A LIBRARY group is hoping that the vital service can become even more of a community resource.

The Save Leiston Library Steering Group met and heard from Lesley Clouting, library manager for Framlingham, Wickham Market and Leiston and Lynda Fanworth, area manager south at Suffolk County Council.

They provided lots of background information and kept people up to date with the current state of affairs with the county’s libraries, which are now under the guidance of an industrial and provident society (IPS).

Sue Liddell, secretary of the Save Leiston Library Steering Group, said the meeting was very informative and they were now hoping to put together their own ideas for Leiston’s library, which is in Main Street.

“What we now have the opportunity to do is to become more involved, making sure that our library in Leiston is even more of a community resource,” she said.

“The volunteer work that is already in place is very much welcomed and valued, but could be enhanced with further input, such as helping people put their CV on computer or searching for and completing job applications.

“And the library resource could be spread further afield, with input and usage from the local parishes and villages around Leiston. Leiston library is one of the busiest in the county but there is always room for more ‘busyness’.”

She added: “The town council is a great supporter of Leiston library and has indicated that it will do all it can to give financial backup and expertise.

“We hope that the present Save Leiston Library Steering Group will become a local community group focusing on and co-ordinating ideas and initiatives for the library, and the town council would provide a backing base for the group.

“But for everyday life, the library will be as it is now, with familiar faces and familiar routines, like opening times, still in place.

“We realise there are still areas and aspects of the new regime to be finally settled and sorted, but our latest meeting gave us all positive food for thought and optimism to go ahead with a Leiston library that looks to serve the community with determination and integrity.”

At the next meeting it is hoped members will plan out the structure and organisation of the community group, the roles and possibilities for volunteers, the ways to fundraise and save the 5% needed on the Leiston library budget in the coming year.