This page will form a growing collection of resources for community managed libraries. Some of these resources come from our own workshops and webinars, for instance you can watch our past webinars online, other resources will come from sources within the sector such as other community managed libraries, the Society of Chief Librarians and Locality.
If you have any resources that you believe would be useful to add to this page then please contact us using the form on our blog or email info@communitylibrariesnetwork.org


Trustee Recruitment & Retention – RESOURCES
Here you will find resources and templates relating to the Trustee Recruitment & Retention training. Detailed Skills Audit Example Shortlisting Matrix

NCVO – A Toolkit for Micro Charities
The toolkit links directly to the Charity Governance Code. It uses the same principles but describes the kind of practice a micro organisation should aspire to implement. There are also links to lots of free tools and resources which can be used and adapted to implement the principles.
Click here to download toolkit
Credit NCVO: Find out more on on their blog.
Network Workshop Resources
Income Generation & Fundraising
Presentations for the workshop hosted by Mick McGrath from Locality Income Generation & Fundraising Workshop and Claire Robe from the Arts Council England Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants presentation
Legal & Governance
Handouts for our Legal and Governance Workshop hosted by Anthony Collins Solicitors (Nov 17) Legal and Governance Workshop PowerPoint
Further Resources
Telling you library’s story
The Libraries and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a storytelling manual is a guide for librarians and library advocates to support you in your advocacy efforts. The Library Map of the World (LMW) team have compiled some tips and useful information to help you write compelling stories about your library activities, projects and programmes, and their impact on communities.
‘Making the Most of your Library’ training package
This Arts Council England funded package, developed by Leicestershire Libraries in partnership with Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) and co-created with volunteers, is for volunteers working in community managed or community led libraries. The training package can be downloaded from the SCL website http://goscl.com/universal-offers/reading-offer/
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
The general Data Protection Regulation comes into force on 25th May 2018. This PowerPoint explores what GDPR means for you, what you need to know about GDPR and how to stay compliant What-you-need-to-know-about-GDPR-How-to-stay-compliant
Six short guides on GDPR have been published by the Fundraising Regulator and IoF. Access these guides here.
CILIP (The Library and Information Association) has now published a free guide to GDPR available here.
Safeguarding Children guidance
The Department for Education has published two pieces of statutory safeguarding guidance. These set the framework within which all practitioners should operate in order to protect children from abuse and neglect and promote their best interests, they are:
- Revised Working Together to Safeguard Children statutory guidance; and
- Local Safeguarding – Transitional Arrangements statutory guidance.
And can be accessed at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children–2
Community Managed Libraries Peer Network Email Footer
Our aim is to give as many community managed libraries as possible access to the advice and support they need to run their libraries effectively. As part of this we have created an email footer that can be used by any of our network members to help other libraries learn about and understand what the network is. We would like as many network members as possible to use the footer and help other community managed libraries to benefit from the network. The network logo and text can be copied and pasted from here: Email footer_FINAL 18.01.17.
The Foundation of Social Improvement
https://www.thefsi.org
In April 2007 philanthropist, Emma Harrison, saw the incredible contribution small charities make to the lives of millions, but was also aware that too many small charities were forced to close their doors, almost always due to lack of funds. She made the decision to start a charity that would give small charities the strategic support they need to keep their doors open and be there for millions of individuals, families, communities and other causes that desperately need their help.
The community asset transfer of libraries: considerations in community managed libraries taking a lease.
Forbes, D. and Nichols, G. (2020)
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.878412!/file/Library-report-final-2020.pdf
If you think it is useful we’d really like you to promote it through your network.

Network Webinars
Back to Basics
Watch the webinar Back to Basics Webinar
View the handouts using PowerPoint Back to Basics
Business Planning
Watch the webinar Business Planning Webinar
View the handouts using PowerPoint Business Planning Webinar PowerPoint
Useful documents mentioned in the webinar:
Business Planning in a Nutshell Business nutshell template
Sample Business Plan Sample Community Library Business Plan PHCL
Community Asset Transfer
Watch the webinar Community Asset Transfer Webinar
Community Engagement & Volunteering
Watch the webinar Community Engagement & Volunteering Webinar
View the handouts using PowerPoint Community Engagement PowerPoint
Communications & Social Media
Watch the webinar Communications & Social Media Webinar
View the handouts: Communications & Social Media Webinar PowerPoint and Communications & Social Media Webinar Handout (with links to resources)
How to Succeed at Crowdfunding
Watch the webinar Crowdfunding Webinar
View the handouts:
Rebecca Trevalyan’s presentation
Article about gift aid and crowdfunding
Link to Crystal Palace Library of Things Video & Campaign
Link to Cricklewood Library Video & Campaign
Link to Forest Hill Library campaign
Measuring your Impact
Watch the webinar Measuring your Impact Webinar
View the handouts as a PDF Community Led Libraries Top Tools for Impact