The Family Library is celebrating its new life as a charity with an Open Day this Saturday (June 15).
Last year the library, in Douglas, including the mobile library service which operates from it, was facing closure as a result of cuts by the Department of Education and Children. However, there was overwhelming public support to keep the services going. The Manx Educational Foundation stepped in and now the Family Library is run as a charity.
Librarian in charge Mary Cousins said: ‘Somebody once described the Family Library to me as a “hidden treasure”. Well, we want to come out of hiding!
‘We want everyone to know all about what we have on offer here.
‘The Open Day is all about letting people see the whole service - public and private side. People will be able to see the mobile library services from a behind the scenes viewpoint by taking a look in the stockroom and at our vehicles.
‘Of course, many will be familiar with the Family Library building, next to the playground in Westmoreland Road, but we hope to see some new faces as there will be a full day of fun for everyone.’
At the Open Day there will be live Manx music, a book sale, cake sale, craft activities, face painting, a raffle and a quiz.
The Family Library still works closely with schools, but it is available for families to use directly and the books, CDs and DVDs available for lending cover everyone from first readers all the way through to the more advanced teens. A number of regular classes and activities are held there.
The Open Day runs from 10.30am to 4pm on Saturday, June 15.
Two weeks later, on June 29, the Family Library will launch its summer reading scheme. The details are being kept under wraps until the day, but Mary promised it would be something special.
You can sign up for the summer reading scheme in advance by contacting the Family Library on 640650 or turn up any time from 10.30am-4pm on the launch day. There’s no need for anyone who misses the launch to worry, however, as it will still be possible to sign up after the launch.
For more information about the wide range of services at the Family Library, call 640650 or get yourself down to the open day!
- Ends -
