Love Your Library Day – was a great success

Despite the somewhat inclement weather, a warm welcome was waiting at Molesey Library where the Friends had organised a Love Your Library Day with the help of Jo Ryan and her team.

The idea was to continue to raise awareness about the library and services on offer and to recruit more volunteers to help run a range of activities that go beyond the remit of the staff and will attract more people from our local community. For example, we hope to run a regular coffee morning every Friday starting on 1st November and to give visitors an idea of how this would work, a selection of delicious cakes, tea, coffee and herbal drinks were on offer during the morning.

A focal point of the day was the arrival of the MP, Dominic Raab and the Deputy Mayor of Elmbridge, Mr. Barry Fairbank (pictured above with Pauline from the Friends) and his wife who arrived to dedicate a newly installed picture hanging system. This was funded by a generous grant from the RC Sherriff Trust and has enabled the Friends to make a link with the local Molesey Art Society as we now have an excellent display space available in the village. Various members of the Society provided an exhibition of a super selection of works for sale which we hope will be the first of many and is being much admired by library users.

The award ceremony for the nationwide Creepy House Reading Challenge for children was the main focus during the afternoon. This proved very popular with numbers up about 60% from last year. Library staff were supported by two volunteers this year. The children commit to reading a number of books, are awarded stickers to encourage them to reach their first and second targets and, if the challenge is completed, are awarded a certificate and medal. One of the library team, James, presented the awards and the session started with a reading of Molesey’s own Creepy House Story – a tale compiled over the summer by children when they visited to change their books. It proved a fun start to proceedings with both parents and children giggling as the tale twisted along somewhat randomly from start to finish!

At the end of the afternoon, it was a pleasure to see the children leaving the library proudly clutching their well-deserved awards.

The Friends were delighted that some local businesses were able to offer us support. In particular, we are very grateful to the Graphic Metal Company for donating a stunning plaque marking picture hanging and dedication by Dominic Raab, the Card Collection for a specially personalised helium balloon and finally Lily Blossom for donating a plant to help decorate the library.

The quest for volunteers continues. If you feel you can spare some time to help, please either contact the Friends via the website or call into the library and speak to Jo or one of the team.