A NEW chapter is about to open for a Leeds library with a proud history at the heart of its community.
Leeds City Council bosses launched a public consultation on the future of Drighlington Library in late 2010.
Talk that it could close was greeted with dismay by local residents, who see the library as a vital part of village life.
But now, a group of volunteers is poised to take over the running of the facility, which is on Moorland Road.
The library’s last day as a purely council-run enterprise was last Saturday.
It will re-open under the control of the Friends of Drighlington Community group on Monday, November 12.
Members of the group are now planning a busy programme of fundraising to help with the cost of keeping the library going.
But they also need new recruits as they try to push the amenity’s opening hours to as high a level as possible.
The group’s chair Jeni Arnold said: “Any time that people can spare would be much appreciated.”
The newly-renamed Drighlington Community Library’s opening hours are due to be 10am to 2pm on Mondays, 9am to 7pm on Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm on Wednesdays, 10am to 2pm on Thursdays, 10am to 6pm on Fridays and 10am until midday on Saturdays.
Anyone interested in getting involved, particularly on Saturdays, can pick up an application form from the library.
A total of 15 other Leeds libraries were earmarked for closure last May in a bid to save the council £625,000 a year.
They included Allerton Bywater, Armley Heights, Belle Isle, Ireland Wood, Rawdon, Swillington and Swinnow.
l The Friends of Drighlington Community yesterday laid on half-term activities for kids at the meeting hall building that is also home to the library.
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