All about Your Library
At the beginning of 2014 the Leicestershire County Council decided that as a cost saving exercise only the main 16 libraries in the county would remain open. The remaining small village libraries (32) would either be run entirely by volunteers or a library bus would be provided. After several consultation meetings and many miles of paperwork, three volunteers put their hands up at a meeting in March 2015 to say they would see if the library could be saved. Penny, Vernon and Gill did not know each other before this meeting, but soon began to understand the enormity of the task.
The Council would provide financial assistance for several years on a sliding scale, but eventually the libraries would have to be self-sufficient. The book stock would remain the property of the Council and they would continue to update and assist with its circulation. Help was also to be provided by Voluntary Action Leicester to assist in the general needs for legal agreements, running a team of volunteers and policies required.
Many people in Great Glen were keen to see the library continue, but translating that into solid help on a Management Team was not easy. A core of people willing to help soon became the Trustees of the Great Glen Community Library, once we had become a registered charity. A newsletter was delivered to all the village, plus Burton Overy and Little Stretton, articles in Glen Sence were produced and meetings held so eventually around 40 people said they would become Volunteers. Training took place leading up to the handover.
The Management Team was finally able to get all the paperwork in place and signed for handover of the keys on 20th June 2016, an exciting and daunting day, which was celebrated by a small party with a large cake.
The Council would provide financial assistance for several years on a sliding scale, but eventually the libraries would have to be self-sufficient. The book stock would remain the property of the Council and they would continue to update and assist with its circulation. Help was also to be provided by Voluntary Action Leicester to assist in the general needs for legal agreements, running a team of volunteers and policies required.
Many people in Great Glen were keen to see the library continue, but translating that into solid help on a Management Team was not easy. A core of people willing to help soon became the Trustees of the Great Glen Community Library, once we had become a registered charity. A newsletter was delivered to all the village, plus Burton Overy and Little Stretton, articles in Glen Sence were produced and meetings held so eventually around 40 people said they would become Volunteers. Training took place leading up to the handover.
The Management Team was finally able to get all the paperwork in place and signed for handover of the keys on 20th June 2016, an exciting and daunting day, which was celebrated by a small party with a large cake.
