An appeal to Molesey to support your local library

MP Dominic Raab, Pauline Morozgalska from the Friends
of Molesey Library, and Dep Mayor Barry Fairbank

MOLESEY is lucky to have an excellent library that is free to join and within easy reach.
When it was threatened with closure two years ago, the Molesey Conservatives' chairman Steve Bax teamed-up with town councillors and concerned residents to campaign for its survival, and have worked for its prosperity ever since as as part of the Friends of Molesey Library committee.
The Friends have raised money for new signs and equipment, arranged meet the author events and coffee mornings. Recently we obtained a grant to buy a picture hanging system to allow local artists to display their work in Molesey Library.
However the library has stiff competition from kindles and the internet (and customers with less time to read). Borrower numbers fell 5.8% in October compared to last year.
Although there is no immediate threat to the library we cannot be complacent. The best way to ensure our library’s future is to use it, so when you are next passing please pop in and take out a book or rent a DVD. You will be helping as the library is measured by Surrey CC on the numbers of books it loans.
Steve Bax said: "Molesey Library is a fantastic local resource, providing our town with free books and newspapers and free access to the internet. I have a supporter for a long time and my appreciation has grown in recent years since I have had young children.
"It is difficult to say with any certainty why library usage is declining. There are probably many factors but mainly I think its a time issue, as people with full time jobs and families often feel their leisure time is limited. But discovering a good book is extremely rewarding and well worth the investment."