A Sunday opening pilot scheme proved successful

Penrith is the first of Cumbria County Council Library Service's six main libraries to open its doors on Sunday from 12pm until 4pm.

The others at Barrow, Kendal, Carlisle, Workington and Whitehaven will follow in the coming weeks.

A special ceremony is being held at 12pm in Penrith library to launch the new weekend service.

Sunday openings will coincide with special activities, performances and tasters sessions on the library's computers coming up in the New Year.

Roger Bingham, county council cabinet member for culture, said: "The county council's library service got a 'good' rating from the government inspectors this year, and this is another good example of just how well the libraries are serving their communities and trying to reach more people."

Library Services manager Alan Welton said: "We had a good public response to a pilot scheme of Sunday opening in Penrith two years ago and we hope to see more people using the library service on Sundays in Penrith and at the other main libraries when they start Sunday opening."