A group has been formed to lead the community’s takeover of Golcar Library.

A meeting of the Friends of Golcar Library took place and it was unanimously agreed that a Charitable Incorporated Organisation will be set up.

It comes as Kirklees Council looks to make major savings in the library service that could see funding axed for all but two libraries and the home delivery service.

Clr Hilary Richards, a Labour councillor for Golcar, said: “There is a long road to travel before the group are in total charge of the library, we have to get everything in place before funding from Kirklees Council ends in March 2017.

“Local people can join the Friends of Golcar Library and pick up a volunteer application form at the library.”

Clr Andrew Marchington, Golcar Lib Dem, added: “The volunteers have got the skills to do this.

“Yes it will be a challenge, but there are people on board who can rise to the challenge in Golcar and the fact there is a Friends group will make a positive difference.”

The Friends of Golcar Library will progressively take over the running of the library and they will negotiate with Kirklees Council the transfer of the library building so that the service can be maintained in Golcar.

The group will then be responsible for the library, while Kirklees will still look after the rotation of the books and the maintenance of the IT facilities.

The Golcar group has around 40 members with half of these people volunteering to be trained to run the library.

A management committee was elected who are actively exploring how the service can be maintained both physically and financially.

The committee is as follows: chair Clr Hilary Richards, secretary Pam Ward, minutes and membership secretary John Chappell; treasurer Clr Andrew Marchington, volunteer co-ordinator Karen Armitage, Project and fundraising officer Jeremy Cuss, plus ordinary committee members John Walker, Linda Chambers, Maryam Mansoor Malik, Sue Eaton and David Draycott.