CONTINUING the delight that they expressed on the news that award-winning and locally born author and illustrator Levi Pinfold had presented them with £500 worth of books, his publishers have now weighed in with their own contribution to the Mitcheldean Community Library's first birthday celebrations.

Templar Publishing have added to the books contributed by Levi – which he won as part of the Kate Greenaway Award that was reported in the Review last month - by donating six signed copies of Levi's book 'Black Dog.' The books are to be raffled at a special first anniversary celebration to be held at the library on Saturday September 21, from 10am to 1.30pm.

It is now a year since the local community in Mitcheldean decided to take on the running of their local library - in the face of threats of closure by the Gloucestershire county council. Library Chairman, Andrew Mali­phant said: "It's been a great first year, a tribute to all the volunteers involved, and the Open Day and prize raffle of 'Black Dog' we hope will point the way to an even bigger and better future."

And in a plea for more people from the local community to come forward and help with the library, he added: "While word of the library's success as a community-run enterprise has travelled half-way round the world (Levi now lives in Australia), we hope our celebration will attract even more volunteers here at home - and not just on the counter.

"Whatever your speciality, we've got a place for you: new books, computers, young people, house-bound, local business support, building management and maintenance - even board members.

"And while helping out will, for many, be an end in itself, for others it may not be the end at all – one volunteer has already found library work through her experience at Mitcheldean."