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New friends group puts Carnforth Library at heart of local community

A new friends group at Carnforth Library aims to play a key role in the local community.

Across Lancashire, there are almost 40 established groups, with a range of activities from hosting live bands to showing films and holding exercise classes, and much more.

Some of them have been running for more than a decade, while others are just getting started, but they all play an important role in supporting libraries and enhancing what they have to offer.

Many of the groups have raised money to hold events or improve outdoor areas, both through fundraising and applying for grants.

Maura Dutton is originally from New York and originally helped set up a friends group at Eccleston library.

She said: "I saw a notice about starting the group and I thought this was a win-win situation because it's helping the library and presumably meeting like-minded people.

"That's exactly the way it worked out and I'm still very good friends with my friends on the committee at Eccleston."

Maura has since moved to north Lancashire where she became the secretary of the Friends of Carnforth library group.

Maura added: ‘’It's a very new group, it started up last September. We have such a nice bunch and they're very talented, so we've made incredible steps in that time and we're now working on a schedule of events.

"We encourage people to come in and let them know what's on offer, and we can also raise money for those special things that the library needs that perhaps aren't part of the everyday running budget.

"It's a very welcoming group and we're always on the lookout for anybody who can add to the diversity of talent that we have.

"Please come along and learn about what we're attempting to do for the library. It's a hub of the community and there's so many things that are going on there."

County Councillor Ash Sutcliffe, Lead Member for Culture and Skills, said: "I am very passionate about our friends of library groups and what a vital role they play in making our libraries a key part of the local community.

‘’I describe friends groups as the colour and life of our libraries.

"Some of the events that they've organised include fashion shows, sign language courses and exercise classes.

"We are always looking for more residents to engage with our friends groups, whether that's becoming a part of an existing group or setting up your own."

You can find out more about library friends groups and setting up one here

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