LIBRARY staff across Dudley borough are celebrating after being shortlisted for a prestigious national award.

For a third consecutive year, the Dudley team is in the final of the national Bookseller Industry Awards 2015.

The Library of the Year category aims to find the best library in Britain, to spotlight the individual librarians that make it a success and to celebrate the vital role that libraries play in encouraging reading.

Dudley is joined on the shortlist by Exeter, Sunderland, Wigan, Orkney and Claude Ramsey Library in Greenwich.

Borough libraries have seen increasing visitor numbers each week as a result of delivering a wide range of innovative quality services in response to customer need.

Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member responsible for libraries said she was thrilled the team had been shortlisted and added: “This shows that Dudley libraries continue to be among the best in Britain, and it would be a fantastic achievement to go one better this year in winning the award.

“Local residents can feel proud that they are receiving a nationally recognised library service delivered by an excellent library team.”

The winner will be announced in May.