Library starts new chapter as community-run facility
Trustees and volunteers ready to take control of Newby and Scalby Library
A new chapter is set to take place at a Scarborough-based library in April as another one comes to an end later this month.
Newby and Scalby Library will close down on Friday 31 March and reopen as a communityrun resource on Monday 10 April at 10am.
A group of six trustees and more than 50 volunteers have come forward to prevent the closure of Scalby Library as part of the cuts to North Yorkshire County Council’s library budget.
The facility, renamed Newby and Scalby Library and Information Centre, will be run by the trustees and Volunteers with the building being managedbyNewbyandScalbyParish Council.
There will be a grand reopening of the library on the morning of Monday 10 April.
At 11am there will be a short ceremony in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Scarborough.
A ribbon will be cut by Mrs Dorothy Woodroffe who has used Newby and Scalby Library since it opened in 1964.
Arrangements are being made for anyone who borrows books, etc, to receive an extended borrowing period while the library is closed.
Isobel Nixon, chairman of the trustees, said: “The county council will continue to provide the books, equipment and IT support and has delivered training sessions to trustees and volunteers.
“The library is now a registered charity and we have begun to raise funds to pay for our rent and other necessities.
“We are very grateful to the parish councils of the areas we serve for their promised funding, and to Proudfoots, Scalby Wives and the Scalby Fair committee who have generously supported us, along with County Councillors Derek Bastiman and Andrew Backhouseforgivingusgrants from their locality funding.”
The trustees are still hoping to attract even more volunteers to help with the running of the library.
Isobel said: “Some of the library’s volunteers come from those who have been staffing the library on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons for the past three years, while others have been recruited by the trustees.
“We still need more volunteers, especially people who can help on a Saturday morning or afternoon.
“Forms and further details are available in the library or from snltrustees@gmail. com.”
The event is to take place on Wednesday 22 March between 2pm to 4pm at the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
The roadshow is open to all veterans born before 1 January 1950, not just those with sight loss, and family members and carers are also welcome to attend.
As well as representatives from Blind Veterans UK, other organisations will be available to chat to veterans including Age UK, SSAFA and The Royal British Legion.
Annabel Venn at Blind Veterans UK said: “Blind Veterans UK hopes that this event will introduce all veterans to a potential new support network in their area. It is also a chance to enjoy some live music and meet others in a similar situation.”
Contact 02076 167928 for more information.