List of UK volunteer libraries

The following list is taken from news reports and from information supplied by local authorities and library users.  It does not claim to be comprehensive. Please email publiclibraries@live.co.uk if you have anything to have any additions or corrections.   It is unclear what the figure is currently. Please note that a “volunteer library” (more often called a “community library” by councils) may come in various flavours: I include libraries where, at the minimum, the majority of staffing consists of volunteers. Using this method, a suggested minimum currently (April 2024) is 621.

Historically, Arts Council England counted over 170 volunteer-run libraries in the UK in November 2012 with the PLN stats at the time being very similar at a minimum of 168. Locality’s count of December 2012 came to 254 (see this list) while a report from October 2013 suggests a figure over 300. The CIPFA report for 2013/14 reports 139 “community managed co-produced” libraries (129 in England), 46 “community supported co-produced libraries” (45 in England) and 249 “commissioned co-produced libraries” (these are run largely non-profit trusts: 138 in England, 109 in Scotland, 2 in Wales).  This is based on figures provided by library authorities themselves. The Libraries Taskforce report (March 2016) reports 214 “community supported or community managed” or 382 “when commissioned community libraries are included”.

Volunteer-run libraries that then close due to lack or funding or lack of volunteers are rarely found but do happen. For example, the Ibstock volunteer-run library in Leicestershire closed in May 2024.

• Barnet

1. Hampstead Garden Library (1) (2) (3) reopened 28th June 2012 by Jonathon Ross with 45 volunteers.
2. Friern Barnet.  To be run with volunteers and some paid staff after long campaign of protest against closure (1).

• Bath and North East Somerset 
  • Five new volunteer libraries (Bishop Sutton, Chew Valley School, Timsbury, Peasedown St John and Whitchurch) likely to open in addition to any of the five council-run libraries that have been identified for closure or transfer to volunteers. (June 2018)
  • Paulton “Hub” Library. “The Hub consists of a library, coffee bar, Internet and meeting rooms and has become a very successful part of village life with over 3,000 visitors calling in during July 2013. “. Paulton Library transferred to parish council, to be run by volunteers. (June 2020)
  • Larkhall
  • Combe Hay
  • Southside
  • Chew Stoke.
  • Saltford .
  • Weston
  • Peasedown – Volunteer library (800 books, 20 volunteers, open 12 hours per week, opens at Peasedown. (October 2019)
• Bexley –
  • Bexley Village Library run by charity and volunteers from 19/7/12 (see website).
  • A second community managed library opened on October 13 2014 in the new Slade Green and Howbury Community Centre. In June 2016, it was reported these libraries were to be transferred to new owners: Greener Bexley charity passes on Bexley volunteer library to Bostall Library Community Group and Slade Green Library to Eco Communities.
  • Blackfen Community Library since 2015.
  • Community group withdraws from Bostall volunteer library. (March 2022)
• Birmingham – Attempts to turn Hawthorne House  into a community-run library failed.
  • Tyburn Library transferred to Castle Vale Tenants and Residents Alliance (CVTRA) (1 paid member of staff, others are volunteers) (November 2014)
• Blackburn with Darwen –
  • a 500-book collection open only on Saturdays at Barlow Institute, Edgworth from 2012.  First birthday celebrated Jan 2013. Barlow Institute (Saturdays 10am to 1pm).
  • Darwen – 2 paid members of staff, 19 volunteers (April 2017).
• Borders – Lauderdale (September 2018)
• Bradford Visitor numbers doubled in the four volunteer-run libraries 2011/13.

1. Wilsden
2. Addingham – Established in 2011. Self-funded. Won civic award. Used as a national example. moved to portakabin due to poor condition of building, Addingham volunteer library granted £50k to improve building. (Oct 2018)
3. Denholme – Article celebrating five years (November 2016).
4. Wrose – original volunteer library closed in 2020, new book exchange planners at Age UK
5. Idle
6. Lees – in Methodist church, replacing mobile library stop.
7. Oxenhope – in Methodist church, replacing mobile library stop.
8. Haworth – in Methodist church, replacing mobile library stop.
9. Silsden to become fully volunteer (2017 – 3) 200 people attend official launch (2017 – 6).
10. Burley in Wharfedale (April 2017)
11. Holme Wood (May 2017) in collaboration with training company, renamed “Holme Wood Connect: Not Just For Books“.
12. Thornton (July 2017).
13. Great Horton (2017)
14. Bolling (2017)
15. Thornbury (2017).
16. Queensbury (September 2017)

• Brent –
  • Barham Library friends running two branches: (1) High Road, Wembley and (2) Sudbury Town tube station.
  • Preston Library building volunteer run from Spring 2015. Active website.
  • Kensal Rise Library reopens as volunteer, September 2019.
• Bristol – The Old Library, Eastville (2016).
• Buckinghamshire:  Opening hours here.  As of 2013, Bucks has gone further down this route than any other authority and now has significantly less (nine) council-run libraries than it does volunteer-run libraries.  An explanation of its strategy is here.
  • “Community Supported  Library Partnerships” are where there is joint management and delivery of  the library service with the local group. There is a reduced staff presence. Staff are supported by volunteers. The Council manage the library buildings. These are five libraries including Gerrards Cross (3/5/12 – the largest – will have 2 paid members of staff, costs of £8000 p.a. paid by “community” – some funding from council and grants e.g. from Tesco.  To be opened 1st September 2012).
    Great Missenden Library has 2 members of staff but the rest are volunteers.    Wendover (5/12/12). 90 volunteers and 2 paid members of staff. See article. Winslow – In pipeline (Dec 2012).  Handed over (Feb 2013). Iver Heath.
  • “Self-managed Community Library Partnerships” are library services delivered by  the local group with support from the Council. The libraries are part of library  network. They are supported by the Council in terms of book stock, the library  computer system and IT, training and development.  These include: Little Chalfont Community Library (winner of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, £6k from Natwest competition, here’s a tale of its last ten years), Used to promote volunteer libraries in Nottinghamshire (Nov 2013). Chalfont St Giles Community Library and Information Centre (celebrated its fifth birthday 14/1/12, also won Queen’s Award for Volunter Service October 2017), West Wycombe Library, Farnham Common Library Chalfont St Peter (3/1/12, extended its hours 30/8/12), Flackwell Heath (24/4/12), Long Crendon (3/4/12), Haddenham (3/11/12) Beacon Villages Community Library (previously Ivinghoe) opened 2nd June 2012. Stokenchurch. Eventually opened as volunteer-run Jan 2013 with 40 volunteers. Wing (opened 3/11/12) See article. Castlefield became volunteer run in 2015.
  • Independent libraries not linked into council libraries system: Steeple Claydon, Downley (community centre includes library),
  • Closed volunteer libraries: Bucks CC closed Richings Park library in 2006 . A local group set up in a separate location following the closure, it had no connection or support from the County and it closed 30th March 2013.

1. Somersham (Queens Award winner),
2. Bottisham
3. Fulbourn
4. Haddenham
5. Waterbeach
6. Melbourn
7. Bassingbourn
8. Swavesey
9. Little Downham
10. Gamlingay.  Been volunteer run since 2003, one paid supervisor.  Relies on donations.
11. Arlesey Resource Centre and Library
12. Waddesdon – Volunteer library to be run from Waddesdon Secondary School. (October 2015)

• Bury – Tottington (March 2018). Dumers Lane (August 2018).
• Calderdale – Volunteers reopen Old LIbrary in Skircoat after asset transfer.  (April 2024)
• Cambridgeshire.  Haddenham has been a volunteer library for 14 years (March 2017). Brampton (June 2017).
• Camden

1. 1. London Irish Centre. “At present we have six volunteers including myself running the library”. Based in Camden but not a public library as such (April 2018)
   2. Primrose Hill Community Library (previously Chalk Farm) from 1/4/12 with £500,000 raised by locals.
   3. Keats Community Library (previously Hampstead)  from 17/4/12 and has a very impressive website and events.
   4. Belsize Community Library took over from the Council on 1/4/12.  Now known as The Winch: loss-making: concentrating on cafe and room hires. Extending opening hours to include Saturdays.
   5. Highgate – Run with one paid member of staff, the rest being volunteers. Reduced costs from £150k per year to £50k.

1. • Buckinghamshire – BBC. Volunteers seen as solution to cutting libraries. Buckinghamshire libraries chief David Jones says volunteers save 40% of running costs and he has been able to cut people’s salaries by £740k due to willingness of others to do jobs for free.

• Cardiff

1. Lisvane Community Library – Open 8 hours per week. Opened in 1999 after closure in 1998. “The Cabin Library is a volunteer run community library, independent from Cardiff Council’s library services. It is located in a PortaCabin in the Old School complex on the corner of Llwyn y Pia Road and Heol y Delyn close to the village centre. It has over 6,000 books: fiction, non-fiction, large print books, children’s books, and talking books.”
2. Rumney – November 2015.
   

   “it’s really hard to run a community library. We don’t have the money for acquisitions, so the books are out of date. We don’t have trained staff, so there’s little we can do in terms of helping with research and so on. We don’t have enough staff, so we’re only open 7-8 hours a week. We barely have the money to keep the building upright: it’s an old portacabin, joyously full of asbestos (fortunately still safely intact and sealed). Councils are making a big mistake by handing such an important service over to the community, because no matter how dedicated or enthusiastic, the community lacks resources.” Comment by Lisvane volunteer on blog post

• Carmarthenshire

1. Pontyates Libary needs volunteers or it will close.
2. Tumble Library.  Run by volunteers and  then closed shortly after.
3. Dafen Library run by volunteers with town council support.
4. Trimsaran.  Run by volunteers and  then closed shortly after.
5. Kidwelly – Open four hours per week.

• Ceredigion –
  • New Quay Library.
  • Llandysul Library to become volunteer. (2017 -12)
• Cheshire East – Hurdsfield – Taken over by volunteers and housing association, May 2013.
• Cheshire West and Chester – Hoole Community Library in community centre since library closed down for health and safety reasons., 2013.
• Conwy – Penrhyn Bay Library to be volunteer-run in 2012. Cerrigydrudion Library premised managed by volunteers but staff etc still council (January 2015).
• Cornwall
  • Morrab Library in Penzance.  The oldest volunteer-run library in the UK, established in 1818. See BBC article.  Charges £27 per year membership.
  • Roche library is part of a cafe in an ex-church, opened May 2012.
  • Stithians
  • Ipplepen
  • Vogue (near Redruth) – “library” in a pub.
• Coventry
  • Cheylesmore Library from August 2017.
  • Finham and Earlsdon libraries to be volunteer.  September 2017
• Cumbria –  Fox and Hounds Pub has 100 council books and weekly IT sessions.
• Darlington –  Cockerton Library will become volunteer. (2017 -3) Volunteer library opens at Red Hall.  (2018 – 7)
• Derby – Ten (Allenton, Allestree, Blagreaves, Chaddesden, Chellaston, Derwent, Mackworth, Sinfin, Spondon and Springwood at Oakwood) to become volunteer – July 2017.
• Derbyshire – Woodville to be come first of 20 (out of 45) to become volunteer.  (March 2020) Woodville became volunteer July 2021.
• Devon

1. Sparkwell (replaces lost mobile library service)
2. The Red Lion in Dittisham
3. Cafe-on-the Green at Widecombe-in-the-Moor
4. a village store in Broadhempston
5. Colyton Library remains a public library but with volunteers opening every Tuesday.
6. South Brent Old School Community Library
7. Topsham (in process)

• Doncaster. “In Doncaster, 19 of Doncaster’s 24 libraries are now community services. Professional, council-employed staff provide a support role, but the volunteers are now central to the service.” (BBC July 2015).

1. Stainforth4ALL incorporating Stainforth Library (staffed by volunteers from 1st March 2012)
2. Balby Community Library (9/4/12)
3. Sprotbrough Community Library
4. Warmsworth Community Library
5. Bawtry Community Library
6. Rossington Community Library (28/3/12).
7. Conisbrough Community Library
8. Edenthorpe Community Library
9. Intake Community Library
10. Moorends Community Library
11. Scawthorpe Community Library
12. Wheatley Community Library
13. Bessacarr Community Library
14. Armthorpe Community Library
15. Askern Community Library
16. Bentley Area Community Library
17. Cantley Community Library – 2017 35 volunteers and one of most used in borough but long-term concerns over building.
18. Woodlands Community Library and Hub
19. Hatfield Community Library
20. Denaby Community Library.

• Dorset

1. Burton Bradstock first staffed by council and volunteers on alternate days (2007) but moved to full control (Oct 2012).
2. Puddletown, the first entirely volunteer-run but “council maintained library” in the country.
3. The application for a volunteer-run Corfe Castle Community Library was in process (June 2012).
4. Wool Library, in partnership with parish council, started Jan 2013.  35 volunteers. “Dorset County Council will continue to support the community libraries with a package worth around £5,500 a year that will include books and IT services.”
5. Charmouth. Passed to volunteers (Nov 2012). 40 volunteers have replaced one paid member of staff (June 2013).  Was open for 10 hours per week, now open for 17.
6. Chickerell – Early 2013
7. Colehill – Early 2013
8. Corfe Castle – Expected Mid to Late 2013.
9. Stalbridge – Early 2013.

• East Sussex

1. Old Town Community Library in Eastbourne has been running for ten years.
2. Little Common Community Library in Bexhill has been running since 2002, now with 34 volunteers (April 2013).
3. Northiam Village Library – open 4 hours per week.
4. Ringmer.
5. Ore, Pevensey Bay, Polegate and Willingdon libraries (June 2018).
6. Langney (August 2018)

• Enfield (see note)

1. Ridge Avenue. “It is also now one of 10 Enfield libraries to be run by volunteers, rather than full time staff.
2. Nine other libraries “run by volunteers” (March 2016).
3. Note –  [However, Enfield denied that any libraries were run by volunteers in a freedom of information request (March 2016).  I therefore do not count any libraries as volunteer-run in this authority until informed otherwise – Ed.]

• Essex

1. Jaywick.  Operated by residents keen to keep library after council moved original library into a new school
2. Springfield – New library staffed from the start by volunteers with paid staff support.
3. Chrishall
4. Finchingfield
5. Great Bromley
6. Lamarsh
7. Ramsey
8. Steeple Bumpstead

• Fife

1. Glenwood (From March 2017)
2. Pittenweem (March 2017).
3. Largo (April 2017).
4. Falkland (July 2017).
5. Kinghorn (September 2017)

• Flintshire

• Gateshead

1. Ryton – Closed in 2007 but reopend in 2010 as volunteer-run.
2. Lobley Hill – Five libraries to volunteers, July 2013. Will be separate to council run libraries with their own ticket.
3. Low Fell
4. Sunderland Road
5. Winlaton

• Gloucestershire

1. Painswick reopened on 20/6/12 after being closed since 2009. Seven council-run libraries to be transferred to volunteers 2012/13. (3/12).
2. Nailsea Library to be open for 12 hours with paid staff and 10 hours with volunteers after being reduced from being open 35 hours per week (25/7/12)
3. Lechlade –  opened late June 2013. 30 volunteers.
4. Berkeley
5. Bream
6. Brockworth – now looking for funding, four years after becoming volunteer (Feb 2016).
7. Mitcheldean.
8. Minchinhampton – 1600 visits per month (March 2016).
9. Newnham

• Hackney –  Woodberry Down
• Hammersmith and Fulham – Avonmore Library run by Citizen’s Advice Bureau since 2012, with Irish Care and children’s sessions as well. with paid supervisor. Around 2,000 items (one quarter of the stock of original public library).

• Hampshire 

1. Stanmore Community Library at The Carroll Centre – Jan 2013 opened.
2. North Baddesley Community Library.
3. Kingsclere Library to be run by 25 volunteers with parish council and charitable support. (Feb 2015)
4. Millbrook
5. Hamble Library organised by Eastleigh Council will be staffed by volunteers. (August 2018)
6. Odiham (2021)
7. Lee on Solent (2021)
8. Horndean (2021)
9. Elson (2021)

• Harrow

1. North Harrow Community Library – from October 2015.

• Hull

1. Anlaby Park
2. Victoria Dock Village Hall – Feb 2015, after loss of mobile library.

• Herefordshire –

1. Peterchurch.
2. Garway (new service in village hall) and several others have library books on deposit in community buildings.
3. Leintwardine.
4. Weobley (no reference)
5. Colwall – run by paid member of staff paid for by parish council.
6. Ewyas Harold
7. Fownhope
8. Longtown

• Hertfordshire

13 volunteer libraries listed here (2022).

(from left to right) Red Lion owner Steve Birch with volunteers Sarah Bacon, Tess Hemmings
and Marc de Salis. November 2015.

• Isle of Wight

1. Shanklin Community Library became volunteer run Feb 2012
2. Bembridge
3. Brighstone
4. East Cowes
5. Edward Edwards (previously Niton)

• Kirklees

1. Fresh Horizons at the Chestnut Centre in Huddersfield.  Library based in building along with police, business, cafe, employment support.  Organisation appears to run library via a direct grant from the council. MLA case study.
2. Denby Dale to be passed to volunteers who will demolish building and build £250k library/community centre on site (September 2013). ” Kirklees Council have committed to supplying one paid member of staff for the next three years. The budget is reviewed on a three yearly cycle. The Community are keen to have a shared facility where Denby Dale Library is currently situated. This is a community led initiative and we will continue to support the library as we do now with Stock, I.T , Management support and Librarian support. The one member of staff is for the day to day running of the library, for us as a library service this is no change at the moment” Email from council, 30/9/13.
3. Kirkburton Library given to parish council. and then loaned back to council at nil rent for five years with one paid staff and the rest being volunteers.  (October 2015)
4. Lepton – Library in Pub (March 2016).
5. Lepton – a separate volunteer library to the one in the pub – (3 – 17).
6. Honley – Currently one member of staff and rest volunteers, likely to become fully volunteer – (6 -17) Honley Library passed to parish council/volunteers. (9 – 17)
7. Birstall Community Centre and Library passed to Birstall Community Holdings Ltd.  (8 – 17)
8. Marsden – Marsden volunteer library reconfigures space to allow more letting income. (2 – 18)

• Lambeth

1. Upper Norwood – Library Trust – Upper Norwood Library Trust appeal for £80k funds to address shortfall due to cuts from Croydon and Lambeth. (November 2015)

• Lancashire

1. Wheatley Lane Library – Staffed by volunteers 4 hours per week, staff by paid staff 10 hours per week.
2. Pike Hill (closed) to have volunteer library as part of community use.  (2017 – 3)
3. Silverdale (2017 – 3).
4. Clayton-le-Moors volunteer library opens after closure of council library in Civic Hall. (2017 – 5)
5. Up Holland Library now volunteer-run by arts group. (2017 -12)
6. Crawshawbooth Library reopens as volunteer / community association. (2018 – 7)

• Leeds

1. Rawdon – November 2013: 45 volunteers.
2. Drighlington – 50 volunteers – since 2012 – “Mary Goldsworthy, chair of Drighlington Community Library, boasted they were proud of their computer suite, adding: “We think it’s vital, we help people look for jobs, we run coffee mornings, support the summer reading challenge for children and we’re a place people can come and sit and read the papers. We do this with the help of 50 volunteers.” (August 2015)

• Leicester
  • Braunstone
  • New Parks Centre
• Leicestershire: July 2016: Ibstock Library needs more volunteers in order keep open (November 2023). 23 libraries now volunteer (Barrow, Markfield, Glenhills, Anstey, Rothley, Bottesford, Stoney Stanton, Sileby, Leicester Forest East, Newbold Verdon, Hathern, Kegworth, Ratby, Fleckney, Countesthorpe, South Wigston, Groby, Enderby, Burbage, Kibworth, East Goscote, Castle Donington, and Great Glen), 4 libraries to become volunteer (Measham, Thurmaston, Sapcote, and Cosby), Barwell closed. Wigston volunteer library may close after community group who ran it for two years pulls out (May 2018):
•  Support for volunteer libraries to end 2021/22. 31 libraries currently volunteer, with a further 4 in process. Current £5.3m Community and Wellbeing Service budget expected to reduce to £4.3m 2021/22. £43k of £150k fund for volunteer libraries created in 2014 has been spent. A further £100k put aside 2018 for any volunteer libraries struggling financially; 34 libraries counted as volunteer on tally (July 2018)
  • Barrow-Upon-Soar to become first volunteer library, before the end of July 2015. 
  • Bottesford
  • Leicester Forest East
  • Glenhills now volunteer run (by 50 volunteers) (2015 – 9)
  • Markfield Library becomes volunteer-run (2015 – 9)
  • Anstey Library becomes volunteer-run (2015-10)
  • Rothley Library volunteer run (2015 -10)
  • Sileby Library now run by volunteers  (2015 – 12)
  • Stoney Stanton
  • Hathern (2016 – 1)
  • Ratby (2016 – 2) doubling open hours.
  • Newbold Verdon (2016 – 2)
  • Burbage (2016 – 6)
  • Other libraries confirmed to become volunteer:  Market Bosworth villagers have come forward with plans, along with Groby, Desford (2015-12).
  • Magdalen volunteer library opens, replacing mobile stop. (2016-12)
  • Quorn volunteer library opens, in Academy with parish council backing, 13 hours per week. (2017-2)
  • Ibstock volunteer-run library closed, May 2024
• Lewisham

1. New Cross People’s Library appears to be doing well but reported lowest ever level of volunteers (November 2015 – image received).
2. Crofton Park
3. Grove Park
4. Sydenham.
5. Blackheath Village Community Library set up to replace closed library, “there seemed to be more volunteers than borrowers when I popped in one afternoon. It’s a work in progress, though, with the full project not due to be finished until next summer” [1]. Blackheath is run by Age UK (not be confused with Age Concern) and received £230,000 of council money to do so [2]. More details here (inc. comments) October 2015.
6. Forest Hill volunteer library opens shop for income.(March 2017)
7. Manor House Library transfers to being controlled by V22 community group.(April 2017)

• Lincolnshire. 30 reported in Lincolnite newspaper (March 2016). 36 reported in Spalding Today (February 2017) 2018: “Learning Communities” charity closed: GLL to temporarily assist its 3 volunteer libraries (Birchwood, Boultham and Ermine) (May 2018)

1. New volunteer library opens in Allington. (June 2018)
2. Caistor Arts and Cultural Centre mixes paid staff and volunteers.  This library featured in the BBC programme Village SOS.  From June 2015, all paid library staff were lost, with Heritage Centre staff taking over that function. Volunteer-run Caistor Arts Centre/Library future now in doubt. as lacks funding (September 2016)
3. Waddington Library mixes co-located pharmacy staff with volunteers
4. Ingoldmells launches volunteer run branch (with 300 books) to replace withdrawn mobile library stop (18/9/12).
5. Sutton Bridge.  Interestingly, this library (not part of the council network) is having its funding cut with its most local mobile stops also ceasing.
6. Saxilby
7. Winthorpe “in pipeline”. Opened Dec 2012 for one hour per week.
8. Woodhall Spa extends opening hours by using volunteers, March 2013.
9. Alford – 14 volunteers with basic training increase hours after council threatened to cut them, April 2013.  These same volunteers withdraw support for library, July 2014, due to withdrawal of council support.  Library became volunteer again, February 2016.
10. Bratoft – 300 books provided for village hall, May 2013.
11. Sutton on Sea – first of branches cut by Lincolnshire in 2015 goes volunteer, August 2015.
12. Heckington – Volunteer run library will open at Heckington, with initial funding from county council, supported by town council. Resources taken from closed Coningsby Library.  – September 2015.
13. Holbeach – 30 volunteers being used. Library to reopen with volunteers. October 2015.  Holby volunteer library to be moved into a Co-op shop/post office/pharmacy, with 4000 books. (August 2016)
14. Deepings– 1 paid member of staff with volunteers.  From some time after October 2015. Opened January 2016. Hours extended October 2018. Usages since opening in 2016:  2016 issues 28,083, 2017 issues 34,218, 2018 issues  29,442 (up to end Oct).  2016 24,540 visitors, 2017 28,988, 2018 30,690 (up to end Oct). 2016 –  524 new members, 2017 – 583 new members, 2018 – 489 new members up to end Oct. Summer Reading Challenge: 2016 – Finishers 54, 2017 – Finishers 114, 2018 – Finishers 142. Increased our regular clubs/activities: 2016 1 regular Junior club and a in house book group, 2017 increase and balanced out hours (10-5 Mon Wed and Fri), 4 regular junior clubs  (baby group, Storytime, Lego Club, 50p Craft Fridays), 4 new adult clubs (Scrabble, Colouring, Knit and Natter, Age Concern Bus) and a handful ad hoc evening events), 2018 –  Continued with 4 regular junior clubs,  4 regular adult clubs added special one off events. Recent increase in hours will see even more clubs setting up in 2019.  (plans for more adult groups – possibly board games, mens group, craft sessions etc plus Sat clubs for kids Coding, Creative Writing, Weekend Storytime etc) (email received November 2018)
15. Crowland – Crowland Library reopens as volunteer-run.  November 2015
16. Burgh Le Marsh – reopened as a reading and development centre, November 2015. £160k volunteer library at Burgh Le Marsh (November 2017)
17. Spilsby – Reopened in co-op grocery store – January 2016.
18. Donington – March 2016.
19. Welton – March 2016.
20. Ruskington – March 2016.
21. Wainfleet – September 2016.

• Liverpool

1. Woolton Community Library – Closed March 2012 as council library, reopened February 2012 as volunteer run.
2. Croxteth Community Library – Part of Alt Valley Community Trust.

• Manchester Deep drop in numbers of users at seven Manchester volunteer-run libraries reported (January 2015) . Issue figures fell again 2015/16.

1. Burnage Library – to reopen as volunteer-run Burnage Library Activity and Information Hub, with council staff present for 15 hours per week (October 2013).
2. Fallowfield – Fallowfield Library renamed “The Place” and transferred to  Friends of Fallowfield Library and City South housing association. (August 2014)
3. Northenden – Housing office will include library, November 2013.
4. Levenshulme
5. Miles Platting
6. New Moston
7. Barlow Moor.

• Merthyr Tydfil – Aberfan Community Library opened in community centre August 2013.
• Merton – West Barnes Library will be entirely staffed by volunteers on Mondays.  Friends of West Barnes Library site
• Middlesbrough – Both run by volunteers but still under council control.
  1. Marton Library has 34 volunteers who assist library staff.
  2. Hemlington run by volunteers.
• Neath Port Talbot

1. Cwmllynfell – see this page.
2. Gwaun-cae-Gurwen – see this page.
3. Ystalyfera – see this page.
4. Seven Sisters (cost paid for by community council) – see this page.
5. Blaengwynfi libraries now run by volunteers (with book an staffing support from council). – see this page.
6. Briton Ferry and  Cymmer Afan to be run by volunteers shortly (aim is May 1st 2014). – see this page.
7. Cymmer Afan – See this page
8. Resolven – open 8 hours per week from May 2014. See this page.
9. Taibach – “Taibach Community Library has been run by volunteers since May 2014, and is currently open for 16 hours a week. A team of 16 dedicated volunteers give up their time to keep the library open. The library still receives support from Neath Port Talbot Libraries service, who provide a pool of book stock, shared with other community libraries in the county borough” [Source: email from library. November 2015 – Ed.]

• Newcastle

Jesmond Library: “We now have a 25 year lease from the council. We do not pay rent or business rates, but we have to raise all the running costs of the building, buy new books etc. Unusually we are a Listed Building, a superp example of a 1960’s public building (see attached). More information is available on www.jesmondlibrary.co.uk or www.facebook.com/JesmondLibrary .”

1. Jesmond reopened September 2013 after closure. This newspaper report shows 60 volunteers keeping it going in June 2014. Jesmond Library (volunteer) £50k refurbishment. (3-2017)
2. Fawdon Library taken over by volunteers to avoid closure. (May 2015)

• Newport
  • Maindee Library volunteer-run from January 2016. 25 year lease given to community group for Maindee Library.(August 2017) £150k given by Arts Council Wales to refurb Maindee volunteer library. (March 2018)
  • Stow Hill Library now “Cwtch Community Centre” including children’s library (2013, reported October 2017).
• North Lincolnshire –

1. Barton Library will be open for 3.5 hours unstaffed.
2. Goxhill Library run by volunteers since Spring 2011.
3. Broughton Library opened in village hall to replace mobile library stop (19/9/12).

• Northeast Lincolnshire –

1. Humberston, from December 2014.
2. Scartho library to be run by volunteers from September. (2015). Extended in 2017 due to “boost in usage” (August 2017).
3. Laceby
4. Grant Thorold: community CIC run: £275k refurbishment for Grant Thorold Library (community group CIC run) inc. café and education room.  (2017 -3)
5. The Willows
6. Nunsthorpe.

• North Somerset –  Congresbury Library run with aid from parish council and with 20 volunteers. Talks in Winscombe and Yatton to do the same thing (March 2012).
• North Tyneside – New volunteer library at Meadow Well, North Shields (April 2023)
• North Yorkshire
• Bentham, Boroughbridge,  Helmsley, Ingleton, Kirkbymoorside, Leyburn, Norton, Pateley Bridge, Scalby, Settle, Starbeck and Tadcaster

1. Bainbridge
2. Grassington
3. Great Ayton Discovery Centre (includes library),  Celebrated first year anniversary (May 2013) with 10-strong management team, “dozens of volunteers” and 4,000 visits per month.
4. Darley. Replaced mobile library stop. “In the last year of its operation, the mobile library to Darley was used by only 36 people and issued less than 900 books and other items. But the new Darley Community Library now has more than 100 members, and has issued more than 1,200 books in the first year of its operation.”
5. Derwent Valley Bridge (was East Ayton Library),
6. Hawes (with Upper Wensleydale Community Office)
7. Mashamshire.
8. Barlby
9. Bilton
10. Embsay
11. Gargrave.
12. Hunmanby Library was to be run by volunteers but failure to get sufficient numbers/fudning means library will close.
13. There is a mini-library in the “George & Dragon” Hudswell Community Pub.
14. Bentham – Staffed by volunteers for 5.5 hours per week. Bentham Library taken over by community group: to be fully volunteer. (2017-3)
15. Catterick – From 2015 (with 12-15 hours of one paid library worker per week )
16. Colburn – From 2015 (with 12-15 hours of one paid library worker per week )
17. Crosshills – From 2015 (with 12-15 hours of one paid library worker per week )
18. Easingwold – From 2015 (with 12-15 hours of one paid library worker per week )
19. Sherburn – From 2015 (with 12-15 hours of one paid library worker per week )
20. Stokesley – From 2015 (with 12-15 hours of one paid library worker per week ). Stokesley now entirely volunteer, renamed “The Globe Stokesley Community Library”. (June 2017).
21. Thirsk – From 2015 (with 12-15 hours of one paid library worker per week )
22. Bedale – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week )
23. Bentham – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week )
24. Boroughbridge – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week )
25. Helmsley – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week ): Fully volunteer (April 2017).
26. Ingleton – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week )
27. Kirkbymoorside – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week ) From 2017, entirely volunteer. Fully volunteer (April 2017).
28. Leyburn – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week )
29. Norton – Book lending (volunteer-staffed) at  Deansfield Court Extra Care Housing Scheme (Norton) in conjunction with Yorkshire Housing; Norton Library fully volunteer (April 2017).
30. Pateley bridge – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week )
31. Scalby – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week ) Entirely volunteer from April 2017.
32. Settle – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week )
33. Starbeck – From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week )  Entirely volunteer from April 2017.
34. Tadcaster –  From 2015 (one paid library worker for 5-7 hours per week )
35. Harrogate – From 2015 40% of staffing will be volunteer
36. Malton – From 2015 40% of staffing will be volunteer
37. Northallerton – From 2015 40% of staffing will be volunteer
38. Richmond – From 2015 40% of staffing will be volunteer. Refurbishment by new owners,  “Catterick Richmond and Colburn Community Libraries” in partnership with the county council. (2017 May)
39. Scarborough -From 2015 40% of staffing will be volunteer
40. Selby – From 2015 40% of staffing will be volunteer
41. Skipton – From 2015 40% of staffing will be volunteer. From 2017, largely volunteer – more than 25 volunteers along with some paid staff.
42. Filey – From 2015, 60% of staffing will be volunteer
43. Knaresborough – From 2015, 60% of staffing will be volunteer
44. Pickering – From 2015, 60% of staffing will be volunteer. From April 2017 “a hybrid” with one full-time member of staff, one for 14 hours per week and the rest volunteer.
45. Ripon – From 2015, 60% of staffing will be volunteer; volunteer supported, 2014. Almost entirely volunteer (1 paid member of staff, 80+ volunteer) from April 2017.
46. Whitby – From 2015, 60% of staffing will be volunteer
47. South Craven – Volunteer from September 2016.
48. Bedale –  volunteers from April 2017.

• Northamptonshire
  •  Earls Barton – February 2020 – £28k from developers and £11k from parish council will be used to refurbish.
  • Volunteers reopen Abington library for 6 hours per week. (April 2021)
  • Volunteer library/cafe reopens in Wootton to replace closed library. (July 2021)
• North Northamptonshire
  • “Community managed libraries” are “Burton Latimer, Danesholme, Desborough, Earls Barton, Finedon, Irchester, Raunds, Rothwell, Thrapston and Wollaston” (November 2023)
• Northumberland

1. Prudhoe Community Trust.  Old library demolished, new library being built, funded by government and council grants, sharing space with town council, volunteer service and other organisations.  “The Library building, in the heart of Prudhoe, is set to be demolished and, with funding from Communitybuilders, replaced with a modern three story community and civic building. The new library building will act as a single access point for a range of local services including Northumberland County Council’s information services, Prudhoe Town Council, Citizens Advice Bureau and Victim Support.” (Asset Transfer Unit).
2. Ellington,
3. Cowpen,
4. Heddon-on-the-Wall,
5. Corbridge,
6. Haydon Bridge
7. Hadston.

• Nottingham – Bakersfield Library will be run by volunteers (May 2014)
• Nottinghamshire –
  • Burton Joyce Library: eight to ten volunteers along paid staff: 31 hours per week to 15.5 in April 2011 as a part of the county council’s cuts. The library has now upped its opening hours to 24 hours a week (Nov 2013).
  • South Scarfe becomes first “small library depository” with 300 books, volunteer staffed.  (January 2015)
  • Misterton now volunteer. (July 2017)
• Oldham – Delph Library became volunteer-run in 2005 but has since suffered from a lack of volunteers and could not use library system computers due to data protection issues.  “They have now rejoined Oldham Libraries network and have been given £20,000 to do this.” (9/2/12). This money is for computers and for training of volunteers.
• Oxfordshire 
  • Cholsey in Oxfordshire has a Community Library. The library has a paid co-ordinator and 40 volunteers. Its open Monday to Friday 2 to 4.30, Also Friday 6 to 8 and Saturday 9:30 to 12:30. The library is owned by the village and has no connections to the County Council. Offers a choice of 6,500 books, Talking Books, DVDs’, Free WiFi, Homework Club Monday to Thursday.” (Comment left on site 8/14). 
  • Kennington Library is run by volunteers and has raised £6k for refurbishment (January 2015).
  • Barton Library opens in neighbourhood centre, dependent on volunteers. (January 2020)
• Pembrokeshire –
  • Narberth (July 2016)
  • Newport
  • Llanteg opens volunteer library. (March 2022)
• Perthshire – Innerpeffray Library has been an independently funded library since 1860.
• Poole –
  • Bearwood Community Library in community centre opened March 2015.
  • Bearwood Primary & Nursery School Community Library also opened in last year 2014/15.
  • St Saviour’s Community Book Box – run by St Saviour’s Church (not counted as a volunteer library on overall tally above).
  • Sekar’s Extra Community Book Box- run by Sekar’s Extra (not counted as a volunteer library on overall tally above).
  • Volunteer library (additional to service) opens at Upton Country Park. (October 2015)
• Powys – £200k cut. Llanfair Caereinion, Llanwrtyd Wells, Talgarth and Hay-on-Wye to be volunteer run.  (9)
• Rhondda Cynon Taf

1. Beddau – 2015 – See this article.

• Salford – Worsley.
• Sandwell –  Priory Express Library staffed by children’s centre staff and volunteers.
• Sheffield: £98k cut to staffing budget. Volunteer libraries receiver £200k p.a.(2017 – May) Overview of Sheffield volunteer libraries from council (October 2017).

1. Stannington Library to be volunteer run from September 2014.
2. Ecclesfield reopens as volunteer run October 2014.
3. Park Library reopened as volunteer run – since September 2014. 50 volunteers
4. Walkley Carnegie Library – November 2014. 50 volunteers.
5. Frecheville  – Since October 2014. Website here.  “Community library: Frecheville, Sheffield – Gov.uk / Libraries Taskforce. “Frecheville Library and Learning Centre is an associate library and a registered not for profit charity. Community volunteers took over the running of the library on the 29 September 2014 and are supported by Sheffield City Council (SCC).” Looks at deal with Sheffield council, role in the community and numbers and roles of volunteers.  35 volunteers. “The library is open for 23 hours per week. This is an extra 2 hours per week than when it was run by the council as the library no longer closes for lunch.”. Challenges include maintenance and updating technology.” Going strong April 2017.
6. Gleadless
7. Greenhill – Reported as successful, with 5500 visits per month (May 2015).
8. Jodanthorpe
9. Newfield Green
10. Totley
11. Upperthorpe: Update 2015 to 2017 (Oct 2017) 25 volunteers.
12. Broomhill and Park –  libraries staffed by volunteers with council covering costs and some paid support.
13. Southey –  libraries staffed by volunteers with council covering costs and some paid support.
14. Woodhouse –  libraries staffed by volunteers with council covering costs and some paid support.
15. Tinsley Library reopens as volunteer. (Feburary 2017) 

• Shropshire
  • ” reducing its current £178,000 annual subsidy to the county’s eight community-run libraries in Albrighton, Bishop’s Castle, Broseley, Craven Arms, Highley, Shifnal, Cleobury Mortimer and Ellesmere.” (March 2022)
• Somerset

1. Porlock – 2013: run with help by Parish Council
2. Bruton, Nether Stowey, North Petherton, Somerton, Watchet and Wiveliscombe to become volunteer. (March 2019)

• South Gloucestershire – Chipping Sodbury now volunteer with town council support. (October 2017) Hawkesbury Upton volunteer library starts after end of mobile library stop (February 2018)
• Southampton –
  • Burgess Road – Action group and church.
  • Thornhill – Charity
  • Weston – YMCA.
  • Cobbett Road – 2 not for profits and a Friends group
  • Milbrook – NHS children’s centre.
• Staffordshire. 22 already volunteer (July 2018) with council paying maintenance and utility bills. Cheadle, Clayton, Eccleshall and Penkridge to become volunteer in addition (July 2018).
  1. Blythe Bridge (July 2016)
  2. Shenstone (September 2016)
  3. Four others un-named (September 2016).
  4. Baswich (November 2016)
  5. Knutton (November 2016) to be managed by nearby primary school.
  6. Werrington (November 2016)
  7. Silverdale (January 2017): books exchange run by volunteers in previous library, mainly run now as a “enterprise hub”
  8. Kinver (January 2017) – building and maintenance paid for by council, volunteers staff library.
  9. Brereton (February 2017) – primary school has declined running it: will be run by volunteers instead
  10. Rising Brook (2017) run by local Baptist Church.
  11. Eccleshall Library now run by parish council, was run by Rotary since 2019. (June 2024)
• Stockton – Fairfield (2017) in partnership with private nursery.
• Stoke on Trent –
  1. Ball Green Methodist Church, Ball Green Methodist Church and Chatterley Centre has 500 books in room. Set up to replace mobile library closure.
  2. Swan Bank Methodist Church – “A band of volunteers based at Swan Bank Methodist Church took on responsibility for manning the mini-library. Now they have secured a £40,000 grant from the People’s Health Trust to expand their activities and employ a part-time member of staff to coordinate the work over the next two years. Burslem Book Room’s approach could also provide a model for other North Staffordshire communities as more council libraries are handed over to volunteer groups to run.” article at Stoke Sentinel 11/3/15. Announced (10/16) that library would be expanded, in partnership with computer company. 1000 books supplied by council.
  3. Burslem
  4. Blurton Hub (October 2015)
  5. Volunteer library at Blurton Community Centre to replace lost mobile library stop. In addition to one at Blurton Hub (June 2015)
  6. Haywood Engineering Academy
  7. Fenton Hub
  8. St John’s Welcome Church in Abbey Hulton
  9. Whitfield Valley Community Centre
  10. Wallace Sport and Education Centre
  11. Northwood Stadium
  12. Trentham Mews Medical Centre. Now renamed “Trentham Reads”, the organiser is interviewed here (March 2015).
  13. Trentham Library – co-located in academy, staffed by volunteers. September 2019
• Sunderland
  • Hendon Library run by volunteers (3-2017).
  • 8 out of 11 libraries to be volunteer ( Bunnyhill, Fulwell, Ryhope, Sandhill, Kayll Road, Shiney Row, Hetton and Washington Millennium Centre) (May 2017)
  • Shiney Row community centre opens “honesty” library. (August 2017)
• Surrey.  10 branches will be volunteer-run by April 2013. “Under the partnership, Surrey County Council will continue to provide the building, books, computers, free wi-fi and everything else associated with a library”.  In June 2014 it was reported that “Eight of the other nine libraries which are now operating as CPLs have seen a reduction in the number of people borrowing books. The only one which has not – Warlingham Library – still has paid staff working there.”

1. Beare Green (open two mornings per week to replace end of mobile library service) (October 2013).
2. Byfleet Library now run by volunteers, extended opening hours (25/9/12)
3. New Haw (4/10/12).
4. Stoneleigh (22/2/13).
5. Tattenhams (Grand opening Summer 2013, took over 12.11.12). Won one of six 2015 mayor’s awards for community teams.
6. Bagshot (December 2013).
7. Guildford Institute Library – Volunteer run since 1843.
8. Warlingham – Still has paid staff at it.
9. Virginia Water
10. Bramley
11. Ewell Court
12. Lingfield
13. Frimley Green.

• Swindon
  • Walcot Library.   Usage has “gone down dramatically” since staffed by volunteers.  Largely used as a charity shop.  Council answers questions on Walcot here (October 2013). Manager suggests other volunteer libraries fine, especially if charity can raise income and council pays for building (Feb 2016). Will become entirely a charity shop (apart from request pick-ups) from September 2017.
  • Beechcroft Road Library to become volunteer. from September 2017.
  • Stratton St Margaret – Run with one paid office from the parish council, the rest volunteers. Plus on “satellite” library.
  • Parish councils (with volunteers) to take over (from September) Stratton, Wroughton, Moredon, Pinehurst, Penhill, Even Swindon, Old Town. Swindon Community Library Trust to take over Covingham and Liden. Walcot Library to cease being used as a library (apart from book requests) and will become a community shop. (New) Swindon Hindu and Temple Community Library set up with volunteers and council support
• Tameside

1. Carrbrook Library.
2. Denton Library – purchased building off council for £30k and “six figure” loan (7)

• Telford and Wrekin – Stirchley, Hadley, Dawley and Oakengates
• Thurrock – Purfleet.
• Trafford – Hale Library (18/7/12) staffed by two full-time equivalent staff and 30 volunteers.
• Vale of Glamorgan –
  • Sully Library (8/16). first anniversary celebrated (9/17).
  • Wenvoe (operational before 11/16)
  • Dinas Powys (11/16)
  • St Athan and Rhoose will shortly also become volunteer and are included in the overall tally as being so (8/16)
• Walsall
  • Streetly (7/17)
  • Pheasey now volunteer. (7/17)
• Wakefield –

1. Havercroft (from 27/11/12) – moving from library into Community Learning Centre where volunteers to run service and buy own books.
2. Kettlethorpe – Date of transfer to be announced.
3. Walton – To be announced in connection with local school in 2012. Walton volunteer library may close due to Academy evicting from space. (9/17).
4. Kinsley – Library closed.  Transferred to local Learning Centre where volunteers to run service and buy own books.
5. Upton – Transferred to volunteers, will open from Easter 2013.
6. Crofton
7. Ackworth – Volunteer run since 2013. Reported to be more popular than when  council run.

• Waltham Forest 

1. South Chingford Community Library – April 2012. Will lend books from May (open for computer use from April) for 3 hours per week
2. Leytonstone Epicentre Library – April 2013.
3. Harrow Green Community Library – May 2013. 1,000 books, with 10 volunteers.

• Wandsworth –  York Gardens Library. Small number of paid staff, otherwise volunteers, planned income largely from room hire.
• Warrington – Grappenhall Library taken over (8.1.12) eight months after being closed.  Appleton Parish Hall has a volunteer-run library opened after the ending of its mobile library stop (2012, source: personal conversation with volunteer).
• Warwickshire. Volunteer library issues halved (down 46%) since leaving council control. (June 2015) 

1. Kineton Library taken over (9.1.12), the first of 12 planned to do so before April.
2. Henley-in-Arden Library (4/4/12).
3. Dunchurch Library (3.4.12)
4. Studley Community Library (9/4/12),
5. Bidford on Avon (2/5/12)
6. Baddesley Ensor (24/5/12),
7. Bulkington Library (28.1.12
8. Dordon Library (volunteer run by September 2012) is using part of library as dancefloor.
9. Camp Hill
10. Water Orton
11. Keresley
12. Harbury. “Community library: Harbury, Warwickshire – Gov.uk / Libraries Taskforce. A look at the staffing, role and funding of a volunteer library. “The library was previously open for 2 days per week and is now open for 5 full weekdays and a half day on Saturday.” … “The library has worked hard to encourage usage by local children and in addition to holiday book schemes initiated by the county library service, they have organised “Tunes and Tales” which has brought in families with babies and toddlers. ” …”A major factor in the success of Harbury Village Library has been the 3,100 books donated by villagers or purchased through the library’s Buy a Book Scheme. These books are administered by a separate computer system (Book Cat) which allows them to be kept within the library. ” £10,000 income per year due to café and other ventures.”
13. Hartshill

• West Sussex – Volunteers to work alongside paid staff advertised for.

1. Angmering – Parish council has recruited volunteers to extend Saturday opening hours (April 2014).

• Wigan –

1. Hope Community Library (more info here)
2. BookCycle charity running now closed Beech Hill Library
3. Aspull
4. Ince

• Wiltshire

1. Purton Library (team of 40 volunteers).
2. Aldbourne Library (library paid for by parish council), Tuesday mornings staffed by 4 volunteers. 300 volunteers in total used to “keep open” ten of the smallest libraries.
3. Box and
4. Ramsbury libraries partially staffed by volunteers.
5. Wilton
6. Durrington
7. Ludgershall
8. Lyneham
9. Market Lavington
10. Netheravon
11. Tisbury
12. Cricklade
13. Downton
14. Mere
15. Pewsey

• Wirral – Wallasey Village Library – from April 2024.
• Wolverhampton – Collingwood.
• Worcestershire

1. Welland Library (staffed – but not apparently run by – volunteers)
2. Catshill (staffed with paid council staff and volunteers, in school grounds).
3. Wythall – “Wythall Together” will run premises management, maintenance and repair (July 2014).
4. Martley
5. Broadway – from August 2014.
6. Hagley – from January 2015.
7. Upton.

• Wrexham

1. Gresford – May 2014 – Shut March 2014 to save £92k p.a. – 30 volunteers, 13 hours open per week.
2. Hope – Established 2016. Article from May 2017 on first anniversary.