Latest news with #libraries
The Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Camilla laments library closures in visit to Edinburgh community hub
The Queen has lamented library closures across the country as she celebrated a thriving example in Edinburgh. Camilla told a group of librarians, figures from the city's annual literary festival and leading writers that she 'wished' more people would open such facilities as she officially launched Ratho Library in Newbridge. Her words were echoed by celebrated Scottish crime writer Sir Ian Rankin, who praised the resources his local centre provided when he was growing up, saying: 'Without libraries I wouldn't be here.' The Queen, who has a passion for reading and officially supports a number of literary organisations, also chatted to Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn, and told her: 'I'm very partial to crime novels.' In an impromptu speech, she said her visit 'has just reinforced my belief in what wonderful places libraries are, literally from toddlers to pensioners – they manage to inspire a love of reading of books'. She added: 'To actually see a new library like this… I wish a lot of other people would follow your example and open more libraries all over the country, because I think, sadly, a lot of them have been closing down. 'So to see something as wonderful as this being reopened is all to the credit to all of you who've made it happen.' The BBC reported in September that more than 180 council-run libraries have either closed or been handed over to volunteer groups in the UK since 2016 after the corporation submitted freedom of information requests. In contrast, City of Edinburgh Council has made a commitment to its 28 public libraries to continue developing the resources as thriving community spaces. Sir Ian, famed for his series of Inspector Rebus books, is also Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh, and said following the royal visit: 'Libraries are an easy cut and I can understand why councils do it – it's an invisible cut, almost. 'But it's such a crucial thing – libraries are crucial for every generation, from the very beginning to the very end.'Sir Ian added that to 'be a reader is to be a citizen of the world as fully as you can be'. Camilla's visit also marked the launch of a five-year initiative by the Edinburgh International Book Festival in partnership with Edinburgh City Libraries. Called Paper Trails, the project supported by Sir Ian will operate in five local libraries, including Ratho Library, to promote literature in local communities, including using the mobile library service to bring authors and artists into care homes. The community of Ratho was served by a mobile library while the permanent facility was rebuilt, opening in the spring, and Camilla toured a similar mobile unit and joked with Sir Ian when she spotted some of his novels on the shelves. She quipped 'I'm sure they go down very well with the readers,' before donating a collection of books. During her visit, the Queen also sat down with a group of children from a nursery which shares its premises with the library and also met a group of budding authors and poets from the Citizen Collective Young People's Writers Programme. She told them: 'I can see I've met you at very early stages in your career – good luck.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Camilla laments library closures in visit to Edinburgh community hub
The Queen has lamented library closures across the country as she celebrated a thriving example in Edinburgh. Camilla told a group of librarians, figures from the city's annual literary festival and leading writers that she 'wished' more people would open such facilities as she officially launched Ratho Library in Newbridge. Her words were echoed by celebrated Scottish crime writer Sir Ian Rankin, who praised the resources his local centre provided when he was growing up, saying: 'Without libraries I wouldn't be here.' The Queen, who has a passion for reading and officially supports a number of literary organisations, also chatted to Gone Girl author Gillian Flynn, and told her: 'I'm very partial to crime novels.' In an impromptu speech, she said her visit 'has just reinforced my belief in what wonderful places libraries are, literally from toddlers to pensioners – they manage to inspire a love of reading of books. 'And to actually see a new library like this… I wish a lot of other people would follow your example and open more libraries all over the country, because I think, sadly, a lot of them have been closing down. 'So to see something as wonderful as this being reopened is all to the credit to all of you who've made it happen.' The BBC reported in September that more than 180 council-run libraries have either closed or been handed over to volunteer groups in the UK since 2016 after the corporation submitted Freedom of Information requests. In contrast, Edinburgh City Council has made a commitment to its 28 public libraries to continue developing the resources as thriving community spaces. Sir Ian, famed for his series of Inspector Rebus books, is also Deputy Lieutenant of Edinburgh, and said following the royal visit: 'Libraries are an easy cut and I can understand why councils do it – it's an invisible cut, almost. 'But it's such a crucial thing – libraries are crucial for every generation from the very beginning to the very end.' Sir Ian added that to 'be a reader is to be a citizen of the world as fully as you can be'. Camilla's visit also marked the launch of a five-year initiative by the Edinburgh International Book Festival in partnership with Edinburgh City Libraries. Called Paper Trails, the project supported by Sir Ian will operate in five local libraries, including Ratho Library, to promote literature in local communities, including using the mobile library service to bring authors and artists into care homes.
New York Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
10 Libraries Will Open on Sundays in N.Y.C. Budget Deal
New York City leaders have reached an agreement to bring Sunday service to 10 library branches that do not currently have it, as part of a broader city budget deal, according to two people familiar with the negotiations. The budget, details of which are expected to be announced as soon as Friday afternoon, will include $15 million in new funds for the libraries' general operating expenses, and $2 million more for expanded Sunday service. The specific branches that will open on Sunday have not been determined. The budget is also expected to include additional funding for immigrant legal services and for child care programs for 2-year-olds, one of the people said. The budget negotiations between Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council speaker, Adrienne Adams, have been proceeding as both were focused on the Democratic mayoral primary. Ms. Adams finished fourth in the preliminary election results; Mr. Adams, who launched his re-election campaign as an independent this week, was not on the ballot. The two leaders are not related. Ms. Adams, who has repeatedly pushed back against the mayor's budget cuts to libraries and preschool, had pledged to expand Sunday service at 10 branches during her State of the City speech in March. Funding for several of the mayor's priorities are also expected to be included in the budget deal, including $6 million for a new Division of Sustainable Delivery, according to one of the people familiar with the negotiations. Mr. Adams has repeatedly called for a new body within city government to regulate the many electric bikes, mopeds and cargo bikes being used to deliver food and other items to New Yorkers. He has said that the division would 'prioritize safety while harnessing the potential of these new forms of transportation,' and 'establish clear goals and guidelines for the future of delivery in New York City.' This is a developing story and will be updated.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Pittsburghers visit libraries to seek relief amid heat wave
As the heat makes the weather miserable, finding any relief is welcome. People will find just about anywhere they can to be inside and cooled off. In addition to cooling centers, some people are using libraries, which can also connect them with services if they find themselves in need. "One of the last places you can go to without any expectation to buy anything. You can walk in their doors, there's things to do," Allegheny County Library Association CEO Amy Anderson said. According to the ACLA, during weather events, they see more people pass through their doors. Earlier this spring, when wind caused widespread damage and power outages, libraries were more than just for a book and a good read. "When we had all of the power outages after the storm recently, the library was the place to go to charge your phone," Anderson said. For people who have nowhere to go during this heat stretch, there are also services to try and help those who may n ot be as fortunate. Libraries in the Pittsburgh area are part of the Library Social Work Fellowship. This puts social workers in some of the libraries to connect people with the help and services they may need. "It's our job to provide information. We know how to find it. So come in, ask questions and we're here to help," Anderson said. That program helps both libraries in the Allegheny County Library Association and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh system.
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Fears over plans for volunteer-run libraries in Leicester
Residents in Leicester have expressed concerns over cost-cutting plans for volunteers to run libraries in the City Council has proposed to transfer the running of libraries in Rushey Mead and Knighton to external organisations as part of a wider shake-up of community buildings which aims to save £2.1m a year. However, users have told the BBC they fear no volunteers will be prepared to take over the buildings, which means they could be forced to council said the proposals did not amount to a closure programme and no decisions had been made. A consultation on the proposal runs until 29 Knighton Library Group is campaigning for the council to rethink the Amy Capelin said: "We are worried that it will impact on the service, and that the library might not be open as long. "We are worried it won't be run by experienced, qualified librarians, and that if it isn't run well, it might not survive in the long term."Once it's gone, we're going to lose it forever and we really don't want that." Rushey Mead resident Shashikala Jansari said: "This [the library] means my lifeline. "My husband is not well and he can't hear so I've got nobody to talk to even at home and I come here and see my friends and feel happy."Fellow library user Nishin Vyas said: "Our rates have gone up and they're going to go up again."We're not getting any facilities around here. Everything is cutbacks." Assisstant city mayor Vi Dempster said: "This is not a closure programme. "We have seen in Leicester that community buildings can be very successfully run by community groups, and we are asking local people to consider how they can work with us to take over these buildings. "No decision has yet been made, but we have already had interest from local people in running a number of buildings. "I would urge other groups to contact us if they also wish to make an expression of interest." The libraries are among 11 buildings the council hopes to find volunteers to the plans, the authority would retain 12 sites, which would become "multi-service centres", and the city's Central Coleman and Netherhall neighbourhood centres could be transferred to community organisations, as well as the Braunstone Frith and Rushey Mead recreation council said the Tudor Centre, in Mowmacre, the Eyres Monsell Community Centre, the Gilmorton Community Rooms and libraries in Evington, Knighton and Rushey Mead could also be offered to external organisations to St Matthews Centre could also close with the library moved to a nearby location and the Fosse Neighbourhood Centre in Newfoundpool could be sold off, the authority council said it would invest £1m in the 12 buildings it intends to keep - five of which, including the Beaumont Leys Library Hub and Highfields Library Hub, could have staffed opening for 40 hours a self-access hours would be offered on top of the 40 hours at Belgrave Library Hub, The Brite Centre Library Hub in Braunstone and St Barnabas Library Hub, the council addedIt said the remaining seven sites could open for 30 hours a include Aylestone Library, Westcotes Library Hub, a relocated St Matthews Library and Thurnby Lodge Centre self-access hours are proposed for Hamilton Library Hub, New Parks Centre Hub, and Pork Pie Library Hub.
