Barwell must keep a Library say campaigners

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS in Barwell are calling on Leicestershire County Council to reverse plans which could see the village's library forced to close.

LCC is currently consulting with residents on plans to close the library and, instead, replace it with occasional mobile provision.

Local councillors and campaigners say this isn't good enough and are hoping the Tory administration at County Hall will withdraw the threat and, instead, will continue to fund it and staff it with professional librarians.

Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman, Cllr Michael Mullaney, says "Lots of people in Barwell want to see their library stay open. Hundreds signed the petition we ran calling for it to stay open. Barwell has a large population and there is a demand for a library there. To close it would be tragic.

"I would urge the County Council to do all it can to keep Barwell Library open. A mobile library van isn't really good enough for the area."

Barwell Campaigner, Mathew Hulbert, says "Even despite LCC having reduced the number of hours the library is open for, it remains well used by local residents of all ages."

"It provides a number of services which would be lost if the library were to close and we were to be left with just mobile provision."

"Given the strength of feeling on this matter, I repeat my call to the Tory cabinet at County Hall to admit they're wrong on this and to do the right thing which is to ensure the long-term future of the library by continuing to fund it via general taxation and to continue to staff it with the much loved and respected professional librarians we currently have."