A MEN’S volunteering group has been commissioned to produce five unique libraries for locations across the North-East following the success of their previous creations.

Greenfield Arts-run Cree team caught the eye of writing agency New Writing North with their two Little Free Libraries created alongside students from Greenfield Community College over the past two years.

The bespoke libraries, found on the school’s Newton Aycliffe and Shildon campuses, house a small number of books that can be swapped by pupils and members of the community, working on the principle of take a book, leave a book.

Katy Milne, director of Newton Aycliffe-based Greenfield Arts, said: “New Writing North were aware of this work and the impact it had created in the community and got in touch to ask the men to create more.

“This was a real boost to the Greenfield Arts men’s Cree. I think it’s so important to share work publicly, to have purpose and to provide something for others which in turns helps us to feel good, feel useful and valued.”

Commissioned by the Newcastle-based organisation as part of the Durham Book festival 2016, five Little Free Libraries are currently being created by the adult volunteer group.

These will be cited at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, Brandon Youth and Community Centre, in Brandon, near Durham, Pelton Community Centre, near Chester-le-Street, Durham’s Palace Green Library and an undecided location elsewhere in the city.

Richard Agar, facilitator for the Cree group, said: “Each library is completely different and the design of each has been produced following consultation with the various groups and reflects their thoughts and influences of the environment where the library is to be sited.”

The group, made up of about ten men between the ages of 38 and 83, is part of a project aimed at reducing social isolation, promoting and encouraging positive mental wellbeing and preventing self-harm.

They will be making the five libraries as part of a rolling programme, working on two or three libraries at a time.

Their latest creation for the Palace Green Library will be unveiled at the launch of the Durham Book Festival on Wednesday.

Ms Milne added: “They have carried out so much work that they have enjoyed doing but in turn has been enjoyed by others.”

Each library will be completed on-site before the festival starts on October 7.

The commission is part of a wider project with New Writing North, funded by Banks Community Fund, which will see the creation of 15 libraries, including the five by Cree, across County Durham.