Latest news with #FriendsOfTheFamilyLibrary
BBC News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Options for Isle of Man Family Library future to be explored
Options for the future running of services at a community library under threat of closure over funding are set to be brought forward in directors of the Isle of Man's Family Library have said the facility will shut on 31 July due to expected annual losses of £100,000, as a result of rising costs and declining response, Tynwald members supported Treasury Minister Alex Allinson's proposal for the Council of Ministers to work with the directors to understand its financial situation, and explore options to save told politicians an urgent meeting with the library's directors had been scheduled for 30 June. Welcoming the move, a spokesman for the facility said he had been "encouraged by the growing recognition among local politicians of the library's value and the urgent need for a sustainable funding model".However, he said it would be "irresponsible for us to continue beyond 31 July without being able to guarantee the necessary funding to operate for the following 12 months".With government funding for the facility, which has being provided on a sliding scale since 2021, is set to end in of the community facility have backed volunteer group the Friends of the Family Library in its campaign to protect the services, which has raised about £6,000. Based on Westmoreland Road in Douglas, the Family Library offers activities to young people, schools and adults as well as operating a mobile library in rural areas and a home service for those who are service has been run as an independent charity since full funding was pulled by the Department of Education in 2011 in response to a reduction in the island's VAT income. 'Rare institution' At the June sitting of the Manx parliament, Joney Faragher MHK asked politicians to support taking "urgent steps to prevent the closure" and develop a "sustainable funding proposal to secure its long-term future".She described the the Family Library as "one of those rare institutions that prevents larger costlier social problems down the line", a sentiment that was supported by several other Kate Lord-Brennan MHK argued "definite questions" should be asked about how the service had been run, and said there was a danger of a "precedent being set" on government support for organisations that operated "on a charitable level".During the debate Lawrie Hooper MHK argued Allinson's amendment did not provide "any certainty that we are going to end up with something that solves the problem".But members ultimately supported the treasury minister's proposal for the Council of Ministers to work with the charity to consider available options, after getting an understanding its financial position.A library spokesman said "all aspects of our operation, from a financial and organisational perspective, are fully transparent and in the public domain".He said he hoped the information would aim politicians "to better understand" the charity's directors would support the process "in any way we can", he added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
14-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Isle of Man library facing closure 'a lifeline to families'
Regular visitors to a family library which is under threat of closure over future funding have said the service as "a lifeline" that they would be "devastated" to May, directors of the Isle of Man's Family Library said the facility would close on 31 July due to expected annual losses of £100,000 as a result of rising costs and declining online fundraiser set up by volunteer group The Friends of the Family Library in a bid to protect the service and its mobile library has raised more than £5, Michelle Lord, who supports the campaign, said the facility was "so more than just a library", adding: "It isn't just about the books, the team here foster growth in the kids." Since full funding was pulled by the then Department of Education in 2011, following a revision of the island VAT income, the services have been run as an independent library on Westmoreland Road in Douglas offers activities to young people, schools and adults, such as discos and funding set to end in 2026, and the education department has said it has "no plans" to provide further directors of the facilities have said unless a long-term funding solution can be secured, the facility will close its doors next month as they could not "guarantee" it would have the funds to operate for the next 12 months. Ms Lord, from Douglas, who takes her children to the service three times each week said it was "a really special place", which was "always inclusive and welcoming".She said: "Life can be overwhelming, but at the library we play, read and craft. It's somewhere we reconnect, we leave in such a better space as a family.""I think we're going to lose a massive support system for so many people across the island if it disappears." Laura Parry, who visits every Friday, said if the library were to close it would "leave a big gap in our lives"."My mum brought me and my brother when I was a kid, and I've brought my two boys," she said."The kids can be free, play, enjoy the books, and there's no expectation to spend any money which is so rare.""Both the parents and children take a lot away from the group activities, I don't think there's anything that compares to it on the Isle of Man." As well as the Douglas facility, the charity also operates a mobile library in rural areas, with a home service available for those who are Dovey, from Andreas, has been using the mobile service fortnightly for 15 said: "Living in the middle of nowhere, I can go for a week and not talk to anyone, other than perhaps on the phone.""The volunteers know the people who borrow books, and what they might like to read, as well as what is happening in their lives"."It isn't just a library, it's a point of contact which is an absolute lifeline for people like me."I would be bereft without it." Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
