Brewood library latest to be taken over by community in Staffordshire
A library now being part-run by community volunteers has been reopened.
Brewood Community Library, in Newport Street, has been open to the public for several months since its transfer to community management earlier this year.
But a formal opening ceremony has now been held to mark the change in how it is operated.
It is one of eight libraries that are being provided by a team of local volunteers under the management of South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (SSSFT) and supported by Staffordshire County Council.
They had been under the control of the council. The opening ceremony was held on December 21.
Staffordshire County Councillor, Mark Sutton, said: "Libraries play a vital role within local communities and we've been working hard to make sure our libraries are sustainable and offer local communities the activities they need.
"Libraries are about much more than just books these days and are places where people meet, learn, and access different services and activities.
"Volunteers play an important role in all our libraries - helping and advising customers, organising books and resources and helping out with reading groups, Bounce and Rhyme sessions for children, walking groups and job search activities.
"We're always looking out for more volunteers, so anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can always contact their local library."
Councillor Joyce Bolton, South Staffordshire councillor representing the Brewood & Coven ward, said: "I understand one of the ideas behind the change was that actually the library will be able to put on more things and it becomes more like a community hub."
In 2014 Staffordshire County Council decided to work in partnership with 23 communities to revitalise their local library into community libraries.
So far 19 community libraries across the county are already being run by community groups or are in the transfer process.
They are at Audley, Barton, Baswich, Blythe Bridge, Brereton, Brewood, Glascote, Gnosall, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Holmcroft, Kinver, Knutton, Norton Canes, Rising Brook, Shenstone, Silverdale, Werrington and Wilnecote.
Management groups still have to be appointed for the libraries at Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Loggerheads and Talke and they will be the subject of a third round of bid development.
The council continues to directly manage 20 libraries.
