Here’s your chance to be at the first-ever dialogue between grassroots campaigners and the national Taskforce.
Paul Blantern, chair, and Kathy Settle, chief executive, are main speakers (and listeners) at The Speak Up for Libraries conference on 14 November.
One thing is clear: if any official action is planned to rescue our shattered library service, it will come via the Taskforce.
The Leadership for Libraries Taskforce was set up after last year’s Sieghart report called for urgent action. As it finally gets into gear, this is YOUR chance to make sure it gets the right messages from campaigners.
Also speaking: librarians’ new leader Nick Poole, star campaigner Alan Gibbons, author-funnyman John Dougherty.
We don’t hear from libraries minister Ed Vaizey very often – but here’s an invitation we think you won’t be able to resist. He wants to know what we think about culture, and how the government could… er… support it!
Among other things, he wonders how he can help sustain ‘vibrant, healthy communities across the country’ and how to ‘ensure that everyone can learn about and through culture, and get the right encouragement and opportunities…’
Meet the 2015 Libraries Change Lives award finalists
#LCLA2015
The three library services shortlisted for this year’s CILIP Libraries Change Lives Award exemplify how quality library services make a dramatic difference to life in their communities, driving social, health and economic wellbeing and supporting Councils in delivering their agendas.
The shortlisted services are North Ayrshire Libraries, Portsmouth City Library Services and St. Helen’s Library Services. The winner will be announced on Thursday 24 September.
Developed by library staff, together these services are helping tackle poverty and transform life in one of the UK’s most deprived areas; teaching young children digital skills as an early intervention against the social and economic challenges of their region to better their opportunities and supporting a visually impaired population to live independent lives and to have their needs integrated in local services.
“Hi, I’m David Taylor, a postgraduate journalism student at the University of Sheffield. As part of my course, I have to complete a longer piece on the subject of my choosing. I’ve decided to write about the threat to public libraries in the face of economic difficulties, and how people are trying to protect them and overcome the difficulties they face.
If you would like to talk to me about the work you do, and why you think public libraries are so important, please get in touch either via twitter (@davidrstaylor), email (davidrstaylor@gmail.com) or phone (07964389472).”
BBC Radio Merseyside : 7th August
Liverpool Libraries | Listen to Alan Gibbons, followed by Mayor Anderson
(1 hour, 9 mins & 35 secs – in) http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02xn8wc#play
The planned two-day judicial review hearing is now running into a third day (Thursday), with a decision not until Friday or (more likely) Monday, and the full judgement later still.
Where are we now?
Lincs CC (LCC) wants to throw dust in everyone’s eyes by asserting that Save Lincs Libraries (SLL) has no right to bring a judicial review at all.
Might this mean LCC don’t think they have a very good defence? So they’d rather dodge the fight? Who knows?
Anyway, the judge hasn’t yet quashed the case.
Maybe that means SLL is OK, at least on that score.
It’s honestly hard to tell.
Day 1
Day 1 was a blizzard of arguments about who is entitled to bring a JR, and when, and why, and how, and about what. With a storm of references to different cases.
And all inevitably mixed in with stuff about what LCC was actually doing about its libraries, and when, and how, etc etc. Quite confusing.
One thing stood out for me – LCC stated early this year that no libraries would close until September. But they already have – on a devastating scale. And a good few libraries have nobody to run them at all. Lots of withdrawals. A shameful mess, built on what looks like a lie…
Day 2
Day 2 had more blizzards. Plus lots of stuff on whether LCC has really done what the judge in last year’s case told them to do.
Mr Justice Collins said, put simply, that LCC’s consultation was flawed because it gave the impression that there was no alternative to its mass closure plan. And that LCC should have properly examined a viable-looking alternative from experienced library provider GLL.
Has LCC remedied these flaws? Yes, says LCC. No, says SLL.
No brainer
The juiciest bit was LCC’s case that it really, really did look properly at GLL’s ideas in December 2014. GLL presented a no-brainer list of areas where big savings could clearly be made. LCC rejected the lot.
Reasons? They included…
(1) “We can’t figure out how to make savings, so nobody else can.”
Really?
If so, the whole principle of seeking alternatives is destroyed. Nobody should outsource anything, ever, anywhere.
(2) “The library management can’t influence in any way the colossal bills charged by LCC for central services, which eat up over half our budget.”
If so, chums, you really aren’t worth the high pay and status you have in LCC’s hierarchy. What do you think your job is?
(3) “GLL’s proposals are too risky. We should keep to our Plan A because it’s sure to be sustainable.”
Sustainable? It’s collapsing already. Sustainable? To dump 30 libraries by force on to reluctant ‘communities’, with peanuts for funding and NOTHING AT ALL after three years?
(4) “GLL’s proposals would deny communities the lovely ‘hubs’ we want to set up on the ruins of their libraries.”
Are you kidding?
Where on earth has LCC got this childlike faith in the magic of ill-defined and ill-supported ‘hubs’? What ARE hubs? Nobody knows. I’m sure LCC doesn’t.
The DCMS (and everyone else) declines to do any research on what happens when proper libraries get turned into… er… hubs. So anyone can say anything.
Half-baked schemes like LCC’s are wrecking library services nationwide.
Will the High Court rule in favour of taking a bit of thought on this matter?
Campaigners leaving the High Court, London, at the end of the second day. – A photo taken the last time Save Lincolnshire Libraries were at the High Court!
We have been asked to post this on our site and happy to do so in order to highlight the issues raised by Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in the Bristol Libraries Consultation.
Submission from Royal National Institute of Blind People to Bristol City Council ‘Libraries for the future’ consultation
1. Summary
1.1 RNIB represents the interests of almost two million people living with sight loss in the UK.
1.2 There are an estimated 10,880 people living with sight loss in Bristol. Of this total, 1,310 are living with severe sight loss (blindness).
1.3 By 2020 the number of people living with sight loss in Bristol is projected to have increased to 11,570; and the number of people with severe sight loss will have increased to 1,390.
1.4 The essential elements for a comprehensive and efficient library service are described in CILIP’s guidelines “What makes a good library service?”
1.5 The qualities of being comprehensive and efficient must be considered in conjunction with the purpose and values of the library service.
1.6 Public libraries have an obligation to provide services to blind and partially sighted people as members of the community.
1.7 Libraries need to make appropriate adjustments to remove the barriers which prevent blind and partially sighted people making use of services.
1.8 Management of libraries by community groups and volunteers could have an unfair impact on minority groups whose needs are not understood or addressed.
1.9 Library closures have a disproportionate impact on blind and partially sighted people.
1.10 Apart from library closures, other library budget cuts are having an adverse impact on blind and partially sighted people.
2. Background
2.1 RNIB is the leading organization in the field of sight loss in the UK and represents the interests of almost two million people living with sight loss. Two of our priorities are to create an inclusive society and support independent living for blind and partially sighted people.
2.2 Like sighted people, blind and partially sighted people need to be able to read and write in order to work, learn, enjoy leisure activities, shop, travel and play a part in society. However, only 7% of written materials are made available in accessible formats that can be read by blind and partially sighted people (LISU, 2011) and many barriers are put in the way of accessible reading and library services.
2.3 Therefore a major part of our work, as a leading member of the Right to Read Alliance, is to influence libraries, publishers, bookshops, reading agencies and other stakeholders to deliver more accessible services. We also provide library services, where there is market failure, to blind and partially sighted people with the most specialized needs.
2.4 We have a successful track record of working with public libraries, CILIP, the Society of Chief Librarians and other library organizations on strategic and practical initiatives such as Share the Vision, Reading Sight website, Six Steps, Make a Noise in Libraries, Summer Reading Challenge, World Book Day, North East Accessible Library & Information Services, provision of Talking Books, Giant Print and Braille etc. We are a leading member of IFLA’s Section for Persons with Print Disabilities.
3. What constitutes a comprehensive and efficient library service for the 21st century?
3.1 Our views on this question are influenced by CILIP’s useful guidelines “What makes a good library service?”, revised 2010.
3.2 In order to decide what makes a library comprehensive and efficient, some consideration must first be given to its purpose. We believe that a library service should provide opportunities for everyone to develop their potential through access to information, reading and cultural activity and help to deliver key policy objectives that strengthen the community, such as economic regeneration, community cohesion, success for children and young people, a fulfilling life for older people, health and well being, and equality and social justice. With a presence throughout the local authority, the public library service is in a strong position to have a positive influence on community development.
3.3 An effective library service does not stand still, but anticipates and adapts to change. Notable developments since 1964 are the emergence of new digital media and methods of communication and the changing demographics and needs of society.
3.4 The values of public libraries have been much discussed and in our view include the important elements of democratic engagement, equal opportunities and social justice.
3.5 In order to deliver an efficient library service that fulfils the purpose and deliver the values described above, we would expect to see clear roles and responsibilities at national and local level.
3.7 At local level we would expect to see organisational leadership, strategic planning and innovation. Each library service should identify and meet local needs by engaging with the local community and by participating in a national library network and national offers.
3.8 It is valuable for libraries to explore new delivery models, such as shared services and outsourcing, that could realise efficiencies. There are many examples, not only those that are currently being developed via the Future Libraries Programme/Libraries Development Initiative.
3.9 We would also like to see innovative partnerships put in place, not only between the public and private sectors but also with the third sector.
3.10 A comprehensive service must address the needs of all members of the community and be available to everyone. The Equality Act clearly states that reasonable adjustments must be made to ensure that people do not experience any barriers to accessing information or services.
3.11 It has long been our concern that the library needs of blind and partially sighted people are not adequately or consistently met by all library authorities. In lieu of any legislation or standards, Share the Vision developed the Six Steps benchmark, setting out the basic requirements of an accessible library service. During 2011, Six Steps was adopted in principle by 180 library authorities throughout the UK.
3.12 To provide a comprehensive and efficient service, all the features described in the 1964 Act, recently amplified and updated in CILIP’s guidelines, need to take into consideration accessibility for people with print disabilities, for example
3.12.1 Employment of skilled and trained staff who understand the needs of blind and partially sighted people.
3.12.2 Convenient physical access to the service via accessible buildings, ICT equipment, websites and access technology. There should also be alternative means of access for people who cannot travel to the library building, such as delivery via mobile, housebound and online services.
3.12.3 Provision of sufficient quantity and range of accessible reading materials, such as large print and audio books, accessible ebooks, and referral to specialist sources of content and support that complement public library services, an example being RNIB’s Talking Books Service.
3.12.4 Accessible activities, such as inclusive reading groups.
3.12.5 Encouragement to blind and partially sighted adults and children to make full use of the service through local contacts with schools, societies and patient groups and participation in the annual Make a Noise in Libraries awareness campaign.
3.12.6 Provision of advice and tools, such as Reading Sight, Your Reading Choices and the appointment of a champion to facilitate such work.
3.12.7 Access to other services and organisations, through collaboration with local authority departments, the health sector, national agencies and local societies for visually impaired people.
3.13 In the interest of protecting the attributes of being comprehensive and fair, we do not wish to see responsibility for library services pass from the local authority to community groups or volunteers, because of the risk that the needs of minority groups with specialist requirements will not be understood or addressed.
“we do not wish to see responsibility for library services pass from the local authority to community groups or volunteers, because of the risk that the needs of minority groups with specialist requirements will not be understood or addressed.”
4. The extent to which the planned closures are compatible with the requirements of the 1964 Act and the Charteris Report
4.1 We accept that, if a library service is to meet its purpose and remain efficient, the location of library buildings must be kept under review. There have been good examples of libraries being relocated to more convenient places, often co-located with other services, to meet the needs of communities that have changed shape or patterns of behaviour.
4.2 Nevertheless, the closure of local libraries is a great concern to blind and partially sighted people, amongst many others, because many of them are elderly, have additional health problems and find it difficult to use public transport. The same can be said for closure of mobile library and housebound services, specialist support units and redundancy of specialist posts. Blind and partially sighted people are less likely than sighted people to be able to travel further afield and have few, if any, alternative sources of supply and support.
4.3 It is encouraging that Charteris found that Wirral was in breach of its statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient service under the 1964 Act because it did not take account of the views and needs of local people. The report refers to the needs of disabled people and a major criticism of the Council was that it did not carry out an Equality Impact Assessment. The closure of libraries in Somerset and Gloucestershire was also overturned by the High Court on the grounds of equality impact.
4.4 The quality of library service for blind and partially sighted people is affected not only by library closures but also by other budget cuts, which may be less obvious to members of the public at present but are likely to have a significant effect on quality of service in the medium term. While we appreciate the current resource constraints, we believe that it is necessary, and indeed good value when times are tough, to invest in libraries to support the continuing wellbeing of the community.
4.5 Given that standards of service are already patchy, there is a risk that budget cuts are having a disproportionate impact on blind and partially sighted people. For example:
4.5.1 With materials budgets reduced, there is a risk that libraries cut disproportionately on purchases of large print and audio books, because they are more expensive than print books.
4.5.2 Most libraries have not yet invested in ebooks which could, for the first time, offer an equitable accessible reading experience to blind and partially sighted people.
4.5.3 There is increasing use of self issue systems that are inaccessible to blind and partially sighted people.
4.5.4 Despite the fact that over half of the people in the UK who do not yet use digital technologies are disabled people, there is still inadequate provision of access technology in libraries and insufficient personal learning support.
4.5.5 There are fewer trained and experienced staff available to help blind and partially sighted people, and suggestions that some libraries may be entirely unstaffed.
4.5.6 Libraries and social care teams do not necessarily work closely together and increasingly fail to refer blind and partially sighted people with specialised reading requirements to appropriate services, such as RNIB Talking Books. Our service is often described as a lifeline by people whose needs cannot be met by public libraries, so it is a serious concern that local authority funded subscriptions to the service fell by 8% in the year to November 2011.
4.5.7 There is little resource for libraries to collaborate with other organisations to develop and promote specialised services and this leads to high dependency on agencies such as RNIB. We support libraries throughout the UK free of charge by providing tools such as Make a Noise in Libraries and the Reading Sight website.
5. The impact library closures have on local communities
5.1 We accept that it is the responsibility of local politicians in consultation with local communities to determine the balance between competing needs for local services, community wellbeing and financial husbandry. However, the closure of a library space that is known and trusted by the community is a loss that may not be entirely and adequately replaced by an alternative or substitute service.
“…the closure of a library space that is known and trusted by the community is a loss that may not be entirely and adequately replaced by an alternative or substitute service.”
5.2 The loss of the community asset is most keenly felt by vulnerable members of the local community, namely, the young, the old, the unemployed, the disabled and the poorer members of society. They are least able to travel to a library service further away or to purchase what they would previously have borrowed from the library. This is particularly the case for blind and partially sighted people as many find it difficult to travel outside their local area and do not have the financial resources to purchase large print and audio books.
Mike Bell
Regional Campaigns Officer (South West)
RNIB
10 Stillhouse Lane
Bristol
BS3 4EB mike.bell@rnib.org.uk
0117 934 1730
They are challenging the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (‘DCMS’) and their failure to conduct an inquiry into the changes of library services in Sheffield.
They have sought permission to make an application for judicial review. This is the first step of a judicial review claim, in which they have to show that they have an arguable case against the Secretary of State. If they are granted permission (which is not guaranteed) the matter will be heard at a full hearing in the High Court.
Why?
PIL explains,
As you will be aware library provision has changed dramatically across the country over recent years, with many Local Authorities making cuts to jobs and services. Some libraries have been shut and in others volunteers are expected to bridge the gaps.
The DCMS has a responsibility to oversee library provision across the country, and to ensure that Local Authorities satisfy statutory provision requirements.
We are aware of at least seven library campaigns who have asked the DCMS to hold an inquiry into the changes. Each of those requests have been refused. Indeed the Secretary of State has not conducted an inquiry since 2009 in the Wirral.
At this stage it would appear that the DCMS is either:-
Not considering requests for inquiries properly or at all, or
Has a ’blanket policy’ which has lead it to refusing to conduct inquiries, or
It is not fulfilling the duty to superintend library provision
What can you do?
PIL would like to hear from individuals or campaign groups who have contacted the DCMS, asking for them to consider an inquiry into local library services.
Did you request an inquiry but receive no response? If you received a response what did it say?
This information will assist in building up the bigger picture of the DCMS and their apparent refusal to engage in any inquiries into local library provision changes.
Sheffield City Council is rushing through the sale of the Walkley Carnegie Library without listening to the concerns of local people. They want to take the Grade II listed building from public hands and turn it into a privately owned bar. But 38 Degrees member Cathy has started a campaign to stop them.
In just a week, hundreds have signed her petition and she’s turning up the pressure on the Council and local MP. If enough people get behind her campaign now, it could be enough to persuade the Council to rethink before they go ahead with the sale.
If you agree that the local community should have a say in the future of this iconic building and library, please sign her petition here:
Here’s what Cathy says: “The building was gifted by Carnegie to serve the people of Walkley. Once it is sold to a private company it will never again be a public resource – there is no going back. There has been little or no consultation about the sale of our library, little or no information has been made available to the wider community.”
I am undertaking postgraduate research at University College, London into the ways in which local campaigning groups have used the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and, particularly, into whether it has enhanced an individual group’s capacity to achieve their objectives. I would be most grateful if any groups who have used the Act will kindly let me know of their experiences.
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