Annual Report – South Craven Community Library Service Financial Year 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
Charity Details: Name of Charity: South Craven Community Library Service Charity No.: 1168766 Address: Main Street, Cross Hills, North Yorkshire, BD20 8TQ
Trustee Board:
The names of the trustees who have served in this financial year (ending 31 March 2025) are as follows: Revd Canon Michael Cowgill (Chair) Wendy Bond (Secretary) – until October 2024 Karen Taylor (Treasurer) Elaine Boyd Elaine Polshaw Jennifer Wood (Secretary) – from December 2024
Committee Members:
Ruth Lacey (Volunteer Co-ordinator) Elaine Dawson Martin White
Structure of Charity:
The Charity was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 15 August 2016.
Purpose of the Charity:
Our principal objects as set out in our constitution are as follows: To advance education by the provision of a local lending library The provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social or economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the lives of the said inhabitants.
Social Benefit:
We provide a comprehensive range of library services including the loan of books, e- books and audio books. We provide local information, the use of computers, internet and free wifi, a home library service, story times for children, reading groups, social events, computer and homework assistance and a weekly family history group.
Issues and Achievements this financial year:
Wendy Bond
- Our Secretary Wendy Bond sadly died suddenly in October 2024. Wendy was one of the original Trustees when South Craven Community Library Service was first sent up as a charity in 2016. We shall miss her knowledge and solid input into all the affairs and decisions of the Library.
We are very grateful to Jenny Wood who agreed to take up the position of Secretary in December 2024.
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Helenne Jordan joined us in April 2024 as our Outreach Librarian (from January 2025 now known as Community Development Librarian). Helenne has shown a high degree of interest and support for our Library and the Trustees especially during training for the new Spydus Computer system.
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Amanda Veevers took up her role in April 2024 as our North Yorkshire Council (NYC) Library Supervisor (from January 2025 now known as Community Support Officer.) Amanda has become an invaluable member of the Library and has steered Library volunteers through many important changes, particularly with the new Spydus programme.
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The Wednesday morning 'Story Time' for younger children has continued
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throughout the year and is much appreciated by those who regularly attend.
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Home Library continues though numbers are small.
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Volunteers have again been involved in the Household Support fund which has
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helped people to obtain shopping vouchers.
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The new Lease between North Yorkshire Council (The Landlord) and The Library (Tenant) which was submitted to the Land Registry in October 2023 finally received approval and was completed on 20[th] January 2025.
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The 2024 Summer Reading Challenge (SRC): School visits were welcomed to the Library as well as the Community Support Officer making visits into schools. A total of 119 children took up the challenge and 102 completed. A craft table and Lego was available for children to use throughout the summer during the SRC.
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Displays were made throughout the year. These included displays by Craven Museum / Family History / Olympics and Paralympics / Black History Month / Self Care Month / Christmas / Valentines Day.
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There were book sales of new and used books throughout the year.
- Christmas and May Day Raffles were successfully held with many prizes being donated .
- The AGM was held in the Library in September 2024 which took the form of a social 'get-together' to thank Library Volunteers.
Volunteers
- The present number of volunteers is 29. 25 are on the duty rota (some of whom also help in other areas); 1 is involved only in the Home Library Service; 1 helps as a weekly 'story teller' for pre-school children; 2 help to keep the Library clean and tidy. All new volunteers undertake an induction programme.
SPYDUS
Training sessions were held for Library volunteers at the start of 2025 as ‘SPYDUS’ replaced ‘SOPRANO’ as the ‘on-line’ Computer System. A new photocopier was also installed. Spydus went ‘live on 19[th] March 2025 but initial problems got it off to a slow start. It is now running effectively.
I.T. Our IT buddy (Matt) was unable to continue offering this service but John Farrar from Skipton kindly took on the task when he is required.
Activities during the Year:-
Pirate Poppins – a drama play for children – 22 children attended and was a great success.
H erb P lanting – a successful event and 12 children attended. ‘Buddy’ a therapy dog calls in at the library on a weekly basis – much appreciated by children.
Books for local Nurseries:- Nursery ‘drop boxes’ of 30 books have been delivered each term for children at local nurseries.
A Coffee Morning was held during Volunteers Week – to thank all who help in the Library.
The Library facilitated ‘Stop Smoking / Living Well’ sessions, held in the Library, which ran for a few months.
A new blackboard and white board for the children’s area proved very popular.
A large model snowman was made and donated by Jo Jessop. This enables children to poke their heads through the snowman’s face and have a picture taken. A post box for letters to Santa was also made by Jenny Wood. Both proved a great success and will be repeated in future years.
Duke of Edinburgh Award - The Library facilitates young people who are working towards their D of E Award to complete duties in the library.
There has been healthy contact with local schools throughout the year.
Car Parking.
Attempts were made during the year to prevent people parking in the Library Car Park, but who don’t use the Library. New Parking signs were made and fixed in place and a letter sent to the main culprit asking him to park elsewhere.
South Craven Community Library Service Accounts to March 31st 2025
| Library Income: Parish Grants NYCC Grants Bradford Warm and Welcoming Space Grant Donations We buy books (sale of used books) Invoiced Room Rental Raffle Ticket Income 2024 (May Day) Raffle Ticket Income 2024 (Christmas) Lottery income Lending activities Library subscriptions Computer use Book sales Other sales Prints and copies Event Income Till Over/-Under Library Income year ended 31/03/25: Meetings & Publicity Events costs Lottery Prizes Rates,Waste Collection, Ins & Water Security (Fire & Alarm), Fire Extinguishers, FE Testing Electric and Gas Maintenance & Cleaning, Boiler service, Library doors New Parking Signs Stationery, Postage & gifts Coffee, Tea, Warmspace beverages Raffle Tickets printed Entertainment New Light for side door Website Renewals Library Expenditure year ended 31/03/25: Net Balance of library accounts @ 31/03/25 Brought Forward Balance, 31/03/24 16046.02 Balance of Annual Accounts to 31/03/25 (267.03) Balance of Library Funds @ 31/03/25 15778.99 |
0.00 1500.00 1653.26 812.29 30.50 0.00 332.00 415.00 1062.50 804.35 0.00 0.00 56.40 32.60 561.40 42.00 17.07 7319.37 0.00 296.13 600.00 704.84 1738.41 2747.45 447.06 221.98 323.60 76.60 99.54 0.00 240.00 90.79 7586.40 (267.03) |
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Brought Forward Balance, 31/03/24 Balance of Annual Accounts to 31/03/25 Balance of Library Funds @ 31/03/25 |