Library volunteer plans get the go ahead (From Elmbridge Guardian)

Elmbridge libraries volunteer plans get the go ahead

2:30pm Monday 3rd October 2011 in News By Louise Robertson

Plans for volunteers to run Surrey’s libraries have been approved.

Surrey County Council believes the steps will help keep the county’s 52 libraries open, but objectors said it would spell the end for branches like Hersham.

Molesey was given a last-minute reprieve when it was removed from a list of libraries due to be handed over to the community, and will stay under the management of Surrey.

But Hersham remained on the list and will face closure if volunteers do not come forward to take over management task.

The council is trialling the idea in 10 libraries from 2012 and, if it proves successful, Hersham would be among nine more added to the list for community management.

It will make volunteers responsible for the day-to-day running of the library, but the council will continue to provide the building, stock, computer equipment and free wi-fi.

Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos said: “This decision means we are a step closer to fulfilling our aim of keeping all 52 of Surrey’s libraries open, while focusing resources and making best use of new technologies such as e-books.

“We’ve been greatly encouraged by the response we’ve had to the plans to give people the freedom to tailor their local library to meet local needs.”

Other libraries in Elmbridge will continue to run as a core service, under Surrey’s control.

Susan Mealor, secretary of voluntary group Friends of Hersham library, said she was concerned the library would close because nobody had come forward as willing to run it. She said: “It would be a disaster if we lost Hersham library.”

Roy Green, chairman of Hersham Village Society, said the town deserved a proper library, and not one run by volunteers, after fighting hard for the past 20 years to keep it open.