Seascale Community Library- Annual Report to Seascale Parish Council
The Library was closed due to Covid from March 2020 to May 2021. At the point of closure the volunteer team had been running the Library for 7 months and had begun to generate momentum.
Like many organisations , the pandemic had a significant (adverse) impact upon the library.
The most significant was in terms of volunteers - we went down from 28 to 13. This meant that upon re-opening we were not able to maintain the 6 sessions per week we had been offering pre-Covid.
Instead we began with 2 sessions per week, which has now increased to 3 plus we are opening on a Saturday morning every 3 weeks.
The second major impact was on foot flow. When we first re-opened there was a natural reticence on the part of users to return to the building, although a robust risk assessment was put in place to ensure we were compliant with the Covid-safe operation standards quite rightly required by the county Council. The good news is that user numbers have consistently improved and are now largely back at pre-Covid levels. The other good news is that we have been able to recruit new volunteers- the number currently stands at 16 and the aspiration remains to return to offering 6 sessions per week in due course.
The intention to create a Community Hub in the Library building was also put on hold by the pandemic but we have been taking steps to develop the use of the building:Coffee Mornings- a number of our users are elderly and live alone and really appreciate the opportunity to get out and socialise
Dignity in Dementia- held fortnightly Memory meet-up sessions for people living with memory issues and their carers
Copeland Wellness Services- Women’s Wellness Group meet fortnightly Copeland Adult and Learning Services tutors use the Library for mentoring sessions. As a result of these we have provided work experience opportunities for learners to practice employability skills and enhance their CV’s
In the summer of 2021 we provided a 6th Form Student with work experience to strengthen their personal statement for University applications.
We have introduced Saturday morning opening to encourage more families to use the Library
In April 2022 For World Book Day we ran a successful Kids Coffee Morning with competitions and craft events etc. It is planned to run similar events in the future. A Japanese embroidery/sewing/craft course is planned that will run for 5 sessions A number of community engagement sessions were held by Radioactive Waste Management to consult with the local community over a possible geological disposal facility.
Finally the Library Trustees and volunteers would like to Thank the Parish Council for continuing to meet the day-to-day running costs of the building and in particular the significant investment in a new heating system.
Table 1
| INCOME | EXPOENDITURE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2/22 | 200.00 | Cofee Mornings & Donated Books. |
31/3/22 | 18.00 | Bank Service Charges |
|
| 9/2/22 | 595.00 | Transfer from PC- Donations |
||||
| 15.02.22 | 85.00 | Cofee Morning | ||||
| TOTAL | 880.00 | 18.00 | ||||
| Surplus | 862.00 | |||||
| Balance Brought Forward |
0.00 | |||||
| Balance as at 31.03.22 |
862.00 | |||||
| Represented by | 862.00 | Balance held in Unity Bank Account |
||||
| Balance Carried Forward to 22/23 |
862.00 | |||||
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