Denby Dale library now has enough volunteers to run the village library.

But the hard work to raise another £200,000 to establish a new community facility goes on.

The project to transfer ownership of the library from Kirklees Council to a new charitable trust has been underway for more than a year.

Plans have been hatched to demolish the ageing Wakefield Road site and construct a purpose built library and community centre in its place.

And the group behind the scheme, the Denby Dale Community Project (DDCP), has now celebrated recruiting 28 volunteers to cover the library’s opening hours.

Over the last four months DDCP volunteers have been supporting paid staff at the library and there are now 17 volunteers regularly working there.

A pool of a further 11 are available for cover and two volunteer co-ordinators are pulling it all together.

Kathryn Harrison from Kirklees Library Services, said: “It’s been a hectic and busy summer and a big thanks to the DDCP volunteers for their enthusiasm and commitment.

“They provide an essential ‘second’ person in the library and undertake various tasks, from helping customers use the self-issue machine to running the weekly ‘Rhymetime’ for under threes.”

Behind the scenes, the ambitious project still has a long way to go, and the detailed legal paperwork for the asset transfer is now in place as officials consider DDCP’s business plan.

As well as handing over the land and library building, Kirklees Council has also agreed to invest £100,000 if DDCP raises the balance of funds required. Although DDCP has raised over £125,000, another £196,000 is required to build the ambitious, two-storey community building.

Volunteers have now submitted 50 detailed grant applications (and ruled out nearly as many), requesting sums from £1,000 right up to £200,000 from a range of national and local grant bodies.

Trustee, Pete Belsey, said: “It’s a highly competitive business, especially in these tough times, so DDCP don’t know yet whether they’ll be successful enough.

“Whilst we are extremely grateful for the continued support of our local community with their valuable donations, we are keen to make a final push to bridge our funding gap.

“It makes sense to explore the potential for large donations, so if anyone is our community has any connections or ideas, please get in touch.

If you’d like to donate, we are seeking anything from cash to monthly donations through our Supporters Club.

“Please visit www.ddcp.org to find out how you can donate.”