Beccles library is a much needed hub for the local community and its team is working hard to bring people back together this summer after the long social separation caused by the pandemic. With an extensive program of events and big plans for future development there certainly is a lot going on.
This summer, children have the opportunity meet alpacas and miniature donkeys, owls and skunks, build their own build feeders, plant seeds and even find gold at the end of the rainbow, not to mention the Lego Club, Forest School and British sign language clubs. All these fabulous and free activities have been coordinated to run alongside the Summer Reading Challenge, a tremendous scheme run annually in libraries across the country.
“Libraries are about far more than books, we are a social care service.” Says Sharon Chapman, Beccles Library Manager. “Visitors to the library come for all sorts of reasons, which could be anything from using our PCs and printing services, attending one of our community group activities or simply just for a chat. We have groups for new parents, families with pre and school age children and for teenagers too.”
“We maintain strong links with all of the local schools. This summer, most of our volunteers have come from Sir John Leman High School, and they will be listening to younger children read as they progress though the Summer Reading Challenge, while also assisting with a very busy schedule of events and activities. We all feel it is vital to present a summer of fun and relaxation for our local community, especially after the horrible year everyone has endured.”
There are grand plans ahead for Beccles Library with an extensive refurbishment of the children’s library planned. The project, the date for which is to be confirmed, will see a total transformation of this area which will incorporate bright colours and appealing graphics to draw young visitors in. There will be child height ‘book boxes’ to promote independent choice, tables and chairs for families to come together for drawing activities and a ‘book nook’ in which to snuggle up and enjoy getting lost in the pages of a book. In addition, there are plans arrange stock and space so that young adults have their own separate area away from the children’s space.
This work is in addition to wider remedial work to the building’s roof, doors and windows which will be funded by owners of the premises, Suffolk County Council, to the value of approximately £250,000.
Durrants Charitable Foundation is delighted to have made a financial contribution of £750 to this wonderful project which will benefit families from Beccles and beyond.
“Bringing the community back together after such a long time apart is tremendously important” commented Dominic Parravani, Managing Director of Durrants. “The team at Beccles Library is doing a sterling job and their passion and enthusiasm is evident in everything they do. We are proud to support this exciting refurbishment project and look forward to seeing it come to fruition.”
Beccles Library Community Trust supports and fundraises for Beccles Library and has been instrumental in sourcing funding for the children’s library project and would be interested in speaking to anyone who is able to support them further. For more information please contact Sharon Chapman on sharon.chapman@suffolklibraries.co.uk
IMAGE: Local children enjoying the Summer Reading Challenge in the library garden.
