Pinchbeck library is to get a new lease of life under the stewardship of volunteers.
Far from changes to the county’s library services being a setback, in Pinchbeck’s case it will improve what’s on offer.
A group of 15 volunteers is currently undergoing training with a view to increasing opening hours at the facility within the Adult Study Centre in Knight Street.
It’s hoped that an initial step of extending Wednesday afternoon opening from 4pm to 5pm, and adding Saturdays from 10am-1pm will prove popular.
Pinchbeck Parish Council is looking to lease the whole building from Lincolnshire County Council on a peppercorn rent.
Clerk Barbara Camps said: “We’re taking on the building to keep the library open.
“That’s the vision but it depends on how sustainable it is.
“We’ve got to try and get an income from the building.”
Other rooms are currently used for crafts and exercise, but the hope is to create a community hub with a parent and toddler group, youth group and a place where management meetings can be held.
Mrs Camps’ office there is restricted by having no phone line or broadband access, but wi-fi would be installed for use by all visitors to the building.
She said: “We want it to be a nice building, brightened up with a mural and a place where people can enjoy a tea or coffee.”
l Mrs Camps has referred herself to the Information Commissioner’s Office over an error she made.
A parishioner emailed the parish council about a proposed development of land off Langhole Drove by Pinchbeck Community Sports Club.
When Mrs Camps replied via email, she copied in Michael Bracegirdle, the man heading the project, in an effort to be “honest and transparent” and because “he needed to know what’s happening”.
By doing so, she passed on the email address of the parishioner, which breached data protection law.
Mrs Camps, who has been clerk for 24 years, said the mistake upset her and she had apologised.
