Here’s the latest news from The Old Library, a community hub in the heart of the South Lockleaze and Purdown neighbourhood.  It offers activities, events, a cafe, kids’ space, lounge, book swap, community garden, IT access and is open to all. 

We hope everyone is keeping well! The Old Library has of course closed its doors while we adhere to the current restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we’re still committed to serving the community in any way we can.

This newsletter contains volunteer opportunities, advice on how to help others in the local area and other exciting news.  If you have anything important you would like us to share in the next newsletter, please email hello@theoldlibrary.org.uk

Community Yoga goes online!
During this time, it’s important we look after our physical and mental health as much as possible, so we’re very pleased to announce you can still access our Old Library community yoga class.

The class is now running online every Saturday morning, 8.30-9.30.  For more details on how to access this class please click here or drop us an email at hello@theoldlibrary.org.uk.

All proceeds from these classes will be donated to The Old Library, so please do spread the word as it’s a great way to help support the Library while we’re closed, not to mention keeping us all healthy!

We would also like to encourage anyone with similar ideas to do the same, especially our regular groups. Please get in touch with any suggestions and we will do our best to help you get things going.

We’d like to say a big thank you to all of our hirers who have been incredibly understanding of the need to close The Old Library while the country remains on lockdown – thank you!

Volunteer for Social Media!
We are looking for volunteers to help run The Old Library’s social media feeds, especially now our work for the community is being carried out online more than ever!  Are you talented on Twitter?  Au fait with Facebook?  Email us!

(Some training will be provided but ideally volunteers will be comfortable with writing content, posting on social media, and aware of best practice.)

Forum meetings going ahead
We’re pleased to announce we will be going ahead with all future forum meetings. The next date is May 10th, 11.00 – 12.00.  Please keep an eye on Facebook and your emails for more details on how to join as it will be an online meeting.

As we’re all currently needing to move some of our day-to-day activities online, if anyone needs help setting up any tools from video conferencing to home delivery shopping, please feel free to post your queries or requests on the Old Library Facebook page, or use your WhatsApp and email groups to reach out to each other.

If any of our more tech-savvy friends are able to offer assistance to anyone, please make yourselves known!

This can be an lonely time, particularly for those who don’t use online tools as often, so any help could make a huge difference.  We’ll be doing our part to communicate as best we can with volunteers and hirers.

Join the team!
We have some exciting opportunities for anyone looking to get more involved with The Old Library.

We’re on the look-out for people to join our team of directors, covering different aspects of the running of this beloved community space including Café Director, Company Secretary, and a Project Leader for the proposed extension and building works.

Or, perhaps you’re interested in gaining experience in Event Management?  We’re looking for an Associate Member to help oversee the running of events at the Library.  If you’re interested to know more about any of these, please get in touch!

To find out more about The Old Library please visit http://theoldlibrary.org.uk/