A Summary if you are new to FoStL. Street Library has been in a state of change. To summarise, the old library building was closed as there was no agreement between Somerset County Council and the Street Library Trust as to how the old library building could be financed. An imaginative initiative by Street Parish councillors secured the survival of Street Library by making the ground floor of the Parish Rooms into a new library with plans to refurbish the building to allow the library to occupy the whole of the downstairs. Plans for this refurbishment were published, a public consultation held, and the refurbishment carried out. (now read on .... )
Library Opening timesThe request service via www.librarieswest.org.uk has started again and borrowers can return their books to Street library as normal.
Updates and changes to library services will be on the Street Library Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/friendsofstreetlibrary/).
Customers can also email the library staff at strlib@somerset.gov.uk.
Alternatively, customers can check the Somerset Libraries website (www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries) or ring Somerset Direct on 0300 123 2224.
REPORTS ON RECENT ACTIVITIES
On 30 August 2019 the Charity Commission confirmed by email that the application of the Friends of Street Library to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation had been successful. The good news had been passed on to Oliver Woodhams of SCC. The meeting recorded thanks to those who had been instrumental in achieving CIO status.
Although the new library is open, you may wish to have an idea of how the rooms are laid out but can't visit the library in person.
Fear not, the plans are still available; click here to see plans of new library. Page opens in a new tab.
Volunteering works at several different levels - please read on
FoStL organises a number of street stalls during the year to raise funds. By volunteering to be on a rota for an hour to help, you get to talk to customers and help spread the word about the work FoStL does.
Help is always welcome at these events whether it is working with the children themselves or helping with the tea and cakes stall that usually accompanies these events.
Attending groups like the Poetry Group or the Adult Fiction Reading Groups (the Booker Group and the Crime and Mystery Group) is a great way to meet likeminded people as well as enjoy the activity itself.
If you enjoy helping others and love stories and information, perhaps you would like to join the Library Volunteers.
During the morning two members of staff work together and during the afternoons one Library Volunteer works with one member of staff.Library Volunteers are always asked when they might be available to help and a rota is drawn up during the last half of a month for the following month. If for any reason a volunteer cannot cover a session we ask if anyone else is available.
If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering, we will invite you to the library to meet the staff and look around and we will tell you more about what is involved. If you decide you would like to join us we will train you in a relaxed and supportive way. At first you will work alongside another volunteer to help you to gain confidence. The staff are always appreciative and supportive and happy to answer our questions when we work with them.
Covid has prevented us from meeting in groups but we hope to be able to do this in the summer.
Please contact us to find out more.