NEWS
Ukrainian language added to app
FOLLOWING a request from Surrey Libraries, the company behind The Library App has completed a Ukrainian language translation that can be added to the app’s content management system. Neil Wishart, CEO of SOLUS said: “This was a very quick thing to achieve and if it can help our library partners and anyone in any small way then we’re delighted. It was a great suggestion by Surrey Libraries but with migration across Europe, hope- fully it can be utilised far and wide!” SOLUS aims to increase the languages its products support from 30 to over 100 in the next year.
Drag queen story founder threatened
THE founder of Drag Queen Story Hour UK has faced threats of violence after her home address was shared on a right-wing chat group, according to PinkNews. In an interview with the paper, Aida H Dee, who is touring UK libraries, said 31,400 members of the group know where she lives and want the tour cancelled. “They are threatening me,” she said, add- ing that this had “fuelled” her to organise more tours across the country and introduce children to the world of inclusive literature.
School librarian job cuts opposed
PLANS to cut 23 full-time school librarian posts by North Lanarkshire council have come under increasing pressure from library supporters, including CILIPS and Amina Shah, national librarian and CEO of the National Library of Scotland, as well as a number of authors.
Sean McNamara, head of CILIP in Scotland, said: “We believe that removing school librarian posts will severely damage the quality of education they offer pupils as well as undermine efforts nationally to improve literacy rates.”
He said that the decision was made by a previous administration but pushing it through was “an extremely short-sighted and counter-productive step, and we urge them to review.”
10 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL
Suffolk libraries celebrates 10 years
SUFFOLK Libraries was the first UK public library service to move from being council run to becoming a mutual on August 1 2012. Four years after the financial crisis the era of austerity was putting huge pressure on local authorities with many opting to cut services, often closing libraries to save money. At the time Suffolk County Council had carried out a consultation about the future of the library service and subsequently earmarked 29 of its 44 libraries for potential closure if the community didn’t come forward to run them. Widespread public support for the service prompted a rethink and the option of mutualisation was taken. Ten years later Suffolk Libraries is still running 44 libraries, and on 1 August 2022 it will be opening a new one, More- ton Hall Library, as part of its 10-year anniversary celebrations. Suffolk Librar- ies said this had been achieved at the same time as saving £25m and the service costing over 30 percent less than it did before 2012. As well as the new library, 10 have moved to new and improved spaces, and Suffolk Libraries also runs three mobile libraries and two pop-up libraries, with another new pop-up also launching in August.
The service is also recognised as a ‘National Portfolio organisation’ with its Arts Council-funded arts programme helping to embed arts activities and experiences in libraries over the past few years. One of only six library ser- vices to have this status. Figures show it being put to good use by its community with overall lending in Suffolk increasing in 2021/22 com- pared with 2019/20 with a big rise in eLibrary use over the past few years. New services and innovative proj-
ects have also been launched aimed at Suffolk’s communities to support and improve people’s wellbeing includ- ing its own community mental health service and other services, such as the Pride and Periods scheme which offers free menstrual products. Bruce Leeke, Suffolk Libraries CEO
Bruce Leeke. Photo © EADT
said: “From day one our absolute focus has been to work with local people to develop and deliver services that meet their needs. This hyper-local approach, nurtured by our talented colleagues, has enabled us to grow engagement and increase our impact across our first 10-years as a charity. It’s not just the stories people borrow, but the ones that libraries create that make their work so fundamental in shaping the fabric of communities. There are many challenges ahead, but we passionately believe in the power of our offer and its ability to transform lives.” Nick Poole, CILIP CEO said: “Over
the last 10 years Suffolk Libraries has emerged as something of a beacon for libraries everywhere. You are known throughout the profession for fresh thinking, innovative ideas and really impactful advocacy. That reputation is down to the hard work and dedication of every member of staff across Suffolk Libraries and I know how much dif- ference that hard work and dedication makes to the communities you support and serve. So this celebration is very much a recognition of everything you’ve been able to achieve together. I think you can look forward to the next 10 years with real ambition and confidence, and here at CILIP we look forward to work- ing with you every step of the way.”
July-August 2022
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