THE future of a town’s library is looking bright after 120 volunteers came forward offering to help run it.

Last month, there were warnings that Stokesley Library would close unless more volunteers could be found.

It is one of 21 in North Yorkshire due to be handed over to the community on April 1 this year, after the county council found it could no longer afford to operate all its libraries due to budget cuts.

In January the charitable trust set up to take over Stokesley’s library was still in desperate need of volunteers to run the resource.

It launched a recruitment campaign in the town with the help of the parish council, putting up banners in the town urging people to help volunteer.

The campaign proved successful and now people of all ages have come forward with offers of help.

The distinctive circular building is being rebranded as The Globe Community Library” and plans are in place to have the library at the centre of the community with a diverse range of activities, workshops and services. Poetry-reading sessions and a knitting group have already been suggested.

Peter Chandler, from the library’s communications committee said: “This won’t be a quiet space, it will be a lively place where things happen.”

The library will initially be open for 19 hours a week but the committee hope to extend these hours once the project is up and running and more funding can be found.

“We had a concerted campaign to keep the library open because it provides a vital service in our town and we are delighted that it’s going to stay open,” said Mr Chandler.

“We had a massive drive to encourage local people to come forward to train as volunteers and the result was staggering. Some 120 local residents of all ages have come forward to train as volunteer librarians and we hope that more still come forward so we can put their names on a waiting list.”

Following a recent consultation with residents, Stokesley Parish Council decided to increase its annual precept by £10 a year per household to fund a new manager to run the library and manage its resources and staffing. People have until Friday, March 3 to apply. Email Stokesley Parish Council clerk Julie McLuckie for details; clerk@stokesleypc.org.uk.