05/07/12…..Latest news from Haddenham

COMMUNITY LIBRARY More than 30 prospective volunteers attended a meeting on May 29 to hear about the plans for the new Haddenham Community Library (HCL) and to ask questions. Steve Sharp, who is co-ordinating the project talked about the community support for the library, the agreement which is being thrashed out with BCC, arrangements for September, volunteer roles, opening hours and volunteer rota and training for volunteers. Since the meeting there have been further discussions with BCC about appointing staff and training volunteers. The role description for the future manager has been approved and staff at risk in the review of the 14 libraries which are being handed over to the community have been invited to apply. It is hoped that interviews will be held in the week beginning 2 July, with HCL represented on the interview panel. If there are not sufficient applications, the post will then be advertised more widely within the County Council.

On training: the next steps are, for anyone wishing to help ‘on the counter’, provision of the names of two referees. BCC will then allocate a password for volunteers to login to the self-directed Spydus training (Spydus is the BCC library IT system). Volunteers need to work through an online information /questionnaire document. When this is successfully completed library support staff will create and email a login to Spydus. Volunteers will then be invited to attend a morning session of briefing and familiarisation at Amersham, Hazlemere or Princes Risborough library. As soon as possible these sessions will be offered at Haddenham, when the staffing is known. This will complete the basic library counter work training. Higher level training will also be available for those wishing to specialise in some aspect of the library work.

Steve says it would be great if anyone would like to help by acting as a co-ordinator of volunteers, helping in due course with the rota and liaising with the staff – please don’t be shy! Contact him on 290597 or email [email protected] if you think you might be able to help.

CHARITY NEWS F