Ross Library Development Group (RLDG) formed as a community interest group to ensure that the users of Ross Library were represented in consultations about the building and the future of library services.
RLDG launched a series of talks and events to raise funds for the library. An impressive range of local speakers entertained audiences who filled the newly refurbished Dennis Potter Room. Our fundraising enabled the purchase of items as varied as a kitchen for use by community groups, mobile book shelving, a large set of lego and the mural on the front wall of the library and paid for a wonderful range of workshops and shows for children.
But RLDG never lost its campaigning focus and when we learnt in 2013 that the Council proposed shutting all the libraries except for the Hereford library, we raised a major petition, worked with other Herefordshire libraries and ensured the Council knew how important the service is to us all.
Over the years RLDG worked closely with the local library team and supported the plans for the redesign of the entry foyer creating office space and information desks for the Job Centre Plus which provides a useful income stream.
In 2024 discussions started to review the work and image of RLDG. In April 2025 we changed our name to Friends of Ross Library (FoRL) in line with other library support groups in the county. A new programme of events has been started. Volunteers continue to give their time to the committee and we owe a debt of gratitude to the imaginative and innovative work members have done over many years. We hope you will be inspired to join us as a member of FoRL and ensure we hear your ideas for the future of the Library that we love.
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”
Albert Einstein
(1879-1955. Theoretical physicist)