Libraries in Wolverhampton are on the lookout for some new Friends.

Wolverhampton City Council is looking to set up a number of Friends Groups to support the city's network of 16 libraries.

Friends Groups operate successfully in a number of locations around the country, with members acting as ambassadors for their local libraries and also helping to improve services, raise vital funds and so on.

Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: "Friends of Libraries groups are doing excellent work across the country, and we're very keen to replicate that in Wolverhampton.

"They would carry out a range of important roles, like encouraging people to join their local library and helping us to improve services by acting as mystery shoppers and consulting with customers and people who, for whatever reason, don't use their library to find out what we can do better. They can also make sure that the views of local people are accurately reflected to the decision makers responsible for the service."

Friends could also hold fundraising events to bring in extra money for their local library, enabling it to buy additional resources or equipment or increase the number of activities it holds, such as author visits, writers' workshops or storytelling sessions.

They may also want to offer practical support, like helping to host events or extending the library's friendly welcome to more customers by meeting and greeting visitors."

Councillor Mattu added: "We think that local Friends Groups could provide invaluable support to our team of volunteers who, between them, already spend an incredible 6,000 hours per year helping out in our libraries.

"We hope that by setting up Friends Groups can build on their tremendous efforts and make some real improvements to our libraries."

For more information about becoming a Friend, or volunteering in one of Wolverhampton's libraries, please call Central Library on 01902 552025 or email libraries@wolverhampton.gov.uk.

  • released: Monday 13 October, 2014