Volunteers in Hull secured a 35-year lease for the library they saved
Hull City Council transferred Anlaby Park Community Library to the friends group that took it on in 2014, after the branch had been due to close.
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Hull City Council approved a 35-year community asset transfer of Anlaby Park Community Library to the volunteers who kept it open. BBC News reported the decision on October 14, 2026.
The branch was due to close in March 2013 because of budget cuts. The closure was delayed, and the friends group took the lease in 2014. Somewhere between 60 and 80 people volunteer there. Chair Steve Ashton said the longer lease gives the group security to plan a refurbishment and to bring on the next generation of helpers.
The council said in June that it would fund work on the outside, with the interior paid for by volunteer fundraising. Work started in September and is due to finish next year. During the building work, a reduced service runs from a temporary building in the park.
For the classroom
BBC News reported on October 14, 2026, that Hull City Council gave Anlaby Park Community Library to its volunteers for 35 years. The branch was going to close in March 2013. That was delayed, and a friends group took the lease in 2014. About 60 to 80 volunteers keep it going. Chair Steve Ashton said the long lease lets them plan repairs and welcome the next helpers. The council is paying for the outside of the building. Volunteers are raising money for the inside. Work began in September and should finish next year. Until then, a smaller library runs from a temporary building in the park.
- Why would a long lease matter to people who run a library for free?
- What can a library give a neighborhood besides books?
- How could a class help a library that volunteers are fixing up?
For a teacher to read with a class. Print the story of the day · All classroom stories
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