OCTOBER 2024   Welcome to our newsletter round up of October’s UK libraries news! DISTRESS AND THE DCMS  We have just written our fifth letter in a month to the DCMS about the impending disaster in Croydon. As we said in the last newsletter, this cash-strapped borough is pushing the strangest library “plan” we think we have ever seen. In brief, it will close four libraries, redeploy the staff to work wonders at the remaining libraries AND “mitigate” the loss of the four with plethora of highly unlikely “outreach” activities that don’t yet exist, in places that have not been identified (let alone secured). The libraries are to close in early November. The non-existent “outreach schedule” will not be launched until April next year! We are getting distressing messages from local people who can’t find out what is going on, and will be severely affected by the closures. All this, and more, we have passed on to the DCMS. Its latest reply asks us to “explain clearly and in detail what you believe the impact of the agreed changes will be on users of the library service”. We really do not think it is necessary to explain the impact of completely losing a library service, imminently and with no replacement. This reply from the DCMS is pretty typical. Campaigners are asked for more and more and more information, while the unwanted changes grind on. Then, almost invariably, they are told the Secretary of State is “not minded” to do anything. We have made it clear for some time what we think of all this – see our website It really has to change. CHRIS BRYANT AND DIGITAL EXCLUSION The elusive (to the library world it seems) minister Chris Bryant made a speech recently wearing his other hat as Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms in which, as well as talking about the need and intention to invest in infrastructure, he highlighted the fact that around 1.5 million people live in digital poverty with either no or limited access to connectivity and that 2% of children can only access the internet at home through a mobile phone – a figure which rises for the poorest families. He didn’t have an answer – he was talking at a conference organised by the UK Telecoms Innovation Network and told them he wants to work with them on creative solutions. He mentioned the number of people who do not take up ‘social tariffs’ for cheaper broadband packages while noting that those on Universal Credit would probably struggle even to do that. Despite his other brief he did not mention libraries as a place where those who are digitally excluded in this way can get assistance and perhaps even free use of a computer, if only for a limited time. MICHAEL ROSEN DAY Walker Books, who publish books by Michael Rosen, have declared Tuesday 12 November Michael Rosen Day and will be using an online event on “a day when we can celebrate any way in which we can put books into children’s hands!” in Michael’s words. It will also help launch a reading manifesto for children as well as celebrating the 50th anniversary of Michael’s first book “Mind your own business and the 35th of ‘We’re going on a bear hunt.” Apart from the live stream event at 10:00 a.m., the day will be supported by free downloadable packs of activities that are aimed at children of all ages and are suitable for use in school, at home and in other settings.  Find the virtual event sign up by clicking here and further information, including Michaels’s manifesto, is available here, with a link to download the free resources. CIVIL SOCIETY COVENANT The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO – The Library Campaign is a member) is working with DCMS and others to develop a framework for a “Civil Society Covenant”. This aims to “reset how government engages with civil society and create lasting positive changes for charities, community groups and social enterprises”.They point out that the relationship for voluntary bodies with government at all levels is often transactional. The covenant would set out clear principles about how the two “sides” should work together and build lasting partnerships. It would offer “civil society a stronger voice in shaping public policy and delivering essential services”. We think that library services are essential, and should be delivered by local authorities direct. But a covenant, if adopted and adhered to, may help us – and also local Friends and user groups – to engage with their local service and authority. You can find out more and participate in the drafting of the covenant here. BOOKER BONANZA  On 12 November the Booker winner will be announced – with all the usual ballyhoo. You (or your book group) can start joining in the fun right now. The Booker website is a huge resource. It’s currently full of material about the six books on the shortlist, with more information and background than you ever dreamt you needed. You can follow on social media, join in the debates and get a weekly update. Beyond the shortlist, there’s a treasure chest of interesting ways to explore books – including every book that has won or been listed for every Booker.Enough to inspire you for hours, whatever the month. MORE GREEN STUFF!  Green Libraries Week is over, but libraries march on. Library bosses’ organisation Libraries Connected has just announced the second annual round of green grants, in partnership with Natural England. Grants of up to £6,000 go to 26 English library services. The projects, which start this month and conclude in March 2025, are designed to engage with diverse groups and communities.an immersive sound and vision experience exploring nature and wildlife in Somerset, the development of an urban meadow in a deprived area of Blackpool and an investigation into the natural and archaeological history of Elmdon Nature Park in Solihull.Other projects include developing library gardens, making them bee friendly, creating places for growing food, running seed swaps, walks and talks in local green spaces, nature literary trails and mindfulness activities in nature. FACEBOOK ROUND UP  Now for our usual round-up of what’s been in the headlights of various Friends of Libraries groups across the UK. Friends of Chellaston Library in Derby which is ‘temporarily under the management of Derby City Council’, have been working hard to make public the various struggles their library has been facing. On October 4th they were posting about their hopes that “ a long-lasting plan will be agreed that supports and benefits all 10 libraries” after it had been announced that councillors were to be asked to approve a new operator for ten community libraries. However, by October 11th their followers were updated with the news that the councillors could not come to any satisfying conclusion on which trust to appoint to run these community libraries. The Library Campaign would much prefer to see the Council resume permanent management of the ten ‘community managed’ libraries as they did until a few years ago. Friends of Burghfield Common Library (West Berkshire) have been apologizing a lot recently by reposting announcements the council’s “sorry” notes to announce the closure of their library, fairly regularly, due to staff shortages. Friends of Builth Wells Library in Wales have been very busy organizing and promoting a showcase of local organizations and volunteering opportunities. The theme is around community organizations with free hot drinks and cakes provided for visitors. They’ve also been collecting used stamps from library users for The Broken Trust. In Lancashire, Friends of Heysham Library have also been motivated and inspiring in raising the profile of other charities local to them, with Facebook posts about local zine fairs, and Lancashire Mind peer support groups as well as reposting their local community cinema. Since summer of this year, they have been raising funds online and the fundraising page for their friend’s group is here. Also in Lancashire, congratulations to the Friends of Adlington Library for receiving a 5k cheque from the national lottery. This will help their group continue to support their library as a space for a chair yoga movement class, where older and less able-bodied people have the opportunity not just to practice movement but also to take full advantage of the library as a social space. This group are doing lots for their locals including a regular tea and coffee morning on Saturdays. They point out that every last Saturday of the month will have a table of Lego for children to play with. This busy group have also been posting photos of a recent Halloween themed event for local children which included lots of dressing up! Travelling north-east, Friends of Guisborough Library are also diving into the autumnal Halloween spirit and hosting many activities for children during the half term with competitions and prizes donated from their library’s knitting group. They have also been hosting talks from North York Moors parks rangers and posting about their library’s bike workshop. A real source of community spirit on the group’s page!AND FINALLY… CLASS AND CULTUREThe Communist party of Britain is organising a dayschool on Class and Culture on Saturday 2 November at the NUM headquarters in Barnsley. John Pateman, former head of libraries in Hackney and Merton, will be speaking on public libraries. You can get more details and register at tinyurl.com/classandculturePlease get in touch with us if your local library is under threat, you have a Friends group that you wish to promote or you would like advice about how to start a Friends group for your local library – currently under threat or not. Feel free to ask any questions about what Friends groups get up to. We have now created an archive of our previous newsletters, which you can view here – check it out if you haven’t already and share the link as it’s also a place for new subscribers to sign up. If you are new to getting our monthly newsletter this is a way to see what we’ve been getting across since we started this newsletter in Autumn 2022. Copyright (C) *2023* *The Library Campaign*. * Registered Charity No: 1102634 * All rights reserved.  |
