secret to beating Covid-19… marmalade sandwiches – Guardian. “There has been a 600% rise in online library membership in some areas of the country, as people turn to e-books and audio books in the coronavirus lockdown. Hampshire county council has had a 770% increase in new digital users, Cornwall council a 630% increase and Hertfordshire county council an increase of 332%, the Local Government Association (LGA) revealed. Councils have been working to provide additional online resources, using the hashtag #LibrariesFromHome to promote their services …”
- LGA: 600 percent boom in online library memberships in some areas since coronavirus lockdown – LGA. “there has been a boom in new digital users. For example, Hampshire County Council has seen a 770 per cent increase in new digital users, Cornwall Council a 630 per cent increase and Hertfordshire County Council an increase of 332 per cent.”
- Online filtering service backed in fight against Covid-19 ‘fake news’ – Express and Star. “NewsGuard said libraries across the UK were using its services to help members navigate information sources before the outbreak. But now libraries have closed in response to lockdown measures announced by the Government, the company has removed all of its paywalls to make services free nationwide.”
- People urged to use free online library services during coronavirus lockdown – Inverness Courier. “The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) is encouraging households to use online library services during strict social distancing rules. Pamela Tulloch, chief executive at SLIC, said: “Closing the doors to public libraries is counter-intuitive to everything they stand for. “Fortunately, modern technology means libraries remain accessible …”
- Responding to Covid 19 – Libraries Connected. Lists publishers who have confirmed video storytelling etc is OK and guide to publishing restrictions.
- Update on Summer Reading Challenge 2020 plans – Reading Agency. “In light of the current situation affecting the delivery of all public services The Reading Agency, Libraries Connected, Arts Council England and ASCEL have agreed that it will not be possible to deliver the Summer Reading Challenge in its usual print format throughout public libraries this summer. However, we remain committed to improving lives through the proven power of reading, and are working hard to fast track a high-quality digital offer which we plan to offer both to interested library services and direct to the reader.”
- When things get back to normal, they won’t be – LinkedIn / Liz McGettigan. “Libraries must start now to plan for “The New Normal” because when they do get back to normal they won’t be! People will be hungering for social interaction and connectedness, for kindness, trust, community and social gatherings and we can plan for that now. We are all already hungering for human contact, and places just to be, things to do, people to see! Yes we need to up our game big time on our digital offer but when this is over digital will fail to rival libraries and their staff in these 4 purely human characteristics – Empathy, Sympathy, Passion, Curiosity – we still want access to “actual” people even when digital works perfectly”
International news
- Australia – ‘People’s army’ on the march delivering care to Mornington Peninsula’s vulnerable – The Age. “Under a scheme pioneered by the shire, she [a librarian] and about 100 other council staff will be redeployed to the front line, delivering care packages to the doors of vulnerable and isolated people in the municipality.”
- Canada – Canadian Libraries Respond to COVID-19 – Library Journal.
- Global – Libraries Respond to Covid-19: Doors close but services continue – Lorensbergs. Summary of responses spotted.
- Internet Archive justifies its vast ‘copyright infringing’ National Emergency Library of 1.4 million books by pointing out that libraries are closed – Register. “The Authors Guild is appalled by the Internet Archive’s (IA) announcement that it is now making millions of in-copyright books freely available online without restriction on its Open Library site under the guise of a National Emergency Library,”
- Public Library Manifesto Survey 2020 – IFLA. “This survey aims to support the review of the IFLA-UNESCO Public Library Manifesto. Please read this first before answering, then share your views about its relevance and impact, and suggest what changes you think may be necessary.”
- Ireland – Tuesday’s Tips – Shonagh talks to Tracy McEneaney from Libraries Ireland – Soundcloud. Ireland have national public libraries website linking to all digital resources and how to join.
- Norway – In The Shadow of The Sun: Libraries & COVID-19 Interview with Martin Kristoffer Bråthen – Mechanical Dolphin / Matt Finch. ” I believe the need and longing for more physical connections is true more than ever, in a time where social distance is the norm, but the current crisis means that we need to look for alternatives.”
“What is the library´s value if they focus on being the middleman between digital content and an online consumer? It isn’t a long term strategy to interpose yourself between the content and the user unless you are adding value, if the physical space has been removed from the chain … There’s a danger in a time of crisis that we rush around like a supermarket shopper panic-buying, swiping things thoughtlessly from the shelves. And we all know what hasty decisions can lead to … A true connection and dialogue between content and user, one of the most important values of the library, is in higher and higher demand.”
- USA – Your Facebook Page is Your New Public Library Branch: Using Facebook During Covid-19 – Justin the Librarian. “… just because we’re not able to physically be in our public library spaces interacting with our community members doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to do amazing things. This is where social media, specifically Facebook, comes into the picture … We need a blended service. “
“our community members need us more than ever. They need someone to connect with. They need someone to share positivity and hope with them. I can’t think of a better organisation to do that than the public library.”
- Covid-19’s Impact on Libraries Goes Beyond Books – Wired. ““We cannot create a sense of normalcy for them,” Salazar says. “But we can use this new reality to offer something different. That’s what we’re working on. Many of us are challenged, but we’re coming up with good, creative ideas.””
- Public Libraries’ Novel Response to a Novel Virus – Atlantic. “America’s public libraries have led the ranks of “second responders,” stepping up for their communities in times of natural or manmade disasters, like hurricanes, floods, shootings, fires, and big downturns in individual lives.”. List of what US libraries are doing for the homeless etc.
- Starting Thursday, Dolly Parton will read bedtime stories to your kids – CNN. “The nine-time Gramm winner said beginning this Thursday, she will read bedtime stories to children in a new virtual series called “Goodnight with Dolly.” Each week, Parton will read a new book selected from the Imagination Library, her book gifting program which mails free books to children.”
Local news by authority
- Bath and North East Somerset – Coronavirus: 10 steps taken by Bath and North East Somerset Council amid pandemic – Somerset Live. “Bath, Midsomer Norton and Keynsham One Stop Shops are open in their capacity as information services and for access to critical services including welfare vouchers.”
- Bedford – Council staff at Bedford Corn Exchange, The Higgins and libraries step into other roles during pandemic – Bedford Today. ““With services such as the Corn Exchange, The Higgins Bedford, and libraries closed in line with Government guidance, council staff have stepped up to take on other roles. This has seen staff helping the Customer Service Centre to answer enquiries from the public, and organising our Community Hub which is providing support to those most in need of help.”
- Bradford – Coronavirus – impact on Bradford Libraries – Govdelivery.
- Bromley – Podcast – Bromley Libraries. “Bromley Libraries podcast will review and promote all resources and events produced by Bromley Libraries throughout the library year.”
- Buckinghamshire – Bucks libraries increase e-resources during pandemic – Mix 96. “They are adapting to the situation and want people to know they can still access a range of educational or entertainment books, magazines and newspapers online. They have also waived all fines and fees during the closure, and extended all loan periods of hard copy books until June. “
- Cheshire West and Chester – Librarian Support – Erick Boekesteijn Real Time. “Real Time with Erik Boekesteijn and Alex Clifton talking about community driven spaces of innovation and the Storyhouse”
- Neston Library Has a Lot to Offer – Remotely – About My Area.
- Cumbria – Access free eBooks and more with Cumbria libraries – Mail.
- Darlington – Thousands of people log in to listen to Darlington library’s online story time – Northern Echo. “The first reading, of the Gruffalo, was watched by more than 11,000 people in their homes.”
- Devon – FabLab Devon step up to the PPE challenge – Libraries Unlimited. “FabLab Devon, which is part of independent charity Libraries Unlimited, has answered the call for urgently needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required by all NHS frontline staff. The first batch of visor attachments have been collected today and are being dispatched to NHS staff in the local area. ”
- Dundee – Coronavirus: Dundee libraries shutdown confirmed – Courier.
- East Riding of Yorkshire – Join the virtual book club on council’s facebook page – how and where to join – Scarborough News. “East Riding Libraries have launched a new virtual book group, Face in a Book Club, where customers can enjoy reading or listening to a selected Book, eBook or eAudiobook and share their views in a Facebook group.”
- Essex – Self-isolating in Havering? Get online and explore the history of your neighbourhood – Romford Recorder. “witch now to https://maps.nls.uk/os/, the website of the National Library of Scotland, one of five UK institutions entitled to free copies of everything published in Britain. That’s how a library in Edinburgh has so many maps of Essex. Thanks to a generous and tech-savvy programme, Scotland’s National Library has made them available online.”
- Flintshire – “Our entire future is at stake” Gladstone’s Library launches appeal to raise funds in wake of coronavirus crises – Deeside. Private/not-for-profit library.
- Coronavirus: Aura Leisure and Libraries donates PPE to frontline Flintshire Council teams – Leader. “It has supplied over 20 boxes of disposable gloves, 10 packs of rubber gloves, 16 masks, three chemical resistant clothing, a roll of disposable aprons, over 3 litres of hand sanitizer and five boxes of 1000 wipes.”
- Glasgow – Coronavirus: Campaigners optimistic libraries ‘will thrive once again’ as online figures surge – Glasgow Times. ““Obviously all public libraries are closed in Scotland at the moment and that is something I never thought I would say. But, I have been speaking to librarians across the country and some have told me their online book-borrowing has gone up by 600 per cent.”
- Hertfordshire – My Story 2020 – Herts Memories. “Hertfordshire Libraries and Nysa Projects invite you to share your memories and experiences of growing up and hope that these stories will also inspire pieces of art. Your lived experiences are stories with the potential to entertain, amuse, move or even terrify! During these challenging times of isolation, it is important to use stories to bring us together and provide us all with a window to the wider world.”
Tony is back for virtual Baby Rhyme Time! (In a slightly different location) 😊 Join in with him from the comfort of your own home; the full video is searchable on Facebook — ‘Greenwich Libraries’ 🎶 @LDNLibraries @Royal_Greenwich #loveyourlibrary #itstonytime #babyrhymetime pic.twitter.com/tRzadD7051
— Greenwich Libraries (@greenwichlibs) March 30, 2020
- Kingston – Kingston libraries get creative to keep kids engaged amid coronavirus outbreak – Surrey Comet. “Kingston librarians set up a livestream on the Kingston Library and Heritage Service’s Facebook page, and reached almost 10,000 people last week. And it’s not just storytime sessions for children, this week the library service has started book reviews and tutorials to help residents while they are self-isolating. “
- Lancashire – Libraries go online to bring the world of books to Fylde coast people in lockdown – Gazette.
- Leicestershire – Readers across Harborough are helping to fuel an astonishing surge for digital library services in Leicestershire – Harborough Mail. “For every month libraries stay shut during the COVID-19 pandemic about 700 new titles and additional copies will be added to the collection for adults and children to access.”
- Manchester – The Underground Manchester Central Library – MancLibraries Blog. “In these peculiar times of social isolation and mass toilet roll panic we are (tasteless pun alert) opening up the bowels of Manchester Central Library and focusing on its fantastic and unique Special Collections and telling some of the stories behind them.”
- New: Children’s & Families Newsletter – MancLibraries Blog.
- Norfolk – 6 ways to use Norfolk libraries while in lockdown – Eastern Daily Press. “If you’re interested in IT and have some time to spare, take a look at the free courses on offer in partnership with Cisco.”
- North Ayrshire – Enter the virtual library – Largs and Millport Weekly News.
- North Lincolnshire – North Lincolnshire Libraries launch free e-book and e-audio service – Lincolnshire Today. “North Lincolnshire Libraries are launching BorrowBox, a new free e-book and e-audio service available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.”
- Nottingham – New Online Library with Nottingham City Libraries unveiled – My Nottingham News.
- Orkney – Lockdown prompts spike in Ebook borrowing – Orcadian.
Anybody else missing the satisfying clunk-click of a datestamp? pic.twitter.com/FfPPEBwE6T
— Orkney Library (@OrkneyLibrary) April 3, 2020
- Oxfordshire – List of our most-borrowed books is a thriller a minute – Henley Standard. Top ten lists but also boosting e-books etc.
- Sheffield – ‘Young woman, 22, not a reader, joins library’ – Reading Sheffield. “All this set me to wondering how the last great national and international emergency, World War II, affected people’s reading habits. Here’s what happened in Sheffield. “
- Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries Podcast Episode 1 – Aga Serugo Lugo – YouTube. “The Suffolk Libraries’ podcast series celebrates public libraries’ rebellious history as spaces for free learning and freedom of speech. We’ll be delving in weekly to showcase the people we work with and offer personal insight into our guest’s stories of how they broke into their industries. This episode we met with musician Aga Serugo-Lugo.”
- Surrey – Your library on an app – Surrey Matters. “There are 7000 e-books, audiobooks and comics available to download …”
- Warwickshire – Libraries carry on lending – Stratford Upon Avon Herald.
- West Sussex – Struggling with self-isolation? West Sussex Library service launches amazing enhanced online hub – Crawley News.
- York – Free ebooks, audiobooks and family tree research tools available at York Explore – York Press.
7 days later: public library reactions to the shutdown
Mar 29th
Editorial
What a week. In seven days that will likely remain in everyone’s memory for life, it started with chief librarians – and frontline staff – arguing vociferously for councils to shut down library services. Boris freaking Johnson then went on television and officially closed the sector for the duration. Whoa.
Then everyone had to get used to the new normal, which included basic precautions not previously seen outside of zombie movies. Those with laptops and jobs they could do at home did so, others did what was necessary at the workplace and then went home. Then came the concept of “furlough” where government give 80% of the salary, the idea of the “shielded” who will have to stay indoors indefinitely and then the need to redeploy staff to other services, prominent amongst them Registrars.
It’s no surprise people were feeling a bit shell-shocked. Several librarians, all of them senior, have confided in me that they’ve never worked so hard before in their lives. Some point out that it’s something there were no plans for this, or case studies, and a bunch has been made up on the fly. It turns out that contingency/scenario planning has not been a strength of government at any level, despite repeated near-miss epidemics in the past. Oh well.
So what will the future bring? In terms of keeping the goodwill of staff, I think the key will be fairness. Walk outs happened in at least one service last week, with more on the cards if things hadn’t changed so much on Monday evening. I can see other such pitfalls for the future and the challenge of management will be to be clear and open with staff. everywhere.
Public libraries will become entirely digital for quite some time. A whole ton of money is going to be spent on e-books and other distance resources that would not have been bought before. Printed books will not be bought in normal quantities for a while. Library staff are taking a crash-course in video rhymetimes, zoom and conferencing. These developments alone will revolutionise the service. Also, nationally, Libraries Connected has discovered it can be an independent voice, which can only be good. And if the Single Digital Presence, or whatever a national libraries website will be called, for libraries doesn’t get off the ground this year then it never will.
And when will libraries reopen? Well, I’m guessing not until Coronavirus is wiped out. Keeping books quarantined for 72 hours after being touched isn’t going to fly (unless we go full closed-access of course, now there’s a thought) and it’s hard to see people, especially children, keeping two metres apart. So not for a few months at least. By that time, society itself may be changed.
So this will be a marathon, not a sprint. The good news is that the sector has shot out from the starting blocks far faster than could reasonably be expected. I look forward to reporting more in the future and have started a list (what else?) here for things that catch my eye.
But whatever the week brings, remember to look after yourself first. These are traumatic times and will not be helped if your ill, with stress or otherwise. Keep well, take care.
National news
- Coronavirus – Public library ideas and responses – Public Libraries News. Lists ideas spotted, useful resources, list of councils deploying staff (as far as is known), items for when considering reopening.
What are the Government doing about those without internet access? Many people in our communities rely on libraries to access the internet, but now those libraries are closing. What measures will the Government bring in to ensure that people can get online, whether for benefit services or to maintain some form of social contact? These are huge demands being placed on the civil service, and I pay tribute to all those public servants throughout our public administration who are working day and night to establish these schemes. They are not often praised, but they are in this situation.
John McDonnell, 24 March, House of Commons.
Kid Normal – E-audiobook now free.
Public Health England did not realise libraries covered books with plastic and so gave the wrong advice. Here’s the correction. https://t.co/C4monQOkiv
— Ian Anstice (@publiclibnews) March 27, 2020
- UK Libchat Monday 6 April: Virtual Libraries – taking our services online – “The chat sessions start with general introductions and then we move on to the discussion topics. Please add the questions that you would like to discuss below in under 280 characters.””
- W H Smith closes 60% of stores as Johnson shuts shops and libraries – BookSeller. “Johnson’s decision to close libraries comes after Libraries Connected, in a letter to ministers, demanded further action. Although the vast majority of local authorities had already closed all their libraries, as of Monday afternoon, around 22 still had some open according to the organisation. Those that had some buildings still running included Waltham Forest in London, Worcestershire and Sefton, which pointed out in a tweet to concerned residents over the weekend that “libraries are not amongst the public facilities listed for compulsory closure by the government at the moment”. On Friday, Unison members working at 10 Lambeth libraries walked out, saying they refused to come back to work because of fears over coronavirus. Libraries Connected said authorities had been forced to make the decision whether or not to close based on their own interpretation of government guidance and this was not enough.”
” libraries have been responding to the crisis with innovative ideas and had seen spikes of up to 100% in e-membership in recent days. Other ideas include Facebook Storytime, online book clubs, live streaming activities via social media and rotas of phone calls to regular library users.”
International news
- USA – Internet Archive’s ‘national emergency library’ has over a million books to read right now – CNet. The library has 1.4 million books, all available for immediate loan.
- COVID-19: How One Library is Coping with Being in the Epicenter and How Controlled Digital Lending Can Benefit Libraries – Sirsi Dynix. 1 April. “Director of the American Hospital Association Resource Library, as she shares the experience of her and her team as demands on their library has increased and how they have adapted. Then, hear from Chris Freeland, Director of Open Libraries at Archive.org, as he talks about how to add great electronic content for free.”
- How to Combat COVID-19 Related Misinformation – EveryLibrary. “On Friday, March 20th, The EveryLibrary Institute hosted a webinar on How To Combat COVID-19 Related Misinformation. Now you can watch this webinar at your convenience with this webinar on demand.”
- How to Sanitize Collections in a Pandemic – American Libraries. “The easiest, safest, and most inexpensive disinfectant is time.” … “That also means libraries should plan to stay closed until the risk of public infection is eliminated.”. But if not possible, “Internal hard surfaces, including tabletops, door handles, book drops, and computers, should be professionally cleaned. “
- Macmillan Abandons Library E-book Embargo – Publishers Weekly. “Macmillan’s controversial two-month embargo on new release e-books in public libraries officially kicked in on November 1, 2019, over the strong objections of the library community, which has consistently rejected the embargo as violating a core value of librarianship: equity of access. The embargo policy came just over a year after Macmillan instituted a four month “test” embargo on new release e-books from its Tor imprint. “
Local news by authority
- Aberdeen – Coronavirus: All Aberdeen libraries close as result of outbreak – Press and Journal.
- Bradford – Bradford Council outlines steps to help people stay active – Keighley News.
- Buckinghamshire – Here’s how you can still access Buckinghamshire Library Services online – Bucks Herald.
- Cheshire East – Cheshire East libraries close because of coronavirus risk – Knutsford Guardian.
- Cheshire West and Chester – Coronavirus: Cheshire West Council leader Louise Gittins urges residents to stay at home – Northwich Guardian. “Libraries and Leisure centres have already closed their doors, and some will be re-purposed as hubs for council staff and voluntary organisations supporting the most vulnerable. “
- Coventry – Council closes all but five libraries in Coventry as coronavirus limits staffing – Coventry Observer. ” “Libraries will only be open on the basis of a self-service offer – residents are welcome to come into the library, choose books from the available stock and self-issue using the available equipment.”
- Devon – Good news for readers: Staff aim to provide services differently as libraries across Teignbridge close due to coronavirus – Teignmouth Today.
- East Riding of Yorkshire – East Riding Libraries offering free e-books service – York Press.
- East Sussex – Coronavirus: All East Sussex libraries to close – here’s what happens to your loaned books – Eastbourne Herald.
- Hampshire – 1,800 sign petition to save Kingsclere library – Newbury Today. “The petition – signed by more than 1,800 people – aims to prevent the council from cutting its financial support to the venue. However, the authority admitted it is unlikely to save the library.”
- Hertfordshire / Essex – Herts and Essex county councils close libraries in response to coronavirus – Bishops Stortford Independent.
“Northamptonshire waited until end of day on 23rd March before closing all of its main libraries. Smaller ones had mostly closed earlier than then because NCC had decided not to staff them and most library support groups felt that their volunteers should not, or could not, offer to open those libraries. The business of each library authority being allowed to make its own decision as per the reply from DCMS to Libraries Connected is yet another example of ‘localism’ not serving libraries well.
Alison Richards, via email
At the local level, our community-managed libraries were put in the same position. They had to decide for themselves whether or not to stay open. Some were more reluctant to close than others but it seemed that all appreciated that they should not be using volunteers aged over 70.”
- North Yorkshire – County boosts online library service as branches close temporarily – Scarborough News. “Most community libraries run by other groups or organisations have already closed.”
- Nottingham – Central Library wish list – Dawn of the Unread. Wishes include a human library, digital screen/Tik Tok. library app.
- Salford – Salford celebrates three-year partnership with BookTrust – About Manchester. “This month Salford City Council, working with Salford Libraries, which is part of Salford Community Leisure, celebrates a three-year partnership with BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity. This partnership will see BookTrust provide books and resources to the value of £496,392 to Salford communities which are distributed via schools, libraries and healthcare visits.”
- St Helens – Take advantage of digital library service during coronavirus lockdown – St Helens Star.
- Wandsworth – Ravi Govindia, Leader of Wandsworth Council visits new Coronavirus Helpline Hub – Wandsworth Conservatives. “The hub is staffed by 40 members of staff drawn from other service areas including libraries and electoral services. When he visited this morning, Cllr Govindia heard that staff has already dealt with more than 200 calls in just over 24 hours. “
- Warwickshire – Coronavirus: Warwickshire County Council update for residents – Leamington Observer. “While all Warwickshire Libraries are closed, the county council is reassuring customers that they don’t need to return their library books, and we have extended the loan period for all items currently on loan until the start of July. All fines will be waived so people can keep hold of their books and stay safe at home.”
- Worcestershire – Libraries close under coronavirus guidelines – Express and Star.
- York – Libraries provide book fun online – York Press.
Boris Johnson closes all UK public libraries
Mar 23rd
It took too long and there was a lot of avoidable drama the last few days but the Prime Minister has finally done what is necessary, effectively closing the country except for essentials. He specifically mentioned public libraries in his speech. By that time though, 95% of library services had already decided to close.
So that bit of the drama is over. Speaking personally, I’ve been impressed with all the library folk I’ve been in contact with this week, from Libraries Connected who stepped up to the plate in recent days to chief librarians who fought hard with councillors in some cases and worked hard to manage the crisis in every case to everyone else on down and, above all, the library workers in the front line who had to open up despite the risks.
The next few months are going to show – well, who knows what. But we understand that this will mark a change in the sector that we will all remember. There will necessarily be a big move towards the digital for a start. There are already calls for millions more to be spent on e-books and the need for a national public library website has never been so obvious. I look forward to recording all the innovations and successes that will be achieved in these circumstances few of us would have imagined even a month ago. Not so much any of the other news, so please everyone, try to minimise the bad stuff.
Keep well. Take care.
- Coronavirus: PM announces strict new curbs on life in UK – BBC. “Other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship must also close immediately. “
- Close libraries now, plead library chiefs as ‘terrified’ London staff walk out – Guardian. “The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said in response to Hunter’s letter that it was right for councils to make their own decisions about library closures. “We know that some councils have decided that they need to close their physical library buildings, and that is fine,” it said. “However, we know that libraries can play a number of roles in the community. Therefore we wanted to ensure councils retained discretion to keep libraries open, albeit operating differently given government social distancing advice, where they felt that services could remain beneficial and be delivered safely.”
80%+ UK public libraries closed
Mar 22nd
Editorial
There’s never been a week like this before in our lives. I count 171 library services in the UK now fully closed, with many of those remaining open running a reduced service to varying degrees of severity. There are very few left who are aiming to keep all libraries open. I estimate at least a 80% closure rate, and it’s likely to be a lot higher as some services are not updating their websites, I am being cautious in my estimate and the situation is changing very fast. The 60% estimate LC gives below is from a day before mine, to give you an idea.
However, the lack of a firm government directive to close libraries means that at time of writing (5pm on Sunday 22 March) there is no prohibition on councils choosing to keep public libraries open, subject to them following the government advice on social distancing etc. Staff at Lambeth took matters into their own hands, though, and walked out citing a law that makes it illegal to run an unsafe workplace. And, with coronavirus being able to survive for up to 72 hours on surfaces – including on plastic book-jackets – it will be challenging for libraries still open to ensure that they are not, especially as there will be a ton of schoolkids heading their way.
But, look, take care of yourself this week. You cannot be too careful but at the same time take your mind off things for however short a time per day you can. And. above all, keep well.
Click here for a regularly updated list of library services open/closed.
Text of Libraries Connected letter to Government
“Libraries Connected is the sector-led charity for all public library services in England. We are funded by Arts Council England as a Sector Support Organisation.
We note the guidance issued by the government yesterday, which asks various businesses and venues including museums and galleries to close:
On behalf of the public library sector, we are asking that all public libraries in the UK be added to the published list.
Over the past few days, individual local authorities have made decisions about their library services in response to their own interpretation of government guidance. The fast-moving situation has been hard to track, but we estimate that approximately 60% of England’s library services have now completely closed. One library service shared with us the urgent advice they received from a senior clinical lead in their county:
‘I have grave public health concerns regarding the library service remaining open. I have been informed that several aged patients were attending today reading newspapers together in close proximity. This is in clear conflict with government advice on social distancing. …the mortality associated with Covid-19 spread cannot be overstated. We need to act together, now. Shut the libraries, send your employees home. Now.’
However, the advice to libraries appears to be inconsistent, so many are still operating in a situation that is increasingly confused and alarming for library staff and their communities and puts both groups at risk of infection. This situation will worsen if children, who are not in school, begin to use their local libraries to access computers and other learning resources
Libraries are trusted places which last year welcomed 225 million visits and loaned 175 million books. However, they can no longer operate safely within the government guidelines on social distancing and other Coronavirus control measures. Safety measures that libraries are trying to take are coming under increasing strain due to growing shortages of staff and cleaning supplies.
The very nature of a public library presents serious risks in the current situation, which are very hard (if not impossible) to control. These critical risks include:
- Circulation of books and materials between people, through lending and browsing. This affects staff, volunteers and library users.
- The very wide cross section of the community who use libraries, including significant numbers of people in the high-risk groups (older people, pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions).
- The expected influx of large numbers of children next week, due to school closures. They will be impossible to segregate from users in high risk groups – including pregnant women.
- The extreme difficulty in enforcing social distancing by users, due to the nature of the modern library, with open plan spaces and furniture designed for social interaction. Many libraries have reported users rearranging furniture back into close groupings after library staff had spaced it out.
- The extreme difficulty in protecting staff and volunteers, as the nature of their role is to provide face to face support. Many libraries no longer have reception desks, as staff now floor walk for better contact with their users.
Libraries have responded to the crisis with energy and innovation, to ensure their communities have digital and remote services. This includes marketing their existing e-book and e-magazine service, with libraries reporting 25% – 100% spikes in e-membership. They are also developing more innovative ideas including Facebook Storytime, online book clubs, live streaming activities via social media and rotas of phone calls to regular library users.
Although buildings have closed, libraries are determined to ensure vulnerable people in their communities are not isolated. Libraries will also have a vital role to play to help support and reconnect communities once the current crisis ends.
We will appreciate a swift response to this request, as many libraries remain open this weekend.
Yours sincerely,
Isobel Hunter, Chief Executive, Libraries Connected
Mark Freeman, President, Libraries Connected”
National news
- Coronavirus: Libraries and museums closing across country – BBC.
- Coronavirus: why are UK schools closing and what does it mean for parents? – Guardian. “With cinemas, museums, theatres and libraries closed, all normal entertainment is ruled out.”
- Covid-19: How Libraries are Responding and How to Implement Books by Mail – SirsiDynix. “Join Eric Keith from SirsiDynix as he reviews how libraries are responding the coronavirus (COVID-19). Then Rick Branham will be reviewing Symphony’s “Books by Mail” feature.” March 25 | 1pm ET / 5pm GMT.
- Libraries Connected calls for ‘clear decision’ from government on library closures – BookSeller.
- Request for government to advise the closure of public libraries – Libraries Connected. “Libraries Connected has today written to government ministers to request that public libraries be added to the list of public venues that the government has asked to close.”5
- Self-isolating? Use your local library’s apps for free audiobooks, ebooks and more – Tech Radar.
- UK coronavirus lockdown plans: What the Government advice means for you – Telegraph / Behind paywall. “Although there is no Government advice to close libraries, some smaller local hubs …”
Local news by authority
- Cheshire East – Cheshire East Council launches coronavirus information hub – Knutsford Guardian. “”This may result in us having to make changes to the way many of our services are delivered ..”
- Cheshire West and Chester – Coronavirus: Cheshire West libraries, community centres and other facilities to close on Friday afternoon – The Standard. “such is the extent of this outbreak and following the advice of Public Health England on social distancing, it is a move we have had to take in order to protect the health of our residents. “
- Storyhouse to support community during Coronavirus outbreak – Storyhouse. “Storyhouse in Chester is re-opening its entrance lobby to support the local community with food, hot drinks and entertainment during the coronavirus crisis.”
- Cumbria – County libraries to close from today due to coronavirus – News and Star. “A contactless home delivery service is also available to existing customers signed up for the service, and may be extended to others if enough staff and volunteers are available. “
- Durham – Durham County Council closes all leisure centres, libraries, venues and cancels all meetings – Chronicle.
- East Sussex – Coronavirus: All East Sussex libraries to close – here’s what happens to your loaned books – Sussex Express.
- Essex – Libraries across Essex to close in response to coronavirus pandemic – Harwich and Manningtree Standard.
- Gloucestershire – Live Coronavirus updates for Gloucestershire as 104 people in the UK die from coronavirus – Gloucestershire Live. “All 31 libraries run by Gloucestershire County Council will be closed from Monday to stop the spread of the coronavirus”
- Halton – Coronavirus closes the Brindley, libraries and leisure centres – Runcorn and Widnes World.
- Hampshire – Hampshire libraries push digital as all branches close due to coronavirus pandemic – Haslemere Herald. “,,, our Hampshire Libraries Facebook site has lots to explore, including Online Rhymetime and a Digital Reading Group.”
- Herefordshire – Ross Library to close on Friday – Ross Gazette.
- Hertfordshire – Libraries across Herts close for next few days to assess impact of coronavirus pandemic – Herts Advertiser.
- Isle of Wight – All Libraries On The Isle Of Wight Closed – Island Echo.
- Lambeth – Walkout at ten south London libraries over coronavirus safety – Socialist Worker. ““It was a hard decision because we care about our library users,” said one worker who walked out in Brixton. “But we also care about their safety and ours. We don’t have hand sanitiser and there are no wipes for the keyboards and touch screens.””
“In a statement, Lambeth Unison said workers were walking out under Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. This provides workers with the right to withdraw from and refuse to return to a workplace that is unsafe.”
- Lanarkshire – Every council-run Lanarkshire leisure and cultural venue is shutting during coronavirus crisis – Daily Record.
- Lancashire – Lancashire Libraries, Archives & Museums To Close – Preston Hub. “The closure will come into effect from 5pm on Monday to allow library users the opportunity to get books out before they close. “
- Norfolk – Libraries to close from Saturday to curb coronavirus risk – Lynn News.
- North East Lincolnshire – North East Lincolnshire libraries, leisure centres and sports facilities go into coronavirus shutdown – Grimsby Live.
- Oldham – All the ways Oldham Council will tackle the coronavirus pandemic – including extra body storage and cutting bin collections – Manchester Evening News.
- Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire County Council libraries closed – Banbury Cake.
- Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire County Council’s leisure centres and libraries to close from tomorrow (Friday, March 20) – Western Telegraph.
- Perth and Kinross – Culture Perth and Kinross closes all libraries, museums and galleries due to coronavirus outbreak – Daily Record.
- Renfrewshire – Coronavirus: Renfrewshire libraries and pools to close from tonight – Daily Record.
- Rochdale – No more Dippy, food festival cancelled and libraries closed – Rochdale Council’s sweeping changes in response to coronavirus – Manchester Evening News.
- St Helens – Coronavirus: The libraries and leisure centres closing this weekend and what will happen to memberships – Liverpool Echo.
- Sandwell – Coronavirus – Sandwell closes museums, farms and most libraries – Birmingham Live. “A total of 13 libraries have closed, including the mobile service, to ensure that key town centre venues can continue to remain open to the public.”
- Staffordshire – Staffordshire Steps Up Measures As Country Battles Coronavirus Update – Tamworth Informed. “Children’s Centre activities, libraries, the archive and heritage service and many day centres for older people are to close as the county steps up action in the coronavirus battle.”
- Stoke on Trent – Museums, libraries and public toilets close as part of ‘managed and proportionate’ Covid-19 response – Stoke on Trent Council.
- Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries to close until further notice to protect staff and customers during coronavirus outbreak – Bury Free Press. “Overdue book charges have been frozen and return dates have been extended indefinitely, and the eLibrary service, which has around 60,000 items available, is still running.”
- Sunderland – Sunderland Council closes museums and libraries due to coronavirus outbreak – Chronicle.
- Wakefield – Wakefield Council closes leisure centres, libraries and museums, but markets to remain open – Wakefield Express.
- Warwickshire – Coronavirus: All Warwickshire libraries to close by Monday – Leamington Observer. “The mobile library service will also not operate, but the home library deliveries service will be maintained as much as possible for the most vulnerable.”
- West Lothian – Libraries to close in West Lothian temporarily – Daily Record.
- West Sussex – Coronavirus: All West Sussex libraries closed until further notice – Chichester Observer.
- Western Isles – Coronavirus – decision taken to close sport, leisure, libraries, museums across the Western Isles – Stornoway Gazette.
- Wigan – How Wigan libraries could be turned into virtual schools – and all the other ways empty council buildings could be used to aid coronavirus pandemic – Manchester Evening News. “Libraries in Wigan could be repurposed into virtual schools or learning areas when schools close due to the coronavirus, Wigan’s chief executive has said.” … “Wigan announced today that while its libraries will close to the public”
- Wiltshire – Wiltshire Council to shut its libraries and leisure centres – Salisbury Journal.
- Worcestershire – Poet Laureate Simon Armitage in special screening at Redditch Library – Redditch Standard. “Thee screening is part of The Living Knowledge Network, a UK-wide partnership of national and public libraries which Worcestershire libraries will be officially joining next month.”
Libraries Connected calls for all public libraries to close
Mar 17th
Please note a list of UK public library responses to the emergency can be found here.
Editorial
In a statement that would be have been undreamt of mere days ago, Libraries Connected is calling on the British Government to close all public libraries. The statement reads in part that “in light of the recent escalation of the COVID-19 crisis and the latest government advice, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that library buildings should close to protect communities and staff from infection” and point out that as well as the users “it is equally important that library staff are safeguarded during this period.”. The organisation is now working hard to work out ways to improve remote library services.
Eleswhere, the lack of clear guidance from Government has led to a wide range of responses, from immediate closure to waiving fines to ending events. Closures are ultimately the decision of individual councils, not chief librarians. However, up and down the country, senior library managers are having to make decisions for their service because the Government has avoided doing so. They should all be supported as it is the most difficult time in their careers, as well as ours.
More positively, there seems to be a serious effort to promote and improve the digital options that libraries provide, varying from video’d storytimes to buying more e-books. There are also moves by digital suppliers, although currently largely in the USA, to improve their offers.
Library changes noted before posting
- Barnet – Childs Hill opening reduced.
- Bristol – All events suspended.
- Cheshire West and Chester – Storyhouse closed from 17 March.
- Cornwall – All scheduled events cancelled.
- Darlington – All libraries closed from 17 March due to volunteers cancelling.
- Derbyshire – Chaddesdon Library closed.
- East Sussex – Old Town volunteer and Pevensey volunteer libraries from 20 March.
- Edinburgh – All library events cancelled.
- Fife – Library events cancelled.
- Greenwich – All child and adult activities cancelled.
- Hammersmith and Fulham – All events cancelled.
- Hampshire – Some libraries closed due to staff shortages.
- Herefordshire – Fines suspended, increase in loan numbers and terms.
- Havering – Suspending late fees.
- Kent – Teynham Library closed due to staff shortage.
- Kirklees – Kirkheaton Library from 18 March.
- Leeds – All events cancelled.
- Lewisham – Downham and Lewisham libraries closed, plus eight volunteer libraries.
- Manchester – Eased online
- National Library of Scotland – Closed from end 18 March.
- Reading – All libraries closed form 17 March. Loans extended and associated fines removed.
- Shetland – Library and mobile closed.
- Shropshire – Loans extended, fines cancelled.
- Stirling – All libraries closed.
- West Sussex – All libraries closed from 17 March.
- Situation in New Zealand.
- Australia – State Library of South Australia face-to-face services closed.
- USA – ALA calls for all libraries to close.
- USA – With COVID-19, Library Staff Should Not Be Required to Report to Work – BookRiot.
Ideas
- Extend loan and renewals – Malta Libraries.
- Purchase more ebooks and allow remote joining – Manchester.
- Livestreaming storytime – Kingston Libraries.
- Facebook book groups – Bristol.
Coronavirus
- Arts Council England announces coronavirus crisis plan to compensate out-of-pocket artists and institutions – Art Newspaper. “The national arts-funding body will refocus some grant programmes to help individual artists and freelancers withstand lost earnings”
- How to Combat COVID-19 Related Misinformation – EveryLibrary.
- Laureate’s Library Tour – Simon Armitage. Cancelled for now. Letter ends with a sad face and the word “sorry”.
Totally agree. I was chatting to a librarian who said people are currently going to the library in increased numbers saying they’re “sent home from work”. No one is going to confuse closing libraries to prevent infection spreading with closing libraries permanently.
— Dawn Finch has sore hands. (@dawnafinch) March 17, 2020
- Statement on COVID-19 and public libraries – Libraries Connected. “…in light of the recent escalation of the COVID-19 crisis and the latest government advice, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that library buildings should close to protect communities and staff from infection. We are calling on government to make a clear decision about closing libraries, along with other public buildings.”
Some good news!
— Manchester Libraries (@MancLibraries) March 17, 2020
Don’t have a Manchester Libraries card but want to borrow our ebooks?
You can now sign up to borrowbox without needing to visit the library – just register on the link below and use the number you are given when opening up their site.https://t.co/Y06faUS2U1 pic.twitter.com/oxJirpV8lq
- East Sussex – Coronavirus forces Eastbourne libraries to close – but ‘phone befriending service’ is set up – Eatsbourne Herald. “Old Town and Pevensey community libraries will close on Friday (March 20) for four weeks due to the pandemic. A spokesperson for the libraries said in a statement, “We all fought hard to reopen our libraries so have not taken this decision lightly, however we want to protect our volunteers and service users, many of whom are in the ‘at risk’ category.”
National news
- Foyles launches first library in retirement home – BookSeller. “Curated by Foyles, the library offers a number of sections covering biographies, novels, classics, gardening, travel, sports and children’s books for the homeowners’ children with more than 750 books. The library will be updated according to the interested of residents, with Foyles’ Barbara Berezowska, Helen Vines & Hannah Hallard, continually curating the offer. New books can be ordered from Foyles via the Landsby’s concierge.”
- Fun Palaces – Registration for October now open.
- Introduction to Scenario Planning – CILIP. Online registration for tomorrow (Wednesday) 12.30. Could be very relevant at the moment. The presenter, Matt Finch, also does online video coaching and facilitation.
- Librarians from across North Wales are encouraging the public to read something different with their ‘Fantastic! Happier Together’ challenge – The Leader. “As part of their ‘Fantastic! Happier Together With North Wales Libraries’, each month throughout the year, will see four of the 36 specially chosen books (two English language and two Welsh language) will be revealed, creating a calendar of captivating and uplifting reads. ” Coronavirus forces Eastbourne libraries to close – but ‘phone befriending service’ is set up – Eastbourne Herald.
- Library Management Systems Showcase – Now online only.
Local news by authority
- Cheshire West and Chester – Malpas Library to benefit from improvement works – So Cheshire. “Malpas Library will be closed temporarily for two weeks over the Easter holidays to improve the layout of the library and school reception area.”
- Essex – Colchester Library loses 19,000 books in just four years – Clacton Gazette. “Data released by Essex County Council shows between 2016/17 and February 2020 Colchester library’s book stock went from 111,494 to 92,190. It equates to a reduction of 19,304 books. Last year, Essex County Council backtracked on its plan to close 25 of the county’s libraries after a fierce backlash from campaigners. “
- Hampshire – 20,000 voice views on Hampshire libraries closure plan – News. “‘This has been a robust process, encouraging views from the widest possible range of people – as seen from the strong public response to the consultation.’ The county council is looking to save £80m by April 2021. Its consultation closes on Wednesday, March 18. A decision will then be taken in summer.”
- MP piles on pressure to stop councillor from closing Odiham library – Basingstoke Gazette. “Schoolchildren have presented a petition to stop their library closing to the councillor making the decision. Youngsters Nina and Robert handed over their campaign on behalf of pupils at Buryfields Infant School and Mayhill Junior School. “
- Hillingdon – Top Trumps-style cards are key to Summer Reading Challenge – This is Local London. “The cards, the council’s answer to Top Trumps, feature animal characters and are a hugely popular reward for borrowing books. Each year, libraries give away thousands of these unique collectible items to children as part of the initiative. The Summer Reading Challenge aims to keep children reading throughout the school summer holidays and will start on Saturday, July 11. The theme for 2020 is Silly Squad, a celebration of funny books.”
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