Trust from the community to manage the 'valuable' town library

The Raunds library in Northamptonshire has officially come under the full management of a local community trust. The library, once at risk of closure by Northamptonshire County Council in 2018, is now entirely overseen by the Raunds Community Library Trust.

Initially, the trust partnered with Creating Tomorrow College to help run the library, but the college later withdrew from the collaboration. With the trust now securing the lease independently, its chair, Peter Wathen, highlighted the library's importance: The library is a well-used and valuable asset to the town and surrounding villages.

Back in 2018, the financially struggling Northamptonshire County Council announced plans to close 21 libraries across the region. Many of these facilities were saved when community groups stepped in to manage them with volunteer support. Raunds library became one of these community-run libraries, temporarily renting its premises from the former council.

Attempts to transfer the lease to the town council were unsuccessful, leading to the initial partnership with the college. However, the college eventually stated that the library no longer fits with their strategic business model.

North Northamptonshire Council confirmed that the Raunds Community Library Trust now holds complete control of the lease, including responsibility for all building expenses and staffing or volunteer management to provide library services.

Mr. Wathen expressed optimism for the librarys future, saying: We are looking forward to expanding our offerings for the community and collaborating with local organizations and businesses to achieve this goal.

Greg Wilcox, the councils executive member for communities, praised the ongoing efforts: It is great that the successful work by the Raunds Community Library Trust is continuing.

Author: Sophia Brooks