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19
Oct 2022
Starbeck and Bilton community libraries set for 10-year council deal
Community libraries in Bilton and Starbeck are set to be given 10-year leases to continue their services.
North Yorkshire County Council's executive will be asked next week to approve the proposal, which aims to give long-term stability to libraries run by volunteers.
Both Bilton and Woodfield, and Starbeck, were previously run by NYCC but difficulties with funding led them to handing over day-to-day running to the communities.
The county's libraries budget fell from £7.8m in 2010 to £4.3m in 2017, prompting communities to rally to ensure their facilities stayed open. Across the county, 1,700 volunteers came forward.
Bilton and Woodfield was the area's first community library, celebrating its 10th anniversary earlier this year.
The libraries have continued to receive support from the council with books and IT services, as well as support from paid library service staff.
North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for libraries, Cllr Greg White, said:
Read more:
- Community library marks 10 years at the heart of Bilton and Woodfield
- Library visits remain low following pandemic, says council
Around half of North Yorkshire's book-lending is via community libraries across the county and almost 40% of active library users belong to them.
During the summer, more than 1,000 people visited community libraries to claim household support fund vouchers, while 3,500 children used them to complete the summer reading challenge.
Libraries manager Chrys Mellor said:
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