’ - Chair s report (2024 25) to AGM
The Library continues to deliver for our customers, and to prosper. 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 broadly consistent, albeit with some small amount of churn. Training on the new Axiell system was delivered effectively. Thank you to everyone who participated in this. First Aid training was also offered to volunteers which proved popular, with 32 volunteers attending.
Thank you to all volunteers!
Governance:
Subsequent to last year’s AGM, the Trustees appointed Andy Kemp, Duncan Taylor, and Jane Taylor as new Trustees. They are, therefore, required to resign and now stand for election if they wish to further continue as BCL Trustees.
Cllr Dawn Glenville replaced Pam Spence as the Parish Council representative on the management committee. We welcome Dawn, and give thanks to Pam Spence for her input and support.
Library performance:
The performance figures show there is still demand for Library services in Burbage although issues with Axiell statistics prohibit meaningful comparisons with previous years:
| Previous Year (2023-24) |
Review Year (2024-25) |
Diference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issues | 13,836 | 11,635 | Issues with Axiell stats so no accurate comparison |
| New Joiners | 344 | 267 (10 months) |
|
| Actve Borrowers | 800 | 700 | |
| Annual Visitors | 8,753 | 9,060 | +307 |
Interior improvements include new window blinds, push bar on rear door exit, new fitted bookcase for local history resources, and a new bookcase in the children’s library.
We received funding to provide a ‘Warm Welcome’ (Oct 2024 to March 2025) which also assisted with our energy bills. During the period, we provided 520 hot drinks.
Solar panels and storage batteries were installed in January thanks to a VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme Grant.
An outside shed for additional storage was bought with Section 106 money. The grounds, planters and Friendly Bench are well maintained by volunteers on a routine basis, with a
‘gardening party’ held each Spring and Autumn. Concern about the state of the path and steps prompted our decision to block off access to behind the Library from Lychgate Lane. Our website has been upgraded and is maintained and updated regularly by Rose Ruddick.
Events:
Our regular events - Knit & Natter, Wriggly Readers - continue to be popular, and we have the highest participation for the Summer Reading Challenge among the local CMLs.
The Christmas Fair and the Plant sale & Scarecrow Festival both proved very successful again, being well-attended, and are very significant fund-raisers for the Library.
We also hosted Burbage Community Arts Festival events, the Comedy Wellbeing Hub, Wear It Green Day cake sale and a Burbage Heritage Group event.
Wriggly Words & Wellness, a monthly series of events for young children is being delivered throughout this calendar year thanks to a Tesco Stronger Starts grant.
Many other one-off’ events were also held throughout the period, including: Marvellous Makers & Craft Christmas children’s evens; Crime & Fraud Awareness; RCC Mobile Community Hub; Sands baby loss awareness week; and Wear It Green cake sale.
Looking ahead: 2024-25
Extend lease, due to expire in May 20126.
Publication of a celebration booklet to mark our 10 years as a Community Library.
Continuation of Wriggly Words & Wellness events thanks to a £500 donation from Davidson Homes.
Warm Welcome grant (£1,200) just confirmed by HBBC for period 1 October to 31 March.
New roof for the external storage room (successful bid to LCC Building Contingency Fund)
Thank you, again, to all volunteers!
Mike Wilbur, Chair
9 October 2025
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