UK News
On this page:
- Sandwich Library Guild
- Friends of Seaford Library
- Friends of Charlbury Library
- Friends of the British Library
- UK Library Campaign
The Friends of the British Library have made a grant of £100,000 for a conservation room at the British Library. The room forms part of a bequest from the late Mary Welch, who was a Friends Volunteer and a conservation enthusiast.
Also, the Chairman of the Friends, David Brighty reports that a member of the Library Board will now sit on the Friends' Council, so that they can be kept directly informed of what is happening in the Library, and so that the Library Board can be fully aware of what the Friends are thinking and doing.
Sandwich Library Guild
Making a difference - Sandwich Library Guild founded in 1997 when the Kent County Council decided to reduce library opening hours. Thanks to community support and campaigning, the KCC decided to retain the original hours of opening. But the fight continues as changes to library premises are now on the agenda.
Friends of Seaford Library
Friends of Seaford Library have been campaigning for a new library building and have gained the support of local MP, Norman Baker.
Friends of Charlbury Library
Action by the Friends of Charlbury Library in West Oxfordshire saved libraries from cuts in opening hours and book vote. In the end, a member of the group was elected as a Town Councillor. Relations between Council, Library and Friends have become very co-operative.
Friends of the British Library
In the Annual Report of the Friends of the British Library, it was reported that, membership stood at 2816 and £25,000 was donated to the Library by the Friends for particular projects.
UK Library Campaign
The Library Campaign is presently repositioning its agenda with a view to broaden the membership base and become more attractive to Friends groups. A new leaflet will be sent to public libraries, with the endorsement of the Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, formerly the Library Association.
The Library Campaign recently had a meeting with the Friends of the British Library, to discuss matters of mutual interest. FBL membership now stands at 3,000 and is growing at the rate of 50-60 per month. One reason for the growth in membership has been the volunteers desk in the entrance foyer.
For the last four years, volunteers recruited from the Friends of the British Library have manned a desk in the entrance.
Friends of Richmond Upon Thames were awarded fund to produce its newsletter by the local Council for Voluntary Service... 'As you know, CVS considers the provision of public library services as being crucial to the general quality of life in our borough...'