WHITCHURCH residents can return library books to a pop-up stall on Friday mornings.

Staff from the library will be on hand from 9am until midday in the town's market hall on Fridays, to take back books from people who have been affected by the branch’s emergency closure due to structural issues at its base in Whitchurch Civic Centre.

Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said: “I am pleased that we have found a short-term solution for people who want to return items to the library.

OTHER NEWS: 

“I know our library staff are disappointed and frustrated that they cannot provide the full service to customers, but they too are glad to have the stall where they can catch up with some regular friendly faces and take books back in.

“The closure of the Civic Centre and the effect it had had on our library is frustrating for everyone in the community, but safety has to be at the forefront of any decisions we make.”

The council, he explains, is required to act on the survey findings when addressing the temporary library service unavailability, a situation for which none can be blamed.

Though preserving Whitchurch's library and registrar's office, Shropshire Council is actively seeking a new town centre venue for these services.

Local Shropshire Councillors Peggy Mullock, Tom Biggins and Gerald Dakin also welcomed the opening of the market stall: “We are disappointed the library has had to close temporarily, but by opening the stall for book returns we are are pleased to have re-established contact with the service users and friendly faces that make the most of our facilities.

They also assure residents that "work is going on to identify a new building for the library, and we are monitoring progress, hoping for a swift resolution"

Want to stay up to date with all the latest stories from Whitchurch and the surrounding area? Click here to sign up for our morning and daily email newsletters and click on the + for the 'Morning Briefing' and the 'Daily Catch-Up'.

Ronni Stirton, Whitchurch Library manager, added: “We are pleased we have been able to reorganise our regular Rhyme Time, digital support and Books Aloud sessions thanks to Whitchurch CE Infant and Nursery Academy, Whitchurch Heritage Centre and St Alkmund’s Church.

“St John’s Methodist Church is also hosting one of our regular reading groups and the community has rallied around to help.”

Anyone wanting information about Whitchurch Library’s re-organised events can visit: https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/library-events/?month=&audience=&category=whitchurch-library for all the latest updates.