While Steve from Kell Developments was getting started on work in the library, the trustees met this morning and we can report that:

Earlier today, and ahead of his retirement next week, the Assistant Chief Executive of Wirral Council, David Armstrong, held a ‘leaving do’ at Birkenhead Town Hall for those with whom he has worked with most closely during his 34 years with Wirral Council.

Why are we posting this? Well, quite simply, without David’s support and action in the years leading up to the transfer of Wallasey Village Library to our charity, it would have closed forever. Finito.

When Wallasey Village Library Friends and local councillors, asked for the roof to be replaced; the footpath to be relaid and the interior to be redecorated by Prince’s Trust, it was David who cut through the Council red-tape and made it happen.

Had some of that work, along with other maintenance issues, not taken place, we would not have been able to afford to take on the building.

So, on behalf of all of us, thank you David Armstrong. We cannot thank you enough for all you have done.

We look forward to welcoming you when we re-open.

We were chuffed to have so many people express an interest in joining us as trustees, to run our charity and reopen the library.

Altogether, an incredible 11 people have volunteered to (potentially) get involved in this way.

We held a couple of ‘open sessions’ at the (very cold and unheated) library. We were really impressed by the enthusiasm of everyone we met.

Last Tuesday, the current four trustees (Ray, Nadina, Sarah and Ian) met to agree the formal process (as suggested by the Charity Commission).

Earlier today, each of the 11 were sent the Commission’s Declaration of Eligibility to complete and return to us (by 1 March).

We’ll then send them a ‘Trustee Pack’ that we’re putting together, with a deadline of 15 March for that to be completed and returned to us.

After that, we will confirm the names of our new trustees and invite them to an ‘induction’ session, which St George’s Primary has kindly agreed to host, so at least we know it will be warm…

N.B. We’ve now removed the ‘trustee’ option on the ‘Get Involved’ page.

This afternoon, three of us paid a visit to The Cornerstone Library, in Churchtown, Southport. Ten years ago, most of the branch libraries in Sefton were closed, leaving some communities (such as Churchtown) without a library. We can relate!

Now, after a great deal of work and fantastic support from the community (again, we can relate!), a library has been opened, and is run by a local charity, the North Meols Library Association.

It was invaluable to hear from Rosie, Joan and Paul (three of their volunteers) on what they have found works, the plans and safeguards they have made and how they lend their 2,000+ stock of books.

Most of our questions centred on their use of the ‘Simple Little Library System’ that enables library members to browse the books that are available, see the new titles, reserve and renew borrowing. You can see how Cornerstone use their system here.