What is NEWSPAL?
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NewSPAL is a charity, set up by and for users, to ensure that the Surrey Performing Arts Library collection can be maintained and developed in the long term.
In 2017, Surrey Libraries, in the face of significant budget cuts, were planning to break up the collection, then held in the Surrey Performing Arts Library (SPAL) at Denbies Wine Estate, near Dorking. Surrey Libraries decided to close SPAL and discontinue having specialist staff. There has been no dedicated budget for replacement or development of the collection for some years. The collection, built up over more than forty years and winner of multiple awards, was moved by Surrey Libraries to Ewell in August 2018 as a cost saving measure and access to the collection for non-Surrey users through the inter-library loan systems was suspended. A group of SPAL users, with support from two national organisations, formed a charitable incorporated organisation to bid to secure the future of the collection in the charity sector, free from the pressures facing Surrey County Council. NewSPAL secured the Council's agreement to transfer management of the collection to NewSPAL, initially for a trial period. If the trial is successful NewSPAL hopes to find a long-term home for the collection where it can be expanded and developed. |
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Our Vision
This will be a charity overseen by users for users. We will:
NewSPAL will have to make changes to the way the performing arts service is currently run, as it will have to be entirely financially self-sufficient. The collection and service will no longer be subject to the financial pressures faced by SCC, but we will have to make continuous efforts to raise the necessary funds, especially in the early stages as the new service is set up and as we start to attract new users. If you can help, please make a donation.
With help from the amateur music and drama groups and individual supporters from across the country and beyond, NewSPAL will ensure future investment in the collection and that users will continue to benefit from the the essential added value that the specialist library staff can offer.
- keep the collection together, including multiple sets, single books/scores, and other resources
- in the longer term establish a new home for the collection
- offer online cataloguing software which allows users to see the collection and its availability 24/7 online, and make reservations, payments, etc.
- employ dedicated specialist staff
- set opening hours and charges - in consultation with users - at levels to allow the charity to break even
- raise charitable funds for stock renewal and new investments
- promote the library through strong marketing nationally as well as within Surrey opening the collection to a wide range of user groups
NewSPAL will have to make changes to the way the performing arts service is currently run, as it will have to be entirely financially self-sufficient. The collection and service will no longer be subject to the financial pressures faced by SCC, but we will have to make continuous efforts to raise the necessary funds, especially in the early stages as the new service is set up and as we start to attract new users. If you can help, please make a donation.
With help from the amateur music and drama groups and individual supporters from across the country and beyond, NewSPAL will ensure future investment in the collection and that users will continue to benefit from the the essential added value that the specialist library staff can offer.
