New Community Library Service launched in North Baddesley

Sunday, 24 March 2013

The future provision of library services in North Baddesley is in good hands thanks to a new partnership now underway between Hampshire County Council and the Friends of North Baddesley Library.

The running of the library building has been transferred to the local group (FONBL), following a handover ceremony held on Thursday 21 March.

Hampshire's Library Service has been working closely with FONBL and the Parish Council. The new arrangements see the County Council continuing to provide books and support to the local group and their volunteers, as they take over running the building.

Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, said: "Hampshire County Council Library staff have worked closely with the volunteers who have set up the FONBL charity to give North Baddesley Library a new lease of life and to continue to provide the local people with access to the 4.5 million books in the County Council's collection. This is an excellent example of working together with the local community to safeguard local library services in spite of unprecedented ongoing financial pressures across the public sector."

Tracy Hickson, the Chair of the Friends of North Baddesley Library said: "I am delighted that North Baddesley Library will remain open thanks to the ongoing work and commitment of the Friends of North Baddesley Library, the Parish Council and Hampshire';s Library Service. There has been such a strong show of support from the community, with over 50 volunteers pledging their time, that I feel confident North Baddesley Community Library will be in a position to offer a better service to our residents. In due course we hope to increase opening hours and run community events such as book groups and children's story time sessions. This partnership is an exciting new chapter for our village library."

• Hampshire Libraries and Information Service

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