MORETONHAMPSTEAD has been chosen as one of twelve communities across Devon to take part in a new partnership project to test how they can support their local libraries and expand the services they can provide.

Devon County Council will work with the dedicated community groups in each of the 12 areas, to help shape the new organisation and try out new ways of involving local people so they can have more say on how their library is run.

Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for the library service, said: 'I am really looking forward to working with these pilot groups to explore and develop their ideas for local solutions to meet their community's needs.

'Their support is vital to the successful future of our library service and we are pleased to have received so many enthusiastic ideas from every corner of the county and from communities of all shapes and sizes.

'Every community is different and each will have their own ideas and styles of working so there is much work to be done and the pilot period is undoubtedly going to bring many opportunities, lots of scope for innovation and probably a few challenges.

'Over the next month we will be working with each group to understand what they would like to achieve and what resources they need to enable this to happen.

'The ideas we trial and the knowledge we gain from this pilot will benefit every library in Devon and each community will have a role in shaping a new way of operating and delivering our library service.'

Devon Voluntary Action (DeVA) will be working with the council to help support the community groups throughout the pilot project.

The 12-month pilot project is part of the council's plans to safeguard the futures of all 50 of its libraries, despite having to make significant savings due to reductions in government funding. For information go to http://www.new.devon.gov.uk/libraryreview">www.new.devon.gov.uk/libraryreview