AN innovative library service has opened in a small village in Cumbria.

Supported by Cumbria County Council and staffed by volunteers, the 'Library Link' is in the reading room in the village of Dent.

The village has been served by a mobile library, visiting once a month for less than a hour.

But the Library Link will be open for 15 hours a week.

Council officials claim it will provide a better, more modern service.

The local authority has arranged a self-issue machine and stock of books for the library.

Although the stock is limited, borrowers can order any book held by the library service. Orders are then delivered the following week.

The council is also supporting the Library Link facility by contributing an annual fee to help maintain the building as a resource for local residents.

Councillor Gary Strong, the local authority's Cabinet Member for Local Services said: 'This is an excellent new service for Dent.

"It will improve library access for the whole community and I am delighted the council has been able to support it.'

The Library Link will be open on Tuesdays from 9am to 7pm and Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.

Similar Library Links already operate in other parts of Cumbria.

See also: Best practice case studies in the provision of rural library services