Latest News from Friends of Bishopston Library: Autumn 2020

Today’s post is from the Friends of Bishopston Library. This local group exists to support Bishopston Library, and the wider Bristol library service, helping to sustain and improve its service and connecting it with the local community.

Dear friends,

When we were forced to cancel our programme of events last March, due to Lockdown, none of us for a moment thought that Bishopston Library would be still be closed in October! As far as we know, there are no plans to fully re-open soon, but you will be aware, we hope, that The Central Library is open as well as Fishponds, Southmead, and Stockwood, and Henleaze, Knowle, Junction 3 libraries will re-open on 12 October 2020.

The good news is that a Call and Collect service is now running from Bishopston Library. Opening times 11am to 4pm: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; you can borrow 5 adult items or 8 items for under 18s by calling 0117 357 6220.

Our AGM is normally in October, but in these extraordinary times when indoor meetings are essentially banned, we feel it is unlikely that we can hold it before mid 2021. Nevertheless we are beginning to plan and have a local author in mind to come and talk about their latest book.

As for organising a programme of events for 2021 and beyond, do you have any ideas of authors you might like to hear, topics for discussion or other events which you enjoyed in the past.? We have not received any emails or notifications on our Facebook page as yet, but your thoughts and suggestions would be very helpful.

The money we have raised from our events over the past two years, with your support, has been put to good use by the Library to improve its services and resources . We would like to continue to raise money and take part in other events at Bishopston library once we know when it is going to re-open, so your support and suggestions would be really helpful.

During the approaching winter do keep an eye on the Bristol Library Service website to see what on-line lectures and discussion they are hoping to deliver. Meanwhile keep safe and we will be in touch again when the library re-opens and we have permission to run events again.

Best wishes,