A COMMUNITY library has celebrated the anniversary of a major refurbishment that has allowed it to expand its services across three local libraries.

A year ago, Richmond Community Library closed for five weeks to turn it into a community hub, and on Wednesday volunteers from Catterick, Richmond and Colburn Community Libraries (CRACCL) marked the occasion in the Richmond centre.

The Queen’s Road library now features a space for Richmond Information Centre and a larger children’s library with a buggy park as well as relaxing seating, tea and coffee-making facilities and free wi-fi access.

North Yorkshire County Council invested £57,000 supplemented by a £15,000 grant from the Stronger Communities programme for repainting the interior, laying new carpet and installing brighter, more energy-efficient lighting throughout the building.

Philip Wicks, Chair of CRACCL, said: “During the last year, 80 people have delivered more than 7,000 hours of volunteering in our three libraries. The partnership with the county council has ensured that these vital community hubs remain open for the foreseeable future. The refurbishment of Richmond Community Library demonstrates our long-term commitment to maintaining a 21st century library service for the benefit of the whole community.”

County Councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said: “The refurbishment of Richmond Library has created a library fit for the needs of the community now and in the future. The additional space has created fantastic opportunities for library users and community groups to get more from their library. Libraries are a vital to communities and I am delighted that the county council has invested for the long-term future of the service. Libraries are about so much more than books, they are community hubs that provide access to a vast range of resources and information.”

County Councillor Stuart Parsons, said: “We owe a massive debt to the huge number of volunteers who have come forward to help to run not only the library but also the Richmond Information Centre. I am delighted to celebrate the facilities that enable them to do the best possible job and to help them realise their ambitions for the hub.”