Exciting News for the CML National Peer Network

Press Release

Hi everyone

Exciting News for CMLs. Please read on and kindly share through all your networks. Please tag the National Lottery – #NationalLottery. Thank you.

Community Managed Libraries National Peer Network awarded £315,400 National Lottery funding

Community Managed Libraries National Peer Network (CMLNPN), a network set up by a group of volunteers in 2017 to provide a service connecting up to five hundred existing and new community managed libraries (CMLs) with each other to help them find advice, resources and support has been awarded £315,400 over three years by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, to develop the service throughout England and Wales.

The grant, made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will be used to employ a full time Network Manager and two part time Regional Co-ordinators to implement a business plan that will create a network of community hubs based around community libraries developed organically with local leadership, to fit local needs and that can deliver transformational and long term change to civic life with local communities as the bedrock.

This development of CMLNPN aligns with the report to Government ‘Levelling up our communities: proposals for a new social covenant’ that calls for ‘a new focus on the modern local library, often community managed, delivering business start-up and digital inclusion for local communities.’

Working alongside and often in partnership with Local Authority Public Libraries, it will support the network to enhance and transform how CMLs work to deliver services across education, health, culture, employment skills support and digital inclusion. This should contribute to creating a large public value resulting in a high social return on investment through co-production with communities and connecting them with each other throughout England and Wales.

David Smith, Chair of CMLNPN, says, ‘We are grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for recognising the potential in the Network and for CMLs and Hubs to be seen collectively as genuine business partners in the development of the ‘new normal’, delivering substantial economic and social benefits with a stronger and more co-ordinated voice becoming acknowledged by the public and partners in Government, Local Authorities and beyond.’

Emma Ackerman, Funding Strategy Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Libraries are an asset and a hub for communities. Thanks to National Lottery players, community managed libraries across England and Wales will connect and work together to support local needs, enhance civil life and ensure communities are better able to prosper and thrive. We are delighted to fund this great idea”.

National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

1. Link to CMLNPN research on Community Hubs with case studies

Community-managed libraries as community hubs

• There is no single model of a CML. For example, some are recognised as part of their Local Authority’s statutory provision. Others receive their book stock and/or other support from their Local Authority. Others are independent and/or operate as small businesses.

• Contact: dsmithlsl@aol.com

About The National Lottery Community Fund

We are the largest funder of community activity in the UK – we support people and communities to prosper and thrive. We’re proud to award money raised by National Lottery players to communities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to work closely with Government to distribute vital grants and funding from key Government programmes and initiatives.

Our funding has a positive impact and makes a difference to people’s lives. We support projects focussed on things that matter, including economic prosperity, employment, young people, mental health, loneliness, and helping the UK reach Net Zero by 2050.

Thanks to the support of National Lottery players, our funding is open to everyone. We’re privileged to be able to work with the smallest of local groups right up to UK-wide charities, enabling people and communities to bring their ambitions to life.

National Lottery players raise over £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK. Since The National Lottery began in 1994, £43 billion has been raised for good causes. National Lottery funding has been used to support over 635,000 projects – 255 projects per postcode area.

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Network Update: Meetings, Training Event, Competition and more

A massive hello to everyone. Hope you are well and safe.  

1. Network Meetings

Please note that our Network Meetings start again on 4^th of March 2022, at 11.30am.  We have published monthly dates through to June 2022.

For the 4^th of March Meeting, in addition to our ‘open space’ for discussions and learning and policy updates from David, we will be sharing some interesting updates and seek your input/ideas into some of the things we hope to do for members.  

Photographic Competition: we will also be discussing a new Photographic Competition – with an April deadline.

To book a place(s):  CML Peer Network Monthly Meetings Booking Link

2. Template Environmental Policy for Community Managed Libraries

We need your Help!

It may not be the first thing groups think about when setting up and running a Community Managed Library, but at some point the issue of adopting an Environmental Policy will come up. 

If you already have a policy in place, and are willing to share it us, please send us either a link to the document or a copy of the document itself, together with an indication of whether you would be willing to participate in developing and reviewing the template document before it is published. 

Please email your responses (richard@harburyvillagelibrary.org.uk). Richard is a Trustee of the CMLNPN.

3. Counter Terrorism Training for UK Public Libraries

In partnership with Libraries Connected, the National Counter Terrorism and Security Office (NaCTSO) will be delivering an ACT Corporate day at New Scotland Yard for public library services throughout the UK. 

We have seen an increase in terrorist related activity across mainland Europe and within the UK, during the past few years.  Although there is no indication that Libraries are likely to be targeted, crowded places will always be under threat. This training will be useful as UK Libraries increase see increased footfall, especially around city and town centres.

Throughout the day there will be various sessions covering core topics around Counter Terrorism measures, each will be invaluable to library’s Senior Library Staff, helping them to manage and respond to the threat of terrorism and increasing their understanding about how library staff can play a part in keeping their communities safe.

This free event will take place on Monday 14 March, 10.00 – 15.00 at New Scotland Yard, London and is aimed at senior managers working in UK public libraries.  Book your place here

Thank you all.