Extended opening hours for Deepings library

Book-lovers were thrilled to learn that Deepings Community Library is celebrating its birthday by extending its opening hours.

The volunteer-run library will celebrate its 46th anniversary in the High Street premises tomorrow.

It reopened in January 2016 under the leadership of a community group after Lincolnshire County Council withdrew its funding.

Until now it has been open for 24 hours each week, closing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday afternoons. But as its popularity soars, the volunteers have been able to extend the opening hours and it will now open on Tuesdays and Saturday afternoons as well.

Volunteer Liz Waterland said: “We are the busiest community library in Lincolnshire and have increased the usage of services above and beyond what it was as a council library.

“People are really pleased that we’ve listened to what they wanted and have found a way to open longer. It is a fitting reflection of how successful we have been and how much community support we have gained. “

The library attracts between 2,500 and 3,000 users each month. Dozens of new members also sign up each month.

It will now open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am until 5pm and on Saturdays from 10am until 3pm.

Library coordinator Louisa Crowson said: “Now we’ve got this extra time it will be great to use it for extra clubs.”