BURLEY-in-Wharfedale Community Managed Library was officially reopened last Saturday by Bruce Speed.

Bruce was chairman of a group of local residents committed to restoring the library building and preserving it for future generations.

Burley Parish Council injected the funds and carried out the recent external and internal refurbishment work.

The library also received grants and donations towards new library shelving and furniture from Burley Educational Trust, Ilkley Round Table, Burley Community Trust, Burley Summer Festival and many local residents.

The village now has a modern and inviting flexible space which can be hired by groups and individuals when the library is closed to the public, at a very modest cost.

The opening celebration, which included a performance by Wharfedale Valley Voices Choir, children’s story and craft activities, and refreshments, was attended by over 300 people.

The following day, the library played host to a Healthy Living Event as part of the Burley Summer Festival which was attended by over 200 people.

Then, on Monday, the library and adjoining park were the venue for the annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic which was attended by over 150.

Senior Library Assistant and Volunteer Co-ordinator Abigail Skerrey said: “Burley in Wharfedale Library is a great example of how local and council wide groups and organisations can join forces to promote and use the library space to the full, in beneficial, creative and innovative ways. The library also hosts the Local History Group on a permanent basis and has even opened on Christmas Day to target those who might be on their own and lonely. The local theatre group uses it for rehearsals, a local walking group use it as their weekly meeting point and it has even been used for yoga and pilates. These complement more “conventional” library activities such as story and rhyme-times, author visits, knitting groups, reading groups, chess, educational talks and digital learning. Activities such as these mean that the library attracts a far wider audience than might stereotypically be expected from a library, and means that the library is really well used and loved by the community. Libraries can be real “Culture Hubs” – central points around which communities can grow and thrive. Also, because Burley Library now belongs to the Parish, it really does belong to the residents and they treat it as if it is their own.”

* Pictured is Bruce Speed with Burley Parish Councillors Mike Wild, Jan Lepley and Vicky Evans, along with Abigail Skerrey, Mandy Webb from Bradford Libraries, library volunteers and local residents.