Lechlade Community Library and Tourist Information Centre
In 2012 our Gloucestershire County Council Library in Lechlade became a Community Library. The Library was faced with closure as part of a cost saving measure by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC). However, thanks to negotiations between GCC, Sue Coakley and the people of Lechlade, we became a Community Library and have been since then operating solely with the work of unpaid Volunteers.
We are one of 8 Community Librarys operating within Gloucestershire.
With much support and help from GCC and their Staff and our great Volunteers we are able to operate an excellent service 6 days a week. We continue to use GCC Library software and equipment and have access to books held within all Gloucestershire Libraries.
Our building is leased from GCC for a nominal fee and we receive an operating grant from them. We are very grateful to GCC and their Staff.
To enable us to buy new books we accept financial donations and raise a small amount of monies from printing fees and late book return fines. We also sell book donations.
We couldn’t function without our amazing 40+ Volunteers. They ensure that the library opens six days each week, providing services that go way beyond simply loaning books to library members. They offer tourism advice, ensure that the community information held by the library is current and accessible to those who need it, offer rhyme time and story time sessions for children, coordinate the reading challenge, assist people to use our public computers and printer, and so much more besides!
If you would like to become a Volunteer please pop into our Library for an application form or email us at info@lechladelibrary.co.uk
We are registered as a charity “Friends of Lechlade Library” and we are also a limited company, with a small number of Trustees/Directors. These Trustees are also our regular Volunteers whom have additional roles, including: finance, maintenance, health and safety, secretarial, and volunteer co-ordination. Together they are responsible for the total overall running of the library.
Helping the Library to survive are the Friends of Lechlade Community Library, who kindly support us financially with regular donations. Our Friends are invited to member-only events such as our AGM.
If you would like to become a Friend of Lechlade Community Library, please ask for a form or email us at info@lechladelibrary.co.uk
Lechlade Library Ltd
Incorporated Charity, Registered in England,
Company Reg. No. 08095601,
Charity Reg. No. 1149281
Reg Office:
Lechlade Library,
Market Square,
Lechlade on Thames,
GL7 3AB
Contact us during opening hours on 01367 252631.
Or via email at info@lechladelibrary.co.uk