'Open+' denying access to U16/18's & Bibliotheca grants for National Libraries Day.

One of the emerging trends in cuts ravaged library land is 'open+' (also called 'staff-less/unstaffed' or the 'Danish model'). 'Open+' has been developed by Bibliotheca

"open+ is a complete solution that works with your existing library infrastructure, providing the ability to automatically maintain and control self-service kiosks, public access computers, lighting, security; in fact most library equipment. Providing the flexibility to open and close the library, without the need for any staff to be on site, open+ allows you to maintain or extend your library opening hours as you choose."

 

http://www.bibliotheca.com/1/images/products/open+/banner1.jpg          

Recently on the Libraries Taskforce blog a 'Strategic Client Manager: Culture and leisure' wrote about the way that the model had been introduced and used in her authority, Peterborough.

"Open+ is free to join and existing library members are invited to opt-in. Customers that are Open+ members are able to borrow books and other library materials, use library computers, and take part in existing activities such as reading groups, knit and natter, story time and rhyme time and set up new groups to meet within the libraries."

What isn't mentioned in any of this is that unaccompanied U16's (and in some instances U18's) can't access this service.

"Please note: Under 16s are unable to register for open+, but they are welcome to come in to the library during open+ hours if accompanied by a parent or guardian."

http://www.vivacity-peterborough.com/libraries-and-archives/open/

"Children and young people under the age of 18 will be able to enter the library during Libraries Extra if accompanied by an adult member of Libraries Extra."

http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/leisure-and-libraries/libraries/libraries-extra

“Extensive use of CCTV helps deter and detect any unacceptable behaviour when staff are not available, and for safeguarding reasons, children under 16 are not allowed to enter an unstaffed library unless accompanied by an adult."

http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/half-Derby-library-opening-hours-unstaffed/story-28267902-detail/story.html#ixzz3v90CJgZE

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities and City Centre Regeneration  - Councillor Martin Rawson verified this in a twitter exchange I had with him recently;

	Martin Rawson (@MartinRawson)
02/12/2015 22:37 @wylie_alan No the risk assessments haven't been done yet but under 16s will not be admitted.

My favourite blogger, Mrs Angry, has raised her (and Barnet Unison's/Save Barnet Libraries) concerns about the model being piloted in the London Borough of Barnet;

"Children under 16 will not be allowed in these unstaffed libraries, and anyone who might need the help of any member of staff, let alone a professional librarian, will find simply that there is no one there.No professional librarians, no trained staff, no one to offer support, or guide you to the right information, or even to supervise the building."

http://wwwbrokenbarnet.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/at-risk-or-welcome-to-open-library.html?m=1

The International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) in their 'Guidelines for Children's Libraries Services' highlight the United Nations 'Convention on the Rights of the Child' and specifically in relation to denying access to U16/18's;

"Meeting children’s needs

 

The United Nation’s Convention on The

Rights of the Child stresses the right

of every child to the development of

his or her full potential, the right to free and

open access to information, materials and

programs, under equal conditions for all,

irrespective of:

• age"

The IFLA guidelines also state;

"Space 

Children of all ages should find the library an open, inviting, attractive, challenging and non-threatening place to visit. Ideally, a children’s service needs its own library area, which must be easily recognisable (e.g. special furnishings, decorations and colours) and distinct from other parts of the library. Libraries offer a public space where children can meet each other or can meet others in cyber-space."

Public libraries are supposed to be inclusive spaces not ones that restrict access to a crucially important user group and denies that user group the right to be independent and empowered. This is an incredibly worrying and retrograde development and one that library workers, users, campaigners, unions et al should be resisting and speaking up about.

I've also noted recently with dismay that Bibliotheca are offering grants for National Libraries Day. As well as denying access to U16/18's many councils are using 'open+' (and self-serve technology developed by the same company) to cull library workers so Bibliotheca offering up funds for NLD is a bit like Capita offering Barnet Unison money towards it's strike fund!

Rally for the Library of Birmingham 7/2/15 #rally4LOB #NLD15

On National Libraries Day, 7/2/15, I spoke, on behalf of Voices for the Library, at a rally organised by the Friends of the Library of Birmingham (FOLB). The rally was held outside the LOB and although it didn't attract the numbers expected or hoped for it was a very well organised event with some great speakers and performers including poet laureates, trade unionists, authors, users/activists/campaigners and academics. All in all a very inspirational afternoon.

Here's the text of my speech;

First of all i'd like to thank FOLB and the other organisers for inviting me to speak today.

  

My name is Alan Wylie, i'm a public library worker, library campaigner and Unison member. I'm here today representing Voices for the Library, a national organisation advocating for public libraries and library staff.

Recently i wrote an article for the Guardian in which I outlined the crucial role that libraries play in promoting literacy and the enjoyment of reading and the hugely beneficial effect all this and more has on the wellbeing of local communities and society as a whole.

The National Literacy Trust says there's overwhelming evidence that literacy has a significant relationship to people's life chances. And I quote;

"A person with poor literacy is more likely to live in a non-working household, live in overcrowded housing and is less likely to vote. Literacy skills and a love of reading can break this vicious cycle of deprivation and disadvantage."

We also know that libraries play an important part in helping to;

bridge the digital divide,

Promote democratic involvement & social equity

And foster community empowerment & resilience

In 2013-2014 there were

230 million visits to libraries,

95 million visits to library websites,

34 million enquiries

and 200 million books and other items borrowed from libraries in England.

Surely this is proof that properly resourced libraries and trained library staff are needed now more than ever.

  

But and it’s a big but all this great work is taking place in a time of savage cuts, nationally since 2007/8;

·         6000 library staff culled

·         Several hundred libraries closed or taken out of public control

·         12% of all public libraries now volunteer-led, 5% of these cast adrift

·         Library opening hrs and budgets slashed

Politicians and councillors need to start seeing cuts to libraries as a false economy: the cuts are easy to make but the long-term consequences could be disastrous.

Politicians and councillors need to develop and promote the key educational and information role libraries have, More joined-up thinking is needed in local authorities and central government departments; for example when drawing up a poverty reduction or education strategy, why not involve the library service? Stronger links should also be made with local schools and further & higher education establishments.

Councils and policymakers need to conduct more research and evaluation into the social impact of libraries, as opposed to just relying on footfall, issue and economic data which is seen by many to be a poor indication of their true value.

It's claimed that many local councillors, and maybe MP’s, don't own a library card, or if they do they haven't used it in years. If this is the case, then today is a great day to start.

This might even, hopefully, influence them when making the next cut or writing the next strategy document.

Naomi Klein, the American writer and activist, in a speech she gave to the American Library Association in 2003 said that libraries and library staff are, or should be, at the forefront of protecting and promoting certain crucial values, and these are;

- Knowledge (as opposed to mere information gathering)

- Public Space (as opposed to commercial or private space)

- and Sharing (as opposed to buying and selling).

 She also said;

The best way to stay public is for library staff to be public - truly, defiantly, radically public.

It's our suit of armour and we should wear it with pride.

Unfortunately those responsible for the LOB seem to have forgotten about these key principles.

They also seem to have forgotten about local communities in Birmingham who rely heavily on the branch libraries that act as a lifeline to the poorest and most isolated of our fellow citizens.

It’s a an absolute disgrace that Birmingham City Council are proposing to cut the LOB budget by £3.3m over the next 2 years,

·         slashing the opening hrs by 40%,

·         cutting 100 staff,

·         drastically reducing outreach, housebound and the branch network

·         restricting access to the archives and special collections

Birmingham has invested £188 million in this library & but it’s costing £22m per year to run, £12m of that just in debt charges.

There has been talk of a mock mutual and of the BL stepping in but who knows what the future might bring? I've also read recently that the Institute of Directors have moved in, what can i say?

The whole thing is a bloody mess and I commend the FOLB and other campaigners for highlighting these concerns and demanding transparency and accountability from those responsible.

So what can we do individually and collectively to make our voices heard?

we can and we must back the campaign being led by the FOLB and other anti-cuts groups in Birmingham.

We can use our libraries more and support the staff.

We can lobby our councillors and mp’s

We can write to the local and national newspapers

We can start up friends and campaign groups and link them locally with trade unions and other community activists and nationally with organisations such as the Library Campaign, Voices for the Library and Speak up for Libraries.

We can ask our councillors and MP’s to sign up to the Speak up for Libraries Manifesto.

But most of all we need to oppose every library cut and campaign, march and protest together, a united front.

Thanks for listening and keep up the fight.

All Hail the Public Library User! #NLD15

With sham consultations, cuts to outreach, a seemingly universal hollowing out of local library services/staff and ever increasing push towards commercialism you can't help but wonder if anyone in authority is listening to users?

Since it's National Libraries Day I thought I'd do something to help reverse this worrying trend and hand my blog over to the people who really matter, the library users.

I asked public library users in London, adults and children, to send me comments about why they love their libraries, here's a selection;

"The library has been my salvation.

I met new friends here and have continued to enjoy the library and all that it provides.

My children have also gained so much attending the library, it’s priceless! – from the very popular Baby Rhyme time sessions; Story Explorers provided a fun storytelling and craft sessions; the summer time holiday reading challenge , a great incentive to encourage children to keep reading; learning to knit and crochet which they enjoyed immensely; to Kumon sessions to help them with their maths. But above all, to watch them become confident, avid readers and develop a great enthusiasm and enjoyment of books. It is a wonderful thing when they find a book they can’t stop reading!

During our visits we have been looked after by professional librarians, whom my children recognise and look forward to seeing."

"I love my library because it has amazing books. I like 'Horrid Henry and the Sleepover'"

"The Library has provided a lifeline to me as one of the only FREE, warm, friendly and educational places where I have been able to take my daughter as a baby, a toddler and now as a nine year old attending the local Primary School.
>
> Over the years, my library has proved a joy and a sanctuary to me.
>
> We still use it weekly, as, indeed, do all the local schools. For students, particularly from the nearby estate, it provides computer access and a warm, quiet place to study. It is the hub of the vibrant local community."

"I love my library because it's really spacious and the books aren't crammed onto the shelves. I like reading 'Alice and the Magical Dog'"

"Our library is at the heart of the community in this area and is widely used by all members of the population, from students making use of the facilities for studying, to others needing use of a computer, elderly people seeking a quiet environment to read papers and journals, as well as the more traditional use of borrowing books and DVDs. Insofar as the latter is concerned, with a burgeoning young population in this area, the children's section is ever more popular and absolutely essential for their proper development. Furthermore, the staff at the library are always friendly and helpful which must be extremely difficult for them, particularly in the current circumstances."

"I love my library because it has a SMART table and i really like to play games on it"

"Our library is part of a vibrant local community – a much used and loved local resource. My children, who are pupils at the local Primary School, regularly use the library. As a family we visit the library often – and have done since my children were much younger, when they enjoyed rhyme time and other events. As a book-lover I have visited and enjoyed libraries since my childhood – and continue to use the local library for my own reading. Having been brought up with libraries, I know from my own experience how they can become a formative part of growing up and learning to enjoy and love books and reading. Take away or reduce the library offer and this opportunity will be taken away from future generations.

But the library isn’t just for schoolchildren and young families. It’s for everyone. Every time I visit I am struck by the range of people using the library – from older residents, who perhaps don’t have internet access at home, to teenagers and young people researching career opportunities, alongside a rich variety of community groups."

"I love my library because there are so many good books to look at. I like finding out information."

"The libraries are one of the most civilising service that .......... Council is responsible for running and must continue to be provided for the benefit of all in the constituency."