The Team London Awards at City Hall saw Merton’s library service win an award for “Building Stronger Neighbourhoods”.

The award was for best practice in recruitment and retention of volunteers, which has seen over 400 volunteers contribute their time to a Merton library in the last year.

Merton Council cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Martin Whelton, said: “We are very proud of this project’s overall success, and this award is a fitting tribute to our library staff, who have played a big part in supporting volunteers to do the great work they do in our libraries.

“Our 468 volunteers, the most from any London borough, have contributed over 17,600 hours of their time to one of our seven libraries since last April, with a number moving on to full-time employment since that date. This award is a well-deserved recognition for their help in improving our library service even further.”

Apart from winning the Team London Award, Merton’s library service has also been shortlisted for the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards. The “Love Libraries, Love Volunteering” project, which has received £100,000 of funding, is being project managed by Merton and aims to replicate its model of volunteering across other London boroughs.

Notes to editors:
For more information on Merton libraries, please visit: http://www.merton.gov.uk/libraries
Merton libraries recently celebrated World Book Day (WBD) on 1 March with a programme of activities in each library, including a modern poetry event from local bards the Dodo Modern Poets, and children’s activities. Merton’s seven libraries are celebrating: ‘Opening doors, Opening books, Opening minds’ which aims to raise awareness and encourage use of Merton libraries. March focuses on ‘Opening books’ linking to WBD and the Six Book Challenge, while April’s theme will be ‘Opening minds’, promoting City Read London activities, adult education courses, volunteering opportunities, heritage services and more.

-Ends-
Press Contact:
Nina Romain
Communications Officer
London Borough of Merton
020 8545 4654

Notes to editors:

For more information on Merton libraries, please visit: http://www.merton.gov.uk/libraries

Merton libraries recently celebrated World Book Day (WBD) on 1 March with a programme of activities in each library, including a modern poetry event from local bards the Dodo Modern Poets, and children’s activities. Merton’s seven libraries are celebrating: ‘Opening doors, Opening books, Opening minds’ which aims to raise awareness and encourage use of Merton libraries. March focuses on ‘Opening books’ linking to WBD and the Six Book Challenge, while April’s theme will be ‘Opening minds’, promoting City Read London activities, adult education courses, volunteering opportunities, heritage services and more.
-Ends-

Press Contact:
Nina Romain
Communications Officer
London Borough of Merton
020 8545 4654