Kirkbymoorside library will be able to maintain its opening hours and extend its community information services as part of a partnership arrangement between the town council, North Yorkshire County Council and Ryedale District Council.

The councils have agreed to pool staff from June 1 so that current library opening hours will be sustained, despite savings that have to be made.

Front office amenities will also be extended because staff from the three councils can work as partners and therefore offer a full range of information services for more hours.

County Coun Chris Metcalfe, North Yorkshire’s executive member for libraries, said: “The arrangement for Kirkbymoorside points the way ahead.

“It is an excellent example of flexible, effective and cost-efficient partnership working, so that library and information services can be sustained in our communities through the years ahead.”

Kirkbymoorside’s mayor Coun Chris Dowie added: “This agreement means that there will be improved access to town council services for the people of Kirkbymoorside whilst also maintaining the current library opening hours.

“I am delighted that by working together we have been able to achieve these benefits for the town.”