Editorial

Things are already quietening down for Christmas, with the only real theme being a late few library services announcing their Warm Spaces offer. This can range from just mentioning their public libraries exist to, on the other extreme, extending opening hours, providing food and drink, plus advice. In other news, the annual launch of the Universal Library Offers Calendar for next year. I have recently become a convert for long-term planning, having already booked in scores of events for next Summer, so I’ll be looking through this calendar for ideas tomorrow.

There is another theme though, and that’s the lots of positive Scottish news (including from Sean McNamara who is fast becoming some sort of library celebrity). There’s talk of automatic library membership, “lend and mend hubs” and (my perennial favourite) dogs in libraries. Shame it’s so cold up there … well, except in the libraries, obviously.

National news

• It’s ok to fail. Creating playful learning spaces in libraries – Artefacto. “Practise what you preach and be inventive with your planning. You could even create a forum for your own staff and/or patrons, where participants are free to creatively engage with ideas on building a creative program together. But staff need to feel supported to deliver these innovative programs. There are resources out there to help them, and we’ve picked out a few below …”
• New drive to make ‘every child’ a library card holder – Herald. “Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC), said it is working with health professionals to promote information on the benefits of library membership to parents as early as during antenatal care. “What we would like to see is more children joining up as library members at birth,” said Ms Tulloch.”

• Rainy Libraries – Library Data Blog. ” I’ve recently been exploring the HadUK gridded climate observations for the UK. These are amazingly detailed: 1km grid observation modelling across the UK for various climate readings, from 1836 to the present. Often at a daily basis. Lovely.” Four out of five wettest libraries are in Cumbria, one in Devon.
• Sean McNamara: Why our libraries need to be open to all – Herald. “our skilled library workers will do everything in their power to help their communities and serve their purpose of helping provide equitable access in an ethical way and hopefully supporting a fairer and more just society.”
• UKCoR Uncataloguing Workshop (in association with MDGS) – Metadata and Discovery Group. Friday 9 December, 10am to 6pm, Edinborough.
• Universal Library Offers calendar 2023 – Libraries Connected. “Our Universal Library Offer calendar brings together key national campaigns, festivals and celebrations through which libraries can develop and promote the Universal Library Offers. “

Changes by local authority

• Blackburn With Darwen – Blackburn Library opens for an extra 2 hours every Saturday afternoon and Darwen Library opens for an extra 3 hours every Friday morning (source: email). 

International news

• Canada, New Zealand and USA – The international library: how libraries differ in these 3 countries – Press Reader. A look ay governance, funding, initiatives, culture.

• Nigeria – Journeying With The Nigerian Public Libraries – Princh. ” The 774 local government area councils in Nigeria should have a public library in each of them, but that is not the case – some states have just one facility in the state capital, thereby denying many citizens the benefits of the people’s university. The fact that public libraries have, over the years, been poorly funded is glaring in some states.”
• UK, US and Australia – A future for public libraries. Local Government Library Technology (LGLibTech) Dialogues with library thought leader leaders – Zoom. Webinar, 7 December, 2.30pm. “Consultant Ken Chad will be in conversation with Tim Coates to discuss his analysis of the problem, potential ways forward and the implications for library technology.”
• USA – Austin Libraries Prepare for a Barrage of Book-Banning Bills – Austin Chronicle. Texans lead the whole country in censoring freedom of speech in public libraries.

Local news by authority

• Aberdeen – Aberdeen library to introduce ‘repair and upcycle’ hub as part of sustainability drive – Press and Journal. “Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) will open 10 Lend and Mend points across the country next year to help communities lead more sustainable lives.”
• Aberdeenshire – Dog friendly Saturdays come to Stonehaven Library – Scotsman. “if it gives confidence for new people to come in to the library or our regulars to come in more often, then it has got to be a positive.” The scheme will run for six months in Banff and Stonehaven libraries.”

• Bedford – Mayor urges Warm Space providers to join network to help spread the word – Bedford Independent. “Bedford mayor, Dave Hodgson, said the council’s website lists around 25 places, not including the borough’s libraries.”
• Birmingham – Jeweller-turned BBC star creates Birmingham Library-influenced earrings – Birmingham Mail. “”In a way it’s controversial to spend that much money on a library, but I do think they are the new cathedrals of quiet. There does need to be a place of pause for words and reflection,” she said. “We’ve lost a lot of churches and buildings that might perform that function. I think the library can have that and be a part of the community.”
• Bolton – Bolton Council launches warm spaces to help with cost of living – Bolton News. “Visitors can also get a free hot drink to warm themselves up and chat to staff to get advice on how to get help with food, fuel and finances.”
• Bradford – Bradford newborns to be given library cards under new scheme – Telegraph and Argus. “The council’s Library Service is working with the District’s Register Offices, rolling out the scheme to give families the opportunity to sign their baby up for a library card at the same time as they register the birth of their child.”
• Cumbria – Curl la Tourelle Head wins Carlisle Library revamp competition – Architects Journal. “Much like our approach to the award-winning Hornsey Library, our design enhances its postmodern character by introducing colourful interior features.” … “The 2,500m² scheme will deliver a new multifunctional space suitable for providing learning, skills, digital connectivity, library functions and community events. It has been funded as part of Carlisle’s £19.7 million ‘town deal’.”
• Essex – Are local libraries becoming a fantasy? May Cashman Burnt Mill Academy – Gazette Standard. “it is devastating that local libraries are not receiving the funding that they need. Reading is at the heart of many young people’s lives and is a support for them if they feel they have no one to talk to. Everyone should have the right to read and that relies on having access to a range of books”.”

• Fife – Nine Fife libraries open doors as warm spaces for winter – Fife Today. “Nine libraries across Fife are set to become designated warm spaces over the coming winter months to help Fifers struggling with cost-of-living increases.” £34k council funding. “They will offer spaces to work, study and play, and will also provide free hot drinks and additional free resources, such as jigsaws, games and craft materials.”
• Inverclyde – Inverclyde library service selected for pioneering ‘Lend and Mend Hub’ project – Inverclyde Council. “South West Library will introduce a ‘Lend and Mend Hub’, funded by The John Lewis Partnership’s £1m Circular Future Fund, which will help the local community to repair, reuse, rent and upcycle everyday items, with free access for everyone to keep items in use for longer, rather than them being thrown away.”
• Lambeth – Lambeth Libraries announce their programme of events for December 2022 – Brixton Buzz.
• Leeds – Library to host festive storybook spectacular this Christmas – Leeds Council. Theatre.
• Liverpool – Libraries to offer a warm welcome this winter – Liverpool Express. “additional activities planned throughout the winter period.”
• Manchester – Gorton Library’s New Chapter – MancLibraries Blog. “Gorton Library has moved into its new home, the lovely brand spanking new Gorton Hub. Although there is always sadness in leaving the comfort of our old surroundings and all the memories attached, there has been a very definite excitement about having such a lovely new building with all its furnishings and resources for our local community.”

• Medway – Medway Libraries’ first international exhibition – Medway Council. “Explore how the Coronavirus pandemic has changed the concept of art at Medway Libraries’ first international exhibition at Chatham Library.”
• Merton – Health and Wellbeing Zones launched in Merton’s libraries – Merton Council. “More than 700 people, including local GPs, councillors and the Mayor, attended the launch of the new Health and Wellbeing Zones at Morden Library. The zones are now available in all seven of Merton libraries, as part of the MindSpace project. The Health & Wellbeing Zones will give residents access to vital information, exclusive online content, and tech gadgets to help improve their wellbeing.”
• Nottingham – Knitted gift for council leader after libraries saved – West Bridgford Wire. “When they heard that their library is saved, they decided to thank the council by way of thanking Cllr David Mellen, the council leader.  The obvious way was to give him something knitted, and a scarf was made for him. The Basford Knit and Natter Group has contacted David Mellen to ask him when they can present the scarf.”
• Oxfordshire – Free food waste caddy liners for households – Yahoo Sport. “Householders can pick up a free roll of food waste caddy liners to help deal with the extra food waste expected to be generated over the festive period.”

• Pembrokeshire – Town library closed ‘until further notice’ – Yahoo News. Essential building maintenance. “Narberth Library is a community managed partnership between Pembrokeshire County Council’s library service, the Friends of Narberth Library and Narberth Town Council. The library will be moving to the Old School site in Narberth late 2023/early 2024.”
• Sheffield – Zest – Zest – ex-Upperthorpe public library is now a multi-use leisure/community centre. Library has very long opening hours, self-service. Joining also requires “2 proofs of ID”.
• Suffolk – Gainsborough Library sees rising demand for food support – Ipswich Star. “Earlier this month, Suffolk Libraries launched the Be Kind in Kind campaign to support vulnerable people through a difficult winter. The initiative has seen the charity open all 45 of its libraries – including Gainsborough – to the community, offering a warm space, free hot drinks, kindness rack – so people can pick donated clothes – hygiene products and a safe place to meet people. “Since Suffolk Libraries launched the Be Kind in Kind campaign people have also been coming in to make the most of the hot drinks and our kindness rack,” added Mandy. “
• Wrexham – Wrexham libraries offer a safe, warm space to visit – Leader.

Editorial

I wasn’t sure what to write in this week’s editorial – more on Warm Banks (or whatever we call them) perhaps or on the recent austerity-laden budget. But then I read something just below publishing about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It strikes me that libraries can meet all of these needs: self-actualisation (e.g. writing that novel, 3D printer), esteem (e.g. literacy, even owning a library card), social (e.g. knit and natter) and safety (neutral welcoming space). What went without saying until recently is that they provided warmth as well. But now that’s an actual selling point of libraries. And it seems to me that what level councils and library services aim for on the hierarchy is a pretty good indicator of how successful they are, and not just them, but for the society in which they a part of. In which case, it’s pretty low at the moment. But pretty essential too.

Changes by local authority

• Bristol – Central Library could move somewhere cheaper, in potential £1.38m cut.

National news

• Cost of Living crisis: Libraries as warm banks – Dawn of the Unread. “By having multiple purposes, libraries are able to connect with communities that may otherwise not come into contact with books.” … “, the question of whether a library can be a focal point of the community seems to be the least important function at present. The current economic climate means the ambitions, at least in terms of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, are purely physiological, to provide shelter and warmth.  “
• Digital Leadership for Libraries empowering England’s public library workforce – CILIP. “five open-access, online learning modules created for public library workers, volunteers and apprentices. The modules are intended to create engagement with the principles and values of being a digital leader in the public libraries, unlocking the potential for all public library workers, and their services, to be confident digital leaders.”
• Health on the High Street: The Role of Public Libraries – DCMS / Gov.uk. 215 people used ” M8 dual function automatic monitor (affectionally nicknamed FRED) which allows customers to accurately measure their height, weight, BMI, heart rate and blood pressure without supervision. They get a printout of the results and the data is also sent to their GP automatically if the customer consents to do so. The pilot was soft launched through local advertising via social media and by library staff and partners talking to their customers.”
• Libraries vs. the Cost of Living Crisis – Book Riot. Free entertainment, easing financial pressure, warm banks. “While the fact that such a thing as a “warm bank” is necessary is a horrifying indictment of how bad things have become under austerity and late-stage capitalism, it’s reassuring that, once again, libraries are stepping up for their communities. “

• Mirror’s Warm Hearts Christmas Appeal: We need you to help those struggling with bills – Mirror. “Warm Welcome is coordinated by the Good Faith Partnership and is supported by the Salvation Army, Libraries Connected, Muslim Council of Britain, Neighbourly, Christians Against Poverty, Acts 435, Safe Families, Edge Ministries and the Together Coalition among others. Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected said: “At Libraries Connected we know that public libraries are determined to help people during the difficult months ahead.”
• More than a third of children don’t feel represented in books they read, Wonderbly research suggests – BookSeller. ” 37% of respondents said a lack of representation on things such as race and gender “put them off reading altogether”.”
• Now more than ever we must fight to keep our public libraries open – Herald Scotland. “Almost every day I read authors and other public figures extolling the value of libraries and especially how important they were in their childhood, but still library closures continue. Where will our grandchildren find the books to open their minds and imaginations?”
• Two Tory-run councils warn PM of possible bankruptcy – Guardian. “Ministers effectively had a choice, the letter said: to fund councils properly or change the law to remove the “outdated and under-resourced” legal obligation on town halls to provide services such as libraries and home-to-school transport.” See the joint letter here.
• Where should libraries go if Twitter becomes a wasteland – Ned Potter. “If you’re a public library… I just can’t see any sort of alternative on the horizon for now. At least Facebook is the really key platform in that sector”

International news

• Iraq – Library Development in Iraq – Re-writing History – CILIP. 13 November, 5pm.
• Ukraine – Forum on Building Partnership for Ukrainian libraries – Naple Sister Libraries. “Several hundred libraries were fully destroyed or damaged because of Russian missile attacks in Ukraine.
  To rebuild them it needs strong partnerships and ‘sisterships’ from the friendly libraries of Europe. That is why it is organized the Forum on 17 November 11.00-13.00 (Kyiv time) to present the situation of Ukrainian libraries and search for opportunities for cooperation.”
• USA – They Want to Kill Libraries – Cory Doctorow. “Librarians are kind of upside-down cops: public employees who are stepping in wherever the rest of our services have failed. Cops are some of our highest-paid public servants and their salaries are going up. Librarians get by on a shoestring and their wages are being slashed. Progressives openly call for the police to be defunded — billionaire plutocrats hide their campaign to defund libraries behind groomer hoaxes.”
  • OCLC v. Clarivate: What was MetaDoor? What is an OCLC Record? – Disruptive Library Technology Jester.

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Local libraries to welcome “anyone struggling to pay their enery bills” – Journal and Gazette. “People with sensory needs can now also benefit from a dedicated sensory space which has been created at Bath Central Library. It’s been fitted out with sensory lighting and toys, a giant beanbag, comfy rug and cushions and a black out tent. Sessions are free and bookable on Eventbrite with the bookings available for one household per session.”
• Bristol – Central library could relocate to save Bristol City Council millions – Bristol Post. “Central Library could relocate as part of plans by Bristol City Council to cut millions from its budget next year. The historic library on College Green would be moved elsewhere, while the library service across the city would be reduced, saving £1.38 million from the budget.”
• Buckinghamshire – Bucks Council developing new vision for its libraries – Bucks Radio. “The survey is open until Sunday 15 January – www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries-your-views“
• Cambridgeshire – Libraries sign up to Green Manifesto including here in Fenland – Fenland Citizen. “As part of ongoing work by Cambridgeshire County Council to reduce carbon emissions and enhance the environment, the county’s Libraries Service has pledged to support a national ‘Green Libraries Manifesto’.” … “Eight of the county’s libraries have had air source heat pumps installed to help the buildings become more energy efficient.”
• Ceredigion – Litter-picking hub established at Cardigan Library – Tivyside Advertiser. “The Hubs have all the equipment needed to carry out a safe clean-up: litter pickers, hi-vis vests, rubbish bags and hoops.”
• Derby – Extra £100k to be spent to keep 10 Derby libraries open until March – Derby Telegraph. “An extra £104,784 of council funding is needed to keep ten of Derby’s libraries from closing between now and next March. Derby City council has a statutory duty to fund and maintain five libraries in the city but the remaining 10 have been run on behalf of the council by the charity Direct Help and advice (DHA) since 2017 using volunteers, as community-managed libraries (CML). But in July this year, the charity gave notice that it would be withdrawing from the arrangements and the libraries would return to the council from November 30, 2022. DHA felt they were unable to continue a month-by-month grant agreement of £26,196.”
• Devon – Exeter Library provides support lifeline as cost of living crisis deepens – Exeter City Council. “The new Libraries for Life campaign runs until March 2023 and highlights the numerous ways libraries offer help, mostly for free. The campaign will cover six themes: the cost of living, loneliness and community connections, food, health and wellbeing, digital access and support, and employment, skills, and businesses.”
  • Cardboard tree on display in Barnstaple library – BBC. “A 5m (16ft) tree made from sustainable scrap cardboard has been installed in a library. The Reading Tree has been created by Exeter-based artist James Lake and is on display at Barnstaple Library. Mr Lake worked on the tree for six weeks in Exeter, with help from members of the public and primary school children.”
  • Libraries across Devon grow into creative cultural centres with £720,369 boost – Devon Live. “The grant, which will run from 2023 to 2026, will enable Libraries Unlimited to extend its programme of music, films, workshops and creative events.”
• Dorset – Lyme Regis Library coffee afternoon explains library service – Bridport News. “the event is designed to let people know more about the free library delivery service which aims to deliver books to your doorstep.”
• Dudley – Dudley librarian wins Romantic Novelists Association librarian of the year – Express and Star. “The awards celebrate the hard work and talent of any person, group or organisation who has championed the broad genre of romantic fiction in a positive way.”
• East Lothian – Libraries temporarily close their doors as new system installed – East Lothian Courier. “The Spydus Library Management System is already used by more than 1,500 libraries across the globe”, including the Scottish Consortium of Public Libraries. The system is designed to help libraries manage all resources, including digital content and events from a single database.”
• Essex – Winter Reading Challenge returns for another year at Essex Libraries – Essex Council. “Around 5,000 children took part last year and it is hoped this year will attract even more participants. The Winter Reading Challenge is being led by Essex Library Service, in partnership with Penguin books and the Essex Year of Reading. This year’s challenge will see children and young people tasked with completing challenges in an interactive booklet to help Lyra the penguin find out how others celebrate winter.”
• Haringey – Quarter of Haringey Council solar panels faulty or not working – Ham and High. “Friends of Hornsey Library contacted Liberal Democrat councillors to tell them that the panels installed at the library had not been working since they were installed in 2020. The panels were switched this month after the matter was escalated to senior officers”
• Highlands – Lochaber libraries welcome back Book Week Scotland – Oban Times. “This annual celebration of books and reading takes place across the country between  November 14 and 20. ”
  • Achievements of young Highland bookworms celebrated in the Summer Reading Challenge – Inverness Courier. ““This year 1032 local children took part across 47 Highland libraries, reading a total of 5260 books over the summer holidays, which is an amazing achievement.””
• Kirklees – Kirklees Libraries becomes first public library service in the Uk to win a Quality 4 Health award – Huddersfield Hub. “The service received the award in recognition of the work of frontline staff and volunteers to improve the health and wellbeing of residents through a targeted programme of outreach activities.”
• Lancashire – County Council launches Lancashire Warm Spaces Charter and grant scheme – Lancashire Council. “a warm drink, a space to sit, free computers and Wi-Fi, charging points for digital equipment, events and activities and help from staff to find further information about what support is available.”
• Leicester – One-stop shop at libraries to help people into work – Leicester Council. “Specialist work coaches are now available on the spot in eight city libraries, providing local people with individually tailored advice to help them find their next role – even if they’re new to the jobs market or have been out of work for a while. To use the service, simply ask for more information at your local library or give them a ring, and they will make an appointment for you.”
• Leicestershire – Lawnmowers and power tools could be loaned out to Charnwood residents like library books – Leicester Mercury. “A series of innovative recommendations, including the possibility of supporting a library of things, has been included in a report by councillors on Charnwood’s waste management panel – established last year to improve recycling rates in the borough.”
• Liverpool – Poorest in Liverpool face cuts over council’s £73m budget gap – BBC. “A review of libraries and leisure centres, slimming down funding of arts organisations and events and ending the council’s contribution to the city’s Christmas lights are also included in the plan, along with a “wholesale transformation” of adult social care and homelessness services.”

• Manchester – Lonely Planet selects Manchester as top travel destination for 2023 – Guardian. “An accompanying one-day itinerary suggests visitors check out Manchester Art Gallery, Central and John Rylands libraries, Northern Quarter street art, Manchester Craft and Design Centre, and Mackie Mayor food hall.”
  • Read Manchester and Libraries help children to #ReadEnjoySucceed – MancLibraries Blog. ”  In total, 43,000 books were read and children participated in the Challenge 27,500 times.”
• Norfolk – Delay to report over the fate of Norfolk’s mobile libraries – Eastern Daily Press. “Nearly 1,400 people responded to Norfolk County Council’s proposals to cut the budget for mobile libraries from £422,000 to £200,000, as part of proposals to save millions of pounds. A report detailing what the Conservative-controlled council intends to do had been due to come to the council’s cabinet this month – but it has been delayed until January.”
  • British Chinese communities celebrated in free exhibitions – Norfolk Council. “A new exhibition from the British Library is coming to several libraries across Norfolk and will be available to view for free.”
  • Norwich council to sell Guildhall library and restaurant – Eastern Daily Press. “The Grade II listed site – which most recently housed a restaurant called The Library – is owned by Norwich City Council, which wants to sell or lease it, along with neighbouring offices. “
  • Warm spaces open up in Downham Market, Clenchwarton and libraries across West Norfolk – Lynn News. “Libraries are offering hot drinks and instant soup, A variety of bags are available for free, with no questions asked, and advice from library staff with trusted information and support.”
• North Somerset – Learn how to get online with free ‘Tea and Tech’ sessions – North Somerset Council. “Residents facing digital exclusion through not being able to afford sim cards and mobile data can also access them for free thanks to a scheme available through North Somerset Council’s library service. The UK National Databank provides free sims and mobile data …”
• Nottingham – Nottingham library campaigners concerned over decision delay – BBC. “Delays to a final decision on three threatened libraries in Nottingham have left campaigners frustrated, they said. Earlier this month the city council’s ruling Labour group voted to overturn a plan to close libraries in Radford-Lenton, Aspley and Basford. But an official vote by the authority’s executive board, expected on 22 November, is now due next year.”
• Rutland – Rutland County Council offers free support guide on cost of living crisis – Rutland and Stamford Mercury. “12 page guide with information and advice about how to tackle the rising cost of living.” available at libraries.
• Suffolk – Suffolk Libraries launch campaign to help people this winter – Bury Mercury. ” the county’s libraries will also offer free hot drinks, kindness racks – so people can pick donated clothes – hygiene products and a safe place to meet people.”
• Tameside – Libraries launch foodbank and toy appeal collection points in run up to Christmas – Tameside Council. “Tameside Council has set up collection points in all local libraries and children’s centres to make it convenient and easy for people to drop off donations. The council has also organised collection points in its workplaces for its staff to support the appeals.”

Editorial

So now we know. After far-too-long-a-time calling the proposed web presence for English public libraries “The Single Digital Presence”, it’s been decided that the official name will be “LibraryOn”, presumably pronounced like “Librarian”. Well, it could be worse, it could have the word “hub” in it. The logo looks a bit dated to my eyes but, again, there’s far worse out there. And, yes, Libraries Connected, I’m looking at you. So now all that needs doing is to, um, actually deliver. LibraryOn is still in the beta testing stage and does not promise to be as universal as some had hoped but it will be great when it’s actually online and publicly advertised. I had wondered sometimes if that day will ever come, and still do occasionally, but this is a vital next stop.

In other news, Arts Council England have announced big funding decisions, securing BookTrust and boosting library services such as Gloucestershire and York Explore. That’s all good. Elsewhere, I’m loving the pavement illusion in Dublin, a new wood-lined interior for a library in London and the adult reading scheme in Nottinghamshire (especially the video). And, finally, Warm Spaces continues to be a huge thing for libraries, with more services announced, although some just seem to be the normal public library offer.

Finally, a new DCMS report says positive things about public libraries. We will see what this means in practise but it at least doesn’t suggest negative stuff. And at a time when councils are again looking at deep cuts, this is welcome.

Changes by local authority

• Cumbria – Millom Community Hub / Library opens.

National news

• BookTrust awarded £17.3m and recognised as National Portfolio Organisation by Arts Council England – Book Trust. “BookTrust’s new status as an NPO is an endorsement of the transformative power of reading and an investment in the creative development of young people. The £17.3m funding from ACE, spread over three years, will play a key part in the national strategy to deliver better outcomes for children through culture and creativity.”
• East Lothian and Inverclyde libraries triumph at SLIC awards – Bookseller. “East Lothian scooped the Library Service Excellence Award for its activities on the theme of “championing the local community”.” … “Inverclyde triumphed in the Project of the Year category for its focus on sustainability ahead of and linked to the COP26 Summit in Glasgow last year. “
• Government urged to negotiate with public sector workers over pay – Public Finance. ““We’ve got nurses, librarians and teaching assistants going to food banks – we’ve got a hospital that’s set one up for its staff. People can’t afford to feed their families. If I’d have said this would happen 10 years ago no-one would have believed me. That’s now a reality.””
• Green Libraries Webinar – CILIP. Friday 25 November, 1pm. “The Green Libraries Webinar is an hour long meet to showcase the recent work we have published for the Partnership. We will discuss the Partnership’s aims, what work is currently going on and what has taken place earlier this year. We will hear from two libraries that were featured in our case studies and what work they are doing for their library services to be more sustainable and have an impact in their communities. There will be a short Q+A towards the end.”
• Libraries Celebrating Black History Month – DCMS. “Each October, libraries across the country mark Black History Month through events and recommended reading.  Here are just a few examples.  It is a longer read than usual but we wanted to highlight the variety of activities libraries run to bring together their communities.”: Staffordshire, Gateshead, West Sussex.
• Library chiefs call for DCMS to ‘stem the tide’ of service cuts – BookSeller. “Library chiefs have called for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to “stem the tide” of service closures and staff cuts by providing more support, with several libraries across the country under threat due to rising inflation and increased energy costs. Nick Poole, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals (CILIP), told The Bookseller the organisation is “deeply concerned about the current fresh wave of reductions in library services being proposed in a number of local authorities, including some of the most deprived wards in the UK”.”

• LibraryOn – LibraryOn. “LibraryOn is a not-for-profit initiative and we put libraries and library ethics at our heart. Funded by Arts Council England, LibraryOn is also managing a £1.1m local grant programme. Co-designed with library services, the grants will help libraries improve their own online presence. While LibraryOn is in development, we will provide information here about its progress.”
• New drive to get books by black authors into libraries – Voice. “The ‘Mark My Words’ campaign will gift libraries titles for both adults and children and will include both fiction and non-fiction books by black authors. “
• Parliamentary report calls for government to support and modernise libraries – Guardian. “Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee report says libraries are ‘an important part of a community’s infrastructure’” … “The report, titled Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda put together by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, recommends that the government should “support the development of a network of hubs providing cultural spaces, workspaces and free, fast internet access in places most in need of levelling up in order to modernise library service provision”
• UK councils slashing services to meet £3.2bn budget shortfall – Guardian. Libraries specifically mentioned, with the example being the Wirral.
• The Yorkshire libraries where you can borrow anything from power tools to party supplies – Great British Life. “this library lends everything from hand tools and powertools, to sewing machines, lawn mowers, carpet cleaners, ladders, party supplies, camping equipment and air mattresses — anything that people use infrequently (say once a month or longer) but would otherwise have to buy new and store at home.”

International news

• USA – Book banners are weaponizing legitimate resources: book censorship news, October 28, 2022 – Book Riot. “Part of the reason these book banning attempts are spreading so far and so quickly is because they share lists online, such as in Facebook groups or shared Google Drive folders, making it easy for a book being banned in Montana today to pop up in a California school board meeting the next day. They share images, rhetoric, out-of-content quotations, and other fodder for the fear machine, and it seems to only collect more targeted books as it goes.” … “Book banners are searching out lists online that are aimed at finding good sources to teach age-appropriate sex ed, or lists of books starring Black main characters, or lists of LGBTQ-friendly picture books, or lists of books to teach social-emotional learning — and they’re using these resources as book banning target practice.”
  • Library Launches a Locally Sourced Music Streaming Platform – EveryLibrary. ” Known as Crescent City Sounds, this platform features 30 local albums spanning genres like brass, soul, hip-hop, jazz, and more. Better yet, the service is free.”

Warm Spaces

• Calderdale – Cost of living: Calderdale libraries double up as ‘warm banks’ this winter – Halifax Courier. “As well as warmth, each site will be offering warm refreshments and free activities.”
• Essex – A Warm Welcome awaits this winter at Essex Libraries – Essex Council. “Additional support will include extra clubs and activities such as advice sessions, arts and crafts and a homework club”

“They think they’re just having fun. That’s very important – children don’t need to know their parents are stressed”

Alexandra Mitchell, 28, on visiting Chelmsford Library

• Cost of living: ‘My children have no idea we’re here to keep warm’ – BBC. Essex. “Having a regular place you know your child can explore and be safe, and be entertained and be warm, is really important,” she says. As a single parent, she cannot afford to take them to a café or to soft play, because everything is “extortionate” at the moment.” …. “Adult education provider, ACL Essex, is working with the library to offer free courses on how to save money on energy bills and cooking on a budget.” … “part of £50m of funding that we [the council] have set aside”
• Lambeth – Lambeth: “Warm spaces” partnership plan to open libraries & community centres for people struggling to heat their homes – Love Lambeth. “Fourteen warm spaces have already opened in the borough including in all our Libraries, and Lambeth is opening more in community centres, estates, and faith groups across the borough. They will also offer a range of services suitable for the space including welfare, debt, income, benefits, and health advice, blood pressure checks, activities for children and others.”
• Norfolk – Norfolk Libraries to provide free warm spaces during the cold winter months – Norfolk Live. Libraries across Norfolk remain open for all and provide a space for people to sit in comfort and access a variety of services on offer. These include reading, doing a jigsaw, playing a board game, or joining in Just a Cuppa or activities.”
• Lincolnshire – Libraries across Lincolnshire becoming designated ‘warm spaces’ – Lincolnshire Live. “”In addition to expanding our activity sessions, we have also invested in more comfortable seating and are hugely grateful to Brakes for their generous donation of tea, coffee and biscuits.” Each library has extended its programme of activities, which now range from reading and crafting groups to board game sessions, yoga classes, and activities for parents and babies.”
• Newham – Council opens welcoming Warm Havens across Newham – Newham Council. “Operating according to the Warm Havens charter developed with residents and voluntary sector partners, the dedicated safe and inclusive spaces will give practical help for anyone needing respite due to the cost of living crisis.” includes 10 libraries.
• Portsmouth – Cost of living: Portsmouth opens up warm spaces – BBC. ” include community centres, libraries and churches”
• Southampton – Cost of living crisis – Where you can get a warm welcome in Southampton – Southampton Council. Libraries “Open to all during usual opening hours.” [! – Ed.]

Local news by authority

• Bath and North East Somerset – Spread some Christmas cheer and Gift A Book – Bath and North East Somerset Council. “Bath & North East Somerset Council’s libraries service is calling for donations of new or nearly new books for its Gift A Book campaign, which last Christmas saw around 3,500 books donated by residents and charities.”
• Brighton and Hove – Council cannot confirm there will be no cuts to libraries – Argus. ““This indicated potential budget shortfalls of £13 million in the best case, to £21 million at the midpoint, up to £31 million in a worst-case scenario,” said Councillor Martin Osborne, on behalf of the council.”
• Caerphilly – Popular ‘Managing Money’ event returns to Caerphilly library – Caerphilly Council. “The second Managing Money MOT Day run on November 30th, will include a wide selection of organisations including Caerphilly School Uniform Exchange, Citizen’s Advice, Furniture Revival and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and is looking to replicate its success from September.  There will also be a fantastic budget cooking demonstration with Mrs Shopland, who – along with her talented A-Level Hospitality students from St Martin’s School – will be showing what can be done with Christmas leftover food.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Northwich Library stabilisation work begins this week – Northwich and Winsford Guardian. “Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) has engaged historic building conservation specialist Recclesia Ltd to undertake the first phase of the work.  They will be working alongside structural engineers, specialist scaffolding engineers, Historic England and qualified health and safety advisors.”
• Cumbria – Millom Community Hub opens with new library for town – ITV. “The Millom Community Hub will now host a library and the town’s adult learning, health and wellbeing team. Copeland Borough Council and Millom School reception will also be based in the hub. New technology and free Wi-Fi has been installed at the library, as well as shelving and a comfortable seating area. A dedicated space for teenagers and a children’s library is also part of the new hub.”

• Derbyshire – Sandiacre: Car still embedded in library 24 hours after crash – BBC. “A car that drove through a library wall is still embedded within books 24 hours after the crash in Derbyshire. The building, at the junction of Albert Road and Doncaster Avenue in Sandiacre, was badly damaged on Sunday morning. The vehicle remains inside while structural engineers assess the extent of damage to the building.”
• East Riding – ‘The Pirates of Christmas Island’: A brand new festive family musical coming to East Riding Libraries – East Riding Council. “Tickets available now from £5.00 (babes in arms go free)”
• Gloucestershire – £750,000 boost for Gloucestershire Libraries service from Arts Council – Glos News. “Gloucestershire Libraries will receive £250,000 a year over the three-year period to help continue its development to provide an ambitious and forward-thinking service for everyone in the county.”
• Guernsey – 140 years of the Guille-Allés Library – Bailiwick Express. “n 1882 they made the dream a reality, creating an iconic Guernsey institution that continues to serve the community today. The exhibition telling the story of the Guille-Alle´s Library opened last night with artefacts on show including one of the rarest, and most expensive books in the world. Visitors to the library can learn more about the origin story and view a vast collection of books and items including James Audubon’s The Birds of America – a collection of hand-coloured prints of every species of bird in North America. “

• Hertfordshire – Hertfordshire’s Community Libraries – Hertfordshire Council. List of the 13 libraries the council no longer pays staff for but instead relies on volunteers. “The county council library service still maintains the buildings, buys the stock, and keeps the IT systems up to date. Library teams provide lots of training and support, as do our highly skilled and committed volunteer steering groups.” …”Why not visit one of these lovely spaces this year?”
  • Hertfordshire Performing Arts Library – Hertfordshire Council.
• Kirklees – Kirklees Libraries first in the UK to win Quality 4 Health and Wellbeing award – Kirklees Together. “They have received the award in recognition of the work of frontline staff and volunteers to improve the health and wellbeing of residents through a targeted programme of outreach activities.”
• Norfolk -Books on wheels: Look back at Norfolk mobile libraries through the years – Eastern Daily Press. Pictures of the mobile library service in years past.
• North Yorkshire – Football fever is about to take over Harrogate library with the arrival of Harrogate Town AFC’s official mascot – North Yorkshire Council. “The library has teamed up with Harrogate Town AFC and Harrogate Town AFC Community Foundation to host football-themed activities with prizes, and children can have their photograph taken with the mascot.”
  • Newcastle Building Society opens branch in Knaresborough library – York Press. ““The offer of financial services has significantly increased footfall into Knaresborough library and is encouraging new visitors through the doors.””
• Nottingham – No decision yet on closing three Nottingham libraries as campaigners demand clarity – Nottingham Post. “The authority first revealed at the start of the year that it was planning to close three libraries to save £233,000. But a “restructure of frontline services” means that £154,000 has already been saved to date and that shutting the three libraries would now only save £79,000.”

“With soaring inflation and rising costs in fuel, energy, food and mortgages, Nottingham City Libraries have clubbed together to host ‘Cost of Living Cafes’ in their libraries this November. This will give residents the opportunity to meet organisations who can help with energy use, money matters, wellbeing and much more. Plus, tea and coffee will be available as well as children’s activities.”. Free tea and coffee, lego and colouring for children.

Nottingham – Cafes bring communities together in cost of living crisis – Email update

• Powys – Could your child design the new library card for Powys? – Powys Council. “The competition is open to anyone aged between 4 and 16years old and will be split into two age categories: primary school children (aged 4-11), and secondary school children (aged 11-16), with a prize for the winner of each category. One of the winning designs will be chosen to create the new library membership card.”
• Shropshire – Library’s spooktacular success for Halloween – Shropshire Council. “A Halloween themed party at Market Drayton Library attracted more than 1,000 people through the doors to enjoy a host of seasonal activities – the biggest number ever. The annual Halloween event at the Shropshire Council-run library has gone strength to strength and more and more people are adding it to their social diaries. Hard-working staff and volunteers organised face-painting, games and crafts and a town trail to encourage people to get out and about and explore.”

• Solihull – 1921 census available for free at Solihull libraries – Solihull Council. “Residents who are not already library members can sign up at their local library for free – only proof of name and address are required. “
• Suffolk – Woodbridge Library launches new STEM book collection with Science Fun Day – Suffolk Libraries. “The books and the science event were funded by a generous donation by Brafe Engineering which has its head office in Woodbridge.”. 300 people attended Fun Day.
• Wakefield – Wakefield Council launches new programme for teens at library – Wakefield Express. “Reading Well For Teens” collection
• Waltham Forest – Studio Weave adds wood-lined community space to east London library – De Zeen. “Architecture practice Studio Weave has added a wood-lined community centre to Lea Bridge Library in east London, with a red-concrete colonnade that references the original grade II-listed redbrick building.”
• Warrington – Penketh library set to reopen following £120k refurb – Warrington Guardian. “The transformation of the Honiton Way building includes redeveloping the frontage, replacing external woodwork as well as improvements to the internal decoration and shelving of the LiveWire-run library.”
• Wiltshire – Gadgeteers boost Summer Reading Challenge in Wiltshire Libraries – Salisbury Journal. “The council says 6,206 children across Wiltshire registered for reading challenge – an increase of 39 per cent from 2021. And 3,831 of the children who registered returned to collect their final rewards which included a medal and certificate.”
• York – Arts Council funding boosts culture and creativity at Explore York Libraries and Archives – York Explore [press release]. “Over the next three years, as an Arts Council investment organisation, Explore will be funded to deliver opportunities for people to enjoy even more brilliant, fulfilling culture and creativity in our trusted, welcoming spaces. In these challenging times it matters now more than ever. Explore will be joining up with other Arts Council funded organisations in York – such as the Theatre Royal, Pilot Theatre, National Centre for E”arly Music, Next Door But One Theatre and York Museums Trust – to bring great cultural experiences into our libraries and unlock new creative talent.”

Editorial

Apologies for missing a week – these posts are done on Sundays and last weekend I was in South Wales when my father took a fall and so accompanied him to Accident and Emergency. From 5pm to 7am. Anyway, enough about me. Away from the pantomime revolving-door farce-tragedy that is the Prime Ministership where I am sure someone in Downing Street will sort out A&E queues any day now, in public libraries the main story has been Warm Spaces. What this means varies in different services, with some just publicising what libraries would be doing anyway while others are offering refreshments and advice and a very few extending their opening hours. This extra string to the library bow when arguing for a fair share of council funding may be coming just in time. After all, those severance packages and £115,000 per year payments afterwards to ex-Prime Ministers are beginning to mount up and someone has to pay. Let’s hope it’s not public library services.

Changes by local authority

• Barnet – Hendon Library stays in current location
• Cheshire West and Chester – Northwich Library to temporarily move into museum.
• Monmouthshire – Now fines-free
• North Northamptonshire – Irchester Library taken over by volunteers / parish council.
• North Somerset – Nailsea Library to move into former bank.
• Redbridge – Opening hours review.

National news

• Access – PMLG. Summer 2022 edition. Several interesting articles.
• Being an Engaged Citizen – Facet Publishing. “John Vincent shares the importance of libraries in these trying times and how they can help us all become more engaged citizens.”
• Blind and partially sighted library users (World Sight Day 2022) – DCMS Libraries. Review of RNIB services and link to public libraries. New “Library Engagement Manager”. “The RNIB is extremely excited to be setting up this partnership form of working with libraries and is working in partnership with Libraries Connected”

• Booklist promoting trans surgery for young teens sparks parental fury – Telegraph, behind paywall. “National library scheme includes a book describing a teenager’s breasts as ‘fatty lumps that need to be gone’” compare with New Reading Well Collection Promoting Mental Wellbeing For Teens – Bedford Council and A statement on Reading Well for teens – Reading Agency. “The list of published titles has been created through a rigorous selection process with health experts including clinicians, experts in the field, partners from across the sector and has been co-produced with teenagers aged 13 to 19 years old, ensuring that it speaks authentically to the needs and interests of users. “
• East Lothian, Highland and Shetland services will compete with Inverclyde – Greenock Telegraph. Public library award. “Competition organisers say it has been shortlisted for its efforts to help close the educational attainment gap by working closely with local schools to improve literacy.”
• How to find your nearest ‘warm room’, as community spaces pop up across the country – Country Living. “Staffordshire library has also announced it will be offering people free cups of tea and coffee to help bring some cheer over the winter months, as part of its new Here to help campaign.”

• More black books please – The Voice. “According to one poll, 38% black people were more likely to have visited a library between 2019 and 2020 in comparison to 30% their white counterparts. Despite these figures, many black parents say their local libraries are failing to have books that reflect the communities they serve. “
• Reading Friends 2021-22: Reach and Impact – Reading Agency. “In 2021-22, 3,728 people were supported in 72 library authorities to connect 44,054 times. “
• Stamford to Sutton (and beyond); visiting library branches across England – DCMS Libraries. Baroness Sanderson (independent chair of an advisory panel to help develop a new strategy for public libraries) visits libraries on fact-finding mission: Wimbledon (business co-working run by a CIC, independent recording studio), Yeovil (NHS health checks), Deepings (volunteers), Devon (library trust, 3D printers), Redbridge (co-location with gym, run by Culture Trust). Like books but libraries not “set in aspic”, “it was fantastic to visit Sutton Library for the launch, last Friday, of TLC Discover, the new digital library from The Libraries Consortium.”
• Updates on the Single Digital Presence – British Library. Name decided on and will be shared soon. Research shows nice pictures, recognising library staff and listing what is free are important.

International news

• Australia – ‘Free, non-judgemental, accessible’: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness – SBS Bangla. ““We want libraries to be places where everyone feels welcome and that way we can use the library to reduce social isolation and improve mental wellbeing.””
  • Library fines are still a thing?? – Public libraries in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. Analyses fines-charging library services. “This could mean that people experiencing homelessness and/or poverty are less likely to use their public library in the ACT, NT and SA than in the other states to avoid getting library fines.”
• Bangladesh – Sustainable Development Goals and Public Libraries: An Exploratory Study in a Developing Country – Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology.

• Philippines – Readiness of Public Libraries in Developing a Financial Literate Individual – Taylor and Francis Online. “Public libraries’ readiness to serve their users can be observed in terms of their collection, web presence, services, and programs.”
• USA – The relationship between the development level of American public libraries and the output of science and engineering publications – Sage Journals. “The two interact and promote each other.”
  • Have we forgotten what a public library is for? – Washington Post / Opinion. “In August, people in Jamestown, Mich., just outside Grand Rapids, signaled with their votes that they would rather defund — and possibly shutter — their only public library than keep books with LGBTQ themes on the shelves.” … “Libraries fill a role central to any functioning democracy: upholding the rights of citizens to read, to seek information, to speak freely. As champions of access, librarians are committed to curating collections that allow everyone who enters the library to see themselves in the books and resources the library provides. “
  • Miami Opens Health Library – Library Journal. ” Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) in Florida officially opened the Westchester Library Health and Wellness Information Center.”
  • Proposed Missouri rule would restrict minors’ access to ‘age-appropriate’ materials in state libraries – News Leader. Freedom-loving Republicans seek to censor books they disagree with, without using the word “censor”.
    Spice of Life! Adding Variety to a Library of Things – Web Junction. ” Springvale Public Library recently launched their Spice Library, a project that grew from their 2022 summer reading program that focused on exploring world cultures and religions. “

Webinars

• Better World Books UK Sustainability Webinar – Better World Books. Tuesday 1 November, 11am. “Better World Books aims to lead by example through our own environmental actions, and we would like to share with you some of the ways in which we strive to achieve this.”
• Media literacy activities and resources for librarians – Guardian Foundation. Thursday 24 November, 2.15pm. “In this special session for librarians we will share structured activities that you can adapt and replicate with families and young people as well as ready-to-go individual resources and ideas. Join us to gain inspiration and exclusive resources to use in your library.”
• #NotOurJob (Winspiration) – eradicating sexual harassment in libraries – CILIPS. Friday 25 November, 11am “The latest research that evidences the reality of sexual harassment in libraries, with even one incident being one too many. We’ll learn about your legal rights and the responsibilities of employers.”

Warm Spaces

• Martin Lewis backs guide for libraries wanting to become winter ‘warm banks’ – Guardian. “… he commissioned the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (Cilip) to create a guide titled A Warm Welcome, which sets out tips and guidance for libraries who want to offer themselves as warm banks. In the introduction, Lewis said he was “both saddened and gladdened to quickly hear from a few councils and libraries already planning” to become warm banks when he tweeted.”
• Warm Spaces: Inside a hub amid the chill of energy bills – BBC. A look at one in a Cardiff Library. “Part of the reception desk has been set aside as the Warm Spaces base, with free hot and cold drinks on offer, which staff will make for anyone who wants one, notwithstanding the existence of the cafe just across the room.”
• Libraries across England become designated Warm Spaces – GLL (press release). “65 libraries across England have been designated Warm Spaces by GLL …  food service company Brakes, has agreed to donate free tea, coffee and biscuits to all 65 locations.” … “All the participating libraries are also expanding their programmes of free onsite activities, which again will be open to anyone who wishes to visit.” … ” we have also invested in more comfortable seating”

• Bristol – Bristol warm places scheme welcomes first residents – BBC.
• Cardiff – New scheme sees Cardiff libraries open as ‘heating hubs’ to tackle cost of living crisis – Cardiff Tab. “will offer residents a place to go during the day to enjoy a free hot drink and heating, as well as the opportunity to explore other support schemes that the hubs offer, and meet other members of the local community. This scheme will be offered daily during normal opening hours.”
• Devon – Devon’s libraries offer warm welcome spaces this winter – Devon Live. Community fridges, baby weighing, and clothes rails (for donated clothes) in several libraries.
• Okehampton Library offers warm space to public to help with rising energy prices – Okehampton Times.
• East Riding – Funding available for organisations and community groups to establish welcoming places across the East Riding – East Riding Council. Libraries open as Warm Spaces.
• Gloucestershire – Library offers warm space during the colder months – BBC. Fairford Library.
• Hampshire – NFDC announces pilot of warm banks as Hampshire County Council to open libraries for those struggling with energy bills – Advertiser and Times.
• Herefordshire – Free warm spaces launched in Herefordshire amid rising costs – BBC. “Residents will also have access to free wi-fi and computer access at the libraries included in the scheme.”
• Knowsley – Prescot Library among Knowsley warm hubs – St Helens Star. “… the council will be opening the doors of all of its libraries for six days a week from November 1.” … ““We will be extending our opening hours for all five libraries from next month, ensuring our residents can access warm spaces, which also includes free access to PCs and WiFi.”
• Leeds – Leeds warm spaces: The full list of everywhere you can go to keep warm for free this winter – Yorkshire Evening Post. Libraries “providing free hot refreshments and activities”
• Leicester – People struggling to heat their homes invited to keep warm in Leicester libraries – Leicester Mercury. “People in Leicester struggling to heat their homes this winter are being invited to keep warm at their local library. The offer comes from Leicester City Council, which said its libraries could play a crucial role in helping those in difficult circumstances as the cost-of-living bites harder. All 16 of the city’s libraries will act as ‘warm spaces’ when temperatures start to drop. “
• Lincolnshire – Lincoln libraries, churches and community centres offering ‘warm spaces’ – Lincolnshire Live. Lists when “warm rooms” are available, including at libraries.
• Oldham – Oldham Council criticised for closing ‘warm banks’ on Sundays – Oldham Times. “The warm bank area, located near the library entrance, consisted of tables, five chairs and free tea and coffee”. Liberal Democrats say ” “This is simply not good enough.  It is unimaginative and half-hearted.  The cost-of-living crisis doesn’t take Sunday off. “, Labour councillor says “criticism should be aimed at the Tories”
• Plymouth – MP urges council to open public spaces as heat banks to keep Plymouth warm – Moorlander. “… call for an extension to the opening hours of libraries, community centres and other public buildings during the working day, evenings and weekends to provide emergency heating space for residents.”
• Newcastle – Health and Wellbeing in your Libraries – Newcastle Council. Lists all the services, including Warm Spaces.
• Sheffield – Cost of living crisis: Phone app helps Sheffield people to stay warm – BBC. “It lists libraries and community centres that are participating in the Sheffield Welcoming Places scheme.”
• Somerset – Somerset County Council offering winter living support – BBC. “The £700,000 package includes help to find foodbanks, more mental health support and a network of warm places so people can escape the cold. The network will include libraries, some churches and some town halls.”
• Staffordshire – Burton Library being used as place to stay warn during cost of living crisis – Staffordshire Live. 43 libraries involved. “Staffordshire Library Service has also teamed up with Morrison’s supermarket and Lakeland Dairies this winter to offer a free hot drink at some venues.”
• Sutton – Helping People with Warm Spaces – Sutton Council. “Our wonderful Warm Spaces volunteers, who I spent some time with earlier this week, are at four of our libraries …”

Local news by authority

• Barnet – Historic Hendon Library to remain and be refurbished after Council listens to local residents – Barnet Council. “Barnet Council has decided that the historic Hendon Library will remain in its original location and be refurbished, preserving the library’s heritage and traditional features. The council listened to hundreds of residents who expressed how important the building is to the local community and the history of the area.”

• Camden – Move over Hay-On-Wye! Alan Bennett among star-studded line-up for Primrose Hill library book festival – Camden New Journal. “The library is about books. Books are our core and we would like to continue to be known as a library that cares about books, and also a library that cares about the community.” … volunteer library celebrates ten years of opening. ““I remember Pat Callaghan [deputy leader of the council and then-ward councillor] saying the main thing is not to lose the building. And that is what happened: We didn’t lose, it is a great space.” She added that there were plans in progress to create a “warm bank” at Primrose Hill.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Northwich library services move to museum as council issue update on building works – Cheshire Live. “During the summer, Northwich Library was forced to temporarily close for a structural investigation after movement was found in a wall at the rear of the building. While the historic building on Witton Street is stabilised and then renovated, library services are being relocated to Weaver Hall Museum.”
• Cornwall – Cornwall libraries host half-term pirate parties for children – Cornwall Council. “The sessions, which are taking place throughout the week and are free of charge, are being hosted by The Get Creative Team who are working on Treasure Island, the Hall for Cornwall’s Christmas show. There will be plenty to keep your little ones entertained including a selection of mini pirate discos, island story time, crafting with the captain and a terrific treasure hunt.”
• Cumbria – Barrow Library marks 100 years with Centenary Day celebration – Mail. ““There were children in fancy dress, face painting, and there was a saxophonist, Emma, who entertained us and the children enjoyed it and the parents had a good time.”
• Devon – Libraries double up as cinemas across Devon – North Devon Gazette. £3 per screening. “we’re keen to make film screenings a regular feature in our libraries. With screenings planned for some of our smaller libraries, we’re keen to reach our more remote communities too.” Arts Council England funded.
• East Lothian – County library service looking for SLIC double success – East Lothian Courier. “East Lothian Library Services has been nominated in the Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC) 2022 awards, which recognise outstanding services of libraries in the community. The awards are split into two categories – one for service excellence and the other for project of the year – with East Lothian one of only two national services nominated in both categories.”
• Hackney – Save Hackney Library Services – stop the cuts – Megaphone. “plans to cut a significant number of libraries staff jobs. The result would be a reduced presence with less staff for users to interact with, riskier to effectively prevent or manage health & safety issues, and make temporary closures more likely in the event of staff shortages. It’s also especially unfair that the senior management team received an additional £50k funding only for that to be paid for by further staff cuts.” 944 signatures at time of reading.
  • Hundreds sign petition to stop job cuts at Hackney libraries – East London Lines. “The planned cuts come as the council is considering different ways to save £300,000 in 2023/24. It spends £5.6m a year on its library services, with £3m in staffing costs.”
• Kirklees – Going for gold at Cleckheaton Library – Kirklees Council. ” Cleckheaton in Bloom, a voluntary group, have been working tirelessly to improve the large, beautiful outdoor space.”
  • Refurbishment programme continues at historic Cleckheaton Library – Telegraph and Argus. Windows to be replaced.
• Leeds – Make your health the priority this November with Leeds Libraries Wellbeing Festival – Leeds Council. “Hosted by Leeds Libraries, Sound Mind begins on 5 November at Leeds Central Library and all its events are either free or low cost. The programme includes free taster sessions featuring singing, life-drawing, playing a musical instrument, creative writing and yoga.”. Includes rapper. Pay what you want.
  • Meet the seven year old keen reader already fundraising for his local library – Yorkshire Post. “Eight-year-old Drupta Vangapally from Whinmoor has raised £150 for new books after becoming concerned about the future of the Whinmoor Library in lockdown.”

• Manchester – Brand new children’s library to open in Manchester thanks to partnership with Z-arts – Manchester Council. “The new library occupies a dedicated space on the first floor of Z-arts and features a bright and colourful design that was co-created with children and their families, brought to life by talented designer and craftsperson, Louise Ryder.”
• Monmouthshire – Library fines being scrapped in Monmouthshire – South Wales Argus. “The council said it is taking the decision to ensure money isn’t a barrier to people accessing the library service and says it will have no negative financial implications for the authority. According to a report, in the three years leading up to the Covid pandemic, Monmouthshire collected £21,498.96 in library fines – working out at around £7,000 a year. That was despite fines being capped at a maximum of £15 per item, with charges set at 20p for every day an item was overdue, or 10p a day, or £7.50 maximum, for pensioners, children and other concessions. However, the report says, as fines were mostly paid in cash, administrative and security costs associated with banking and collection marginally exceeded the income, so continuing with fines wasn’t considered viable.”
• North Northamptonshire – Irchester Library set to open under community management – Northamptonshire Telegraph. “Irchester Parish Council has signed the lease on the library property and volunteers will be taking on the running of the library.”
• North Yorkshire – Starbeck and Bilton community libraries set for 10-year council deal – Stray Ferret. “The original leases of five years were introduced as the new model was unique and unproven. However, it has been a great success so we are proposing to introduce longer leases which will avoid costs around future renewals.””
  • North Yorkshire Libraries launch iPad giveaway for one lucky eBook reader – Scarborough News. “all eBook borrowers will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad, donated by the eBook supplier, BorrowBox.”

• Northern Ireland – Book Week: Hundreds of events held across Northern Ireland – BBC. “a number of special programmes will be aired on television and iPlayer featuring familiar faces from the BBC choosing their favourites books. Book Week encourages a conversation about reading and using libraries. Speakers at events include the Reverend Richard Coles, author Colin Bateman and Prof Teresa Cremin. The Connor Philips Show on BBC Radio Ulster will come live from Omagh library on Wednesday, which is Love Your Library Day. The interim director of BBC Northern Ireland, Adam Smyth, said: “Book Week is a celebration of the joy that reading and libraries can provide.”
• North Somerset – Plans to secure future of Nailsea Library – North Somerset Council. 125 year lease. “The council is announcing plans to relocate the library to 6-8 Colliers Walk, formerly occupied by HSBC bank, and keep the facility in the town centre. The relocation is planned to take place before next summer.”
• Peterborough – Libraries begin amnesty for overdue book fines – Peterborough Matters. “During this period there will be no fines and library accounts will be cleared of any debt to allow users to start borrowing again. The reason for this amnesty period is hope to collect some of the over 22,000 overdue library books on loan to residents across the city, as well as wanting members to start accessing library services again.”. Until Mid November, when fining customers will start again.
• Portsmouth – People’s Network celebrates 20 years of connection – Portsmouth Council. “Free internet access has been available since the People’s Network launched in 2002 when a £283,000 lottery grant meant over 70 computers were installed in all nine Portsmouth libraries with ‘super-fast’ internet access. Currently, there are 116 public-use PCs across the libraries, with another 79 PCs at locations across the city, including The Learning Place, community centres and youth clubs. The library computers have been used for 1,053,570 minutes, in the last six months alone.”
• Redbridge – Help us improve our library service by telling us what you think about our proposed opening hours – Redbridge Council. “Redbridge Council is inviting residents to give us their views on new opening hours for libraries across the borough. Feedback will inform final changes, which will take effect from January 2023. The new opening hours have been suggested based on current user data showing when libraries are at their busiest. “

“Pre-pandemic data shows our libraries are much quieter in the early mornings and the evenings. The proposals would provide consistency across the library network by opening all libraries at 10am. We also find that popularity often closely matches the opening times of nearby shops, where libraries are situated close to high streets and shopping areas. “

• Richmond – Richmond celebrates Libraries Week with activities for all ages – SW Londoner. “Libraries Week also marked the launch of Richmond Library Service’s partnership with the London Ukulele Project where ukuleles will be available to loan from the library free of charge.”
• St Helens – Approach to library closures was ill thought out – St Helens Star. Letter. “Council’s decision to review their intention to close several libraries within the borough and cancel the proposed closing date of October 31 will come as welcome news not only to library users but library staff whose jobs were presumably at some risk.”
• Shropshire – Shropshire libraries get behind teen reading programme – Shropshire Council.
• Stoke on Trent – Grandma hits out at council after finding library shut – Stoke Sentinel. Council says people were consulted in opening libraries only every other Saturday. “The new library opened last month following the completion of the multi-million pound refurbishment of Tunstall Town Hall. It was open yesterday and for the rest of the year will open on October 22, November 5 and 19, and December 3 and 17. Councillor Lorraine Beardmore, cabinet member for culture, said: “The new modern Tunstall Library is fully equipped to benefit all of our service users. Tunstall Library is open every other Saturday and also until 6pm one night a week to assist those in the community. Also, our other libraries are open on alternate weekends so there is always a library in the city that can be accessed on a Saturday.”

• Tameside – Tameside Libraries: So Much More than Books – Tameside Council. Other council services available. [But none anywhere near as good as free book lending – Ed.]
• Warwickshire – Council launches You Can Online initiative to support digital inclusion in an increasingly online world – Warwickshire Council. Digital device lending in libraries.
  • Harbury Village Library as a community recycling hub – Community Managed Libaries National Peer Network. Electric vehicle charging, repair cafe, recycling boxes, food bank collection point, electric toothbrush recycling (!), marigold gloves (!), bra bank, blister packs, inkject printer cartridges.
  • Kenilworth Library marks the completion of refurbishment works with celebratory launch event – Warwickshire Council. “We now have a larger lighter library space and can offer more activities for children and adults whilst delivering a better service for our customers.”
• West Dunbartonshire – Summer triumph for West Dunbartonshire libraries – West Dunbartonshire Council. “Throughout the summer break, children of all ages participated in 83 programmes at six branches and two outdoor locations, including Bookbug, Story time, arts and crafts projects, STEM-related activities, and activities linked to this year’s Summer Reading Challenge’s “Gadgeteers” theme.”. 1094 attended events, 554 new members.
• Westminster – Westminster City Council announces the expansion of its Digital Skills programme in partnership with Community Fibre – Westminster Council.
• Wiltshire – Blue plaque for Eglantyne Jebb – Marlborough Council. Founder of “Save the Children” has blue plaque on Marlborough Library, which she attended when it was a school.
• Wirral – Two libraries to be saved if councillors approve negotiations to transfer ownership – Liverpool Echo. “Negotiations will begin with Pioneer People and St Stephens Church set to take over Pensby and Prenton Library if councillors approve recommendations next week.” … “In case agreements aren’t made to move to negotiations, the council will look at selling or renting the libraries for commercial purposes. It will also look at other viable business plans for the libraries. The council also hopes to transfer Higher Bebington Library to the Co-Op Academy but the library is at risk of demolition if no agreement is reached by December 9.”
  • Wirral Council: Nine libraries face closure by end of October – BBC. “Libraries, in Hoylake, Irby, Pensby, Prenton, Wallasey Village, Woodchurch, Higher Bebington, Bromborough and New Ferry, will be shut by the local authority on 30 October as part of £20m cuts, Wirral Council said. Bromborough Campaigner Ruth Molyneux said people “feel betrayed”. The council said it hoped seven of the libraries could be taken over by community groups or organisations.” … “Ms Molyneux and Green Party Councillor Jo Bird sought to get the library designated a warm hub going into the winter but the council rejected this arguing it did not have the funds to operate it”
• Worcestershire – Relocation of Redditch Library to be discussed at next week’s Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board – Worcestershire Council. “The Board will be discussing the current proposals, before they go before the Council’s Cabinet next Thursday. The meeting will be taking place at Redditch Town Hall from 2pm on Tuesday 25 October. “
  • Reading Well for Teens campaign in Libraries – Worcestershire Council. “These books promote mental wellbeing and help to break down common misconceptions and barriers around mental health issues and topics”
  • The Summer Reading Challenge – Worcestershire Council. 2296 started. “This year 1,653 children finished the challenge, reading 6 books or more! 114 children signed up to become new members of their local libraries and children taking part in the challenge borrowed a total of 136,652 books and 3,162 eBooks/audiobooks. Across the summer 2,528 young people attended Summer Reading Challenge events at their local library and a total of 92 young volunteers (all under 24) helped the children with the challenge. “
• York – Annual Review – York Explore. Glossy and up-beat report.

Editorial

It’s Libraries Week so there’s a lot going on in libraries, although far less than there was a few years ago when it was started more as a protest against library cuts than a celebration of the sector. Those cuts may not be a thing of the past as talks from the Prime Minister suggests a willingness to consider cuts to the public sector in order to pay for tax cuts to business and the wealthy, but nothing is confirmed as yet. Finally on the subject of cuts, St Helens, which announced they were planning to close seven libraries, has backtracked perhaps only temporarily due to a backlash. Other councils meanwhile are utilising their libraries as warm spaces if people find it difficult to heat their homes. Finally, the culture war over gender still hasn’t blown over, with Hertfordshire being criticised for daring to have an alien as a pro-reading mascot. One activist criticised the decision that the alien should be described as “they/them” while the library service pointed out in return that it’s, well, an alien.

Changes by local authority

• St Helens – Plans to cease funding seven libraries postponed by further consultation.

National news

• Ayub Khan MBE reflects on 100 days as Libraries Connected President – Libraries Connected. Diary.
• Carbuncles and King Charles: was the royal family’s meddling supertroll right about architecture? | Architecture – Guardian. “Birmingham city centre was damned as “a monstrous concrete maze,” with a library that looked like “a place where books are incinerated, not kept”. The brutalist National Theatre on the South Bank was “a clever way of building a nuclear power station in the middle of London”. The British Library looked “more like the assembly hall of an academy for secret police”.”

• Culture Minister unveils new funding to support Scottish libraries – National. “Culture Minister Neil Gray unveiled the £450,000 funding package, as part of the 2022/23 Public Library Improvement Fund (PLIF), on Wednesday while visiting Rutherglen Library.”
• Dozens of libraries in England and Wales may become “warm banks” for people who need shelter. – Literary Hub. “There’s no shortage of reasons to love libraries, and here’s another: a new survey from the UK shows a significant number of them are planning to serve as “warm banks” this winter for people who need to take shelter from the cold.” … “Libraries shouldn’t have to do this. (Who am I to say all this? Just someone who loves the library.) Still, when they do—and they inevitably will, because these problems aren’t going anywhere anytime soon—they deserve what we all do: the time, financial resources, and supportive climate to do their excellent work, serving everyone who walks through the door.”
• Libraries to offer shelter to the vulnerable during UK’s cost of living crisis – Guardian. “Libraries in England and Wales are responding to the cost of living crisis by abolishing daily late fees for books and getting ready to become “warm banks” to help the vulnerable this winter.”
• Libraries – working in partnership with heritage and archives – Libraries Connected. Webinar, 6 October, 2pm. “A webinar that will explore how heritage and archives can deliver against all the universal offers and support the work of libraries beyond culture and creativity.”
• Little Wartime Library – CILIP PMLG. Free “with Kate Thompson author of The Little Wartime Library. The event will be a pre-recorded zoom interview with Kate featuring illustrations, chat and soundbites, with 15 minutes for a live Q&A .”
• Please Miss, there’s an elephant in the Library – CILIP ILIG. Zoom, 26 October. Sri Lankan librarian explains what she did when an elephant walked into the library. “She explains how she overcame prejudice and obtained funding for the School in the Sky. “
• Reading Friends impact overview 2021-22 – Reading Friends. “Read about the difference Reading Friends has made, working with public libraries in 2021-22. This is an overview ahead of the full impact report.”

International news

• Australia – Pop-Up Libraries Are Helping Melbourne Move on From Lockdowns – Bloomberg UK. “Small pop-up libraries have taken over abandoned shops in areas that were aching for some love following the crippling impact of six lockdowns over 19 months. Where a mens’ retailer once stood in the boutique clothing and cafe mecca of Little Collins Street, changing rooms have been transformed into cozy mirrored reading booths.” … “While the success of the library project — about 40,000 people have visited them since the program’s launch at the end of last year — isn’t solely enough to revive the center, the council is betting that it’s a sign of a comeback.”
• Canada – Libraries play important role in promoting democracy – Toronto Star. “Another important part of a healthy democracy is access to unbiased information to help people engage and make informed decisions. Toronto Public Library, like public libraries everywhere, continues to support a vibrant democracy by supporting civic engagement and providing access to information.”
• Canada/USA – Aging in (Third) Place with Public Libraries – Public Libraries (PDF). “We are excited by the
  possibilities a movement from library as third place to library as social infrastructure facilitates”
• Ireland – Fingal reactivates libraries’ Twitter account after Green Party complaint – Sunday Times. “The council temporarily suspended the account last Wednesday after a councillor complained it was following prominent people with known gender-critical views. The account was following the bestselling author JK Rowling, the barrister Allison Bailey, Maya Forstater, a British business and international development researcher and Genspect, an international alliance seeking care for gender-distressed young people, which says it has concerns about the “gender affirmative” approach.”
• USA – The strain of censorship on public libraries – 1A. “What future do public libraries and library workers have in this climate of unprecedented censorship? And what role do larger, out-of-state libraries play in combatting it?”
  • Provision of health-related information for immigrant patrons in public libraries in a large US city – Emerald. “Public libraries can help immigrants adjust to life in the USA, including maintaining health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to understand how immigrants use public libraries and how library staff provide health-related information and services for immigrant audiences”

Local news by authority

• Blackburn With Darwen – Children’s festival, in aim of improving UK’s literacy levels, is back for 2022 – Yahoo News. “The festival director, and founder and patron of Blackburn with Darwen Libraries said: “We are all so excited about meeting the children ‘in person’ once again. “We ran a complete virtual festival in 2020 which was a great success, reaching over 3000 children and families but nothing can replace the interaction of meeting in person.”
• Bracknell Forest – Borrow a tablet from your local library – Bracknell Forest Council. “Bracknell Forest Libraries are introducing a tablet loan scheme to boost digital inclusion in the borough.”
• Bradford – Getting creative to transform Keighley Library – Keighley News. Arts Council England funded project. “”Keighley Library is one of the pilots for our new service model which sees us tailoring each library to the needs of the communities served. We have been working closely with the communities of Keighley to find out what they really want to be happening, both creatively and culturally, in their library.”
• Brighton and Hove – Lots on offer for Libraries Week – Brighton and Hove Council. Stencilling, webinar on OED, and various other events.
• Buckinghamshire –  ‘Dismayed at proposed library cuts’ – Bucks Free Press / Letters. “Last week I saw a notice informing the public that the authorities propose removing all hard copies of all the magazines and newspapers from all the libraries. Yes, that means all hard copies of your paper The Bucks Free Press will be cancelled too.  I thought you and your readers would like to know.”
• Cheshire West and Chester – Cheshire West libraries to become ‘Warm Hubs’ as crisis worsens – The Standard. “”Libraries have always provided a safe space and warm welcome to our communities. We know how much people are already struggling with rising prices across the board, and this network of warm hubs is just a part of our response.”
  • ‘Significant’ renovation needed to save treasured Cheshire library – Cheshire Live. “Structural investigations are being carried out at the premises with more in-depth inspections to take place in the coming weeks. New scaffolding will be put up to stabilise the building in preparation for a full refurbishment of the building. Cheshire West and Chester Council is working to identify a temporary home for library services and events. A decision on the location will be made in October.”
• Derby – Normanton library celebrates with a week of events – Derby Council. “Normanton library is holding a series of events to celebrate its diverse offering and service beyond books.”
• Devon – Libraries open their doors to support local residents this winter – Devon Council. “Libraries across Devon and Torbay will provide warm welcoming spaces, where people are welcome to join and spend time in the library, and to use the free WiFi and computers if they wish to. There are many free events and groups that people can attend, and some libraries will be hosting sessions providing help and advice about energy efficiency, debt advice and other topical subjects.”
  • Pop up library on Exeter High Street – Exeter Council. “The former GAP store has been transformed into an art studio in which local sculptor James Lake is creating a life-size cardboard tree. The piece will take around six weeks to finish – from Tuesday 20 September to Monday 30 October – and will eventually be installed in Barnstaple Library. While the sculpture is being created, the shop has become an interactive public space, and passers-by are being invited to watch James at work and take part in a variety of drop-in workshops and exhibitions. There is also a pop-up high street library for people to sign up to the library, browse and borrow books.”
• Dorset – Future of Dorset’s libraries up for discussion again – BBC News. “Dorset Council is seeking opinions from users following its first review into libraries earlier in the year. That received more than 7,500 responses and found support for libraries to become “family hubs” – places of work or somewhere to seek advice – as well as a venue to borrow books. The latest consultation runs until 22 December.”
  • Dorset libraries cut emissions to save £40,000 a year – Dorset Echo. “The measures – that range from highly efficient LED lighting to advanced building management systems – form part of the council’s response to the climate and ecological emergency and are expected to save over £40,000 a year in electricity and gas costs and reduce annual energy use by more than 275,000 kilo-watt hours (which is over a quarter of the energy used last year across all 15 sites).”
• East Renfrewshire – East Renfrewshire libraries host Halloween costumes and welly swaps – Barrhead News. “East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure libraries will be hosting two “swaps”, one for wellies and one for Halloween costumes, as part of The Root Cause project which launched earlier this year.”

• Hertfordshire – Library blasted for swapping reading bear mascot with gender-neutral alien – New York Post. “A mother w her baby daughter @HitchinLibrary @HertsLibraries Rhyme time (aimed at 0-5 year olds) messaged me: ‘Book Start Bear has been retired and replaced with Talia, a ‘trans’ bear, with they/them pronouns.’ ‘I cannot express how upset I feel. Why do children need this?’” Hitchin Library, one of the county’s libraries, hit back with a response. “Just to confirm – Tala isn’t trans, they are an alien.” “Tala is a storytelling alien from outer space, so neither male nor female,” the library added.” see also Outrage over ‘trans’ Herts libraries children’s mascot Tala – Watford Observer. Person who tweeted worry over new mascot “received hundreds of retweets and thousands of likes.” and Gender critical activist Maya Forstater rages over gender identity of cartoon alien – Pink News.
• Highlands – Highland libraries set to open new chapter in health and social care with a public access ‘Near Me in Libraries’ scheme pilot – Ross-shire Journal. “Building on the existing ‘Near Me’ video consulting service, which is already widely used across Scotland with around 45,000 consultations being held every month, the ‘Near Me in Libraries’ pilot results will set the groundwork to inform further rollout for public libraries across the Highlands, and the rest of Scotland.”
• Lancashire – Local college project aims to get people back into Lancashire’s libraries – Business Lancashire. “Lancashire Adult Learning (LAL), part of the Nelson and Colne College group, have reignited their Library Ambitions project, in the hopes that the local community will rekindle their love for Lancashire libraries. As part of the enterprise, LAL are running over one-hundred courses, all free of charge! This offer was taken on by thirty-five libraries last year and is available to all sixty-four sites in Lancashire.”
• Leicester – Learn something new during Libraries Week – Leicester Council. “Libraries across the city will showcase a varied programme of free events and activities, including computer skills, writing workshops, author talks and craft activities, plus free taster learning sessions from the city council’s Leicester Adult Education service.”
• Manchester – Manchester’s Libraries to celebrate Black History Month – Manchester Council. “This year’s headline event is the ‘We are Carnival’ celebration at Central Library on Thursday 27 October.  The event, run by the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre based in Central Library, will feature a live music session with a DJ, a book display, spoken word poetry by local artists, food and a craft session for families”

• North Yorkshire – Delve into the digital eBook library for chance to win an iPad – North Yorkshire Council. “all eBook borrowers will be entered into a prize draw to win an iPad, donated by eBook supplier BorrowBox.”
  • Victorian Crime on the North-East coast one of the highlights of Libraries Week – Scarborough News.
• Nottingham – Another major award for Broad Marsh Car Park, Bus Station and Central Library development – My Nottingham News. “It was named the Overall Winner after scooping the Sustainable Development of the Year and Commercial Development of the Year prizes at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022.”
• Oxfordshire – Warm libraries to be offered to vulnerable – Henley Standard. “The council says it will offer warm places, such as libraries, to people who are not able to heat their homes adequately this winter.”

• Richmond Upon Thames – Celebrate your local libraries this Libraries Week – Richmond Council. “From performance storytelling to creating comics and digital library workshops there’s something for everyone.”
• Sheffield – Sheffield Libraries Podcast – Anchor FM. “From our librarians, archivists and fascinating friends, join us to delve deeper into the subjects, stories and collections that we find interesting, and hope that you will too…”

• St Helens – All St Helens libraries to stay open past October 31 as council reconsider closure plans – St Helens Star. “Council will review its decision to close six of the borough’s libraries after its decision caused a public backlash. Senior council members voted to back one of the biggest changes to the local library service at a town hall meeting in July, which would have seen the borough’s 13 libraries reduced to 7. The council announced that from October 31, 2022, it would no longer run libraries in Billinge, Garswood, Parr, Peter Street, Rainford, and Rainhill.” … “It has been recommended that a six-week public consultation should take place, with the results of this to be presented to a cabinet meeting next year, where a final implementation plan will be decided.”
• Stockport – Celebrate Libraries Week with events at Stockport libraries – Stockport Council. Two fun palaces plus other events.
• South Gloucestershire – Thousands of South Gloucestershire children celebrate reading challenge success – South Gloucestershire Council. “Six thousand children have taken part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge at South Gloucestershire Libraries, reading almost 100,000 books over the school summer holidays … South Gloucestershire Libraries also supported the Holiday Activity and Food Programme, which helps keep children fed and active through the summer break by working with South Gloucestershire Playscheme, Juice Community Project, Unique Voice and Fit for Sport to bring the Summer Reading Challenge to children taking part across the district.”
• Suffolk – Lowestoft Library joins the Wild Mural Trail – Suffolk Libraries. “The heron is the seventh in a series of murals painted by street artist ATM in the town on prominent buildings. “
  • Over £2,000 raised from successful cycle fundraising challenge – Suffolk Libraries. “Four keen cyclists took part in the Skyline London to Brighton cycle challenge on Sunday 11 September to raise money for Suffolk Libraries.”
• Tower Hamlets – Bethnal Green Library 100 Years Celebrations – Idea Store. “We will hold author talks, art events and other activities to show the outstanding impact Bethnal Green Library has given to our community over the last 100 years.”
• West Berkshire – Over 3,000 children took part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge – West Berkshire Council. “2,969 children visited a West Berkshire library to take part in the challenge to read six books over the summer holidays, while over 200 more joined in digitally via the Summer Reading Challenge website. All of the children who completed their challenge received a certificate and a medal to celebrate their achievement. There were also 421 pre-school children that took part in a Mini Challenge and 751 people that took part in the Grown-Ups2! challenge. Those who completed the grown-ups challenge were entered into a prize draw to win a wifi tablet. “
• West Lothian – West Lothian author discusses mental health and drug addiction at library event – Edinburgh Live. “This event is part of West Lothian Council Library Service’s ‘Libraries can Do It’ project, which is supported by the Scottish Government Public Library COVID Recovery Fund.”
• Worcestershire – Library numbers up to 12,500 visitors as Redditch labour group battle to save it – Redditch Standard. “Plans put forward by Redditch’s Towns Fund Board – and backed with £4.2million in Government money – would see the current library building demolished and the facility re-located, with Redditch Town Hall the lead candidate as its new venue.”
  • Libraries hosting activities to celebrate Libraries Week – Evesham Observer. “a wide variety of activities will be taking place for children, businesses and Shared Connections groups.”
• Wrexham – Community ‘warm places’ coming to Wrexham libraries – The Leader. ““Initially, the warm places will be our libraries, but we’re hoping to add more community buildings as we progress. Anyone who wants to, is very welcome to come inside to be warm and comfortable in a friendly environment. These are very worrying times for many people, and we hope the warm places can help to ease some of the pressure our communities are feeling.””