A FORMER school librarian has embarked on a ‘novel’ venture in Lunesdale.

Valerie Laycock has opened The Book Lounge in Kirkby Lonsdale where customers can enjoy a coffee and a chat as well as browsing the shelves.

Instead of stamping books as she did in her former role, Valerie now sells them along with coffee, tea and cakes at the former Finestra Gallery in Main Street.

“The idea for The Book Lounge came about after I decided to take voluntary redundancy from my job as a high school librarian,” said Valerie, who lives at Hornby.

“My family suggested that I open my own book shop. I wanted somewhere that would be comfortable and relaxing where you can choose a book off the shelves and sit down with a coffee or tea and read a few pages to see if you are going to like it.

“I knew I couldn’t compete with large booksellers so decided to sell second-hand books, along with the greeting cards and other crafts that I make.

“During my time as a school librarian it was sometimes a challenge to get the students reading but there was nothing more rewarding than finding that book to get them started.”I can still remember the first book that I enjoyed reading as a child, it was What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge and this is the book title at the top of the decorative staircase in the shop.

Valerie buys her stock by the pallet, which means she does not know what she’s going to get until she unpacks them.

“It’s exciting opening all these boxes of books to see what is in there,” said Valerie.

Her only disappointment was she cannot specifically order a pallet of second-hand young adult fiction. She is now appealing to anyone who has some to get in touch with her.

“We need to keep our teenagers reading,” said Valerie.

“Having been a high school librarian I know how much great young adult fiction there is out there.”

Valerie has been making greeting cards for about 18 months and previously sold them in Hornby Tea Rooms, near where she lives.

“I’m hoping that I’ll be able to make cards and other crafts in what will become my craft room at the back of the shop,” she said.

“I can take orders if you have anything specific that you would like.

“I have also recently started making things out of old books, candlesticks and birdcages, and am looking forward to getting all my Christmas crafts ready.”

Ideas for the future include an adult reading group and a mother and toddler group where parents can read to their children.

“It’s never too early to introduce children to books,” said Valerie.

“I’d love to hear people’s reviews on the books they’ve read and set up an area of customer recommendations in the shop.”

She added: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the friendliness and support of the Kirkby Lonsdale community and feel privileged to be part of it.”

She can be contacted on 015242-72319.