PLANS to make a library into a community-run facility will see it offer "more facilities and activities".

That's the news from the working group, who also say they hope to make Dinas Powys Library into a charity .

This will, they hope, provide the library with a number of financial advantages, including rates relief.

A team of residents have been working on a business plan for the site ever since the Vale council announced that five Vale libraries - the others being Sully, Rhoose, St Athan and Wenvoe - were being considered for community status.

The chair of the library working party in Dinas Powys is Vale and Dinas Powys councillor Chris Franks.

He said that a huge amount of work is going on behind the scenes.

"We have significant financial support already and we are very grateful that local organisations have pledged assistance to ensure that the library will continue," he added.

"However, we are not content to simply reproduce what exists.

"We want to expand and offer more facilities and activities.

"We have a significant number of volunteers who are being trained, although we need more.

"The next step is to introduce volunteers into the library before the formal handover."

Cllr Franks said that the Vale council will continue to offer professional back-room services at the site.

This will include IT facilities, new books and an out-of-county book service.

"We are ambitious not only to continue focusing on books but also to attract people who currently do not use the library by broadening the range of activities based at the library," cllr Franks added.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet agreed to set up the community libraries at a meeting in February having started working with teams of residents in May last year.

The transfer of these five libraries is part of a larger reshaping of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s library service which it is estimated will result in savings of £525,000 during 2015/16 and 2016/17.

If you are interested in helping out at Dinas Powys Library, contact Dinas councillor Keith Hatton by email khatton263@btinternet.com or on 07749 825751.