CALLING all book lovers: your library needs YOU.

York's new Explore 'libraries and archives mutual' today launched a campaign to recruit its first 'community members'.

The mutual, an independent charity which took over the running of all York's libraries and the city archives from the council on April 1, wants the community members to have a say in the way they are run.

Community membership of the mutual is free. Each member will own a share; and will be able to vote at the AGM, join advisory groups, and stand for election to the board.

"Becoming a community member is a real opportunity for people to have a say in how their libraries and archives develop and grow," said libraries chief executive Fiona Williams.

Membership forms are available from your local library or online from today. So we'd urge anyone who uses a library to find out more.

The bottom line, of course, is how well our libraries are managed.

Since taking over more than eight months ago, the mutual seems to have run smoothly enough. The only hiccough has been a slight delay in the reopening of the main city centre library, which now won't take place until January.

The main reason for putting the city's libraries in the hands of a new, independent charity was so that it could apply for rates relief and for funding grants not available to the council.

But giving users more of a say in the way our libraries are run seems like a good idea, too. We hope people take full advantage.