LIBRARY bosses have set a challenge to a group of young people it has taken on as apprentices this month.

During their year-long apprenticeship one of their tasks will be to develop projects to give the libraries more youth appeal.

As well as developing their own skills in face-to-face customer service the 20 apprentices will help make the libraries more accessible and attractive to young people.

And they are now being asked to come up with a new project or initiative which will help bring young people into the libraries.

The apprentices will have to pitch their ideas to a Dragon’s Den-style panel and the winning projects will receive £1,000 for their development.

The county’s executive member for libraries, Carl Les, said: “These apprenticeships form an imaginative and practical way in which the county council can help to give young people those skills and confidence which are so important in improving their long-term employability prospects.

“At the same time the scheme is of enormous benefit to the library service. By bringing in a younger workforce, libraries have the chance to develop ideas and projects designed by young people for young people.”