’ - Chair s report (2023 24) to AGM
The Library has continued to deliver for our customers, and is prospering. We are committed to be active in the community, hosting events and engaging in other local activity, as well as being an effective lending library. Our volunteer strength has remained consistent and, thanks to Carole Kemp (Volunteer Coordinator), refresher sessions were offered and some ‘inactive’ volunteers were encouraged to return.
Thank you to all volunteers!
Library performance:
The performance figures show there is still a demand for Library services in Burbage and we are grateful to the local community for their support:
| Previous Year (2022-23) |
Review Year (2023-24) |
Diference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 13,315 | 13,836 | +521 |
| New Joiners | 387 | 344 | -43 |
| Active Borrowers |
719 | 800 | +81 |
| Annual Visitors |
7,550 | 8,753 | +1,203 |
Library interior:
The electricity meter has been removed from the old back office (now bookshop) so that we only pay one standing charge, thereby reducing our energy costs. We received funding to provide a ‘Warm Welcome’ in 202324 which also assisted with our energy bills. Our electrical wiring and fire alarm system have been brought up to standard thanks to a successful application to LCC’s Building Contingency Fund. A grab rail has been installed by the step into the bookshop. Noticeboards have been tidied up and decorated by Hazel.
The bookshop’s popularity and fund-raising continues to surpass expectations.
Library external / grounds:
There have been various improvements to the exterior: an updated and more colourful signboard; a picnic bench has been installed; as has a hand rail by the steps up from Lychgate Lane. A drainage channel was recently
installed at front. The grounds, planters and Friendly Bench are well maintained by volunteers.
Events:
Our regular events - Knit & Natter, Wriggly Readers, Summer Reading Challenge - continue to be popular.
The Christmas Fair and the Plant sale & Scarecrow Festival both proved very successful, being well-attended and significant fund-raisers for the Library. Thanks to all who helped, and particularly to Lynda Hodge for her inspiration and efforts towards the plant sale.
We also hosted Burbage Community Arts Festival events, the Comedy Wellbeing Hub, Wear It Green Day cake sale and a Burbage Heritage Group event.
Many other one-off’ events were also held throughout the period: Sands baby loss awareness week; Spooky Storytime; ‘Burbage Through the Centuries’ Book Launch, RCC Mobile Community Hub visits, International Women’s Day, and a display to mark D Day 80th Anniversary.
Looking ahead: 2024-25
Section 106 monies committed to purchase new blinds (now installed), a shed for additional storage, push bar on rear door exit, and new fitted bookcase.
Awaiting decision on grant application submitted for installation of solar panels and battery.
Awaiting decision on Warm Welcome grant (£1,500) for period 1 October to 31 March.
Tesco Stronger Starts funding to deliver Wriggly Words & Wellness project, a series of events for young children, their parents/carers to run throughout 2025. Voting is now live (blue tokens), and continuing until Sunday 12 January 2025.
Mike Wilbur, Chair
11 October 2024
Burbage Community Llbrary 1 WI 2023 to 31 March 2024 LIBRARY This Year Last Year Receipts [In] Grants tk>natk)r6 Fl Events PIK>tocoFylng £1.IXK).¢J) £288.56 £291.31 £2,709.27 £2,757. £215.35 £279.98 £2,570.K) £67.16 £133.? £2,105.) £26.92 £50.¢J) £1,284.CL) £189.80 £3,344.13 £21.87 Sales Easy Fundratsing Room Hlre 1(X) club 2nd Bank account (knl) Totsls £1,273.(J) £10,104.03 , £9,490. 13 Payments [Out] Secwlty / InsurarKe £746.55 £.(M) £4,048.11 £80.51 £2.(K17.77 £12.36 £307.06 £2.357.01 £544. £1,758.84 E2,4(X].j £744.26 £9.89 £34.34 £1,447. £1,257.01 £712.Y) Utffft Events Other Rumlng Costs Wrlggly Readers %ttlal Items S106 1(X) Club £o.(x) £617.(X) 21 Bank account (Manual) Totals £o.(x) £8,383.36 £11.265.65 U5 or (deficlt) for the year £1,720.67 -£1,775.52 BalarKes tThffjht forward Bank-1 £29,653.78 £31,(X)3.42 £0. £483.48 1 £31,486.90 1 Cash £24.95 L£29,6n.73 Balaxes In hand at year-end Bank.1 Bank-2 Cash £20,954.83 £10.(XX).(K) £348.57 £31,303.40 j £29,653.78 £o.(x) £24.95 £29,$78.73 Assets and Llabllltles: In additlon to the atK>ve cash balarKes the unft has equlpnRnt to value of and there are other assets or Ilabilities. Prepared by: J'IL6Je Slgnature & Date: 4-114 Revlewerfs Certffkate: Tr akne statements agree wlth record5 and V0her5 of Burbage Communfty Ltrary for the flnarKlal year erKled 31 March 2024 Revlewed by: Si8nature & Date: ./24 Q The Gukle Associatlon