Editorial

As you may have noticed from last week’s editorial, the subject of intellectual freedom and public libraries is on my mind a bit recently. This is partly due to me being about to do a short presentation on it at the CILIP Conference this week. But it’s also because it’s, well, been in the news a lot. The far-right in the USA have been targeting public libraries for a while now for a range of things that they don’t agree with. Being this is the USA, this includes turning to children’s libraries with guns and liberally scattering accusations of paedophilia around.

This infection is now spreading to other countries, with Canada reporting multiple outbreaks as well. The disease of aggressive close-mindedness is also, worryingly, becoming part of the scene in the UK with very similar tactics (thankfully, minus the guns) being deployed against drag queen story-times here. The time when such thought-burning trends could be seen as part of just one country’s make-up appears gone. The internet has allowed such prejudice to go global as easily as local. And the English-speaking world, being able to understand American bigoted social media posts and the like easily, is as susceptible as anywhere else. Perhaps even more so.

Of course, being British, some of this tragedy translates as something closer to comedy. You will recall from last week that Nottingham, which is moving forward with its plans to close libraries, decided to ban a radical feminist author from speaking last week. But of course they still have the author’s books. And that of JK Rowling, who prominently thinks the same way. So why? Well, I guess censoring book-stock would be going a bit too far. And banning Harry Potter is, amusingly, exactly what the Religious Right in the USA would want to do. And also there’s a court ruling that could be used against such a thing. But the author is going to sue anyway. Because, well, this is the world we live in now.

Changes by local authority

• Bradford – Becomes fines-free.
• Norfolk – Mobile library service may be cut

National news

• Anti-vaxxers select their next target – Scout News. “Where America leads, Britain follows. Protesters are trying to cancel a tour of the Drag Queen Story Hour traveling across England and Wales this summer. ” … “we don’t know the exact contents of the show, but I’m willing to bet any schedule that involves reading aloud the adventures of Little Nutbrown Hare won’t be especially damaging to children.” … “A group called Outreach WorldWide, which has campaigned against Covid jabs, has turned its attention to LGBT affairs. Based on Telegram, where it has 4,000 members, it has been instrumental in protesting against the story tour. It has encouraged members of its 37 regional teams to complain to their local library and contact their councillors and MPs to get the event cancelled.”

“it’s not like the event is being forced upon children. It’s ticketed and in libraries over the summer holidays, so unsuspecting children are unlikely to wander in. And even if they did, they are only likely to find a solitary drag queen reading the works of Michael Rosen. There are far worse things children could be watching.”

• CILIP Conference – CILIP. Last chance to book for 7 and 8 July. “Libraries, Information and Knowledge for Sustainability”
• Essential services websites in UK ‘should be accessible to all’ – Guardian. DCMS minister says “Public libraries play an important role in tackling digital exclusion. About 2,900 public libraries in England provide a trusted network of accessible locations with staff, volunteers, free wifi, public PCs, and assisted digital access to a wide range of digital services,”

• Inflation could push English councils into bankruptcy, say leaders – Guardian. “When budgets were set earlier this year, councils were typically factoring in average pay and inflation costs of about 3%. However, inflation is now at 9%, with the Bank of England predicting it will hit 11% by October.”
• Libraries Connected welcomes Ayub Khan MBE as new President – Libraries Connected. “As the first Black President of Libraries Connected, Ayub has vowed to use his platform to encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to pursue a career in libraries.”
• Libraries key to closing post-pandemic literacy gap, new report reveals – Libraries Connected. “Public Libraries and Literacy Recovery – produced for Libraries Connected by the National Literacy Trust and supported using public funding by Arts Council England – examines the role of libraries in raising the literacy skills of children whose learning has been disrupted by the pandemic. It highlights evidence that, despite the huge achievements of teachers and librarians in supporting pupils through periods of school closures, the pandemic has exacerbated the literacy gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers.”
• Library fines – Libraries Hacked. ” Library fines are a policy that should be informed by data. Libraries cannot argue to continue doing something with no affirmative research, just because they don’t think there’s enough research to stop.” … “no service has released any publicly available open data that would make such analysis possible. “

“Why would someone return books to the library if they were going to have to pay £20, and they need that to feed their family? It’s more likely they’ll stop using the library.”

• New training programme aims to improve diversity in library leadership – Libraries Connected. “The modules, which were produced by the Birmingham Leadership Institute at the University of Birmingham, are structured around four core leadership capabilities: Leading for Resilience, Leading for Dialogue, Leading for Inclusion and Leading for Innovation. Unlike many online learning modules, Leading Libraries has been designed to be worked through gradually, allowing time for personal and group reflection. It can be accessed by all library staff, regardless of seniority.”
• Website survey – DCA/Koios. “a new survey for librarians designed to shed some light on how library websites are perceived and used. The survey includes questions on discoverability, purpose, and utility and asks how successful librarians think their websites are at supporting the library mission. The survey takes five minutes to complete and DCA will make a donation to Clear Voice Interpreting Services, a social enterprise that supports refugees and other people in need with free translation services, for every response received.”

International news

• Australia – Decolonising Libraries: Who controls the narrative? – ABC. “Hit play to hear Kerry’s story and learn what you can do to make sure libraries are a safe space for all.”
  • The world gets worse, but public libraries are forever – Sydney Morning Herald. “With all they have to offer, it’s odd then that the main users of libraries are babies, students and tech-phobic grandmothers looking to print out emails at 8am. The rest of us should rediscover the public library’s infinite assets. In fact, take my credit cards because the most valuable card in my wallet now is my library membership. (Note: Don’t take my credit cards.)”

• Canada – Libraries in Canada hit by wave of hate, threats, as right-wing groups protest all-age drag events – CBC. “More than half a dozen libraries and drag performers, from Saint John to Victoria, reported being inundated online and over the phone by homophobic slurs and, in some cases, threats of violence” … “library staff were, among other things, accused of assisting paedophiles and threatened with lawsuits. Their personal information was also circulated online.”. Comments include “one that said it was time to “light the torches,” and another that called for Saunders and a fellow performer to be burned alive.”
  • Calgary’s Central Library is a stunner to rival Seattle’s – Washington Post. “Visitors could easily spend an entire afternoon engrossed in the Calgary Central Library’s architecture, amenities and programming — or not. It’s also a beautiful place to simply pass the time and people-watch.”
• Ireland – Library reopening: ‘It’s one of the last great sanctuaries’ – Irish Times. ” you quickly begin to believe that if librarians were running the show, the world would be a better and nicer place. ” … “In February, when Libraries Ireland asked people to join the Ireland Reads campaign (irelandreads.ie) and pledge to put aside time to read a book each day, 570,000 people signed up.”

“It’s inherent in being a librarian that you move with the times, you move with society, you move with the world. You still work with people, that hasn’t changed. The library is a safe, secure, democratic space. it’s not for any one category or group. It’s a place where people can be free to meet, they don’t have to spend money. It’s one of the last great sanctuaries.”

• New Zealand – Horowhenua Libraries To Be Fine-free – Community Scoop. “We want our libraries to be inviting to everyone, allowing equal access to the information and inspiration found within the walls and resources, however fines can deter people from enjoying the services our community centres provide.”
• UAE – UAE unveils ‘Library of the Future’; over 1.1m books available for readers – Baaghi. “‘Mohammed bin Rashid Library’, a new cultural beacon in the region.” £225m cost (1 billion UAD). … ” “The economy needs knowledge … politics needs wisdom … nations need to learn … and all of that can be found in books.” see also Dubai opens new book-shaped library – Book Riot. “It’s been deemed the largest cultural project in Dubai. In addition to its unique design, it features eco-friendly features such as solar panels and and water recycling, used for its green spaces.”

• USA – Pride Month Children’s Library Event Canceled After Proud Boys Disruption – Newsweek. “Proud Boys confronting with staff about the LGBTQ+ books that were going to be read to children”
  • The Emerging Role of Outdoor Public Librarianship: Understanding the Need for Strengthened Infrastructure – Taylor and Francis Online. “Data reveal these services are expected to continue, and possibly expand. Given this potential growth, future research to uncover effective practices is needed so that libraries can effectively help their communities benefit from being outside in nature.”
  • The Important Role Libraries Play in Building a Creative and Innovative Society – Arch Daily. “Despite the rise of the online age, therefore, resulting in what we believe is the death of printed books and a growing lack of interest in libraries, there are still more libraries in the U.S. than there are Starbucks or McDonald’s franchises. Public libraries have continually evolved throughout the years, serving as important community hubs to aid learning, professional development, and healthcare.”
  • A panel at national conference for librarians raises questions over approach to Holocaust denial – Jewish Insider. “Two prominent literary figures argued that opposing book bans means allowing the dissemination of books that promote the Holocaust, sparking controversy and clarifications” … ” “The truth is, the hard truth, is that if we are going to unite against book bans, it includes all the books, and I think that’s what makes it a complicated gig.” but ““Disinformation is inconsistent with professional library collection development practices that have made libraries trusted community resources,”
  • Proud Boys who targeted LGBTQ+ story time met with ‘human shield’ of LGBTQ+ love – Pink News. “the far-right mob was met with a veritable wall of counter-protesters wearing kaleidoscopic colours, waving Pride flags and holding up signs in support of the LGBTQ+ community. “

Local news by authority

• Barnet – Barnet City of Stories Home Celebration Event – Eventbrite. “Come along to this special free event celebrating the launch of the City of Stories Home Anthology featuring talented new writers from across London, alongside published authors.”
• Bradford – Bradford Libraries scrap overdue book fines from today – Telegraph and Argus. “This decision has been taken in recognition of the financial pressures facing communities, particularly given the current cost of living crisis. Several library services across the country have dropped the charges and noticed more use of libraries and more stock returned.”

• Cheshire East – Cheshire East libraries helping support people in crisis – Winsford and Middlewich Guardian. “Adults coming in to browse the book stock and borrowing of books has not returned to pre-pandemic levels yet” … “Winter wellbeing resources were delivered to all Cheshire East libraries enabling other agencies working in communities and library staff to provide residents in need with much needed equipment including duvets, hot water bottles, gloves, and slow cookers.”
• Coventry – Digital Spaces present event to showcase at Coventry libraries – Coventry City Council – News Anyway. “a two-day showcase of live events that will feature digital activities, artwork and immersive experiences that celebrate Coventry Libraries as places of creativity, community and new perspectives.”
• Croydon – Croydon Mayor makes statement on South Norwood Library – Croydon News. “mayor has blamed “rising costs and construction delays” after a new library left empty for two years was put up for rent as a shop.” …”In 2021, there was a chance the library was going to be sold off as the building was not finished to the standard expected, but the council said it would use Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money to make it usable.”
• Devon – Secret Book Quest on a mission to reverse the literacy gap – Libraries Unlimited. “The Secret Book Quest – aimed at kids aged five and older. The Secret Book Quest has been challenging them to read a total of 50 books to collect all the stickers, decipher the code, and win a special prize”
• Dorset – Dorset Library Service participates in the ‘Gadgeteers’ Summer Reading Challenge – News Anyway.
  • New proposed strategy for libraries across Dorset – Bridport News. “Councillors reviewing the future strategy for the service say that while libraries should change to meet emerging needs and offer new services books should still be at its core. A new proposed overall strategy recognises that there has been a year on year decline in library use with some age groups seldom, if ever, stepping inside one.” … “the pattern over the last 20 or 30 years had seen the heavy use of libraries for younger children and their parents, followed by a drop in interest and then more library use by older people.”

• East Lothian – Continued staff shortages impact opening of several East Lothian libraries – East Lothian Courier. “Council libraries have faced closures ever since the Covid-19 outbreak, but recent staffing issues have resulted in difficulty fully reopening the sites. Six of the county’s smaller libraries have been affected, with the larger facilities remaining open on normal hours.”
• Essex – New partnership with HSBC UK to improve financial literacy – Essex Council. “We have joined forces with HSBC UK to bring a series of pop-up events to residents, sharing the bank’s financial literacy programmes in Essex Libraries.” … “They will offer face-to-face guidance around things like digital banking, fraud awareness and managing finances.” … “I am delighted that colleagues from HSBC UK are partnering with us to support our levelling up agenda”
• Gloucestershire – Proposal to move Stroud Library to shopping centre approved – BBC. “Gloucestershire County Council has agreed to move it to the Five Valleys Shopping Centre in Stroud. The council is expected to enter into a 25-year lease for the property within on the lower ground floor of the shopping centre in King Street. More than 500 people took part in a survey asking for people’s views on the proposal, with 70% in favour.”
• Highlands – High Life Highland libraries offer boost for those with type 2 diabetes – Ross-shire Journal. ” provide iPads to support those with type 2 diabetes. Packed with information and support the project is a partnership with NHS Highland, Diabetes Scotland and AbilityNet to support those at risk of developing diabetes as well as those newly diagnosed with the condition.”
• Inverclyde – Summer Reading Challenge set to sizzle – Inverclyde Council. Events include “the BodyWorks roadshow from Glasgow Science Centre, ‘Wee Storybox’ storytelling sessions, ‘Animal Man’ visits, and silent discos, as part of the challenge. “

• Lambeth – Lambeth library events and services for July 2022 – full listing – Brixton Buzz. Include children’s literature festival, musical recording and biodiversity.
• Lancashire – Lancaster teen’s ‘access all areas’ taste of music industry – Lancaster Guardian. “Skye Lumb, 15, took part in the Get it Loud in Libraries (GILIL) Academy Gig Camp at a show from rap artist Enny at Lancaster library, which saw her involved in a variety of aspects of putting on and promoting live music including marketing, digital media, photography and floor management.”
• Manchester – Suitcase unearths ‘treasure trove’ of Manchester history – BBC. “The free exhibition at Manchester’s Central Library will recount Ms Retallack’s life in the 19th and 20th Centuries.”
• Middlesbrough – Seed Library – Middlesbrough Library / Facebook. “The newly launched seed library is open to the whole community and will allow aspiring and novice gardeners to share and swap seeds and plants for free.”
• Newcastle – Summer Reading Challenge 2022: Gadgeteers – Newcastle Council. “the Summer Reading Challenge 2022 Trophy will be awarded to the school who has the most children completing the Challenge. The school in second place will receive a £50 voucher to spend on books for your school library.”

• Norfolk – Adult social care and mobile libraries at risk as council seeks £15m savings – Norfolk Live. “Dramatic measures including cuts to adult social care, mobile libraries and recycling centre are all part of measures proposed by County Hall in a bid to cut £15m from its budget. Options being considered by Norfolk County Council include raiding adult social care reserves and possibly cutting funding to mobile library services by almost half.” … “The council is also being asked to undertake a review of mobile library services. What changes could be made have not been announced but a saving of £200,000 is anticipated, almost half its £422,000 yearly budget.”
• Northumberland – Councillor welcomes efforts to improve promotion of Alnwick Library and TIC – Northumberland Gazette. ” work is underway to improve the advertising and visibility of both library and Tourist Information Centre which be believes have been ‘inadequately promoted for visitors’.”
• North Yorkshire – Experiment with new reading for summer challenge at libraries – Harrogate News. “A programme of events for families will support the challenge, including junk modelling, Lego sessions, science workshops, art and craft sessions, storytelling and theatre performances.”

• Nottingham – Nottingham City Council confirms it will not remove Julie Bindel books from library – Nottingham Post. “Nottingham City Council has confirmed that they will not be removing author Julie Bindel’s books from libraries across the city following the decision to cancel her talk on Saturday, June 25. Author Julie Bindel was due to speak at the library in Aspley.” … “There are books available by several other authors who hold similar views to Ms Bindel that have caused controversy. This includes books by authors J K Rowling and Kathleen Stock. Nottingham City Council has confirmed they will not remove any of the books. see also Julie Bindel: Council cancels author’s talk over trans views – BBC and Julie Bindel to sue Nottingham council after talk cancelled – Guardian. ““I was going up to speak about feminism, about violence against women. I was invited by a group of community activists who are trying to keep the library open.”” … “Bindel has been accused of transphobia because she says does not believe trans women can legitimately say they are a woman.”
• Reading – Aida H Dee to host Drag Queen Story Hour in Reading – Reading Chronicle. “Author and five-star Edinburgh Fringe Act, Aida H Dee, will be promoting diversity, acceptance and reading through interactive storytelling at four libraries in the town. Families are set to be entertained and children inspired to attend libraries as the comedian and activist makes Reading their first stop on a tour of 100 libraries in 100 days.”
• Sandwell – Sandwell to host summer jazz festival – Sandwell Council. Libraries as venues.
• Southend on Sea – Keep reading this summer and become a ‘Gadgeteer’ with Southend Libraries – Southend on Sea Council.

Editorial

A truly scary newspaper article from the Guardian points out that without major Government funding, there’s going to be some very serious cuts to local council funding and libraries may be one of the services that bear the brunt. Yay. Been here before. This time around though it’s not austerity but rather inflation and the subsequent necessary wage increases, which haven’t been budgeted for. But don’t worry, the Government is arguing that inflation doesn’t affect a lot of council business (which parts exactly?) and of course if wages are not increased then inflation will go slower. So, that’s OK then.

Faced with potential news like that, it’s good to see that the Libraries Connected conference went really well last week, with lots of sharing of ideas and positive and productive talks about the impact of libraries. And the discovery that Lord Parkinson, who is the Libraries Minister, not only knows his own library card number but is also willing to be used as a library champion. That’s as long of course as he gets robust library data of course. Oho …

National news

• Fermeture en masse des bibliothèques britanniques : quel bilan ? – ABF. Summary of French library conference panel talk on the closure of English public libraries. In French.
• How Local Libraries Help Welcome Refugees – Book Riot. “while many libraries have stepped into the role of supporting refugees, there is always more work that can be done. Vincent’s CILIP article gives suggestions on ways that libraries can become more accommodating of and welcoming to refugees and asylum seekers, including consulting with these users and the local organisations that support them to ensure that all their needs are met, and promote the library’s role as a centre for information provision, language learning, and community support.”

• Libraries Connected welcomes Ayub Khan MBE as new President – Libraries Connected. “As the first Black President of Libraries Connected, Ayub has vowed to use his platform to encourage more people from diverse backgrounds to pursue a career in libraries.”
• Library fine survey: results and summary report revealed – Libraries Connected. “In March 2022 we surveyed our members and had 61 responses”. 16 of the 61 told us they had removed library fines, 15 more considering it. “40% of libraries that had removed library fines had seen an increase in adults using the library, 30% had seen an increase in families and people from disadvantaged areas, and 20% had seen an increase in 5 – 16-year-olds.”. Response from those not considering going fines-fress is income-related and fears books will not be returned.
• Making Music publishes proposal to save UK music libraries – Classical Music. “The public library network, which has so far been the largest and most cost-effective provider of sheet music to music groups, has been impacted by local authority budget cuts. A lack of investment in developments towards financial sustainability has placed the future of this resource in peril.” … “Local music library services under threat can email info@makingmusic.org.uk for support from Making Music and its partners.”
• Reading the Planet: Libraries in a Changing Climate – Youth Libraries Group. 16 to 18 September Conference in Sheffield. “We will be offering a virtual programme for those who cannot travel or who cannot afford the full conference. Those who sign up for the live conference will be able to access the virtual sessions for free.”

• Re-engaging Library Customers – LIEM Training. Webinar, 30 June, charged. “Even before COVID libraries faced the dual problem of reduced funding, but also, more worryingly, reduced usage. Our readers are getting older, using online sources of information or using their time in other ways. This has lead to a decline in the use, and possibly relevance, of libraries.”
• Schools and libraries face huge cuts after soaring costs create £1.7bn shortfall – Guardian. “School-building projects, swimming pools and libraries have been earmarked for emergency funding cuts because town halls have been hit by an unexpected £1.7bn hole in their budgets, the Guardian can reveal. Rampant inflation and soaring energy bills mean that council leaders have been forced to rip up financial plans from a few months ago” … “The deterioration in the financial outlook is rapid and unexpected. In January, when 2022-23 budgets were agreed, councils were typically factoring in average pay and inflation costs of about 3%. However, inflation is currently 9%, with the Bank of England predicting it to hit 11% by October.”

International news

• Global – Four impressive libraries nominated for the Public Library of the Year 2022 award – Systematic. “This year, four widely differing libraries have been nominated – from a library in the mountain-ringed city of Missoula in north-west USA to a library in the provincial town of Ogre in Latvia.”
• Ireland – Everything you always wanted to know about Irish Libraries – IFLA. Webinar, Monday 20 June.
• Ukraine – Ukraine Tells Its Libraries to Pull ‘Russian Propaganda’ From Shelves – Wall Street Journal. “Among the Russian books to be removed are those that: call for ending Ukrainian independence; promote war, national and religious enmity; promote change through violence of the constitutional order or territorial integrity of Ukraine; deny that the Russian Federation attacked Ukraine, according to parameters detailed by the ministry.”

• USA – Group of men disrupt Drag Queen Story Hour at California library – NBC News. Group of aggressive eight far-rightwingers (possibly “Proud Boys”) scream about paedophilia and terrify children. Event took place with windows covered after the men were removed. Library says nothing will stop them from celebrating Pride Month.
  • 5 ways public libraries are being used to fight food insecurity – Shareable. “Free, safe, and accessible to all, community-led libraries serve as a both a resource hub (providing education and information) and an access point, delivering food and other goods directly to the groups that need it most. Here’s how: …”
  • Book bullies attempt to hide our diversity – Chicago Sun-Times. ““Any book with a cover showing a person of color on it gets covered up,” explained Ginny Wehrli-Hemmeter, director of events and marketing at Anderson’s, one of the largest independent bookstores in the Chicago area.” … ““They have a website, a social media presence,” Caldwell-Stone said. “It’s stunning to see they have this idea that public libraries are just for them, and they should take actions to sanitize the library from materials that reflect the lives of gay, queer or transgendered people. It’s a real effort to silence the voices of communities that are finally finding a place on the public stage in our society so that we can understand the experiences of others.””
  • Healthy Aging at the Library – EveryLibrary. “Aging can be lonely, whether you live alone, miss old friends, or want to get out of the house occasionally. Public libraries understand these needs and offer activities, live and virtual, to engage seniors and help make connections with others.”
  • Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Targeted by Anti-LGBTQIA+ Vandalism – Library Journal. “the word “Groomer” was spray-painted on exterior library walls” … “a school librarian at Northview Elementary in Bowie, MD. Sutherland confessed to the vandalism and is currently facing two counts of malicious destruction of property and multiple hate crimes” [I had to read this twice to make sure I had got it right – Ed.]

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Bolton Town Centre Library to move to a temporary home from September – Bolton Council. “Bolton Council has secured the £23.9m Towns Fund and is investing in four key projects one of which is the upgrade of the library. An investment of £3 million has been secured for the work, the refurbishment will expand and upgrade the children’s area, improve social spaces and update the digital facilities in the main area with the addition of a mezzanine floor. A report proposing temporary relocation of Central Library will be considered by the Leader of the Council on 21 June.”
• Calderdale – Halifax library staff rescue rare peregrine falcon chick – Halifax Courier. “Calderdale Libraries said: “With her coordinator’s help, and some towel support from the chefs at Trading Rooms in The Piece Hall, little Cilip was taken back up to the library roof where mama could keep an eye on him.””
• Cheshire West and Chester – West Cheshire Museums sustainability festival begins in July – Standard. “There will also be a prize-giving for West Cheshire Libraries’ and West Cheshire Museums School Competition”
• Cornwall – Redruth’s former library building unveiled at community event on Murdoch Day – Cornwall Council. “A new Redruth Former Library Community Interest Company has plans to breathe new life into the striking historic building after agreeing with Cornwall Council to take on a five-year lease.”
• Coventry – More than a million library books read in Coventry’s City of Culture year – Arts Council England. “Launched by the Duchess of Cornwall and beginning in May 2021, One Million Reads Coventry (OMRC) was funded through Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants as part of the City of Culture programme and invited people to record everything they read over the year.”
• Croydon – South Norwood doesn’t want to see ‘incredibly ugly’ library demolished – Sutton and Croydon Guardian. “It is two years since a brand new library in the area was built but the service still hasn’t moved from it’s 1970s building loved by many fans of its architecture. More than 1,700 people signed a petition to save the brutalist library last year. There were fears the library would never move into its new home as the building, from council-owned developer Brick by Brick was not up to scratch. The new site in Pump House, next to Norwood Junction Station, still hasn’t opened despite signs on the window reading: “New library coming soon, delivered by Brick by Brick on behalf of Croydon Council.””
• Darlington – A first glimpse inside Darlington library during its £3.2m restoration – Darlington and Stockton Times. “The first artist’s impressions show how the £3.2m refurbishment is going to create light, airy rooms within the Gothic building full of comfortable workstations and collaborative areas.” … “In 2016, councillors voted to close the library and move its services into the Dolphin Centre to save £300,000-a-year, but the public outcry forced a rethink – and perhaps even a change in the political make-up of the council. A new Conservative-led administration was elected in 2019 and is now overseeing the library’s reshaping.”
• Enfield – ‘Sensory space’ launches at Enfield Town Library – Enfield Dispatch. “The facility, created by Enfield Council’s library services team, employs the latest in sensory technology to provide “a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment” specifically designed to help both children and adults develop through sensory play. The space includes an interactive projected floor, activity panels, an infinity mirror, colour changing mood lights and a projector TV.”
• Highlands – High Life Highland’s libraries to provide technological support for people living with type 2 diabetes – Highland Council. “The project is a partnership with NHS Highland, High Life Highland, Diabetes Scotland and AbilityNet to provide iPads, mobile internet connections, training and support for people at risk of diabetes and those newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.”

• Leeds – Yorkshire Ghostbusters fan, 8, with heart condition, hunts ghouls in library and thanked by mayor in dream day out – Yorkshire Post. “With the help of Make-A-Wish UK and a supportive community, George was driven to Leeds Central Library in the film’s famous Ecto-1 vehicle alongside a group of local Ghostbusters volunteers.”
• Manchester – Manchester Festival of Libraries returns for its second year – Manchester Council. “This year, there are roughly 100 vibrant events happening in Greater Manchester’s public libraries and special libraries. 20 of these events will take place in Manchester’s public libraries.” …”See Myself in Books is an initiative launched by Read Manchester and Manchester City Council to increase the diversity of children’s literature and to ensure characters come from a wide range of backgrounds.”
• Middlesbrough – ‘Always ahead of the game’: Innovative service launched in Middlesbrough libraries – Teesside Live. “It is the first service in the North East to add eMagazines to Borrowbox” … “Central Library has received £270,000 from the Libraries Investment Fund, plus an extra £30,000 in match funding, to provide technology upgrades to help the library adapt to the new ways people access its services.”
• Monmouthshire – Library’s 25th birthday upgrade – Forest Review. “Caldicot Library closed yesterday (June 9) for work to start on providing new flooring and two new community rooms at the Caldicot Hub where it is based.”
• Norfolk – Norwich Millennium Library awarded Library of Sanctuary status – Norfolk Council. “The award recognises that the libraries are safe and welcoming spaces for everyone and highlights our commitment to helping those seeking sanctuary have all the help and support they need to settle into the community.”
• Northamptonshire – Council agrees set to off-load three more libraries in final chapter of cost-saving saga – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “Out of the original 36 county libraries, 21 were surplus to statutory requirement” … Irchester, Rothwell and Raunds to become volunteer.
• North Yorkshire – Praise for Colburn community library’s welcoming refurbishment – Darlington and Stockton Times. “Richmond MP Rishi Sunak conducted the formal re-opening of Colburn Library after a refurbishment designed to create a bright and comfortable space to encourage use by the local community. The work was carried out after the charity which manages the library, asked the community” … “Low cost options were pursued including using kitchen worktops instead of standalone desks for the public computers, recovering soft furniture and reusing shelving. The library has been re-carpeted throughout, energy efficient windows installed and the computer suite relocated to improve the layout.”
  • The next stage of public engagement on the £450,000 revamp of Scarborough library will begin this month (June). – North Yorkshire Council. “The library has secured £200,000 through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sports/Arts Council England Libraries Improvement Fund, which helps libraries upgrade their buildings and boost their digital offer. This grant, backed by a further £250,000 investment from us, will be spent on reconfiguring the ground floor to create a brighter, more attractive space with areas for relaxation, study and to meet friends”

• Nottingham – Landmark building wins major award – My Nottingham News. “The development of the new Broad Marsh Car Park, Bus Station and Central Library building has won a major construction industry award. The £50m project was winner of the Integration and Collaborative Working Award and came runner-up in the Building Project of the Year at the East Midlands Construction Excellence Awards.”
• Nottinghamshire – We Talk to Entrepreneurs on Overcoming Business Fears at Notts Libraries’ BIPC Mansfield launch – Left Lion. “four shiny new Business and IP Centres at Beeston, Bulwell, Mansfield, and Sutton-in-Ashfield Libraries. Run by Inspire Libraries on behalf of the County Council, entrepreneurs and business owners can meet with BIPC Advisors to discuss their business and access online reports and resources which have a combined worth of over £5 million.”
• Powys – Less than a fortnight left to join discussion on library hubs development – Brecon and Radnor Express. Survey in two parts: “Access to Services and Digital Exclusion Survey -will assess how easy or difficult it is for residents to access key services and information in Powys and how that might be improved by creating digital hubs in libraries where people can get support. Digital Hub Workspaces Survey – will gauge the interest in the development of workspaces within libraries aimed at people who might currently be working from home or those considering starting a small business.”
• Tower Hamlets – The London Underground station that has the ‘weirdest entrance’ in the basement of an old library – MyLondon. “Aldgate East station must have the weirdest entrance anywhere on the network as it is actually entered through an opening in the ground floor of Whitechapel Library. It’s one of the oldest libraries in London, and can feel like you are walking down the steps into the lost basement of a gothic mansion – one which wouldn’t look out of place in any Scooby Doo cartoon.”
• Warrington – Warrington Libraries’ first LitFest is a hit – Warrington Worldwide. “he week-long celebrations included the performance of The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist by Neil Gore of Townsend Theatre Productions, at Padgate Library, which was sponsored by Torus and Unison. The Jubilee family fun day attracted 500 participants with sessions by Cheshire Fire and Rescue, Mulan Culture and The Warrington Signing Choir.”
• Wirral – Why you will see more than 8,000 flowers on display – Liverpool Echo. “8,372 white paper flowers will go on display at Birkenhead Central Library. Each flower will represent one Muslim man or youth who was killed in a bid to raise awareness of the tragedy and spread a message of unity and tolerance throughout the region.”
  • Wirral Council cuts: Golf courses and libraries spared – BBC News. “Libraries will be retained at Birkenhead Central, West Kirby, Wallasey Central, and Bebington Central, with a further four smaller locations in Eastham, Moreton, Upton, and Heswall. Libraries earmarked for closure in Hoylake, Irby, Pensby, Prenton, Wallasey Village, Higher Bebington and Woodchurch will also move to the next stage of a community asset transfer.”
  • Wirral’s first covid testing site to reopen as a library – Liverpool Echo. “Heswall Library, on Telegraph Road, was the first indoor covid testing site to open in the Wirral. First opened in November 2020, it remained open throughout the pandemic until the government ended the requirement for testing on Friday, April 1 of this year, when it was closed. The building has now been decommissioned as a testing centre and will resume its original purpose, as a community library, next week, on Tuesday, June 21. The council said that library staff have been working “flat out” to restore the space to its past life.”
• Worcestershire – New tech allows customers to visit county libraries after hours – Worcester News. “Libraries Unlocked membership is only available for those aged 16 and over however under 16s can visit during the new hours if accompanied by a member.”
• Wrexham – Build your own fun with Lego Clubs at Wrexham libraries – The Leader. Library news update.

Editorial

This week will go down in everyone’s memory as Platinum Jubilee week. Public libraries have played their part throughout the country, with flags, displays, coffee mornings and other events. An impressive number of librarians – no less than ten – have also been named in the Platinum Jubilee Honours. While there are arguments against as well as for Honours, I would argue that they at least boost the status of those holding them, which can be very useful.

I had the honour of speaking at the French library conference this week – due to my limitations online alas, rather than where it was taking place in Metz. While the cuts situation has apparently cooled off, for now at least, in many library services, it’s worth reminding ourselves that the UK is see as a warning for what could happen in many countries. The French librarians were anxious to learn about the situation and many were concerned that what happened here could happen there. And well they should. There have been one or two cases there of cuts recently. I remember the complacency of many librarians in the early 2000s. That has gone now in this country and those elsewhere would do well to learn what lessons there are from it.

Finally, well done to Knowsley, which becomes the 39th library service in the UK to go completely fines-free. For those wishing to know how it can be done, New Zealand has produced a toolkit on the subject, including case studies.

Changes by local authority

• Knowsley – Becomes fines-free.
• Monmouthshire – Caldicot Library being refurbished.

National news

• Are libraries open on Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday? – The Sun. “t is likely that your library will be open at some point across the weekend, although running on shorter hours for the Queen’s Jubilee. If you have a very small local library then you may find the library is shut as employee numbers are minimal.”
• Fun Palaces: The Library Special – Fun Palaces. “In this podcast, we meet librarian Zoey Dixon who will tell you all about why Fun Palaces are so perfect suited to libraries.”
• Helping jobseekers help themselves – Arts Council England. “investigates how jobseekers use libraries, and the role library services play in improving employment outcomes. The report recommends that libraries should take actions such as coordinating their support for jobseekers with other forms of jobseeker support, and reinstating in-person support for jobseekers in libraries that was paused because of the pandemic.”

• Nine Scottish libraries to loan out musical instruments – West FM. “There will be six libraries from Edinburgh, two from North Ayrshire, and one from Fife all part of the new project.” … ““There’s a music group going to be associated with each library. So, there’ll be music classes and taster classes for young people to try it out. And we’ve also got the tinderbox online music school, where people can get online lessons for free.””
• Not as I like it! War Horse author Michael Morpurgo says Shakespeare plays ‘need a bit of editing’ – Mail Online. “Sir Michael said: ‘Libraries, and particularly the librarians who work in them, are vital for us all, but especially for those who need them most.’”
• PRH UK donates entire audiobook library to charity Calibre Audio – BookSeller. “Under the new partnership, around 6,000 titles as well as future releases will be made freely available to Calibre’s 16,000 members, who have a range of disabilities that make reading and understanding text difficult, including visual impairments, learning disabilities, cognitive impairments and physical dexterity conditions. Earlier this year, the service was made available to people with long Covid …”
• Refugee week and Libraries of Sanctuary – Libraries Connected. Monday 13 June, 2pm. “In this webinar we will have an update on support for Ukrainian newcomers from Larysa Bolton from the Association of Ukrainian Women in the UK, Julie Hayward from Book Trust, and a more general update on the Libraries of Sanctuary submission process from Ashley Beckett of City of Sanctuary.
• Thousands of UK public buildings now have gigabit broadband – Techradar Pro. “The figure includes 1,200 schools, 340 libraries and 50 hospitals …”

Queen’s Jubilee Birthday Honours

MBE

• Catherine Mann. Head of Libraries and Arts, Staffordshire County Council. For services to Public Libraries.
• Christine May. Head, Libraries at Bradford. For services to Public Libraries.
• Helen Joy Osborn. Lately Director of Library Services, Libraries NI. For services to Public Libraries.
• Susan Lesley Williamson. National Director, Libraries, Arts Council England. For services to the Library Sector.
• Susan Elizabeth Wills. Assistant Director, Lifelong Learning and Culture, Surrey County Council. For services to Public Libraries.

BEM

• Anthony Lambert Tyrrell Brown. Chair, Suffolk Libraries. For services to Public Libraries
• Christopher John Lawrey Clarke. Company Secretary and Treasurer, Friends of Jesmond Library. For services to the community in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.
• Sorrelle Clements. Service Development Manager, Coventry Libraries. For services to Libraries.
• Susan Ann Comitti. Libraries and Heritage Service Manager, London Borough of Hackney. For services to Public Libraries.
• Robert John Jones. Library Service Manager, Isle of Wight Council. For services to Public Libraries.
• Emma Claire Noyce. Assistant Director, Culture and Information Services, Hampshire County Council. For services to Public Libraries during Covid-19.

• Bookworm and Arts Council boss Sue Williamson gets MBE for her work in the library service – Lancashire Post. Arts Council England director for public libraries.
• ‘Emma helped thousands of people access libraries during lockdown’ – Yahoo News. “Emma Noyce, 45, had only been in her post as Head of Hampshire’s Library Service for a year when Covid hit. After overseeing the closure of 48 libraries in just 24 hours, Emma quickly organised a team of staff to phone 500 vulnerable residents who would normally use the home library delivery service.” … “She then convinced senior leadership to invest in £100,000 worth of ebooks which resulted in an 84 per cent increase in daily loans.” … she “also inspired the digital library team to create an online timetable of events and activities including Baby Rhymetime, Story Time and bedtime stories, created on video by library staff. These were being watched more than 1,700 times a day.”
• Honours Week – Showcasing the best of the UK’s honours system – Cabinet Office.
• Islanders recognised for public service in Queen’s Birthday Honours list – Island Echo. “64-year-old Robert Jones from Rookley has been awarded a BEM for services to public libraries. Robert is the Isle of Wight Council’s Library Service Manager. Robert is an active member of the Libraries Connected regional network and was previously involved in the Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians. He represented public libraries nationally on the Prison Library Service Partnership Board.”
• ‘Lovely surprise’: Hackney’s long-serving libraries manager recognised in Queen’s honours – Hackney Citizen. Sue Comitti: ““Hackney’s given me my career,” she said as she reflected on the work that has led to her being awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s Birthday honours. It includes the refurbishment of Hackney Central, Clapton and Shoreditch libraries, and helping generations of residents discover a treasure trove of books and activities.”
• Man who fought to save Beccles Library named in Queen’s Birthday Honours – Beccles and Bungay Journal. “Anthony Lambert Tyrrell Brown, known as Tony, has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) for his outstanding service to public libraries. The 67-year-old former chair of Suffolk Libraries initially started a campaign to save Beccles Library from closure, before becoming involved in a wider project to protect sites across the county. Mr Brown has been a member of the Suffolk Libraries board since 2013, including spending time as chair between 2013 and 2021.”
• Queen’s Jubilee birthday honours: Library manager gets BEM for autism work – BBC. “Sorrelle Clements is the Service Development Manager for Coventry Libraries and said “we’re not just about books”. She worked with parents of autistic children in the community to find ways to make library spaces more welcoming.”

International news

• Australia – One of Sydney’s most underrated treasures: our incredible libraries – Sydney Sentinel. “Rather than fork out hundreds of dollars a week for a co-working space where the fridge reeks and people get inordinately excited by ping pong, I get to work somewhere quiet and peaceful, with ample plug sockets and free WiFi. Membership is also free and entitles me to book private rooms to conduct phone calls and interviews. This, my friends, is why I pay my taxes.”

“As the UK closes libraries, we’re opening them in Sydney. And they look unlike any library I saw growing up in Britain, which were mostly dingy, unremarkable, cold and somewhat forgotten buildings.”

• Canada – Promoting Food Security in Public Libraries – Hamilton Public Library and McMaster University. “This project reviews relevant literature on food insecurity, investigates current food access initiatives in Hamilton, and outlines promising practices and initiatives from other Canadian public libraries to help inform HPL’s involvement in addressing food insecurity in Hamilton”
• Global – Odilo raises $64M as its white-label e-learning library passes 8,500 customers and 170M users – Yahoo. “Odilo has so far racked up 8,500 customers in 52 countries, covering some 170 million users in all, with the list including government bodies, libraries and education organizations like MIT, but also big corporate customers such as Google and Vodafone.”
• New Zealand – Removing Library Fines – Lianza. Excellent guide to how to remove fines including case studies. “Our toolkit helps libraries, councils and communities remove significant barriers to accessing trusted information, the joy of reading and connecting with others.”
• USA – Louisiana County Libraries Block Displays for Groups, Issues – Bloomberg. Libraries self-censor to avoid fighting. “Book displays targeting specific groups or topics such as Cajun heritage, Pride Month or Black History Month are prohibited indefinitely at public libraries in Louisiana’s Lafayette Parish, a newspaper reported.” … ““I’m doing this because everything’s a fight,” he said. “And if I put these books out right now, I feel like I am inviting people to challenge these books.””
  • DC is sending 10,000 copies of DC Pride 2022 anthology to US libraries – Pop Verse. “DC is doing this in partnership with PFLAG National, the US’s largest organization supporting LGBTQIA+ people and their allies.”

• How Rural Librarian Jessamyn West is Alleviating the Digital Divide – The Slate. Podcast. “a librarian in rural Vermont who’s working to improve computer literacy and access to library services in her community.”
  • Library, author, bookseller groups condemn legal action attempting to censor books in Virginia – ALA. “No book has been banned for obscenity in the United States in more than 50 years. Prohibiting the sale of books is a form of censorship that cannot be tolerated under the First Amendment.”
  • Once More for Those in the Back—Libraries Are Not Neutral – Publishers Weekly. “In a February New York Times editorial, conservative opinion writer Stanley Kurtz took to task the efforts of what he called “woke” librarians and pleaded for a return to “neutrality” in libraries. What Kurtz got wrong, however, is that libraries are not–and have never been–neutral.”. Those arguing for censorship have argued that having LGBT books on shelves is like having bleach accessible for children on the bottom shelves of shops. Those wanting to ban books wants libraries not to be neutral but rather biased towards them, and not others.

Local news by authority

• Bolton – Big borough book hunt hailed a huge success – Bolton News. “Bolton Library hid Lenny Henry’s new book ‘The Boy With Wings’ across the borough for a chance to meet Lenny in June and hear all about the book.” … “”The book hunt was very successful, with a fantastic response on social media which resulted in hundreds of families’ searching high and low across Bolton’s for books”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Six-year-old lands first prize in Jubilee art competition – Northwich Guardian. “The competition was organised across Cheshire West and Chester libraries, with two aspects – one for poetry and another for art.”
• Coventry – Coventry reaches One Million Reads – Coventry Council. “The project, which has been running throughout the City of Culture year, set the ambitious target of counting 1,000,000 reads across the city. HRH Duchess of Cornwall launched the project and submitted the ‘first read’ back in May 2021. Now, in May 2022, that figure stands at a staggering 1,262,798. Reads have been counted across Coventry’s libraries, as well as at universities, schools, and workplaces.”
• Halton – Book your Jubilee fun at your library – News Anyway.
• Knowsley – No more library fines in Knowsley – Knowsley News. Includes amnesty for late books. ““I hope the end of late charges will mean more residents will take out a library membership, visit their local branch and discover all Knowsley libraries have to offer.””
• Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries – listing of events for June 2022 including the Children and Young People’s Readers and Writers Festival – Brixton Buzz.
• Leicester – City libraries take part in Big Jubilee Read – Leicester Council. Also “lots of displays, events and activities”
• Liverpool – Business support scheme at Liverpool Central Library sees record year and supports hundreds of entrepreneurs – Business Live. “The Business & IP Centre (BIPC) Liverpool City Region said it had a record year, supporting more than 1,500 people between April 2021 and March 2022 – up 39% on the previous year.”
• Manchester – Festival of Libraries: what’s on at the Greater Manchester event, when it is and how to get tickets – Manchester World. “The Manchester UNESCO City of Literature’s Festival of Libraries celebrates the 133 public libraries as well as heritage and independent collections of books across the city-region.”
• Monmouthshire – Refurbishment to close Caldicot library for six weeks – South Wales Argus. “Caldicot Library is celebrating 25 years of providing books, community spirit and support this year. To mark the milestone, Monmouthshire County Council will be rejuvenating the community hub building in which its based. The refurbishments include new flooring, re-painting and the creation of two new community rooms, making the space ready for its next quarter century. “
• Newcastle – Newcastle named among 10 best places to raise a family in the UK – here’s why – Chronicle Live. “The figures also highlighted the number of museums (17) and libraries (35) in the city.”

• North Yorkshire – Knaresborough library closes for bank work – The Press. “The project will see a new community branch of the Newcastle Building Society created within the library building. Executive member for libraries, Cllr Greg White, said: “We can’t wait for the community branch to open which will offer the Society’s full range of services.”
• Oxfordshire – Oxfordshire eBook Short Story Competition 2022 winners announced – Oxfordshire Council. “An unconventional sci-fi story, a magical tree and a much loved grandad are the subjects of the well-scripted tales that have been selected as winners of Oxfordshire County Council Library Service’s eBook Short Story Competition for 2022.”
• Southampton – Southampton library celebrates Platinum Jubilee with residents – Southern Daily Echo. Tea and scones, tree planting.
• Warrington – Summer Reading Challenge to take place at LiveWire Libraries – Warrington Guardian. “Young volunteers between the ages of 14 to 24 are needed to help with activities and events for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge”
• West Sussex – Library mural gives insight into children’s vision of the future in Crawley – West Sussex Council. “Crawley Library unveiled its new mural depicting what the future of Crawley looks like to local nine- and ten-year-olds. The library was able to offer a previously blank wall at the entrance of the Children’s Library to display this 6ft x 6ft vinyl mural permanently, inspired by a series of interactive workshops over several months.”

Editorial

There’s been enough time since Austerity started in 2010 to note some long-term results in the sector. Suffolk Libraries celebrates ten years as a Library Trust this year. It seems to be going well and certainly most of what I see from that service is good and positive. The other library trusts – notably York Explore and Libraries Unlimited (Devon) – also seem to be doing well. Leisure trusts have had a more mixed picture, with Falkirk, Northamptonshire, Peterborough and Wigan all having to return to council control due to various problems. Others have suffered during lockdown – leisure trusts rely on income from leisure centres etc – but have survived.

But the real standout has been volunteer libraries. Focusing just on longevity and not getting distracted by other issues, then the thing one notices is how few have failed in the last decade. Just one or two out of out of the (probably) over 600 have had to close over the time. And some of the first in Buckinghamshire have been open over fifteen years now. That’s a surprising survival rate compared to expectations in 2010 where it was assumed many would not be round for long. It suggests, rather, that they may be here to stay.

Changes by local authority

• Sheffield – Stocksbridge Library to move into new co-location
• Stoke on Trent – Cuts in opening hours reversed after consultation

Floating or dynamic stock.

I recently asked on Twitter if library services use a floating stock system. This is where books are kept at the library where they end up (for example, for reservations) rather than send them back to a “home” library. See this page for some more info on this. The responses on Twitter totalled 4 doing dynamic and 20 doing static. A couple of others do a hybrid system where receiving library keeps the book if they want it, send it back if not.

Comments:

• Several library services have moved to static stock as it lead to build-up in some branches. On the other hand, it was reported that floating stock automatically moves books around and so refreshes libraries without any extra work (indeed, less work as they’re not returned back) and increases serendipity.
• Some do a mixed system: for example “We keep them but send them back if less than two years old” and “we send non-fiction back for special collections but keep fiction if we have a stock gap”
• New Zealand said poorer areas lose out if dynamic because wealthier borrowers reserve all the books.

National news

• £750,000 funding announced to boost libraries and museums in Wales – Wales 247. “The funding, which will be delivered as part of the Transformation Capital Grant Scheme, will support Wales’ local libraries, museums, to develop and revitalise their facilities, with a particular focus on widening access, partnership working, decarbonisation, and developing sustainable services.”
• Arts Council future under review by government – BookSeller. “The review will look to identify a minimum of 5% savings for each organisation.”
• Bookbug Week aims to inspire ‘an early love of books’ – The National. “Bookbug, Scottish Government funding for which over 2022/23 has been increased by £1.7 million, is developed in partnership between the national literature and literacy charity the Scottish Book Trust, local authorities, libraries, children’s publishers and health trusts across the nation, and provides free books to every baby, toddler, three and five-year-old in Scotland.”

• Five tips to enhance your institution’s civic engagement by working with public libraries – Times Higher Education Campus. “Good two-way public engagement can connect communities, inspire learning and stimulate curiosity. So what better partner than libraries to support higher education institutions to engage the public with their work and build on civic engagement strategies?”
• Green Libraries – CILIP. “CILIP has announced the Arts Council England funded Green Libraries Partnership, a multiyear research and development programme to enable public libraries in England to address Environmental Responsibility.”. Various links and events.
• Handbook of Library Appliances – Library Association / Project Gutenberg. 1898 handbook to what library furniture is available and how to use it. Fascinating [and disturbing – I recognise some of this furniture – Ed.]
• How well do you know your libraries? Quiz – OUP Blog. “Were you born to be a librarian? Are you a library fan? Or do you just like a bit of trivia? Whatever your reason it’s time to prove to us how well you know your libraries with this short quiz.” [I only got 4 out of 8 so I guess the jury is still out on me – Ed.]

• Libraries Connected publishes draft accreditation scheme for public libraries – Libraries Connected. “Libraries Connected has now embarked on the next stage in the process: identifying a sponsoring body that can manage, assess and promote the public library accreditation scheme.”

• Opportunity to Tender: Impact and Evaluation of Public Library Services in East of England – Libraries Connected. “We are looking for an expert individual or agency who can lead research on the social value of libraries “

International news

• Australia – National Simultaneous Storytime coming soon – Libraries Connected. ” Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops, and many other places around the country. ”
  • ‘I want to change the country’: Albanese – Sydney Morning Herald. “Marrickville Library became a backdrop to tooting car horns, dozens of selfies and several rounds of applause this morning as Anthony Albanese made his first appearance in his inner-west Sydney electorate since winning the election last night.”
• Global – Recent Report from IFLA: How well did copyright laws serve libraries during COVID-19? – IFLA. “The short answer to this question from a report recently published by IFLA appears to be: not very well at all. The report documents a worldwide survey of 114 libraries, 83% of which said they had copyright-related challenges providing materials during pandemic-related facility closures. “
  • A Brief History of Library Cats – Mental Floss.

• USA – Texas librarians face harassment as they navigate book bans – Texas Tribune. “Librarian Suzette Baker said she faced a hard choice last year when her boss asked her to hide a book on critical race theory behind the counter.” … “She spoke up, telling her supervisors that the library was facing a censorship attack.” … “Baker was fired for insubordination”. Others “have already quit, and others are considering it.”

• Idina Menzel and Cara Mentzel get loud for libraries as honorary chairs of Library Card Sign-up Month 2022 – ALA. ” Tony Award-winning performer, actress, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist Idina Menzel and her sister, author and educator Cara Mentzel, have been named honorary chairs of Library Card Sign-Up Month.”

• Libraries Help Veterans Transition to Civilian Life – EveryLibrary. “… there is no one-size-fits-all veteran archetype. Veterans are found at nearly every demographic level of America. They and their families have long found libraries to be great resources when they move somewhere new, a one-stop-shop of community information and events to help them adjust. So, libraries want to continue offering support beyond the term of duty.”

Local news by authority

• Bedford – Town Centre Jubilee Trail Launches Today – Bedford Council. “Bedford Central Library will be hosting talks on royal visits to Bedford and royal occasions in Bedford with a local historian, and displaying items with a royal theme from the Heritage Library collection during an open morning.”
• Bolton – Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – this is how Bolton will be celebrating – Bolton News. Library ” tea parties, crafts, and story time.”
• Bradford – Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan to attend Sisterhood poetry event in Bradford – Telegraph and Argus. “Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan – a writer, poet and educator born in the city – is attending the Sisterhood Poetry open mic night at Bradford Libraries.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Ellesmere Port library to welcome ‘Five Days Missing’ author – Standard. Caroline Corcoran at Little Sutton Library.
  • Ellesmere Port Library celebrate 60th anniversary – Standard. Events included the Council Leader reading at a class visit, the local mayor cutting a cake at an anniversary coffee morning and a murder mystery in the evening.
• Cornwall – Cornwall Libraries work with Living Memories Online for Jubilee – Packet. “Living Memories Online is working alongside Cornwall Libraries to ‘bring the past to life’ by showcasing a collection of archive films that show life and historical moments over the decades, as part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations.”
• Coventry – Carved reading bench to get people in Coventry reading – BBC. “It was commissioned by the city’s library service as part of the One Million Reads campaign, which is aiming to get people in Coventry to read 1,000,000 books by the end of May.” … “There are eight audio recordings saved in the bench, totalling around eight minutes in total and she said it was “beautiful when you see it.””
• Devon – Our library really is the jewel in Ottery’s crown – Sidmouth Herald. The recent history of the library, including its move to new premises. “Undoubtedly the Ottery library is what we could call a real ‘success story’ with its Information Office and public toilets all under the same roof, full disable access and meeting the requirements of all members of the local community with their wide range of activities.”
• Essex – Memory Cafe opens in Harwich Library for dementia patients – Clacton and Frinton Gazette. “The new space has been opened in Harwich Library, in Kingsway, Dovercourt, and will be available to anyone affected by the condition, their loved ones or care partners.”
• Falkirk – Larbert Library to host fun day for all the family – Falkirk Herald. “”Our ‘Libraries are for Everyone’ fun day is the perfect chance for people who have never been to the library, or haven’t used us in a while, to find out all the great stuff we do. We want everyone to know that libraries are welcoming, free and that they’re definitely not the quiet places they used to be.””
• Flintshire – Events across Aura Libraries in Flintshire – The Leader. Mindfulness, Makaton and Mama G.
• Glasgow – Glasgow Southside library to close for ten weeks as repairs planned – Glasgow Live. £183k repairs. It will return to pre-pandemic hours when reopened.
• Leeds – New installation and free activities at Leeds Central Library bring to life the fascinating story of the Cottingley Fairies – News Anyway. “As well as the installation, there will be a programme of events and art workshops with a fairy theme for both adults and children.”
  • Nationally known poets at Otley’s celebration of verse – Wharfedale Observer. “The scheme, curated by the official Town Poet, Matthew Hedley Stoppard, was a season-long festival of poetry in partnership with Otley Town Council, Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Leeds Libraries, Leeds City Council and Otley Courthouse, and boasted a variety of literary activity.”
• Manchester – Free copies of Lenny Henry’s children’s book hidden around Greater Manchester as part of library festival – Manchester Evening News. “Copies of The Boy With Wings are being hidden in various locations until May 22, with clues released by libraries to give families a headstart.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk’s US Military heritage celebrated at American Library grand re-opening – Norfolk Council. “The American Library, based in Norwich’s Millennium Library, has undergone a transformation to bring the history of the 2nd Air Division to a new generation.”
• Northamptonshire – Mixed fortunes for county’s at-risk libraries – NN Journal. “Raunds Community Library Trust says another organisation has lodged an objection to the plans due to the way the council has handled the process. “
  • Latest chapter in Raunds Library saga as council U-turn opens bidding process – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “An announcement that a volunteer-run community library threatened with closure had formed a partnership with an educational trust has sparked a bidding war for the building and service.”
  • Northamptonshire LibraryPlus is delighted to announce the relaunch of Study Happy for 2022 – North Northamptonshire Council. “Starting in May, libraries across the county will provide dedicated areas and tailored resources for students to help them in their productivity and support their wellbeing. As well as free Wi-Fi and tablet use, the libraries will have a selection of stationery, and refreshments available, together with a variety of relaxing activities for revision breaks including games, fidget toys and even play dough.”
• North Yorkshire – Scarborough Library Asks “What Would Make You Use it More?” – This is the Coast. “The library team conducted an initial survey in the library and on social media, asking people what three things they wanted to see. The many suggestions covered accessibility, reading and study spaces, activities, exhibitions, meeting spaces, facilities for young people and much more. With these suggestions as a starting point, the library has launched a follow-up survey to learn people’s priorities for how they want to use the space and layout of the library.”
• Nottingham – Campaigners say threatened community libraries should be funded ahead of Central Library – West Bridgford Wire. “A campaigner fighting proposals to close three Nottingham libraries is ‘over the moon’ after the city council confirmed an opening date for the new central library – but said the services up for closure should be funded first instead.”
  • New pictures of £10.5 million Nottingham Central Library as opening announced – West Bridgford Wire. “Careful management of the city’s property portfolio and successful sales have made the development affordable from within the Council’s capital programme.”
  • Popular poet in Bulwell to speak against library closure plans – Dispatch. Henry Normal “Henry stressed that libraries were important focal points for local communities and he added that every book enabled the reader to immerse himself in a world of knowledge and imagination.
  • Work to start on new £10.5 million Nottingham library this summer, council announces – Nottingham Post. “the library would consist of three floors and include an extensive book collection, high-quality children’s library with a storytelling room, as well as a café and a reception area which can be converted into a performance space.”
• Portsmouth – Portsmouth chosen for first live-streamed reading of Michael Morpurgo’s new book for Queen’s Jubilee – Portsmouth City Council. “Best-selling children’s author Michael Morpurgo will read his brand-new book written for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, via a live-stream from Portsmouth Central Library, from 10.45am – 11.45am on Monday 23 May 2022.”
  • Portsmouth pupils have the chance to meet author and Blue Peter star Konnie Huq at a special event – The News. “The TV star will attend a Reading Sparks event at Portsmouth Central Library on May 26”
• Powys – Free iPads will help residents get online – My Newtown. “The ‘internet ready’ iPads are available to borrow for four weeks at a time. Each iPad holds a sim card with a mobile data allowance for anyone without a home Wi-Fi connection.”
• Sheffield – Competition launched to name Stocksbridge’s new town centre hub building – Welcome To Stocksbridge. “One of the key projects in the £24.1 million plan for Stocksbridge is to build a new Library and Community Hub building which will house a range of facilities, including high quality, managed workspace.”
  • Carnegie Letters (part one) – Reading Sheffield. The origins of Tinsley Library.
• Stoke on Trent – Council U-turn over Stoke-on-Trent library opening times in £280k shake-up – Stoke on Trent Live. “Plans to slash library opening times compared to pre-pandemic levels have been revised – following public opposition. Stoke-on-Trent City Council had proposed to reduce the opening hours of its six libraries, among a raft of other changes, saving £280,000 as part of this year’s budget cuts. During a public consultation on the proposals 60 per cent of people said they did not agree with the proposed opening hours – although most supported the overall strategy. Much of the opposition came from users of Bentilee Library, which was set to be cut to just two days a week under the original proposals, as was Meir Library.Now council leaders have amended the plans in light of the consultation responses. While the overall opening hours across the six libraries will be similar to what was originally proposed, Bentilee and Meir libraries have seen their hours increase”
• Suffolk – Corrin and friends from Chantry group complete cycling adventure for good cause – Ipswich Star. “Members of the Chantry Library’s Men’s Group completed a 300-mile cycling trip and raised more than £500 to support Suffolk Libraries.   Corrin Eaton, a founding member of the Men Can Talk social group at the Chantry Library, and others completed a three-day biking and camping adventure which started from Chantry Library and covered 44 libraries across Suffolk.”

• Dubrovnik library returns long-lost book to UK library after almost 64 years – Dubrovnik Times.

• West Sussex – New reminiscence packs added to West Sussex Library Service collection during Dementia Action Week – West Sussex County Council. “The new reminiscence packs will be available from Friday, 20 May, as Dementia Action Week draws to a close.”

• York – Clifton Explore Library Learning Centre Development – York Explore. “A new Explore Library Learning Centre at the heart of Clifton, Where you come in wanting one thing, but go out with so much more. A friendly, accessible, safe space, where you will always feel welcome, A library with great books to borrow, the place you meet up with friends, A workspace with Wi-Fi connection, a place to learn something new, A flexible venue for events and groups, hobbies and meetings, A place you can trust for advice when life changes or challenges you. Help us to create your library in Clifton shaped by your needs.”

Editorial

Local elections have resulted in a several changes of control, with perhaps the most significant one for libraries being in Barnet, which has experienced a lot of cuts over the years, has changed from Conservative to Labour. It will be interesting to see if this results on any changed to libraries. Pulling back to see the bigger picture, the results suggest that the Conservatives are increasingly vulnerable, making possible a Labour (and thus higher spending on public services) government is at least possible this decade.

Change-wise, one more library service going fines-free, with 38 now not charge any late fees in the UK, two branches have had an extension of opening hours, one had had a refurbishment and a last library is moving into a new co-location. So on the face of it no bad news there. Across the water, the campaign by some to turn the USA into something close to The Handmaid’s Tale continues with moves to censor what library users are allowed to read.

Changes by local authority

• Kent – Tunbridge Wells Library in new Amelia Scott Centre, co-location
• Perth and Kinross – Fines-free
• Stockport – Adswood and Bridgehall Libraries open on Saturdays.
• West Berkshire – Thatcham Library to be refurbished.

National news

• BIC’s EDI for Libraries Half-Day Training Course (online) – Book Industry Communication Ltd. Webinar, 19 may, 2pm to 5pm.
• CILIP Library and Information Supplier Showcase – Spring 2022 – CILIP. 12 May, London.

• Communicate Your Library’s Value through Partnerships – Infobase. Webinar, Wednesday 18 May 8pm. “You know how much your library has to offer. But does your community? The secret isn’t marketing—it’s partnership. In this webinar, Dr. Audrey Barbakoff, an experienced public library leader and founder of Co/Lab Capacity, will discuss how to co-create services and programs that will authentically engage and inspire your community.”
• Partnership between DMU and UK libraries ensures more young people learn about the legacy of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence – De Montfort University. “The landmark Library of Birmingham – Europe’s biggest public library – is being lit up in orange in honour of Stephen, while all 16 libraries across Leicester have book displays of titles that celebrate diversity and a positive vision for the future.”
• Who is using public libraries’ digital collections in England? – Kevin J Bolton Ltd. “The study demonstrates that in terms of SEC, education level, age, and ethnicity that those using digital collections are not as representative as those who visit in person. Therefore, library services need to think carefully about developing their digital services to reach a broader range of people.” … “The study also demonstrates the importance of visiting a library during childhood on adult library use.” … “, this study shows the importance of going beyond descriptive statistics and using inferential statistical analyses to understand library use.”

International news

• USA – Nashville library introduces ‘I read banned books’ card in protest at GOP efforts to restrict access to literature – Independent. “The library says it will issue 5,000 of the bright yellow limited-edition cards in Davidson County over the next month.”
  • 2022 Library Systems Report – American Libraries. “An industry disrupted”. Summary of major moves in the library management systems industry.
  • Boston Public Library will offer one-hour wedding ceremonies for $200 – Boston 25 News. “The Boston Public Library announced Monday it will start offering one-hour, $200 wedding ceremonies starting June 6. That price tag gets couples a ceremony with up to eight guests inside the historic Guastavino Room at the Central Library in Copley Square. Couples may bring an officiant and photographer, but food and beverage service, live music and additional furniture or decorations are not permitted.”
  • The history of bookmobiles: bookmobiles are here, and there and everywhere, to stay – Book Riot. “In 1859, a cart called the Perambulating Library, one of the earliest bookmobiles on record, rolled through the streets of Warrington, England. In 1905, bookmobiles arrived in the U.S. The first recorded traveling library popped up in Maryland. “
  • “Libraries are promoting an agenda to destroy families”: Idaho State Rep partners on program to removed books from libraries – Book Riot. “Comparing the current climate around book bannings to 9/11, Idaho State Representative Heather Scott introduced a workshop called “How to remove inappropriate materials from our schools/libraries” co-sponsored with Amy Henry, founder of Parents for Freedom and Liberty. The event, advertised through the official Idaho state legislature dispatch, called it a a way to learn what to do about “smut in our Idaho libraries.” … “In her opening remarks, Scott called for people to band together like they did in post-9/11 America in order to take back libraries.”

Local news by authority

• Bradford – Check out these old photos of Bradford libraries – Telegraph and Argus. History of the library service. Ends with “The story of Bradford libraries is more than a history of buildings; it’s about the ways libraries have adapted and continue to adapt. The focus now is making library buildings flexible for a range of facilities, activities and events, with partner services providing complementary services, making them community hubs. A recent funding award from Arts Council England means more libraries will have moveable shelving and meeting rooms installed, taking them into the future.”
• Denbighshire – Rhyl Library to celebrate Local History Month with new exhibitions – Rhyl Journal.
• Glasgow – Glasgow Election 2022: Future of libraries, museums and community centres at heart of election battle – Glasgow Live. “Venues were forced to close during the pandemic and income ‘fell off a cliff’ leading to questions over the future of Glasgow Life, the arms-length charity running the services.” … Library campaigner says ““You’re running statutory services such as libraries and you’re basing that on the number of gym memberships. That’s an unsustainable model.” … CILIPS says “We need a local government funding model that allows for robust backing for libraries.””
• Hertfordshire – Local History Month – Hertfordshire Council. “Local History Month is a national campaign co-ordinated by The Historical Association to increase awareness of local history and celebrate the depth and diversity of the collections held in libraries and archives across the UK during May.”
• Kent – KCC welcomes new facilities at Tunbridge Wells cultural hub – Kent Council. “the new cultural hub in Tunbridge Wells, which includes KCC’s library and Adult Education Centre, has been officially opened.” … “The £21 million project was delivered by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council in partnership with Kent County Council, the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England to integrate and extend a range of cultural and learning facilities in the town. It is expected to attract nearly 500,000 visits each year and 18,000 learners on the site, and be a showcase for learning, culture and the arts.”
• Kirklees – Kirklees ‘Human Library’ event tackles the stigma of mental health – Kirklees Together.
• Leeds – Tiny 1911 Bible rediscovered at Leeds library in lockdown – Guardian. “It was discovered as a result of a comprehensive survey of uncatalogued items in the Leeds collections, carried out during Covid lockdowns.”
• Lincolnshire – Tarina Jones excited with Long Sutton Library set to reopen in May after roof repair works – Fenland Citizen. “ervice will end at 1pm on Saturday, May 7. The library will then be closed for two weeks whilst associated internal works are completed, all scaffolding at the site is safely removed and staff return library furniture and stock ready for the reopening. On Monday, May 23, the library will open its doors to the public again.”
• Liverpool – Governance consultation ballot boxes placed in One Stop Shops and libraries – Liverpool Express. “It is the latest phase of a consultation with residents, who are being asked the question: “How would you like Liverpool City Council to be run?””
  • Vote on future of Liverpool mayor and how city will governed underway as ballot boxes put in place -Liverpool World. “Liverpool City Council has placed ballot boxes in One Stop shops and libraries in the city for people to vote on how the city is governed.”
• Manchester – Former Corrie star set to appear at 2022 Libraries Festival – Manchester Evening News. “There will be 80 events in all, including panels, talks and workshops, at venues like the Central Library, Chetham’s Library, John Rylands, the Met and Manchester University libraries, and The Portico. Iconic Manchester poet Lemn Sissay has also been confirmed as ambassador for this year’s event.”
• Northern Ireland – Death positive library opens in Omagh to encourage discussion – BBC. “The death-positive library provides books to help people discuss this difficult and emotive subject. A dedicated bookshelf in Omagh’s main library will give people access to books on death, dying and grief.”
• Nottingham – Bulwell Riverside Library’s Business & IP Centre formally opens to support entrepreneurs – West Bridgford Wire. “Last week saw the formal opening of the Business & IP Centre local in Bulwell Riverside library. Additional centres at Beeston, Mansfield Central, Sutton-in-Ashfield libraries will also formally open throughout May and June.”
  • What happened at Nottingham protest over living standards and proposed library closures – Nottinghamshire Live. “Various groups are in attendance, for different causes … The Labour-run council is proposing to close Basford Library in Vernon Road, the Radford Lenton Library, in Lenton Boulevard, and Aspley Library, in Nuthall Road, to save hundreds of thousands of pounds.”
• Perth and Kinross – Courier opinion: Perth and Kinross libraries show kindness counts in our cost of living crisis – Courier. ” libraries are scrapping late return fees on books as part of efforts to help borrowers struggling with rising prices. It is a small gesture. But it says a lot about the fragile state of the world we are living in right now.”
  • New chapter as Perth and Kinross libraries scrap fines over cost of living crisis – Courier. “In the year before Covid-19, libraries in the region raked in £12,500 in fines – with the figure dropping to £5,400 for 2021/22 as the number of books borrowed plummeted. Helen Smout, chief executive, says the move will make libraries more “welcoming and inclusive places”. She said: “The traditional systems of library fines have always seemed to be contrary to these values, and I am delighted that we have been able to remove another potential barrier to making use of the wonderful free resources which libraries offer.”
• Renfrewshire – Keep the heid and have a read! Campaign encourages people to read for six minutes – Renfrewshire 24. “Described as a national reading moment, the Keep the Heid and Read! initiative is aimed at encouraging people to read every day to boost their mental health and wellbeing. Renfrewshire Libraries is part of this unique campaign being led by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH).”
• Stockport – Come to Adswood and Bridgehall library – we have new Saturday opening times – Stockport Council. ” “We know that weekends are a popular time for people to visit their local library. Hopefully these new opening hours will help even more people to use the services on offer at Adswood and Bridgehall library at a time that suits them.”
• Suffolk – Suffolk: providing wellbeing support from libraries – LGA. “Libraries in Suffolk provide a comprehensive range of mental health and wellbeing help situated in the hearts of towns and villages across the county. “
• Tameside – Theatrical tribute to the Brontë sisters in Tameside – Quest Media Network. “Thanks to a partnership with award-winning Stute Theatre, Tameside Council has arranged for two performances of ‘I am No Bird’ to take place at Droylsden Library on Monday 9 May. As would be expected both are close to being sold out.”
• Warwickshire – Councillors and Kenilworth Deputy Mayor visit exciting Breaking the News exhibition at Kenilworth Library – Warwickshire Council. “The localised exhibition in Warwickshire is part of a collective of more than 30 libraries across the UK hosting the exhibition pop-ups, and runs alongside the major Breaking the News exhibition at the British Library in London from 22 April to 21 August 2022. The Breaking the News exhibition is being delivered in Warwickshire in partnership with the British Library’s Living Knowledge Network.”
• West Berkshire – Temporary Thatcham Library location discussed in possible refurbishment delay – Newbury Today. “Thatcham Library is due to undergo a refurbishment and discussions are being had as to where the service can be temporarily accessed once works begin. The building refurbishment, which was approved on February 4, will see the Bath Road facility get a new disabled-access toilet and entrance area.”