Group vows to keep Ellesmere's library safe

The Friends of Ellesmere Library says it will provide support to the town's library staff and organise events that will benefit the town.

The group was formed last September after Shropshire Council announced plans for cost-saving changes to the county library service, which involved the authority relinquishing responsibility for libraries across the county.

Ellesmere Library will relocate from Fullwood House to the nearby Meres Day Centre as a result. The plans were confirmed just before Christmas after six weeks of public consultation.

The council is now in the process of finding a social care organisation to run the library and the day centre as part of a new community hub.

Community groups are being sought by Shropshire Council to ensure libraries at Albrighton, Bayston Hill, Broseley, Cleobury Mortimer, Church Stretton, Ellesmere, Gobowen, Much Wenlock, Pontesbury, Shawbury, Shifnal and Wem have a future.

Meanwhile, the management of Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch libraries are being reviewed.

In Ellesmere, the friends group will hold its first social evening get-together on January 28 so that local people can find out about plans for a range of events and activities due to take place over the next few months.

Paul Goulbourne, the friends' vice-chairman, said: "Our group is determined to ensure that the future of Ellesmere Library is safe and secure. But our key aim is to provide added value by supporting library staff and organising events and activities that will benefit the town.

"We now have more than 120 members and we thought it was time to organise a get-together to ensure that everyone knows what's going on.

"We've already held a book launch before Christmas with local historian Chris Jobson, and we're now trying to arrange a programme of activities for adults and children."

The social evening will be held from 7pm at Ellesmere Comrades' Club.

It will include entertainment from local ukulele band Ukey Monster and an information session with north Shropshire area library manager Teresa Eccleston and community enablement officer Sue Thomas, who will give an update about the relocation proposals.

Sue Ardill, the friends' events co-ordinator, said: "The library is not just about books. We're trying to arrange a programme that will appeal to as many people as possible. Ellesmere Library belongs to the whole community and we want everyone to be involved. There is no membership fee to become a friend – all you have to do is email libraryfriends15@gmail.com or give your contact details to the library staff."