A NEW volunteer-run library will open its doors in Queensbury next week.

Queensbury Community Programme (QCP), in High Street, will house the new facility after the Bradford Council-run library in Victoria Hall shut earlier this year.

QCP Development Manager Kathryn Halford says 25 volunteers have already come forward to help out.

She said: “Obviously working in the heart of the community, we saw it as a valuable resource.

“It’s going to be run purely by volunteers - the provision will be smaller than at Victoria Hall, but we can order in if anyone specifically wants something.

“The response from volunteers has been fantastic.”

Ms Halford added there were plans to run storytime sessions and a book club and there will also be a small cafe area offering refreshments.

She said there would be more computers than before, as well as free internet access.

“I think libraries are a haven,” Ms Halford said. “There’s a lot of services that have been taken away and I just think it’s a vital resource for everybody.

“There’s a lot of vulnerable and isolated people and they don’t talk to anyone, so they can pop in.”

The library will initially be open on Mondays from 10am until 4pm, Wednesdays from 3.30pm until 6.30pm and Saturdays from 10am until 1pm.

Ms Halford said the library, which officially opens on Monday, would be demand-driven and there may be scope to add more sessions dependent on usage.

Many libraries across the district have moved to a volunteer-run model, including those at Addingham, Denholme, Wilsden, Wrose, Idle and Allerton. Others at Burley, Holme Wood, Great Horton, Bolling, Silsden, Thornbury and Thornton have remained open thanks to volunteers.

To mark the grand opening of the library in Queensbury, QCP is holding a competition and is inviting young people to submit their artwork for a display.

Under 5s are being asked to colour a pre-printed picture of their favourite book character and those in Reception and Years 1 and 2 are being asked to create a book cover featuring their favourite character. Children in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 are invited to create a book cover featuring an imaginary character, with a description of the character, while those aged 11 and over should design their own cartoon character and storyline. Entries, no larger than A4, should state the child’s name, date of birth, school and contact details and should be handed into the library by 4pm on Monday, October 16.