A library run entirely by volunteers has extended its opening hours to meet the growing needs of visitors. 

South Chingford Community Library, based at the former Waltham Forest District shop in Chingford Mount Road, was launched 18 months ago in response to the council's closure of South Chingford Library in Hall Lane. 

It started off as being open only on Saturdays but as the volunteer and membership numbers grew, the Library was able to open from 10am to 4pm from Tuesday to Thursday and Saturdays. 

Now, with up to 80 volunteers and 750 registered users, the library has announced it is open on Mondays from 10am to 6pm. 

Spaces within the library are regularly hired out for knitting session, silver surfer workshops - run by Age UK Waltham Forest, councillor surgeries, foreign language classes, and collaborative education events with Chingford Foundation School and Chingford Children's Centre. 

The late opening of 6pm on Mondays is designed to allow the children to use the books and PC facilities after school. 

It was revealed earlier this year by the Library's chairwoman Susan Brown that it was facing a cash crisis because ward forum funding cannot be used to cover operational costs and it had been unsuccessful in obtaining funding from Comic Relief and the Big Lottery Fund. 

The library is still facing financial uncertainty but is managing to survive through sales of books, membership fees, hiring out spaces and raising funds through selling knitwear.