Two thirds of Leicestershire's libraries to be run by volunteers

Leicestershire county council is to transfer 26 libraries to community groups in order to help make £800,000 worth of savings.

By the end of the month, more than two thirds of Leicestershire's community libraries will be run by local groups, ITV news has reported.

So far, 23 libraries 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 libraries to transfer, during July, are Measham, Thurmaston, Sapcote, and Cosby. So far, one library - Barwell - has closed because no community group came forward to run it. The council has said it will 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.