GP turned author is guest speaker at Friends' second AGM

The Friends of Molesey Library held their second AGM on 31st January.

A business meeting is not always the most exciting although the committee has had a satisfying first year and is succeeding in raising the profile of the library by establishing a website, producing quarterly newsletters, installing a new sign on the lawn outside and holding events such as a well attended Quiz Night and a
Meet the Author evening.

Assistant library manager, Rosina Brittle, talked about the appointment of new members to the library team, including the manager, Joanne Ryan. She outlined some their plans for the future and said that they are looking forward to expanding their partnership with the Friends.

The highlight of the evening was our guest speaker, a new author, Dr. Sola Odemuyiwa. He is a consultant cardiologist who lives and works in Surrey and who took up writing as “a bit of fun”. He talked about his first book “Deadly Conception” which is provocative and deals with issues of race, prejudice and a medical experiment designed to solve some of society’s problems. In addition, he gave us enough information to whet the appetite for his second novel “The Pregnant Mule” due to be published within the next month. He talked very openly about the way in which he writes and where he finds his inspiration. He was a very entertaining, witty speaker who captivated us with his easy charm and fluent delivery. The evening concluded with a book
signing and refreshments.

We were very grateful for all the people in the area who supported the event and also the growing number who are coming forward as volunteers. We have a number of projects that we are hoping to work on and we need help. We are trying to increase links with a variety of local organisations so that the library will become a vibrant hub of our whole community. If you have time available and can offer help, please keep a watch on our website and make contact.

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!”

The Friends of Molesey Library survey

The Friends have create an online survey to find out a bit about users of the library and what they like and don't. It will take no more than five minutes to complete and you could be helping to improve the service and make the library more popular. We thank you for your time!

Please click here to take survey

Molesey author Louise Voss to visit library

A CRIME thriller set in Molesey? It sounds unlikely but it could happen if local author Louise Voss has anything to do with it.

Louise, from West Molesey, wrote the hugely popular Catch Your Death and Killing Cupid novels - both Amazon bestsellers - together with her writing partner Mark Edwards.

And although Molesey has yet to feature in her work, she hinted that it might in future.

Louise said: "I’ve lived in Molesey for nearly 10 years, and I love it. I don’t think I’ve ever been to Tesco’s and not seen someone I know. I haven’t ever set any of my writing here, but I’m sure I will at some point."

Louise and Mark will be visiting Molesey Library on September 7th 2012 from 7.15pm as guests of the Friends, and will talk about their books and the secrets of their success. They will sign copies and there will be wine and nibbles provided.

Louise discovered a love of writing as a teenager when she kept "cringeworthy diaries" and decided to become an author after taking a writing class in in 1990s. She found an agent, and wrote two manuscripts but it was three years before her first novel To Be Someone was published. More were to follow.

Louise spotted Mark on a BBC documentary about aspiring authors in 1999. They began to exchange regular emails and eventually to write together and to self-publish.

"At first we used to write alternate chapters - which was easy in Killing Cupid, since it has separate male and female narrators. Our second novel together, Catch Your Death, was written in the third person, and we would write a chapter each and then edit each other’s chapters to add our own ‘voice’ into the mix. Mark tends to write all the psychopaths and the violent bits, because I’m a wimp."

Louise and Mark were the first British self-published authors to top of the charts of internet book retailer Amazon, and as a result Harper Collins gave them a six-figure four-book deal.

Louise said: "I REALLY hope people will come along and meet us on September 7th. Both Mark and I thoroughly enjoy these evenings, meeting people and answering questions. It’s particularly great to be able to participate in an event that will raise funds for the library, and it should be interesting, especially to anybody with an interest in writing or publishing."

Tickets for the evening with Louise and Mark are £5 and can be purchased from Kate Fairbrother on 020 8941 5292 or Russell Seekins on 020 8979 1314.

Molesey Library welcomes new manager Joanne Ryan

STAFF and users of Molesey Library have welcomed a new manager - Joanne Ryan.

Joanne took over in June, having previously worked for luxury clothing companies Aquascutum and Jaeger but fancied a career change.

She is originally from Liverpool and lived in Surrey for 12 years, currently in Hampton with her cat and her partner who also manages a Surrey library, although his is based within a high security prison!

Joanne said: "I love the village-like community spirit of Molesey. The fact that I have seen so many familiar faces already during my time here is a testament to the fact that everyone is extremely supportive of our service."

She intends to continue the high standards of service established by previous manager Helen Cronin and is aiming to create an even more welcoming environment.

Joanne added: "We have a new and seating area where you can ‘put your feet up’ and relax with a nice coffee and a good book."

She is excited about the 'Story Lab Summer Reading Challenge' currently under way to get kids more involved in the library, as well as an upcoming event called 'Ancestry', where library visitors will be able to investigate their family history, and 'Get Online' - a crash-course introduction to basic PC skills and internet browsing.

As you would expect Joanne is a great lover of books, and her favourites are anything to do with Medieval and Renaissance history. She also enjoys fiction including Yaan Martel’s Life Of Pi and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.

If you are passing why not drop in an say hello to Joanne and her team.

Friends AGM is a huge success!

The Friends of Molesey Library would like to thank all of the library users and supporters who attended our inaugural AGM on January 31st.

The Friends committee were delighted with the turnout and the level of support for the library which was evident from everybody in the audience.

Now that our committee members are in place the work begins to raise awareness in the community of the Library and its services and to fundraise for specific projects to improve the experience of library users.

Friends of Molesey Library AGM

Following the very welcome news that Molesey Library is to stay open and will continue to be run by professional librarians paid for by Surrey County Council, a group of residents who campaigned to save the library decided to form a friends group.

On Tuesday January 31st the Friends of Molesey Library will be holding its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM) to agree a constitution and appoint officers. If you are a user of Molesey Library or a local resident we very much hope you will be able to attend the meeting at 7pm.

As well as dealing with the business of the AGM there will be a chance to hear from the manager of Molesey Library, Helen Cronin, and some nibble and wine. It will also be a chance for you to have a say on some of the ways you think the Friends of Molesey Library can help to improve the library itself.

To view the AGM agenda click here, and to read the proposed Friends of Molesey Library Constitution please click here.