Third of Leicestershire libraries to be run by volunteers

Barrow on Soar was the first to transfer, last summer and, so far, 23 have transferred, with more due to transfer throughout July. Credit: PA

More than two thirds of Leicestershire's community libraries will be run by local groups by the end of the month.

​The county council is transferring control of up to 36 libraries to community groups, as part of the service's £800,000 savings.

Barrow on Soar was the first to transfer, last summer and, so far, 23 have transferred, with more due to transfer throughout July.

Councillor Richard Blunt, cabinet member for libraries, said:

"I'm delighted that 23 communities are now running their village library and have lots of ideas to make them even more popular and well-used.

"The council has been carrying out further work with those communities which need more help with their plans and I'm confident that the vast majority of the 36 libraries will be community-run by next year."

Libraries that have transferred so far are: Barrow; Markfield; Glenhills; Anstey; Rothley; Bottesford; Stoney Stanton; Sileby; Leicester Forest East; Newbold Verdon; Hathern; Kegworth; Ratby; Fleckney; Countesthorpe; South Wigston; Groby; Enderby; Burbage; Kibworth; East Goscote; Castle Donington; and Great Glen.

The next batch of libraries to transfer, during July, is Measham, Thurmaston, Sapcote, and Cosby. So far, just one library - Barwell - has closed because no community group came forward to run it. The council has pledged to consider any new bid to take it on.

The 16 market town and shopping centre libraries will continue to be run by the council. These are: Ashby; Birstall; Blaby; Broughton Astley; Coalville; Earl Shilton; Glenfield; Hinckley; Loughborough; Lutterworth; Market Harborough; Melton Mowbray; Oadby; Shepshed; Syston; and Wigston.