Plea for volunteers to help run libraries after £1.2m cuts

DONCASTER Council chiefs are on the hunt for volunteers to help run the town’s libraries.

Sprotbrough Library is among 12 in Doncaster which will be managed by the community rather than the council.

The move follows a controversial decision by the Mayor of Doncaster, Peter Davies, to restructure the library system in a bid to save £1.2 million a year.

Each of the 12 libraries will now be managed through a partnership with town and parish councils, schools and other local organisations.

A council spokeswoman said: “Although there will not be council employed library staff on site, there will be a strong partnership between the council’s library service and the volunteers, to help ensure that the service is sustained.

“Each library will still receive new books, have computers and internet facilities and will still have events and activities for children and adults run by the council’s library staff.”

Now, the council is on the hunt for volunteers.

The council spokeswoman added: “Really good progress is being made, and so far more than 200 volunteers across the borough have come forward.

“But the library service would like to hear from anyone else who would like to help.

“If you are interested in giving any amount of your time, whether its one hour a month or three hours a week, please get in touch.”

The role of the volunteer includes shelving books and tidying the shelves, helping customers with computers, searching for information, answering enquiries, managing library cards and reserving stock.

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No specific qualifications are required but volunteers will need to be prepared to undergo basic training.

Cllr Cynthia Ransome, Cabinet member for communities, said: “All relevant training and support will be given.

“The library service aims for volunteers to increase their skills and confidence, and even, where appropriate, to gain experience to help them gain employment.

“It’s an excellent way to meet new people and contribute directly to your community.”

Anyone interested should email [email protected] or call into their local library and ask for an expression of interest form.

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