Volunteers needed to run local library

Kirklees Council has previously announced that it needs to reduce its budget and has stated its intention to seek out community groups who are interested in running of seven of its smaller libraries.

Public talks are already underway about some of the affected libraries and yesterday Kirklees Council announced it is now inviting the community to get involved in the running of Lepton Library.

There will be a six week period of consultation at Lepton starting tomorrow which will continue until Saturday, August 11, when members of the public will be able to come forward.

Options will then be considered and more detailed discussions with interested parties will follow.

The proposal is that Kirklees Council will provide guidance to interested community groups and individuals, including training, a regular supply of books, maintenance of public access computers and additional support.

Coun Shabir Pandor, cabinet member for resources said: “We are looking at new ways of working with communities and Lepton Library is the latest location where we are speaking with people to find out how they would like to get involved. “There are no plans to close libraries in Kirklees and we want to work with residents and groups who have expressed support for maintaining library services in order to continue to provide a quality service in the community.“

For more information email: [email protected]

The other libraries that are affected are: Denby Dale, Golcar, Honley, Kirkheaton, Shepley and Slaithwaite.

The local authority has previously said it is committed to keeping the libraries open but wanted to communities to help run them “against a background of ongoing cuts.”

Those libraries run by volunteers would be supported by a hub library which would also provide librarian support.