The Guernsey children’s book group

Abstract

Public library facilities in Guernsey are limited. There is a good reference library specialising in local history but geared primarily for adults and with short opening hours. There is also a subscription library which receives a small subsidy from the Island Parliament but inadequately stocked with children's books. Neither library has a particularly welcoming atmosphere, and the forbidding staircase of the latter is known locally as the North Face of the Eiger! One of the islanders decided to make her own contribition to encourage young readers. In 1966 she opened her own home as a free children's library, with 200 of her own children's books, inviting children from a Sunday school class and two forms from the local junior school as subscribers. She now has two rooms stocked with children's books which are being constantly replenished with the help of relatives, friends and older school children assisting as librarians. The homely library and playroom is open two afternoons a week and Saturday morning for story-telling sessions during the school terms. The number of children waiting to join the library mounted, and it was decided to widen its activitiesby forming a Guernsey Children's Book Group, inspired also by a talk to young parents by the founder of the Federation of Children's Book Groups. It is now nine years since the members of the Guernsey Group had their first meeting. They decided that their main functions would be to urge for a free public library for children (and adults for that matter), and to encourage parents and children to read and enjoy books. They approached the local library committees on the needs of Island children but met with little encouragement. Charitable organisations when approached agreed wholeheartedly that something must be done, and a few offered financial support for a children's library as soon as a scheme was put into action. But without money no scheme could be started. It was a vicious circle. Then in 1974 the deadlock was broken. A gift of £800 was received to start a mobile library. Unfortunately at that time there was no suitable vehicle at the price the Group could afford. The Group approached the library committees again this time actually