The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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Appledore Book Festival saves local library

28.08.08 Caroline Horn

An author-led campaign to save Devon's Appledore library from closure has resulted in a surge in usage and the launch of an annual book festival in Appledore.

Children's author Nick Arnold launched the Appledore Book Festival in 2007 after council cuts and low usage threatened the future of the town's library. The library is run by the community, which has to raise £4,500 to cover the building's costs, while library services are provided by the county council.

The money raised by last year's book festival and other fundraising events have covered the library's ongoing costs and a refurbishment.

"The library looks fantastic and usage has gone through the roof," said Arnold. "The fundraising efforts focused community attention on the library so more local people are using it and the refurbishment has made it more attractive to tourist visitors." The library is now one of the busiest small libraries in the county.

The festival, which runs from 27th September to 5th October, will host 65 events. Nick Sharratt, Philip ­Ardagh, Libby Purves and Kate Adie are among the authors taking part.

Caroline Horn libraries Appledore Book Festival