Supporting Stokenchurch Library to deliver services in lockdown and beyond
Stokenchurch Community Library is an entirely volunteer run library, working together with Buckinghamshire Council Library Service.
Aside from their main service of providing books to the public, they are also a community hub providing a venue for games, talks, a genealogy group, and coffee mornings. Like many other community facilities, they were forced to close during the coronavirus ‘lockdown’ period.
Apart from the effect on their service, they were unable to do any fundraising during this period. They were able to develop a new mode of delivery – providing an ‘order and deliver’ book service – the only one in Buckinghamshire! – and they re-opened their doors to the public, albeit with restricted opening hours between the two national lockdowns.
The Clare Foundation provided Stokenchurch Community Library with £400 funding to assist them in maintaining their new ‘order and deliver’ library service, and enabled them to plan and deliver a safe re-opening of the library to the public, minimising risk of coronavirus infection for their customers and volunteers.
The funds were used to provide PPE for their staff, disinfecting materials, COVID-19 related signage, and a contactless card reader to minimise the handling of cash.
“We would like to thank The Clare Foundation for this funding and for the wonderful work they do in assisting charities and community organisation in our county.” Robert Nikiel, Chairman of Stokenchurch Community Library Trustees
The library are always looking for volunteers in various roles, from trustees, through events organisers, to operational staff. If you would like to donate your time, please do reach out to them on Facebook or visit Stokenchurch Community Library (buckscommunitylibraries.org).
