Editorial

My wording that scrolls along the bottom of the screen during the rather wonderful video for the “We Need Libraries” song has raised some interest so here it is below.  Watch the video too of course … and remember to check what events your library is putting on for National Libraries Day via this website.

We need libraries

For the preschooler at storytime and the parent to meet others

For the many children who do not have a book at home

And for the child who reads more than any parents can afford

For the student to study and for those looking for a job

For the lonely, the lost and for those in need of comfort

For the businessman for the wifi and for the busy to meet

For the community that need a place to meet on always equal terms

For the nation to be literate and have access for all

We need libraries to be a modern civilised nation

So it’s time to stand up now libraries need us

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Editorial

The DCMS have produced their review of the state of play in UK public libraries called the Report under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 for 2012/13. It’s purpose is to show what great work the DCMS is doing in public libraries and, as such, it is more a work of propaganda than a serious overview (for example, it notes approvingly the CILIP Knowledge and Skills Base but, for some reason, doesn’t mention the vote of no confidence in Ed Vaizey by the same organiation)  but it does, at least, provide a summary of all main national projects going on and the agencies involved.  I therefore recommend a look as there may be something here you don’t know about that could be of interest.

Doncaster have announced that a further eight of its libraries will turn volunteer or close, on top of 12 that turned volunteer in 2012.  The mobile library is also to close.  This will leave the city with just 4 of its 24 branches run by paid staff.  It also adds further evidence to the suggestion that, with the best will in the world of all those involved, volunteer libraries cause more volunteer libraries.

Changes

• Doncaster – 8 libraries under threat (Armthorpe, Askern, Bentley, Cantley, Conisbrough, Hatfield, Tickhill and Woodland) plus 1 mobile.
• Dundee – £211k cut in budget to Leisure and Culture Dundee.
• North East Lincolnshire – £300k refurbishment of Grimsby Top Town Library.
• Somerset – Self-service to be installed to save £300k per year.
• St Helens – Some libraries at risk.
• Staffordshire – Consultation starting.  12% decline in visits last three years, 19% decline in books.
• Worcestershire – Hagley Library under threat.

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Editorial

Two bits of good news today.  The first is that the author Lesley Pearse has become the very first National Libraries Day Ambassador.  Frankly, the fact that the Day is starting to having Ambassadors is another piece of good news by itself, let alone that it is someone so well known.  It shows that the national event is finally gaining full acceptance and that the fear of some authorities and others that it was somehow dirtied by association with those fighting library cuts has finally gone.  Well, we can hope, anyway.

The second bit of good news is that South Korea has announced that it is increasing the number of its public libraries from 828 to 1100.  It says that this will mean that it will be “born anew as an advanced country of library service”.  This is presumably on top of the 180 built there a couple of years back. This will help the arguments showing libraries are not a thing of the past and are needed if the UK is to be a competitive modern country.

Changes

• Hampshire – More volunteers expected, less paid staff. 2 mobile libraries (out of 5) under threat.  Stops could be cut from 350 to 250.
• Nottingham – £1.9m refurbishment of combined library and community centre planned in Strelley.

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Editorial

A fair bit of news, from Friday and the weekend, with a few significant developments.  The scope of Arts Council England, with special attention to its concentration of funds to London, is going to be the subject of a short inquiry from the Culture, Media and Support Select Committee.  Many have not been impressed with the placing of libraries within the remit of ACE, where very pleasant investment in sculpture and art sits uneasily with unprecedented high levels of cuts and closures.  However, one must question where else public libraries should be placed.  With a quango answerable to Michael Gove or Eric Pickles? There are very few favourable alternatives.

Another notable development is the item from Sir Merrick Cockell, the chief of the Local Government Association, who says in the Telegraph that councils will need to offload libraries and other services onto volunteers if they’re going to survive.  The Observer disagrees with volunteers in an article that has nothing for scorn for Ed Vaizey’s praise for the increase in the unpaid working in libraries last year.  Cllr Powney and others have pointed out that there are actually disturbingly few figures one can use to analyse how successful volunteer libraries are.  The Cipfa figures themselves depend on authorities replying honestly and consistently as they are never checked: the capacity for inaccuracy is therefore great.  Research, though, simply does not need to be done to see why the option is often being used. When budgets are being cut at this level, and the public still want public services, then volunteer libraries are simply too attractive an escape route to be ignored.

Changes

• Caerphilly – Caerphilly Town Library opens, £5.2m investment includes customer service centre and museum.
• Cornwall – All mobile libraries (six) to be withdrawn – 12 week consultation. £300k cut but £150k of that to be spent on “alternative ways of delivering services to those communities affected”.

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Editorial

Continuing the great tradition of Public Libraries News being a very depressing read, we have very large cuts announced in Leicestershire (with plans around 30 libraries going to volunteers or closing) and a halving of the Devon mobile library fleet (from eight to four vehicles).  £500k is also being cut from Cheshire West and Chester.

In a change from regular programming, however, we also have news from Greenwich of Woolwich Library achieving a year on year 56% increase in visitors, making it the busiest library in London.  The success of this library should be studied and lessons learnt for the benefit of others. Sadly, I don’t live anywhere near the capital so I can’t do it for you but from what I can gather, it is hardly revolutionary – co-locating mutually beneficial services in one building, adequate funding, excellent staff and good outreach.  The fact that the library is run by GLL (who are an expanding non-profit Trust) will raise a cautionary note amongst some readers so all the more reason for someone impartial to have a good look, report and spread the news as soon as possible. Any takers?

Changes

• Cheshire West and Chester – £500k cut by 2015/16 to include co-location and volunteers.  £50k cut in bookfund 2014./15.
• Devon – £125k cut: Four mobiles to be cut: Mobile library service to be cut by 65 stops and to change from fortnightly to monthly
• Leicestershire – Around 30 libraries to be passed to volunteers or closed.

Ideas

• Donations for food bank instead of fines – St Helens

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