A new approach to library services
County Councils have a statutory duty under the Museums & Library Act 1964 to provide a comprehensive public library service, but this is now subject to stringent financial constraints.
Consequently, Staffordshire County Council decided to seek community-led groups to manage several libraries on their behalf, while they retained responsibility for buildings, maintenance, utility costs, public computers, broadband connection and supply of books.
Successful groups were asked to provide volunteers to manage the libraries and develop local initiatives to meet community needs.
A team of Kinver residents rose to the challenge of keeping the library open and formed a charitable company called Kinver Community Library Ltd (KCLL). Supported by a dedicated band of enthusiastic volunteers, KCLL has now been successfully running the library since 3 January 2017.
Creation of a village hub
The KCLL team believes that our library is about more than just lending books. Located
This means that activities offered within our library have a broad appeal to a wider group of people than those who just want to borrow a book. Library services do not replicate, but complement, the many and varied activities delivered by the plethora of active village societies. As a result, the type of activities on offer is increasing over time and by popular demand. Please do not hesitate to contact us to ensure that your interests are included in our future plans. It’s important that village residents tell us what they want from a village
So what is on offer?
Visit the library and meet our friendly team of volunteers. We believe that our library
We also offer the library as a place for village societies to meet (at a small fee). Book via the “Services” drop-down menu.
Some believe that libraries should be places that demand silence, allowing individuals to study and research. That is not our philosophy. We encourage activities that ensure our visitors and customers interact to the fullest extent. Your input is essential. The implementation of activities depends as much on new ideas as it does on the number of volunteers we have to ensure those ideas are delivered. You can help us determine:
Changes in the type of books we stock.
What opening hours we should have, subject to us having volunteers to manage any increased hours on a regular basis.
What new groups we should start at the library. Ideas might include computer training for the terrified; a debating club for young adults; a homework club for local school pupils; murder mystery evenings; CV preparation.
Please help us fashion the future. We look forward to hearing from you as to what you would like your village hub to add to our community’s daily life. Please let us know by sending us a message using the Get in Touch link below.
Kinver Community Library
Vicarage Drive
Kinver
Stourbridge
DY7 6HJ
Tel: 01384 872348
Kinver Community Library Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 10284829
Registered charity number: 1170770
Website design by Calloway Green Ltd