NEWS
National library defies control
PLANS by the Israeli government to take political control of the National Library in a bid to remove its rector – the former state attorney involved in the decision to charge Prime Minister Netanyahu with corruption, for which he is currently on trial – have been stopped by funders and threats to withdraw parts of its collection. Haaretz journalists reported that donors to the library could pull US $22 million in support and the Hebrew University, which owned the library until 2007, threatened to take back its collection.
Sturgeon supports libraries
DEPARTING Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon voiced her support for public libraries after Conservative MP Stephen Kerr asked: “How does she feel about being responsible for closing more public libraries than any of her predecessors?” Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, she replied: “Many libraries in my con- stituency and across the country had to close during the pandemic, but I have watched them reopen and become vital parts of local communities. I will continue to support libraries, and I will continue to support everything associated with the wonderful world of books. Perhaps I even look forward to having a bit more time to read books in future.”
Neurospicy offer
NEUROSPICY Libraries is a new project advocating for and supporting neurodiver- gent talent in academic libraries. Funded by Academic Libraries North it is led by Joanne Fitzpatrick from Lancas- ter University, and Andy Walsh from Hud- dersfield University who will be running a short webinar on March 29.
This will be used to introduce their plans to “incubate a network” that will be open to neurodiverse librarians and allies. They said the main aim of the project is to have more neurodivergent librarians hired and promoted or their “working life switched from near impossible to manageable”. For details visit:
https://bit.ly/3mJA3J0
8 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
Calls for pricing help as funds falls and costs rise
HIGHER Education and research organisations have joined forces to call on digital content and soft- ware suppliers to hold off on price increases and reduce the use of bundled content deals. The collective, led by JISC, warns of a perfect storm of “declining resources and increasing demands” putting pres- sure on budgets. The open letter says that all institutions are facing difficul- ties in light of the cost of living crisis, and has asked for suppliers to work with them to develop a sustainable solution for all parties. It says: “The sector faces a perfect storm
of declining resources and increased demands. “We ask that providers work alongside us and not impose price increases, bundle products or otherwise impose conditions that limit our ability to meet our commu- nity’s needs or manage our spending. “We call upon suppliers to offer flexi- bility, pricing constraint and to partner with us to meet these challenges.” The letter has been signed by a range of leaders in the research and HE arenas, including Professor Stephen Decent, chair, UUK/Jisc content negotiation strategy group; Professor John Latham, CBE, chair, UUK/Jisc software negotia-
tion strategy group; Karel Thomas, exec- utive director, British Universities Finance Directors Group; Ann Rossiter, executive director, SCONUL; David Prosser, execu- tive director, RLUK; Deborah Green, CEO, UCISA; Gavin Phillips, category manager, academic services, Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium; Dr Richard Par- sons, chair, SCURL; and Iain Young, chair, Scottish Higher Education Digital Library. It goes on to point out that institutions are facing unprecedented challenges, with Professor Stephen Decent saying: “The combined impact of an extraordinary hike in energy and equipment prices, the cap on student fees and the need to support students struggling with the cost of liv- ing means that institutions are facing unprecedented financial challenges. “Additionally, while some digital con-
tent and software suppliers offered free access or discounts during the pandemic, these have now largely disappeared. “For all these reasons, budgets are under
huge pressure and many institutions cannot afford to provide the resources that staff and students need for effective teaching, learning and research. “This is why we’re calling on suppliers to do right by students and researchers and make every effort to ensure their products are affordable.”
Aberdeen pressure rises
CILIP in Scotland (CILIPS) has raised concerns over Aberdeen City Council’s proposals to decommission six branches and has strongly urged it to reconsider the proposals. A petition has also been set up on
Change.org (
https://bit.ly/3TcA7gv) to put pressure on local politicians. The call for support, particularly for the Cornhill area of the city, said: “The residents of Cornhill will now be a 25-minute walk to a library, unfeasible if you are elderly, infirm, disabled or walking with small children.” In a letter, Sean McNamara, Head of
CILIPS, said: “If any of these decisions are being made based on footfall affect- ed by the pandemic or reduced hours during that spell, then that would be deeply unfair. Aberdeen City already has one of the lowest numbers of branches per population (1.62 per 20,000) and well below the average of 2.04 per 20,000. These changes could leave Aberdeen as having the lowest number of library branches per population in Scotland.” He adds: “How much value a local
authority attaches to its public libraries can often be a good indication of how much it values its people.”
March 2023
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