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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask you for your money-raising ideas for libraries?

109 replies

LibraryLibrary · 16/01/2026 14:10

I'm in my local library's consultation group. Our library is under pressure from the council. 1) We need to attract more users.2) We also need to find a way of reducing costs and/or raising funds.
A couple of months ago I asked people on Mumsnet for their ideas for attracting more people to use the library. The responses were very useful. I went through them all and then sent a precis to the library management. They are starting to take some of the suggestions on board. For instance, we have some new activity groups starting.
Can I now please ask you all for any ideas for bringing in money? The library is open to any suggestions - so I'm thinking fun competitions of different types for different age groups, a fashion show, training courses (but what would people be prepared to pay for?), food and drink events, maybe a talent show... What has (or hasn't - that's useful info too) worked for your local library, school or other organisation? We want to provide activities that people are happy to pay for - in exchange for a positive experience. Of course we may need to find volunteers to help run the events. Any suggestion on how to do that and how best to market the events would be very helpful too. Thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
LibraryLibrary · 16/01/2026 14:41

@Pancakeflipper I like these suggestions, thanks. Although some of them already happen in the town (but not the library) we could maybe offer them done a little differently.

OP posts:
OriginalUsername2 · 16/01/2026 14:40

I wouldn’t want to pay for anything at the library personally. It’s always been a place that’s accessible for anyone. I spent a lot of time there with my child when single and dirt poor.

How about getting local businesses to sponsor the library and give them “sponsored by” plaques on the wall outside? That advertises them and makes them look good for the community.

Original poster
LibraryLibrary · 16/01/2026 14:39

Thank you for the suggestions so far. We do some of these clubs/classes already, but they are free. I'm not sure that we would be able to charge for something like help with literacy, as people probably expect that to be volunteer-led or paid for by the council. Is there anything that you have been to or would like to go to that would really feel worth paying for, for you and/or your children? Maybe a one-off evening of fun of some kind, which could be put on every year? Or some kind of activity that your child would really enjoy and that isn't the usual ballet or sports? I realise that if we offer training events and charge for them, we'll have to find really professional trainers and will probably have to pay them for their time.

OP posts:
Pancakeflipper · 16/01/2026 14:25

Sell second hand books (accept book donations from the community). Our library has someone who comes in and buys the books that can't be sold - bit like the rag collection at charity shops. Also jigsaws.

Plant sale - get the greenfingered people in your community to grow off-cuts and have a big plant sale once a year.

Seasonal children's events - Father Christmas, Easter (egg hunts,) St George's Day - dragon hunting).

Quiz nights.
Beetledrives.

Art show. Have an exhibition weekend - get the commjnity to bring in their art/photos Entrance fee/raffles/art stalls

Theeyeballsinthesky · 16/01/2026 14:24

. Of course we may need to find volunteers to help run the events. Any suggestion on how to do that and how best to market the events would be very helpful too. Thank you!

you should have a local volunteer centre who can promote opportunities. There's also the GoVo volunteering platform where you can advertise. The key thing to think about is what would ppl get out of volunteering for you/with you rather than just what you want from them. There's loads of information online

good luck OP - our local authority is in the same position

PermanentTemporary · 16/01/2026 14:21

Things I might be prepared to pay for:

  • informal foreign language conversation groups
  • hand sewing/embroidery/knitting classes or groups (thinking of crafts that don’t need much space or make too much mess)

Is there a way to maximise the library as a place for services that otherwise feel inaccessible? Could that attract council funding even if offered free?
. adult literacy classes
.adult literacy book club - called something else - like the Quick Readers maybe, after those Quick Reads that used to be published for adults entering literacy?

  • speech and language therapy drop in sessions for children - I wonder if the NHS paediatric and local private therapists would collaborate somehow
  • specialist ‘rhyme time’ type sessions for particular needs - maybe one that’s based more on rhythmic lights rather than sounds, for Deaf and some autistic children maybe? Ds would probably have enjoyed that too despite not being Deaf or autistic
  • Booker Club announcement evening
ThatWildMintSloth · 16/01/2026 14:19

-Creative writing and poetry groups for different ages
-Story times and themed craft activities
-Book and film clubs for people to discuss and make recommendations
-Jigsaw or board game clubs
-If you have the facilities to offer rented space for coffee mornings for local support groups? (Alot of charities or small organisations often struggle to find space for these kinds of things)

Mercurial123 · 16/01/2026 14:19

Book clubs offering refreshments, board game nights/tournaments, poetry readings, craft courses, community art fairs.

BillieWiper · 16/01/2026 14:13

Training courses that are linked to industries that have skills gaps? But I guess you'd need to employ tutors and practical materials and stuff.

Things to do with coding, AI? But I guess you'd need funding for it.

Creative writing or something? Poetry? Classes on that?