Philip Pullman (Dark Materials trilogy etc) has sent a letter to the Council objecting to the proposed closure of our library, and John Bird (of Channel 4’s Bremner, Bird and Fortune) is also opposing the plan.
In his letter, Philip Pullman says: “As an author I know how important it is to make books as widely available as possible, but as a library user I know that a local library is much more than just a source of books. It is a vital educational resource, a centre for the local community to share information and enjoyment, a place free of commercial pressures that allows everyone to follow their own interests and their minds. I know that libraries have helped me, as they've helped countless others, to make all kinds of discoveries and to enrich my life beyond measure.
“Please listen to all those who are urging the preservation of this library. If it's closed down, something irreplaceable will be lost.”
You can read what John Bird had to say to Cllr Sollitt here.
While it’s important to write your own letter to protest about the proposal to close our library, the petition is also growing by the day. It can now be signed in McColl’s newsagent on the Triangle (and possibly in other shops — do let us know if it’s elsewhere). Weather permitting, residents will also be out and about at the Triangle on Saturday (Feb 10) with petitions and information, so do say hello.
If you’d like to deliver leaflets in your street, please also get in touch. Details of areas already covered are in our other article here.
Some residents are also attending the lobby on the steps of the Civic Centre at 1.30-2pm on Wednesday February 14, before the council’s budget setting at 2pm. Campaigners can also sit in the public gallery of the meeting itself if they wish.
For other information about what you can do, and for downloads, click here.
- See tonight's Echo (Feb 10) for more coverage