Cornwall’s libraries are defying the national trend of closures, with 22,000 new users borrowing books in the past year and memberships at a decade high, according to Cornwall Council. While one in 20 libraries across the UK have closed or been taken over by volunteers since 2016, Cornwall has managed to keep 23 out of 27 libraries open by transferring their management to local councils, community groups, and social enterprises. Carol Mould, the councillor responsible for libraries, credited this approach for maintaining libraries as vital community hubs. Local author Liz Fenwick emphasized the importance of libraries, especially in the current economic climate, while 15-year-old Seren Stafford from Bude shared her love for her town’s library.
