Hay Public Library.org CIC

ANNA & LARA are over the moon as they’ve learned that Hay Public Library in Hay on Wye their Town of Books is SAVED from closure. So here they explain HOW IT ALL WORKS. @HayFestival @HayFestivalWire youtu.be/ejLooTtlAFI

Four years ago, we lost a dear friend, Harry Leslie Smith. Today, we remember an irrepressible campaigner, whose conference speech remains the most powerful defence of the NHS I have ever heard. You are missed, but not forgotten.

Remarkable that despite the Conservatives’ attempts to clamp down on our right to protest, yesterday a judge acquitted several health workers for blockading London Bridge, saying he was “impressed by the integrity and rationality of their beliefs”, extinctionrebellion.uk/2022/11/15/bre…

In the Court of Appeal tomorrow on a case about protecting the habitat of the River Wye from agricultural pollution.

@workofanhour Go for it Alex

@bearhuntbooks We formed a CIC & negotiated a 5 yr renewable contract with our C C to keep our Library open. Due to the kids in Westminster, CCs are really screwed for dosh, understanding that and negotiating a deal is one way to go. Contact us if you need help.. HayPublicLibrary.org

I am in shock, 9 libraries are to close on the Wirral, we are not talking big town libraries but little libraries that are the hubs of the places they are in. What can be done? Has anyone successfully campaigned to prevent closures?

@SaveMaryhill We in Hay on Wye have jaut saved our library - if we can so can you - keep at it - never give up .. we wish you well. See how we managed to do it - haypubliclibrary.org

It’s our second last read-in of 2021 and we have a wee message for everyone who has supported our campaign since May 🎄

@wylie_alan Sorry to hear about the two tiered approach - thank heavens we were able to to avoid the volunteer tier in Hay on Wye. Having said that without those amazing volunteers think how many more Libraries we would lose!

So a lot of volunteer-led ‘libraries’ have already closed or are closing early for Xmas whilst properly staffed/statutory ones are still opening until Xmas eve, a fragmented two-tier service even in terms of covid and health & safety 😷

V v chuffed to have an essay in this absolutely gorgeous anthology!! out in March next year, preorder ur copy from @RepeaterBooks xox

@kandacesiobhan @RepeaterBooks I'll order a copy for the LIBRARY here in Hay. We look forward to reading this!

Wow! The UK is about to become a police state, and no-one in the media (other than ⁦@GeorgeMonbiot⁩) is even talking about it. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

HayPublicLibrary.org CIC were honoured to Sponsor Jonathan Porritt at the Hay Winter Festival last Friday Here is a great review of the event: lifeinhay.blogspot.com/2021/11/hay-wi… @HayFestival @HayFestivalWire @PowysCC @arrowsmithlesl1

Just got off an interview with Radio Wales phone-in on the importance of Libraries to people in Wales... really great feedback from all over Wales..: Scroll to 1 hr 34 minutes into the program bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0… ....

A great feature on the BBC. You may want to take a look! bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-…

@wylie_alan Here in Wales we do have a consistent national policy to protect Library staff. Libraries are open for IT services, book collection and Council services inquiries - but masks are mandatory, and we haven't yet opened for in-library events.

So some English councils/library services are ‘mandating’ face coverings & some are cancelling in-person events & some are doing nothing (not yet anyway) - what a bloody confusing fragmented mess - this is why libraries need to be included in national restrictions. #libraries

@marketingtutor We were thinking about developing a marketing program for our latch-key kids to use the Library to do their home-work while waiting for their parents to come home from work - then COVID hit!

@hay_library Be great to make it a home working hub :)

Home: haypubliclibrary.org via @@hay_library - Given working from home this is perfect space to work in and not feel isolate. Is that an option ??

@marketingtutor I agree ... our library is physically small and this could be a problem. However although there are IT facilities, we should think of encouraging Library users to bring their laptops, once we are allowed back in to sit and ponder at will...

@wylie_alan @PowysCC Our Library CIC is supported financially by members of the extreme right and the extreme left in our community and everything in between - that's about as politically neutral as I can imagine!

@hay_library @PowysCC Libraries have never been or will ever be politically neutral spaces so good luck with that one.

@hay_library it’s an absolute disgrace that @PowysCC have offloaded their statutory responsibilities but how do you propose to raise the funds to keep the library running & professionally staffed? And instead of reinventing maybe just concentrate on the core/key roles 🤷‍♀️

@wylie_alan @PowysCC Our Library is a politically neutral space - we are facing huge threats to our way of life - we are intending to Trust the People to come up with local solutions.

@hay_library @PowysCC What are the community needs and concerns that Powys weren’t meeting/addressing before?

@wylie_alan @PowysCC 1. Ensuring that those in our community eligible for Powys Services apply for and receive them. 2. Addressing the needs of Young People who wish to form a Climate Club. 3. In the light of Climate change establishing community networks to address community resilience.

@wylie_alan @PowysCC We were never interested in taking over our Library - rather in ensuring that Powys continue to keep it open - so nothing changes, except we now have a partnership where we can innovate our Library to address our community concerns and needs.

@hay_library @PowysCC And how much are Powys CC contributing and who’s employing the paid/trained library staff?