PARTNERSHIP agreements that will keep West Somerset community libraries open have now been signed in Wiveliscombe, Watchet and Nether Stowey.

Volunteers at Porlock decided last week to also sign a Community Library Partnership with Somerset County Council, and work continues to develop a partnership for Bishops Lydeard library.

The five libraries, and ten others in the county, were under threat unless local people formed a partnership to save them, as part of sweeping changes by the county council to library services.

Nineteen other libraries were unaffected by the changes, including Dulverton, Minehead and Williton.

The signing means existing library buildings will remain open, with community partners working together with Somerset County Council.

A spokesman for Wiveliscombe Area Partnership, which will run the local library, said: “The Wiveliscombe Area Partnership is pleased to be able to support Wiveliscombe Town Council in its efforts to keep Wiveliscombe Library open for all to continue to use and enjoy.

“We are keen to get started on the work and look forward to a bright future for the library and Wiveliscombe.

“Our library is a pivotal hub … and punches above its weight in terms of footfall and readership, and [it is] part of the bigger picture which makes our communities so vibrant.”

Roger Stacey, of the Thomas Poole Library, Nether Stowey said: “We are delighted to have been able to enter into a Community Library Partnership with Somerset County Council and look forward to serving the community for many years to come.”

For the full report, buy today’s Free Press (March 22)