Barton Library
Barton Library

An NHS trust is set to take over the running of a library in Barton-under-Needwood.

Staffordshire County Council has confirmed a number of groups which are set to take on the running of 11 community libraries.

South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust will take on the Barton facility.

Ben Adams, the council’s Cabinet member for learning and skills, said: “The calibre of the applicants was excellent.

Cllr Ben Adams
Cllr Ben Adams

“Not only did they demonstrate the skills to manage a library, with support from the county council, but they have the ideas and enthusiasm to develop them in such a way that they remain relevant to the communities in which they’re rooted.

“The strength and content of these bids is exactly what we were hoping for when we began this process.”

The official handover of Barton’s library is likely to take place in the coming months.

“It’s clear from the consultations we’ve carried out that people value their libraries as much as the county council does and these changes are designed to find ways of keeping them a vital part of their local community for the next 10, 15, or 20 years.

“I think that as other groups see the process in action and what support is on offer from the council, more will come forward.”

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