Residents to take on running of library

The new arrangement will mean that the library in Hawes will be under the stewardship of the Upper Wensleydale Community Partnership to give the town's residents a greater say in the running of the facility.

The move is part of a wider overhaul of library services by North Yorkshire County Council to reduce costs and help counter a massive shortfall in funding brought about by the Government's swingeing financial cutbacks.

The council's executive member for adult and community services, Coun Chris Metcalfe, said: "Hawes has a very active and enthusiastic library membership, and it's very gratifying to see the control of the branch library pass into the hands of the community partnership.

"Not only will it allow the library to be totally responsive to local needs, but it will also, at a time of great pressure on resources, ensure the continuation of a highly-valued community facility."

Staff in the partnership have been working alongside the council's own library staff for the past five years operating the Upper Wensleydale Community Office, which shares the front desk in the building.

Coun John Blackie, who represents the Upper Dales on the county council, is also the chairman of the community partnership.

He said: "We are very proud in Hawes to be one of the first communities to take over the operation of its own library, and thank the county council for the confidence it has placed in us."

The council is looking to increase community involvement in the running of libraries, and chief executive Richard Flinton has admitted the service is one of the most at risk as his authority needs to make 69m in savings over the next four years.