A ground-breaking community library in Sutton Bridge could become the role model for others to follow.
The library at The Curlew Centre, in Bridge Road, is the first of its kind in Lincolnshire to be set up and run entirely by volunteers and has just celebrated its first anniversary.
It had nearly 70 visitors on its first day – 50 joined on the spot – and there have been almost 5,000 visitors since then.
County, district and parish councillor Chris Brewis helped coordinate the volunteers as they set up the library and there’s now a 20-strong team of helpers who man the desk so people can borrow books or use a computer.
Coun Brewis has now been asked to write a leaflet for Lincolnshire County Council, which will act as a blueprint for anyone setting up a similar venture.
He said: “It will be about things you should do and things you shouldn’t do, all the things to avoid if you open a volunteer library because we have probably made as many mistakes as anybody.”
The library has a collection of books on loan from the county council, rotating the stock to keep it fresh, books in large print for the elderly and a wide selection of top quality, donated books.