THE Ludlow based Furniture Scheme is diversifying into running a public library.

In a major move the South Shropshire Furniture Scheme will take over the running of the library in Craven Arms from Shropshire Council.

The library will move from the iconic Secret Hills Discovery Centre with iTs grass roof to the Community Centre in the town.

Jean Jarvis, chief executive of The Furniture Scheme, believes that the taking over of the library service is the latest step in the development of the Furniture Scheme as a community organisation expanding beyond just providing household goods for families in need.

“The Furniture Scheme took over the management of the community centre last April with the aim of building it into a vibrant community hub, and there is now a real buzz to the centre,” said Jean Jarvis.

“We are very much looking forward to welcoming the library service and are confident that we can deliver a great service for local people.”

This means the library moves from council ownership to a community organisation with support from the council. It will be the first wholly-run community library in Shropshire.

The transfer of the library is one of a series of major changes at the Discovery Centre that will be operated by Grow Cook and Learn.

Secret Hills Discovery Centre has been transferred into the hands of the South Shropshire Housing Association and will be run on a day-to-day basis by Grow Cook Learn.

Grow Cook Learn plan to start managing and developing the centre in spring 2014.

The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre, which was substantially funded by the Millennium Commission, was opened in 2001 as a major visitor centre for the Shropshire Hills.

It includes a library, education room, craft room, art gallery, exhibition space, Shropshire Council customer service point, a café, a shop and more.