THE PROPOSED closure of Bream Library 18 months ago prompted concerned villagers to form up as the Bream Community Library Company Ltd, and embark on fund-raising activities to support their stand-alone venture – while at the same time negotiating their use of the old library building with the County Library Service.

Over the intervening time, after it became clear that the closure of the current library was inevitable and that the Parish Council did not have the statutory powers to take it on, the new company was formed from a group of volunteers with the intention of continuing the library and related services for the village and surrounding disctrics of West Dean.

A 'Love Your Library' day held earlier this year – coupled with their own market research – indicated a high level of support and interest in the project from the local area, the school, and the early learners groups.

Garnering the support of the County Library Service, the new Community Library Company have had an offer for them to take over the existing library buildings at a 'heavily discounted price', plus the County have also offered additional support in the shape of revenue funding to match any periood of tenancy between the Company and the Parish Council.

The Community Library has also received funding from other sources, and this has been earmarked for the renovation and improvements to the old library rooms which adjoin the old West Dean Centre – and the refurbishment of a dedicted space within the Centre which will house the new Community Library.

A programme of training is currently being put into place by Gloucestershire County Council to enable volunteer staff to cope with the businesss of running a library – and all services currently used by members of County Libraries will also be available to users in the voluntary sector.

Speaking ahead of a public meeting next week when the West Dean Parish Council will reach a decision regarding the establishment of the Community Library, Mary Rontree, director of the new Bream Community Library Co. Ltd. told the Review: "This is an exciting project for the Forest of Dean and a chance to show how local government bodies can work together for the benefit of all communities."

She added: "Community Libraries are being successfully run by volunteers in other parts of the country and the first one in Gloucestershire has recently opened in Painswick."

The public meeting on Wednesday July 18, at which the West Dean Parish Council will make a final decision for the comunity library to go ahead, will be held at Bream Library and will begin at 7pm.