Libraries
Greening public services
GLL’s Chris Hebblewhite reveals progress on the co-op’s five year sustainability strategy.
Books and beyond
Head of libraries at GLL Rebecca Gediking describes how innovation and adaptation are at the heart of a successful, modern library service.
Two-thirds of councils to cut neighbourhood services
Community services will have to be ‘drastically scaled back’ or cut altogether without further funding for councils, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.
Data collection to begin on ‘underappreciated’ libraries
The Government has agreed to implement the findings of an independent report into libraries in an effort to bolster awareness and engagement.
Public services in 'dire state’
No public services are performing better than before the pandemic and satisfaction with councils has dropped, a report has found.
Staffordshire’s new chapter
Staffordshire CC has moved to a community managed model in 27 of its 43 libraries. Cllr Victoria Wilson sets out why the approach has been a success.
Public libraries: the local levelling up machines
Public libraries have increased their support for those struggling with the cost of living crisis, and they are successfully embracing other agencies within their walls, says Diana Edmonds.
Culture is about who we really are
The concept of culture may be difficult to buy or sell, but it is worth the investment, writes Lawrence Conway.
What does our built environment need from the Government?
Chloë Phelps puts forward her three asks for Government that she believes would deliver quick wins in the most hard hit places.
England’s poorest areas hardest hit by austerity
Residents living in England’s most deprived areas were hit hardest by the largest local authority spending cuts during a decade of austerity, a think-tank has found.
Bookending lockdown
We’ve all had that feeling of knowing we needed to do something but it just drops further and further down our to-do list.
Tackling the digital divide in a changing world
Springboard, a new cutting edge online digital skills platform, is helping to train and upskill residents in Brent and address exclusion to ensure nobody is left behind. Peter Gadsdon explains.
Reimagining culture for our local communities
Arts Council England will stand with local authorities that seize the chance to build a vibrant new reality for every place, born out of creativity, says Darren Henley.
The simple fact is that reading matters
Diana Gerald, CEO of children’s reading charity BookTrust, explains plans to pilot a new, national library experience called BookTrust Storytime in the Autumn, developed in partnership with libraries and local authorities.
Blast at the rocketeers
Jeff Bezos and Sir Richard Branson recently took much-publicised spins into space.
Libraries are vital to tackling loneliness
The UK's libraries are a key element in tackling loneliness and isolation, says Rob Whiteman. Yet CIPFA data shows that total spending on libraries in Great Britain has decreased by 2.6% from 2018/19.
Spending on libraries drops by £20m in past year
The total spend on British libraries has fallen by nearly £20m in the past financial year, new figures have revealed.
A hive of activity
Calderdale MBC was abuzz recently when a huge honey bee nest was discovered in one of its libraries.
Leisure outsourcer asks staff to take 'career break'
A major leisure services provider has come under fire for asking workers to take ‘unpaid career breaks’.
Trusting our workforce to make the right calls in this time of crisis
Hertfordshire CC is providing ‘clarity, reassurance and the human touch’ - and its recruitment team turned into a redeployment hub once the potential impact of coronavirus was clear, says Sally Hopper.
