A peaceful protest takes place in Southampton city centre on Wednesday (March 18) in an effort to save libraries from closure. It starts from the Bargate at 1pm.
• Ideas to keep libraries open 'need proper council research'
Organisers are urging anyone who cares about the future of the city's libraries to join them as they walk – dressed in black – to the Civic Centre with books, to hold what's been described as a “read-in”, before the full council meeting that afternoon.
As reported, in Bitterne Park, the council is proposing to save £52,000 a year by ceasing to run Cobbett Road Library, either by closing it, or by handing it over to volunteers to run through a 'Community Asset Transfer'.
Options need 'proper research' by council
The Friends of Cobbett Road have consistently argued that they're not able to take it over on a voluntary basis, but that the choice doesn't have to be “volunteer run or closure”.
They've come up with a range of options that could help keep it open.
The group is now urging the council to “properly research” the alternative ideas that have been put into the recent libraries consultation, which closed on March 6, and which reportedly received over 3,000 responses.
• Ideas to keep libraries open 'need proper council research'