Beddau & Tynant Community Library (BATCL)
Annual Report, September 2023-24
Library Services
Being a Library is at the heart of everything we do, but we do so much more than lend books. In addition to our stock of books which we keep updated with new purchases’ we also offer:
Five free public access computers Printing and copying facilities Free access to Ancestry & Find my Past
We have upgraded all our PCs to Windows 11 this year
Library Figures
There are currently 1648 library members. Our Facebook page has 1.2k followers. Below is a table showing the number of books borrowed each month per year:
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 236 | 257 | 194 | 191 | 248 | 118 | 186 | 186 | 197 | |
| February | 109 | 247 | 196 | 205 | 171 | 255 | 104 | 174 | 179 | 171 |
| March | 352 | 191 | 145 | 172 | 232 | 353 | 120 | 174 | 92 | 117 |
| April | 245 | 292 | 182 | 201 | 243 | 0 | 131 | 268 | 219 | 146 |
| May | 297 | 261 | 97 | 156 | 247 | 36 | 148 | 175 | 149 | 128 |
| June | 337 | 307 | 185 | 168 | 248 | 15 | 181 | 227 | 179 | 162 |
| July | 253 | 255 | 294 | 213 | 328 | 28 | 159 | 196 | 291 | 218 |
| August | 328 | 396 | 313 | 364 | 325 | 100 | 148 | 240 | 309 | 266 |
| September | 312 | 279 | 303 | 291 | 335 | 133 | 202 | 183 | 240 | 115 |
| October | 333 | 271 | 232 | 253 | 243 | 157 | 172 | 190 | 192 | 160 |
| November | 322 | 246 | 224 | 221 | 234 | 131 | 156 | 154 | 168 | |
| December | 193 | 189 | 128 | 118 | 121 | 160 | 161 | 134 | 122 | |
| Total Loans |
3081 | 3170 | 2556 | 2556 | 2918 | 1616 | 1800 | 2301 | 2326 | 1680 |
On average 160 books a month are loaned, including the Covid years. The number of book loans however does not represent the footfall for the library as many people use the free computers and attend the activities without borrowing a book. The Monday Club provides talks, craft sessions, film afternoons, etc. to tackle isolation and loneliness for those aged 50+.
| Year | No. of borrowers added |
Set up To September |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 972 | |
| 2018 | 205 | |
| 2019 | 179 | |
| 2020 | 50 | |
| 2021 | 19 | |
| 2022 | 93 | |
| 2023 | 71 | |
| 2024 | 60 |
2023-4 Highlights
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October 2024 Litter Free Beddau and Tynant offered a Halloween themed craft and costume swap. This was aimed at fulfilling their ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ purpose.
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November 2024 The Library became HQ for Litter-Free and they held their AGM
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December 2024 We worked in partnership with Llantrisant Community Council and Litter-Free to stage the events and ceremony around switching on the Christmas Lights. The RCT Wind Band accompanied the communal Carol Singing, and there was great support from local residents. The Lights were turned on by local resident, Julie Edwards, who the Council had already supported for her work with raising mental health awareness locally.
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March 2024 We worked with every class in Gwaunmiskin Primary School in the run up to the celebrations for World Book Day
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April 2024 We hosted an RCT Consultation Event on the Local Development Plan. Turn out was very good and residents came with many questions and comments. RCT have undertaken to hold further similar events here in future.
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July 2024 we launched the Summer Reading Challenge with a Science event in the Library. Many children and their parents enjoyed an afternoon of hands on science, and the challenge again gave us the opportunity to recruit more younger members.
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September 2024 We were happy to support the Annual Beddau and Tynant Summer Fair with a stall which helped raise funds and, most importantly, awareness.
In addition to those events the following activities also take place regularly :
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Hosting local authors, Stephen J Preston and Mark Dorey
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Film afternoons
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Evening reading group
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Creative writing group
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Hosting Babi’s Bach for a performance of ‘The Snowman’
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Hosting RCT Baby Beats for a 4 week course
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Monthly drop-in autism advice sessions working with Autistic Minds Charity
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PACT meetings
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History Group
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Free monthly craft sessions which started in October using Co-op funding.
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We hosted a new group, Beddau and Tynant Community Singers from the late summer
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Several mental health activities
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Decorating the Library for events such as the National Eisteddfod
The Monday Club
The Monday Club deserves a separate mention. Founded in the Library, but now independent, they provide a wide range of speakers and activities particularly aimed at the over 50s. Members and attendees have a very positive outlook towards the Club and the Library.
The Fabric of the building
We have had the cladding on the outside of the building repaired and new security lights fitted.
Conclusion
In summary, the library is committed to promoting organisations and activities which enhance the social, educational, physical and mental wellbeing of the local community. We seek to improve the quality of life for people of all ages, economic status and educational attainment, through the provision of a welcoming and inclusive environment and free access to a wide range of resources. We do so with the important support of Llantrisant Community Council, and, just as importantly, our volunteers. We would like to thank them all, Council, Councillors and Volunteers. We couldn’t do it without you!
Julie Barton
Chair
Library Trustees November 2024
Beddau & Tynant Community Library Charity Number 1157769
Income & Expenditure Account For the year ending 31st August 2024
| 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Income | ||
| Grants | 7,502 | |
| Donations | 742 | |
| Fundraising | 717 | |
| Room Hire | 589 | |
| Gift Aid including Match Funding | 574 | |
| 10,124 | ||
| Expenditure | ||
| Gas & Electricity | 1,903 | |
| Water | 181 | |
| Insurance | 988 | |
| Book Purchases | 1,147 | |
| Telephone | 1,235 | |
| Stationery & Postage | - | |
| Fundraising Events | 1,275 | |
| IT Expenditure | 1,168 | |
| Dues & Subscriptions | 508 | |
| Repairs & Renewals, Buildings | 1,826 | |
| Cleaning | 305 | |
| Professional Fees | 175 | |
| Total Expenditure | 10,711 | |
| Income over Expenditure | (587) | |
| Opening Balance, Bank | 39,313 | |
| Net Incoming Resources for the Year | 38,726 |