Shepton Mallet's library could continue as a town centre community hub outside normal opening hours if councillors agree to step in.

The town council will meet at the Shape hub on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, to decide whether to take on the role currently carried out by 7 Starlings.

7 Starlings manages community use of the library building when Somerset Council staff are not there, giving local groups a place to meet, hold events and run activities in the centre of Shepton.

Its current lease ends at the end of May.

If councillors approve the move, the town council would take over bookings, hirers, promotion, caretaking cover and responsibility for activities outside staffed library hours.

The council report says this would help maintain access to a central, accessible community venue.

Current regular out-of-hours users include a health visitor baby group and Sunday School.

Somerset Council would still run the library service itself, including staff, book lending and collections.

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The town council decision is only about keeping the building available for community use when the library would otherwise be closed.

The report says the service is not currently cost-neutral and would carry some financial risk.

Councillors are being asked to include break clauses in any agreement with Somerset Council, allowing the town council to step away if the arrangement proves unworkable.

The meeting starts at 7pm.

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