Volunteers set to take on village library (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Volunteers set to take on village library

GERRARDS Cross Library is set to be taken on by volunteers over the coming months, after a council approved their takeover plans.

Volunteers set to take on village library

A new committee, headed up by parish councillor Mike Lawson, has recruited 70 volunteers and plans to develop the library into a 'one stop shop' for village information.

Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) announced earlier this year that it would be pulling £500,00 of funding from 14 village libraries.

Much of the reduced spend will come from job cuts – meaning up to 60 part-time staff face redundancy or a move to a different post in one of the county's main libraries.

The plans for Gerrards Cross are not finalised, but Cllr Lawson said BCC is likely to continue paying the rent for the Station Road building over the next few years.

A five-year 'partnership agreement' will also see the council continue to provide library loan stock, IT provision, public computers, online resources and grants to support some of the running costs.

Mr Lawson, chairman of the Gerrards Cross Community Library committee, said: "We have around 70 volunteers so far and in the near future will be asking for more volunteers with professional skills and experience to oversee the running of the library as part of an executive committee.

“We are also very keen to have a member representing the local schools.”

He said the committee will look to obtain charity status and will encourage sponsorship and donations to help fund the library.

The committee plans to create contact points for village police and social services, while using the library as a 'shop front’ for Gerrards Cross Parish Council.

Similar schemes have been announced for the libraries in Chalfont St Peter and Farnham Common.

Plans for community groups to take over Flackwell Heath, Castlefield and Great Missenden libraries are less advanced. The council has said it will 'put all its effort' into avoiding closures.