Larkhall Community Library – a brief history

The library is situated on the ground floor at New Oriel Hall, with easy pushchair and wheelchair access. For people who love reading our gem of a library has added a new dimension to life in the village. We have a great range of books including some with large print and on C.D. Opening hours are 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. Monday to Friday with late opening until 5.00 p.m on Wednesday & Thursday

When B&NES decided it was the end of the road for the mobile library serving the Larkhall area they offered to help set up a community library somewhere in the area and we jumped at the opportunity. As a partnership project with B&NES a lot of initial help was given by their experienced library team. Alongside offering good advice and training they provided suitable furniture for the room, secure bookcases, display units and some books. The local community became involved and were incredibly generous. Piles of books started arriving on a weekly basis, sometimes by the car load, until a mountain of books filled the Cedar store. Once more B&NES came to the rescue, advising us on suitable stock for the library. We held book sales to dispose of some of the surplus books and used money raised to buy books people had specially asked for.

The grand launch came in 2013 during the weekend of Larkhall Festival. Volunteers welcomed lots of new library members. Children enjoyed a storytelling session and had fun drawing picture for a competition and there were lots of smiles when people discovered there are no fines at our library, even when books are returned late. This community project is run entirely by volunteers. New volunteers are always needed and are most welcome.

The Community Library group joins in lots of New Oriel Hall open door events such as Table Top Sales and coffee mornings, selling surplus books, entertaining young children with stories and holding competitions, sometimes involving local schools and the community as a whole. If you would like more information call the hall on 01225 466606 or email: info@neworielhall.org.uk

September 2020 Update

As the library is too compact to socially distance, we are trailing a ‘GRAB & GO’ system

Simply call the library on 07946 515018 to speak one of our volunteers about the books you would like, or leave a message. Books will be wiped with an antibacterial wipe & place in a named bag for you to collect from the hall. We have a wonderful selection of adult & children’s books so have a look at our Library Catalogue.

Please note: Children’s picture books and board books are not catalogued and not all books are available on the catalogue as some may be lent to other hirers, we can reserve books for you and if you are not a member this can be arranged over the phone.