Community library to close after 76 years

A community library in Guernsey which specialises in large print books is closing after 76 years.

St John Guernsey Charity said it will shut the library, which won the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2014, in May.

The charity said it was "no longer... best placed" to continue offering the service and it would be transferred to the Guille-Allès Library in St Peter Port.

The library first operated from volunteers' homes to provide books for sick and wounded servicemen in hospital.

Heather Langlois, CEO of the charity, said it had decided to see if it could make efficiencies to "ensure a more impactful and accessible service" and avoid duplicating services offered by other charities.

She said the Guille-Allès Library had a collection of large print books and was "best placed to continue providing this service".

The change means the charity can concentrate on growing its youth and first aid school programmes and train volunteers for community events.

Its collection of books will be offered to library members and volunteers to keep and also donated to people in need, added Ms Langlois.

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