Cllr: Library could be lost if volunteers do not come forward

7:30am Friday 15th June 2012 in News By Rebecca Cain

Stokenchurch Library Stokenchurch Library

STOKENCHURCH'S library could be closed if enough volunteers do not come forward, a county councillor has warned.

In a money saving exercise Buckinghamshire County Council announced in April last year it wanted communities to run their own libraries.

Since then five self managed libraries have already been launched and the council wants a further five more by September, including Stokenchurch.

Meetings have been held with residents to establish the level of support.

Martin Phillips, cabinet member for community engagement, wants to have an agreed way forward for Stokenchurch by October.

He said if there is insufficient support in the community to launch a community library after this time then consideration will be given to alternative options such as mobile library services or library collections in other community venues.

BCC needs to save £680,000 on its library budget.

A working group has been set up in Stokenchurch for the library, which will be at Stokenchurch Village Fête tomorrow (Saturday).

Chairman of the working group, Ann Sherman, said she is feeling positive about the future of the amenity.

She said: "We did a survey last year and a lot of people said they were interested in volunteering.

"At the fête on Saturday we are going to advertise it more and find out if people are still interested."

The library is currently closed on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays and is only open in the evening (until 7pm) on a Thursday.

Mrs Sherman said the group was hoping to extend the library opening hours, and that it was important to keep the facility in the village.

Visit the working group's stall at the fête tomorrow which starts at 12pm.

Comments (5)

8:08am Fri 15 Jun 12

townraider says...

rime example of the negative side of Camerons and Pickles Big Society con!

Serviceslike these need to be supplied by councils with paid for staff.
rime example of the negative side of Camerons and Pickles Big Society con! Serviceslike these need to be supplied by councils with paid for staff. townraider

1:56pm Fri 15 Jun 12

J B Blackett says...

Rebekah Brooks is currently available and at a loose end
.
And she only lives over the border in Oxfordshire and is very close to the PM (allegedly).
.
I am sure she would welcome this opportunity to help the folk of Stokenchurch - if they are not fussy.
Rebekah Brooks is currently available and at a loose end . And she only lives over the border in Oxfordshire and is very close to the PM (allegedly). . I am sure she would welcome this opportunity to help the folk of Stokenchurch - if they are not fussy. J B Blackett

4:02pm Fri 15 Jun 12

The Judge says...

IF WDC RETRIEVE ALL OUR ICE-BANK MONEY THEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEMS....STILL ALL THESE YEARS AND NO INVESTIGATION AND RESIGNATIONS !!
JUDGE
IF WDC RETRIEVE ALL OUR ICE-BANK MONEY THEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEMS....STILL ALL THESE YEARS AND NO INVESTIGATION AND RESIGNATIONS !! JUDGE The Judge

5:48pm Sun 17 Jun 12

washondo says...

The Judge wrote:
IF WDC RETRIEVE ALL OUR ICE-BANK MONEY THEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEMS....STILL ALL THESE YEARS AND NO INVESTIGATION AND RESIGNATIONS !!
JUDGE
Stop shouting.
Have you tried reading a book in Stokenchurch? They still burn witches there.
[quote][p][bold]The Judge[/bold] wrote: IF WDC RETRIEVE ALL OUR ICE-BANK MONEY THEN WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEMS....STILL ALL THESE YEARS AND NO INVESTIGATION AND RESIGNATIONS !! JUDGE[/p][/quote]Stop shouting. Have you tried reading a book in Stokenchurch? They still burn witches there. washondo

4:52pm Sun 24 Jun 12

EricBrown says...

As sad as it is, the library is rarely used by most of the village. Cheap books and the internet and kindle have superceded it. Sorry, but if it has to close then it has to close. A bit like Woolworths really - everyone was sad to see it go, but who actually used it ?
As sad as it is, the library is rarely used by most of the village. Cheap books and the internet and kindle have superceded it. Sorry, but if it has to close then it has to close. A bit like Woolworths really - everyone was sad to see it go, but who actually used it ? EricBrown

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