Community spirit sees the re-opening of Kingsclere library
Voluntary group saves the day
COMMUNITY spirit saw the re-opening on Tuesday of Kingsclere Library, which remains as a thriving local facility, thanks to a dedicated band of volunteers.
The George Street library, contained within Kingsclere Village Club, had been under threat of closure, due to Hampshire County Council cuts, in a move to cut £23,000 as part of a total £300,000 slashed from library costs county-wide.
Appalled at the prospect of losing their library – where regular visitors include pupils and parents passing the library while walking to nearby Kingsclere Primary School and tiny tots visiting the children’s section – Kingsclere villagers formed a voluntary group to save it.
The group comprises some 34 people, determined to keep the library open by staffing it on an entirely voluntary basis.
Chairman of Kingsclere Parish Council, Alan Denness, said the library had been totally redecorated and re-carpeted and by local contractors after being closed during the refurbishment, which was funded by Hampshire County Council.
The opening days and times will remain the same, thanks to what he described as a “marvellous group of volunteers”.
Headley Trust, with the support of Sir Timothy Sainsbury, had pledged grants towards running costs for the next three years of £2,750, £2,550 and £2,250.
They have already provided the first grant for year one, so Kingsclere Parish Council have not had to dip into the £3,000 grant they had pledged.
That amount is, however, still ring-fenced in the council’s budgets for 2015/16 against any unexpected costs and requirements for the library to be able to operate successfully.
The volunteers will manage the payment of the library’s utility bills and also the rent, the latter payable to owners of the building, Kingsclere Village Club.
The volunteers, who have undergone training by the county council’s library services, can help visitors, who will still need their library card, borrow and return books electronically.
Books can also be reserved at home online, then collected at the library, following an email notification and other library services set to continue include the loan of magazines, DVDs and audio books,
The library also offers free Wi-Fi and the library computer also remains available for use, either by booking a one-hour slot in advance or by taking pot luck.
The former librarian of Kingsclere Library, Rowena Hensman, urged villagers to support the community library and said: “I would just like to say what a privilege it has been to serve the people of Kingsclere and the surrounding villages for over 20 years.
“I have been very fortunate to work in a lovely environment within a friendly, caring community and I have never got out of bed wishing I did not have to go to work.
“I wish you all well and thank you for all your support of the library whilst I have been
here.”
Kingsclere Community Library is open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, from 1pm to 5.30pm, and also on Saturday, from 10.30am to 3pm.
An official grand opening of the library is planned next month with the date to be confirmed.
Anyone who would still like to join the library’s voluntary group should email kingsclerelibrary@gmail.com, or telephone Sarah Davis on (01635) 299546, or Sue Earl on (01635) 298286.
A library spokesman said: “Even one shift per month is useful and you do not have to cover the same shift each time.”
