Community unites in fight to save local library

Residents in Woodston are campaigning to save the local library from closing

Campaigners have launched a petition to help fight to keep a 73-year-old library open.

Woodston Library in Peterborough is part of the list of assets owned by Peterborough City Council that could be sold off to balance its budget deficit. The authority said the list is still under review.

On Thursday dozens of residents gathered in the library, on Orchard Street, to sign the petition and think of ideas on how to maximise the building's usage.

Phillipa Philips, who regularly uses the library, said it would be "a shame" to lose it, but said "the community is united" in their fight to save it.

Alan Dowson said he will continue to lend his support to the campaign

During a review of all of the properties it owns, the council suggested the library was not being used enough and it could potentially move the service elsewhere.

Yet the campaign group, Friends of Woodston Library, said that the facility was not "adequately staffed" and has asked for an extension of opening hours to make it usable for families.

"The issue we have is when it is not staffed, nobody knows how to get in. You need a pin card and that impacts the footfall," Ms Phillips said.

Some people at the meeting suggested the library should operate language and creative writing classes.

Dozens of people came out to support the Friends of Woodston campaign on Thursday at the library

Previously, Friends of Woodston Library said a team of their volunteers would be happy to staff it, provide planters and promote the space.

Jenni Stoney, who started the campaign to save the library, said there was no data on how many people accessed the library when it was not staffed.

"There is disappointment and annoyance that this community library could close," Ms Storey said.

"But we have been overwhelmed with the support so far."

Emma Parnwell said she has always seen the library busy with young families

'Devastating'

Emma Parnwell, who regularly visits the library with her four-year-old son Arthur, said she was "amazed" to see how busy it was.

"I just feel like closing it doesn't say great things about the aspirations for the city. What are we hoping for our children by closing the one free resource available for your children?" Ms Parnwell said.

Mrs Serjeant, who works at a local school in Woodston and brings groups of pupils to the facility, said closing the library would be "devastating".

The petition launched on Thursday so far has had more than 100 signatures

Andy Coles, a former Conservative councillor for the Woodston and Fletton ward in Peterborough, is part of the library's book club.

He said he understood the challenges faced by the council, but remained hopeful about the library.

Alan Dowson, a Labour councillor for the same ward, said the community has his "full support for the campaign".

A spokesperson for Peterborough City Council said: “The library forms part of our wider locality asset review which is currently ongoing. We are hopeful that a decision on the facility will be made shortly."

So far, more than 100 people have signed the petition.