Friends to hold Annual General Meeting on Jan 31 with guest speaker

A YEAR ago the Friends of Molesey Library was established to help secure the future of our much valued local library.

Our purpose is to encourage the people of Molesey to use the library and to assist staff in practical ways in their efforts to improve the library services and experience.

Among our accomplishments to date are: strengthening links with local schools, surveying library users, a ‘meet the author’ evening, a hugely successful quiz night and purchasing a sign for the outside of the library.

We would be delighted if you would join us at our second Annual General Meeting to hear what else we have planned. It will be at Molesey Library on Thursday 31st of January, 6.45pm for a 7pm start. Refreshments will be provided.

Our special guest speaker will be Dr. Sola Odemuyiwa (pictured below), who is a well established Surrey cardiologist, who recently turned his hand to writing.

His first book Deadly Conception was published in 2011. Set mainly in Britain, it is a chilling tale of how medicine could be used as a solution to the social and economic problems of society. His next book The Pregnant Mule is due to be published on 1st February, the day after the AGM so it will be interesting to hear something about the new book and how a cardiologist decided to take up writing.

Joanne Ryan recently completed her first six months as manager of Molesey Library, and there has been a change of chairman in the Friends Committee.

James Moore stepped down in September and has been succeeded as Acting Chairman by Pauline Morozgalska, a former head teacher from West Molesey (she is pictured above left with Joanne Ryan).
James led the group through challenging times when Surrey County Council had earmarked Molesey Library for closure, and once the threat abated, transitioned us into the Friends. We are all very grateful for the time and effort James put in to ensure the library remains open for all to enjoy.

So put a date in your diary for the AGM at the library on January 31st and we look forward to seeing you.

'Pub and post office' among suggestions from library users survey

LAST year the Friends left surveys in the library to get a better idea of what people like or would want to see improved.

Thirty percent of those who responded said they visited the library weekly, and 22% once a fortnight. More than half solely used Molesey Library.

Some 87% said they borrow books, 30% borrow DVDs and 43% use the internet computers. Some 17% come in to read the newspapers and 9% borrow audio books.

The most popular reason for visiting the library, with 91%, was for recreational reading.

Suggestions for improving the service included displaying boards about local history, increasing the number of computers, and offering a post office counter and pub!

Others suggested that community notices and a tea and coffee stand would be welcome, and as these are existing offerings, staff will give thought to better ways of promoting these services.

We thank everyone who took the time to take part in the survey.

Self service machines free up staff for fun things

MOLESEY Library's self service machines are proving to be a great success with users.

Around 90% are now regularly using the barcode scanning computers to borrow and return books.

Library manager Joanne Ryan is pleased with the take up and urged others to try the system out.

She said: "There are still some library users who are reluctant to use the self service because they think the machines are putting staff out of jobs. It's not like that at all - the staff want to be more involved with the community, and self service frees up our time to run activites like rhyme and story time.

"If people have any difficulty using the self service they can ask us for help and we'll be more than happy to show them."

The machines are mounted on tables that can be raised or lowered for younger library users - and kids can make checking out and returning books more fun by selecting the safari or under sea modes on the screen.

New street sign will show the way to Molesey Library

RESEARCH by the Friends suggested that more people would use Molesey Library if there was clearer sign-posting of where it is.

It was decided that we would use some of the money raised at our hugely successful quiz evening last April, to install an eye catching sign in Walton Road.

Shawn Grantham, a local specialist hand signwriter was hired for the task and has created a tasteful but informative design, which we’re delighted with.

Friends treasurer Russell Seekings said: “The location of the library, set back from the road, and part of an anonymous looking building doesn’t help.

“So we agreed that, when funds were available, we would commission a sign, similar to one seen outside another Surrey Library. It has now been completed, and will be erected on the green close to the Walton road, opposite the library in mid-January. Now there’s no excuse for ignorance!”