New group to reopen community library in capital

The Family Library was closed at the end of July by its previous directors

A community library which closed in July amid rising costs and a declining income is set to reopen under a new name on Saturday.

The Isle of Man Family Library shut its doors after its directors said it was losing a £100,000 a year, which would not be sustainable going forward.

The newly established Manx Family Centre is set to be operated by the facility's former team under the banner of the newly formed charity the Manx Family Community Association.

The group said the centre would also relaunch its bibliotherapy and mobile library services "in the coming weeks", with extended opening hours for community groups, charities and island businesses.

The family library had closed due amid funding issues

The group has been fundraising since the closure of the facility was announced by its previous directors earlier this year, and has also been in discussions with the government and other organisations about support.

A Treasury spokesman said repairs to the mobile library vehicle should be completed "soon" and a lease had now been signed to enable the library on Westmoreland Road to re-open to the public.

The department had made a "longer term commitment" to assist the trustees in "securing a sustainable business model" to enable provision of services to continue, he added.

The Manx Family Centre will be operated by the same team who ran the Family Library

The family library had been run as an independent charity since full funding was pulled by the Department of Education in 2011 in response to a reduction in the island's VAT income.

A five-year funding plan was in place with the previous charity on a sliding scale from 2022, beginning with £125,000 in August of that year, with the final sum of £65,000 which was due to be awarded in August next year.

The government said it would now work with the Manx Family Community Association "to understand what support they require".

Association director Jennie Thompson said the reopening had been "made possible through the generosity and belief of islanders", and "help, support and commitment from suppliers, government and the many individuals who gave so generously".

A launch event is set to take place at the centre on Saturday between 10:30 and 16:00 BST.