Whilst we do not have any elections relevant to the Library this May, others do!  However we can always make sure that out political representatives are made aware of our expectations as far as our local libraries are concerned, and it is never too early to make the point.  
The Speak Up for Libraries alliance* is urging people everywhere to make public libraries a central issue in local elections.

This is a once-in-four-years chance to make sure local councils understand that libraries are a low-cost, essential resource for their work – and deeply valued by local residents.

Already, many library services are threatened by deep cuts, widespread closures of vital local branches – or the damaging policy of turning branches over to be run by volunteers.

Yet the unprecedented cuts to government grant that local authorities are facing mean that libraries, despite being a statutory service that councils must provide, are once more in danger of being seen as soft targets for savings. Such cuts often save little but do great damage.

If people wait another four years, their own library could go. Nationally a postcode lottery will become a reality with only some communities benefiting from the presence of a professionally run library.

Libraries remain the lynchpin of communities, offering access to learning, reading, information and enjoyment.

Libraries are a trusted public space, a place for everyone.

They play a crucial role in improving literacy standards and in combating the digital divide.

Speak up for Libraries believes that libraries, far from being obsolete, are more important than ever. That is why we are asking local politicians, and the government, to make a public commitment to their survival and development.

Speak up for Libraries is asking local councillors to sign up to the following manifesto when standing for election;

• Acknowledge that libraries are important to people – especially when times are hard for individuals and communities
• Give a commitment to engage with communities to design services that meet their needs and aspirations.
• Ensure library services are properly resourced and staffed. A commitment to a service that is publicly funded, managed and run by paid professional staff.
• Recognise that properly funded library services contribute to the health and well-being of communities and so complement the work of other public services.

And lobby the Government to:

• Give libraries a long-term future, with a vision for their future development and clear standards of service.

• Enforce the commitment in law to provide a “comprehensive and efficient” library service. This commitment should also include digital, ICT and e-book services.


Notes:

• Speak Up For Libraries is an alliance of individual campaigners and national organisations: Elizabeth Ash, Campaign for the Book, CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals), The Library Campaign, Unison, Voices for the Library.
• Local Elections – This year there will be Council elections on 22 May for the London Boroughs (32), all Metropolitan Boroughs (36) and a number of unitary authorities (20). There are no local elections in Scotland or Wales or for County Councils in England. The local elections in District Councils are not relevant as they are not responsible for public library services
• Library closures:
- Public Library Statistics produced by CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy) show that there was a net loss of 212 libraries or mobile libraries in the UK in 2011/12 and 71 libraries (including mobile libraries) in 2012/13.
- Public Library News estimate that in 2013/14 493 libraries (including mobile libraries) in the UK were closed, or planned to be closed, or became community managed libraries managed by volunteers. 
- Since April 2014, Public Library News report that 78 libraries (including mobile libraries) are threatened with closure and 5 libraries to become community managed libraries run by volunteers
http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/

• Local government funding and expenditure:

- There was a 33% real term cut to government funding of local government in England between 2011-2015 (Comprehensive Spending Review 20112-2015)
- A further 10% cut to Government’s Core Funding of local government in England planned in 2015/2016 (Spending Review 2016-2016)
- Additional funding cuts are widely expected in 2016-2018

In a press release issued by the Local Government Association on announcement of the 2015/2016 Spending review, Sir Merrick Cockell, Local Government Association Chairman is quoted as saying:,

“,,,the fact remains that some councils will simply not have enough money to meet all their statutory responsibilities. Services such as culture and leisure facilities, school support, road maintenance and growth-related programmes will bear the brunt of these cuts”

http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/media-releases/-/journal_content/56/10180/4044082/NEWS

Website www.speakupforlibraries.org
Twitter @SpeakUp4Libs
Facebook www.facebook.com/SpeakUpForLibraries

“Our pre-Easter Cake Sale and Café in the Library is coming up on April 12th 10am - 1pm  and we are looking for volunteers to man the café and to bake some cakes.  These sales are a regular source of income for the Friends and we use the money to keep the Library’s stock of books updated.  Horizons Bookshop in the Village are really great, they get the books for us and let us have them with a reasonable discount and it keeps the business in the village – so Burnham wins all round.  If you are not a baker, do come along and sample and buy, and even borrow a book, CD, DVD or two!

I was talking to somebody in the village this week who was asking about the children’s activities in the Library and was pleased to tell them about the wide range of things which our staff and volunteers offer for children of all ages, both paid and unpaid activities.  I was reminded of the conversation yesterday morning, when I was in the Library  and listened to the Bounce and Rhyme session and heard some rhymes and tunes from my own childhood (and some new ones!).  I wondered how many of those babies giggling with their mothers will take those rhymes on and be teaching them to their children, in the Library, in years to come.  It made my morning!”

For our very popular Annual Quiz
 
We'll  be holding our annual quiz on Friday May 23rd at the Library starting at 7.30pm. Doors will be open from 7.00pm.

Teams of up to eight people can enter and the entry fee is £8 for non members and £6 for members. The price will include a light supper during the interval. (Please bring your own drinks). A 50/50 raffle will be run during the evening and the prize for the winning team will be a £10 book token for each team member.

We hope to finish by 10.30pm. To enter a team please call Philip Everitt on 01628603930/07966040776 or contact us

A big thank you to our sponsors:

Burnham Garage the main event sponsor.

The following have sponsored a question round.

Thay are,

Glenn Flegg Estate Agents

Sherriff Mountford Estate Agents

Nisa Supermarket

Oberon Art

Josephines Beauty Salon

Horizons Book Shop

The Pines Hotel

The Friends of the Library are now working with the Culture and Learning Department of the County Council in a partnership arrangement for the Management of Burnham Library.  The County will continue to maintain the staff, buildings and facilities, whilst the Friends will be seeking to offer as much financial support as is needed to maintain services at their present level.  This includes increasing the revenue of the Library from the organisation of events.

In connection with this, some good news!  We made an application to the Parish Council Community Fund for a Grant of £2000 towards the funding of children’s activities for the coming year, given that funding from the County is under great budgetary pressure and I am pleased to tell you that our application was successful.  As a result, we will be able to assist the Library to purchase much of the renewable material that they require to continue to provide the high level and quality of the activities which are offered for our children in the Village.

The Dickensian Fund Raising Evening on Friday, 28th February was attended by 53 Friends and friends!  The evening, compered most ably by Sue Mackenzie, had contributions from Christine Webb, who read some humorous passages from Dickens’ work and gave a short history of his life, whilst Darryl Boot (as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a fellow Portsmouth lad and friend of Charles Dickens) talked about the exciting environment in which he and Dickens worked.  This was interspersed with a very entertaining and participative musical contribution from Sally Sharp with songs from “Oliver”.  With excellent food and wine, it proved to be a very successful evening, which raised some more money for the FoBL funds to support the Library.  Big thanks are due to the organising committee and Pat Hayman, aided by Barbara Rosenberg, who provided the catering.  As always we must acknowledge the invaluable contribution from the Library Staff without whose efforts, this would not have gone so smoothly.

Do have a look at our “Burnham Library in the Press” page and see what good coverage we have been getting in our local paper.

With the tremendous input of the Burnham Health Promotion Trust, we ran a very successful Healthy Living Week in the Library from the 4th to the 8th February, photos of which can be seen in the press links mentioned above.  As it was such a success, in response to demand from both attendees and exhibitors, we will be running another Week in 2015, slightly later in the year, to take advantage of what we hope will be better weather.  So watch out for further information.

Along with Healthy Living Week, a recruitment activity was run for Volunteers in the Library, firstly to help in the Library itself,  as well as in the Village Information Point and for the Police.  There is a decision that the police will have a presence in the Library in the next few months and will be using an office at the rear of the building for a daytime base for the Neighbourhood Officers supporting Burnham. 

We are looking at registering for Gift Aid and several other avenues to increase our income, so we can ensure that the library is able to continue its level of service and where possible improve it.  If you can persuade your friends and family to join the Friends of the Library, there is a membership application here which can be downloaded and handed in to the Reception Desk in the Library