Glastonbury's TWO Libraries - Read All About It!

A letter in this week's Central Somerset Gazette from Lucy Mac Neary of Meare has left me pondering the value of our local library services.

Glastonbury is blessed with two libraries, which may surprise some of you - the Somerset County Council run public library in Archer's Way and the Library of Avalon, which is Europe's largest Esoteric public lending library and based in the Glastonbury Experience courtyard off the High Street.

Ms MacNeary wrote to the paper in support of the Archer's Way library staff, and in particular, highlighted some of the abusive behaviour the staff had to deal with in one short space of time on one particular day. Another witness to one incident in the library, described how one member of the public caused a 'loud, angry, unreasonable and verbally aggressive' outburst to staff over a seemingly minor incident.

It's easy to forget just how valuable a service is provided by our public library, as Ms MacNeary also pointed out. The services include not only the obvious reference opportunities, but use of free internet facilities, reservation and collection services for books, journals, maps, DVD's, CD's, the facility to read daily newspapers and local publications in a quiet and comfortable environment (angry members of the public permitting), children's book clubs and story tellers, printing services, leaflets and local information distribution and plenty more. The staff are helpful, considerate, professional and courteous. The fact that members of the public feel the need to go in and become abusive in a tranquil and respected environment is frankly absurd. But then, it's not surprising that some people just cannot realise the value of these services and take them, and their staff for granted.....

The Library of Avalon is a registered charity which was founded on July 5th 1988. It is now based in the former Bridget Chapel; an ancient, Grade 2 listed building which forms part of the Glastonbury Abbey Great North Wall (Grade 1 listed). The library is run by a team of volunteers and is supported by the Glastonbury Experience Trust as well as local organisations such as The Speaking Tree. Income is sourced through annual public memberships (£18). The library hosts around 14,000 publications which deal with all manner of esoteric subjects such as witchcraft, wicca, UFO's, spiritual guidance, religion, magik, conspiracy, health and wellbeing as well as countless fictional novels in the same vein. It is a beautiful and tranquil environment in which you are welcome to go and sit quietly to peruse any of the fascinating manuscripts free of charge. A restricted section of two collections which are the Wessex Collection and R.I.L.K.O Collection which are reference guides, can be viewed but not hired. Further tomes are restricted but accessible by request.

The Library of Avalon is open part-time during the week including Sundays. Check out the website for further information and please do go along and support this invaluable and fascinating resource centre in Glastonbury.