VOLUNTEERS and staff at Stroud Library are waiting with bated breath to see if they are one of the finalists for a prize that aims to invigorate the service and encourage young and old to read more.

The shortlist for the first David Vaisey Trust prize, which recognises outstanding library schemes, will be announced on Tuesday, August 1.

More than 20 initiatives from Gloucestershire’s 39 libraries are being scrutinised by a panel of judges who will award a £5,000 prize to the winner and three runners-up prizes of £1,000.

The winner and runners-up can use the prize money however they wish to further the Trust’s ambitions.

The initiative has been launched with support from Gloucestershire Library Services, the Booker Prize Foundation, the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire, playwright Alan Bennett and writer Jilly Cooper, among others.

Jane Everiss, head of Gloucestershire Library Services, said: “We are pleased to work closely with the trust to encourage initiatives in libraries where reading has a real impact on people’s lives.

“We are equally pleased that we can recognise the invaluable contribution that volunteers make to our libraries.”

There are 20 libraries being judged on the number of books being borrowed by users, community support and help from volunteers.

Broadcaster Anne Robinson chairs the charity’s judging panel, with Marianne Hinton, Cheltenham Music Festival chair Edward Gillespie, author Jamila Gavin, and Trevor Lee, Head of Literacy at Kingshill School in Cirencester.

The winner will be announced at the Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival on October 8.