The search has begun to secure financial backing for the Family Library and the Mobile Family Library.
Previously run by the government, the services were under threat when, in 2012, the Department of Education and Children decided to close the libraries.
But there was a groundswell of public support to keep the libraries running and online gaming firm PokerStars stepped in with three years’ funding.
The services are now run as a charity through the auspices of the Manx Educational Foundation and, since the change in circumstances, have actually expanded.
However, the PokerStars deal is set to expire next summer so the MEF is now looking to secure funding to keep the libraries open.
MEF director Kurt Roosen said: ‘We are extremely grateful for all the support that we have received from PokerStars. Without it, the Family Library, which serves thousands of children, and the Mobile Family Library, which brings books to those who may not otherwise have the chance to read them, could have been lost forever.
‘We were always conscious that it was a three-year deal, so we are starting now to look at finding the ideal financial partner for future years.’
He added: ‘This is a great opportunity for one or more of the Island’s many successful businesses to become involved in what has been a true success story. The services have actually improved and expanded since they became run on a charitable basis.’
Mr Roosen said the combined cost of running the Family Library and the Mobile Family Library came to £250,000 per year.
The Family Library is based next to the children’s playground in Westmoreland Road in Douglas and is home to the largest collection of books for young people in the island.
There are more than 2,000 members of the Family Library and 235 teachers are also signed up to it.
Librarian in charge Mary Cousins said: ‘Our books are the foundation of what we do, but there is much more. We host a wide range of activities, ranging from sing and sign lessons for babies to language workshops and animation classes.’
It offers a free service to schools, delivering books and teaching props upon request.
Mary added: ‘Many of our workshops prove to be over-subscribed and we recently extended the library’s opening hours to enable us to cope with demand.
‘With the right financial backing, we hope to continue our growth from strength to strength and to keep the Family Library going as a valuable centre for learning through leisure.’
The Mobile Family Library, with two full-time and two part-time staff members, provides an island-wide service going to places other libraries cannot reach and taking books out to people who otherwise would not be able to access them.
Its vehicles stop in 90 different places over a two-week timetable.
The stock is drawn from the vast collection of 37,000 items kept back at base in Westmoreland Road.
The Large Print collection of more than 5,000 books is invaluable for those whose sight is failing, and alone generates more than 11,000 issues each year.
Sandra Henderson, the librarian in charge of the Mobile Family Library, said: ‘The service we provide is often the focal point of the community in many of the outreaching areas.
‘We cater for every age group, from pre-school to senior citizen, and have made many friends over the years.’
If your business wants to find out more about funding opportunities for the Family Library and the Mobile Family Library, email Kurt Roosen at kurt.roosen@mef.im