Cllr: Library could be lost if volunteers do not come forward (From Bucks Free Press)

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

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

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.

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