THE LIBRARY in Dinas Powys has become the third in the Vale to be community run.

The management of Dinas Powys Library has been formally transferred to Dinas Powys Library and Activity Centre (DPLAC), making it the third community library established in the Vale of Glamorgan after Wenvoe and Sully.

The transfer comes after it was announced earlier this year that the Vale of Glamorgan Council was in discussion with community groups in five locations about taking over responsibility for running their local library including St Athan and Rhoose.

The Vale cabinet agreed in February to the establishment of community libraries which is estimated to save the council more than £500,000.

The Vale council has set aside £100,000 to help cover start-up costs and improvements to existing buildings for community groups taking on the responsibility of their libraries, and Dinas Powys will benefit from a share of this funding.

DPLAC will also receive on-going support from the council in the form of IT access, book stock, other library resources and professional advice.

Councillor Lis Burnett, cabinet member for regeneration and education, said: "In the last few months a team of volunteers have been working alongside the council’s library staff, gaining valuable experience in running the library.

"Now that the transfer has taken place we look forward to continuing to work with the new management and helping them realise their ambitions for the library."

Community councillor Keith Hatton, who has been instrumental in the transfer, said: "The group of trustees and our volunteers have worked hard to achieve this transfer and should take a lot of the credit for continuing the library in Dinas Powys."

Vale councillor Chris Franks, the chair of the trustees of DPLAC, explained: "We still have many challenges ahead, but we have some ambitious plans for the future and hope that the library will become a community hub for the people of Dinas Powys."