Struggling community library confirms closure date

The Isle of Man's Family Library has confirmed it will close at the end of next month after a long struggle to keep it financially viable.

The charity-run community library will shut on 31 July due to expected losses of £100,000, blamed on rising costs and declining incomes.

Director Kurt Rosen said people would have until 18 July to borrow books, including from the mobile library and delivery services, before the final two weeks would be spent retrieving all stock.

He said the board of directors would support "a number of initiatives" looking at alternative ways to run services under a "new model" but "the existing organisation will not be fundraising any longer".

The Family Library is based on Westmoreland Road in Douglas and also provides activities for young people, schools and adults.

It also operates a mobile library in rural areas and a home service.

Events in the library and bibliotherapy sessions would continue until the final closure date, Mr Roosen said.

The services have been run as an independent charity since full funding was pulled by the Department of Education in 2011.

Smaller levels of government funding were agreed in 2021, to be provided on a sliding scale until 2026.

Mr Roosen said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has assisted us over the past 14 years and, in particular, the stellar staff who have made the library what it is.

"I personally am sorry that we are unable to continue to deliver services, but I at least hope you will appreciate that we gave it 14 more years of life that it would not have otherwise had."

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