From April 4, Camelford Library and Information Service will be managed by Camelford Town Council, but will remain part of the countywide library service.
This means customers will keep their existing library cards and will still be able to visit, borrow and order books online from other libraries in Cornwall.
The library will remain in its current location in Town Hall in Market Place, and will be joined by the Camelford Town Council offices, making the building a hub for the local community.
In preparation for the new arrangements, Camelford Library will be closed for refurbishment from Monday, March 19 and re-open on Wednesday, April 4.
To ensure that even the most dedicated bookworm has enough to read while the library is closed, customers will be able to borrow up to 36 items from Camelford Library for an extended loan period.
There’s also the opportunity to reserve items for free and collect them at other libraries using the online reservation system or to download eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines to use on tablets, smartphones and computers.
Cllr Rob Rotchell, mayor of Camelford, said: “Camelford Town Council is proud to take on the running of Camelford Library and secure its future for the town. We know how important the library is to people, and by bringing the library and the town council offices together, we’ll also make it easier for people to access more of the services they need in one place.
“On top of this, we’ll be opening the library for an extra two days a week, ensuring people in Camelford will have plenty of opportunity to browse for their favourite books and DVDs. We will also be extending the range of activities in the coming weeks and hope to re-establish the Tourist Information Centre.”
Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council cabinet member for neighbourhoods, added: “Cornwall Council is looking to devolve local services to the community through the Library Transformation Programme. Our aim throughout this process is to work with partners and communities to create sustainable services that are aligned to local needs.
“Camelford Town Council’s proactive approach to taking more control over local assets is an excellent example of devolution in action. Devolution at its most worthwhile is about finding the best long-term local custodians of an asset — in this case, a library that is much loved by the local community. I applaud Camelford Town Council’s innovative approach to working with us and providing an excellent service to their community.”