THE number of people visiting Porlock’s public library has increased year on year and has now passed its pre-Covid level.

The library, run as a community library partnership (CLP), has become one of only a small group where footfall has passed the numbers which were being seen before the pandemic.

Library volunteer Mary Perkins said: “Although the number of books being borrowed was still some way off 2019-20 figures, we are heading in the right direction which was especially pleasing as the summer quarter is usually the one where borrowing overall drops away.

“Porlock is now better placed than some other community libraries.

“This increase in borrowing can be partly attributed to our Fast Track books.”

Ms Perkins said the parish council was reviewing and creating the necessary policies for library volunteers and users through the work of clerk Annie Dallaway and Cllr David Thornton.

She said recent author talks included one by Karen Maitland, which had been a success despite atrocious weather on the day, and she had offered to return in late spring next year.

Nicola Pryce gave a Powerpoint presentation about the research involved for her Cornish Saga series of books set around 1800, and other events included a singalong, and a talk by fraud and scam protection officers of Avon and Somerset Police.

Ms Perkins said the library had re-registered for the winter as a ‘Warm Space’ for people struggling with the cost of living crisis who need to warm up at no expense to themselves.

The library also hosts a monthly visit by a Citizens Advice outreach team.