LIBRARY CORNER, July 2015
Summer has arrived and we feel that the Library is beginning to emerge into the sunshine.
After two dreadful years when members and staff have been pushed to the utmost limit with genuine worries about the future because of crimes committed by our former Treasurer, things are beginning to look good. Financial checks are in place, management is strong and staff and volunteers are optimistic.
June has been a busy month – On June 13th we hosted, for a second time, the AGM of the Association of Independent Libraries. Librarians from all over the country attended a full weekend with an evening reception on the Friday. On the Saturday lectures by Lizzie Neville of Penzance Conservation on the care of books, and by Andrew Symons on the Couch family were enthusiastically received – as was the delicious lunch and Cornish cream tea provided by Tuna Read and kindly funded by the Tanner Trust.
On June 18th we held an exhibition to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo. This idea had been mooted by Elizabeth Sparrow a couple of years ago and she gave a fascinating lecture to a really packed house on her speciality – Waterloo, Wellington and the Peace.
Without stopping for breath we then held our Summer Fete on Mazey Day, with just over £1,600 being banked. Thanks are due to all the helpers. Everyone had a good day and Katie and Nic were rushed off their feet in the Little Wonder Caravan.
On Sunday 21st some Library members attended Evensong in Truro Cathedral where a bosse was dedicated to Joseph Antonio Emidy. Galina Chester has worked tirelessly to bring this about and we were delighted as holders of the Emidy Archive to support her.
On July 1st we received a visit from eight members of Tavistock Library who were given an informative tour by Dawn Walker and a cream tea! A delightful afternoon topped with a generous donation from Tavistock.
We are also taking part in the Penzance Litfest with workshops being held all week in the Reading Room.
The Library building is now in great shape – thanks to the efforts of Mark Penrose who has managed to get rid of all the ghastly strip lighting, to Jonathan Ellery (Chairman’s son and owner of a London Design Studio) who has donated spectacular lighting for the reception room, and to David Mann who has organised complete refurbishment of the Newspaper Room with funding from the Myner Trust.
We shall never understand the decisions and dynamics behind the events that nearly closed the Library but we have learnt valuable lessons.
So it is onwards and upwards, fortified by kindness, support of members, volunteers and staff, the cheery NADFAS Friday team and doughnuts of course.
