John Denham MP with library campaigners back in 2007
It's been announced that John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, is to chair Monday's public meeting at the Ascension Centre, which will discuss how to keep Cobbett Road Library open. Meanwhile the man who holds the city's purse strings, Labour's Cllr Stephen Barnes-Andrews, is also expected to attend.
• Audio: 'We have to fight fiercely for libraries' says Chris Packham
• Vital public meeting for future of Cobbett Road Library called

The meeting has been called by The Friends of Cobbett Road Library, which is inviting as many local residents as possible, because the library – which also serves as a community hub for Bitterne Park and nearby wards – has been earmarked by the council for “community led initiatives or for disposal”.

The open meeting will discuss a range of possible options to help fund the library in the future to try and keep it open, from working with health services to fitting a café.

'amazing value'

Rachel Hickman, Secretary of the Friends of Cobbett Road Library, said: "We are already seeing how important Cobbett is to so many people and the amazing value it already offers. The Friends Group is looking forward to a productive meeting and hoping to work with the council to keep Cobbett Road Library council-run and staffed, but costing the council even less money by considering the options we have been working on."

'a treasured local institution that we must save'

Rowenna Davis, who's Labour's Itchen candidate at the general election, said: "Cobbett Road Library is a treasured local institution that we must save. The chilling reality is that the council can’t afford to fund it like they used to, so we have to work together to find other ways to keep it open. Please do come along and share your ideas!"

Conservative councillor Peter Baillie previously described the publication of the council's current library review as a “shameful day” for Labour: “No doubt they will campaign to keep open the very library they are shutting,” he told bitternepark.info in November.

Meanwhile the Greens have said they support finding a “third way”, other than closure or relying on volunteers.

Details:
FOCRL public meeting, from 7-9pm on Monday, February 23 at the Ascension Centre, 1 Thorold Road, Bitterne Park, Southampton, SO18 1HZ

Audio: 'We have to fight fiercely for libraries' says Chris Packham