Bold Vision » library

The Funding Network shows its support

catherine — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 19:14:38 +0000

On Saturday Mar 17th, Gill Hart, Kath Dunbar, Rebecca Charikar and myself set off for our try at the “Dragon’s Den” of The Funding Network. This organisation was set up ten years ago to give individuals with the means and the will to donate to charity a more meaningful way to do so. We presented our story along with four other great charities and then waited with fingers crossed while the 30 or so members and visitors made their pledges.

We were delighted to go a little over our (hopeful) target and raised £5,426. As per our application this will be used for 3 things

finishing the participatory artwork to breathe new life into the front of the former library (still time to participate… just fill in a couple of details here to have your book feature)
finding out what learning opportunities are of most interest to the library users – and provide them
develop sustainable tools to help us manage our volunteers and other resources and connect to other organisations

The money is great and it was heartening to hear so much positive feedback from the Funding Network people – they see New Cross Learning as an innovative community-driven and flexible model that many traditional libraries could learn from.

RSA Catalyst supporting library

catherine — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 18:46:15 +0000

See the video here. We have already received a £2000 grant from the RSA Catalyst fund to create the new participatory artwork for the former library in New Cross and this week we featured in the RSA e-newsletter

Remember you can be part of this too by completing page 2 of this kit ourbookshelf

New artwork at New Cross Library

catherine — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:25:54 +0000

Do you have a favourite book? Or one you wish existed? Maybe that one up your sleeve that you will write yourself one day?

Well now’s your chance to get into print. Come along to the Artmongers workshop at the library on Nov 18th to make your part of this exciting new artwork. Secondary school children 3.30-5pm, adults 6-8pm

Mad Hatters Tea Party Sep 17

catherine — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:30:24 +0000

Hi Friends of NXPL

First of all, a very big thank you to all of you who have enabled us to get this far with the venture of the Library being open again 3 days a week. This is now mainly under the supervision of volunteers.

If you don’t follow us on twitter then you won’t know that 316 people passed through the doors yesterday. We literally had to throw people out last night, so we will soon have to consider extending our late night on a Thursday! Poets Corner is a success and our local poets in residency will soon be taking their wares into Deptford Green School for taster sessions and then continuing workshops in the Library on Thursday 4:30-5:30. Evidence of their work will be heard at the Tea Party on Saturday when two of the poetry competition competitors recite their work.

Saturday 17th is a very busy day this week. The usual will be on offer plus…

11:45 under 7s storytelling from favourite children’s books along with creative activities.
2:00 Knitting Club for all abilities
3:00 Creative Workshop for 8-15year olds (a few places still available) led by local artist John Paul Flintoff
5:00 Tea Party with lots of lovely cakes and cups of teas (with saucers)Raffles, Poetry reading, Rap and a trio of local lads who met at primary school

The Tea Party is a fundraising event, equally it is a way of thanking everyone for their support. We need money for the rent and running costs to keep the library open by volunteers, so any donation will be well spent, what is important is that you come. We need to use it, we don’t want to lose it again.

Look forward to seeing so many of you tomorrow,

Gill (Hart)

Volunteer and chair of New Cross People’s Library

New Cross People’s Library: progress! and summer hours

catherine — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:17:43 +0000

Bold Vision and the New Cross People’s Library met with Lewisham Council this week – and made good progress. We are arranging a short term licence for August opening to be followed by a Tenancy at Will.

Meanwhile holiday opening is Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am to 1pm with childrens activities running 11.45am-12.45pm during the school holidays. This opening offers

summer reading scheme
regular borrowing
note no computer access though

The more we show we like having a library the more chance we have of keeping it so go along if you can.