## _**Kingsclere Community Library Association Charity number 1195292**_
_**35 George Street Kingsclere, Hants RG20 5NH**_
## _**Report to Annual General Meeting for the period 1[st] April 2025 to 31st March 2026**_
Our charitable objectives are:
1. To advance education for the public benefit by running and maintaining a free public community library, to include loaning books and other items, providing access to a computer and the internet, offering educational events and other activities commensurate with a public library, and,
2. To promote for the benefit of the residents of Kingsclere and its environs 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 and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the condition of life of the said inhabitants.
During this past year the Kingsclere Community Library (KCL) has continued to meet our objectives, and offer a free public library to our community. Our services have included the loan of books, fiction and non-fiction for education and enjoyment; loan of other items such as jigsaw puzzles; provision of an information hub with community, educational, charitable and government activities and opportunities; the provision of a computer with internet access available at no cost; a subscription to the consumer charity Which? for anyone to use at the library; a printer/photocopier for public use at a minimal cost; our Summer Reading Programme for children; and our Annual Book Sale, a fund raising event which also provides a social event for the community.
## Library Management
We became a registered charity in July of 2021, and the management committee volunteers became trustees. The trustees set policy and agree procedures, and follow Charity Commission guidance and regulations. The Trustees over the past year were Nicole Lee, Sarah Davis, Lucinda Thursfield, Susan Earl, Lyn Pounds and Ellen Burbidge.
## Volunteers and Library Use
We currently have 45 active volunteers who open the library on three days a week according to a rota managed by one of the trustees, and some of whom provide other services such as computer
maintenance or helping at events. There are 10 volunteer shifts to be filled each week, and new volunteers are always needed to keep the library fully staffed.
We were open Tuesday and Thursdays 1pm-5:30pm and Saturdays 10am-1pm. Beginning in March, responding to suggestions on our Consultation with volunteers, library users and the general community, we changed the Thursday hours to be open in the morning; 10:30am to 4:30pm. The trial will continue for several months. If it does not prove popular, we will revert to our original hours.
The Library is always looking to increase its use by the community. We offer occasional events, fund raising events, including our annual Book Sale which is always very well attended, and host a Book Club. We have Storytime for young children usually twice per month.
We continued to borrow 100 books each quarter from the Hampshire Library system at Tadley. This infusion of new titles is very popular with our users.
We were pleased to support another Duke of Edinburgh programme student who volunteered hours helping us at the library.
We were proud and delighted to celebrate ten years of being a successful volunteer-run library this past year.
## Children's Summer Reading Programme
The Summer Reading FUN programme was offered over the summer as usual, and offered a medal, certificate and small prize to those children who completed the challenge by reading six books over the summer.
## Events and Publicity
Events and publicity are both vital aspects of our association. Every possible avenue of publicity is used such as the Kingsclere village magazine The Tower, the local magazines of the surrounding villages in our catchment area, the local newspapers, Facebook, and posters around the village and surrounding area. It is an ongoing task to make everyone aware that the library is there for them.
We hosted visits from the Kingsclere Primary School and the Kingsclere Preschool and the Cub Scouts.
In May we had a limerick competition, which was judged by the editor of the Newbury News, with both children and adult categories. October we celebrated Mad Hatter Month when children were invited to create their own Hats, which were displayed in the library.
Also in May, the Newbury Dramatic Society gave a presentation “Bletchley: Behind the Gates” which was very well received.
The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Colin Phillimore, with Borough Councillor David Conquest, visited in August to see how we were making use of equipment and books which he donated from the closed Old Ham Library.
Our Book Sale plus Picture Sale in September was another success. It is always eagerly anticipated and well supported by the village with volunteers and many book buyers. We raised a significant amount over the three day sale, opening for the first time on the Friday evening which proved popular. As always, we were very grateful for the support of the Kingsclere Community Association.
## Fund Raising
Events bring in some of the money necessary to meet our aims and we also look for funds from grant giving trusts and other sources. The Headley Trust has supported us from our first year, and continued this support this past year. We were also again supported by The Legge Family.
We continue to be supported by donations from library users. Donations of books to our annual Book Sale make our biggest fund raising event possible, and we are grateful to everyone who donates as well as those who buy books to support us.
Donations made through The Good Exchange were match-funded, and we are very grateful to The Greenham Trust for their strong support.
## Thanks & Acknowledgements
The community has come together to keep the library open and so many people have helped. The most important are all of our volunteers who literally keep the library doors open.
We are extremely grateful to those supporting us in the past year:
Greenham Trust The Newbury Dramatic Society The George Street Readers Book Club Swan Street Stores Spar Shop The Headley Trust The Village Butcher The Kingsclere Community Association The Kingsclere Village Tower magazine The Legge Family Newbury News B&D Borough Councillor David Conquest Kingsclere Parish Council B&D Mayor Colin Phillimore
## History
The Kingsclere Community Library (KCL) came into being in April 2015 when the County Council Library service decided to stop staffing and funding the Hampshire County Council (HCC) Library branch in Kingsclere. Volunteers stepped forward to keep the library open in the community.
The Hampshire County Library service continued to provide books, the computerized check out system and a staff member 2 hours per week to perform any jobs requiring a library technician, up until April 2021.
All other tasks were undertaken by our volunteers. All expenses (with the exception of library stock and the computerized county circulation system) were raised by the volunteers - this included rent to the Village Club, electricity, insurance (included in the Parish Council insurance up to 2021), cost of educational events open to everyone, repair and maintenance of furnishing and equipment (excepting the county circulation computer), volunteer training, telephone and stationery.
In April 2021 the Hampshire County Council completely withdrew its support from the library, donating the books that were currently in the library to our newly independent community library. All responsibility was handed over to the volunteers.
In July 2021 we became a registered charity, charity number 1195292. The original trustees were Nicole Lee, Sarah Davis, Janet Baker, Lucinda Thursfield and Kaye Broom.
## The Future
Our primary concerns for the near future remain funding and staffing. Economic uncertainty continues to provide challenges to fundraising. The trustees work hard to make sure our budget is being met.
Volunteers enable the library to remain open, and as other voluntary organisations have found, we have struggled in the past several years to recruit enough volunteers to staff the library. We have managed thus far but it is a continuing concern. We do not have funds to hire staff, and without enough volunteers we would be forced to close.
## Accounts
Treasurer’s Report for the year ended 31 March 2026
Our accounts this year show a loss of £804.11 which is disappointing following a net gain of £4252.82 for the previous year ended 31 March 2025.
Our income reduced by £3637.33. This was due mainly to a significantly lower amount being received from Greenham Trust/The Good Exchange. Also, we only had one major fundraising event – the book sale, whereas we also ran a quiz during the previous year. We will continue to apply for grants and organise fundraising events going forward.
Expenditure increased by £1419.60. New books purchased were covered by grants, some of which were received prior to 1 April 2025 and therefore are not reflected in our accounts for 1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026. Expenses for the book sale were higher however this included the purchase of a new banner which can be used for future sales and also the cost of hiring a van to dispose of the unsold books.
We also held a party to celebrate 10 years of running the library and whilst this was a significant expense, we felt that all of our volunteers should be recognised for their contributions and also this is a considerable achievement.
Susan Earl, Treasurer
## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2026**
**to 31/3/2026**
**to 31/3/2025**
**INCOME**
|grant from The Headley Trust
grant from the Legge Family/HIWCF
grant from The Tower
grants from Greenham Trust/The Good Exchange
grant from Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council
grant from Kingsclere Parish Council
miscellaneous donations
donation from Village Butcher
donations - library open day
donations for jigsaws at Greener Kingsclere
donations in library
income from fines
income from photocopier
book sale
quiz
Newbury Dramatic Society production
sale of sensor lights
reimbursement L Thursfield
**TOTAL INCOME**
**EXPENDITURE**
rent Village Club
phone/broadband (BT)
R Webb software support
PAT
insurance
GDPR
fine to Tadley library for missing book|£ 2,750.00
£ 484.27
£ 250.00
£ 2,392.33
£ 500.00
£ 99.00
£ 218.99
£ 121.56
£ 87.65
£ 23.50
£ 2,469.36
£ 280.00
£ 7.99
**£ 9,684.65**
£ 6,066.96
£ 592.83
£ 851.00
£ 114.00
£ 421.93
£ 47.00|£ 2,750.00
£ 700.00
£ 250.00
£ 5,996.67
£ 25.00
£ 40.60
£ 21.10
£ 82.96
£ 46.70
£ 17.50
£ 2,342.45
£ 780.00
£ 239.00
£ 30.00
**£ 13,321.98**
£ 6,066.96
£ 559.15
£ 815.00
£ 407.19
£ 35.00
£ 20.00|
|---|---|---|
|sensor lights
purchase of books
Which? subscription
general running costs/stationery/library supplies
AGM
Visit by B&DBC Mayor
Summer Reading Fun
open day
book sale
quiz
Newbury Dramatic Society production
KPS calligraphy display
activities/promotions
10th Anniversary party
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
**NET LOSS FOR YEAR 2025/26**
**NET GAIN FOR YEAR 2024/25**
**Unspent ring-fenced funds**
The Tower village magazine for children's books
**BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2026**
balance brought forward|£ 926.94
£ 99.00
£ 341.44
£ 6.58
£ 5.40
£ 28.97
£ 476.15
£ 85.00
£ 89.38
£ 336.18
**£ 10,488.76**
**£ 804.11**
£ -
£ 12,479.02|£ 29.07
£ 105.52
£ 99.00
£ 194.29
£ 37.83
£ 275.08
£ 363.57
£ 55.00
£ 6.50
**£ 9,069.16**
**£ 4,252.82**
£ 272.22
**£ 272.22**
£ 8,143.22|
|---|---|---|
|total income
transfer from petty cash to bank account
less total expenditure
**BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD**
Represented by:
Barclays Bank current account
**Funds include:-**
ring-fenced funds
contingency/emergency fund
winding-up fund
**TOTAL**
**Cash balances held:-**
fines and photocopies cash tin
donations jar
**TOTAL**|£ 9,684.65
£ 22,163.67
£ 10,488.76
**£ 11,674.91**
**£ 11,674.91**
£ 500.00
**£ 500.00**
£ 10.00
£ 10.00
**£ 20.00**|£ 13,321.98
£ 82.98
£ 21,548.18
£ 9,069.16
**£ 12,479.02**
**£ 12,479.02**
£ 272.22
£ 3,250.00
£ 2,250.00
**£ 5,772.22**
£ 10.00
£ 10.00
**£ 20.00**|
|---|---|---|
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees.**
**Nicole Lee, Chair 1[st] July, 2026**