Petition handed over against Wakefield library closures

Campaigners are to hand over a petition opposing the closure of libraries in Wakefield as a council consultation on the proposals comes to an end.

Thirteen of the authority's 25 libraries will remain open but others could close unless community groups come forward to run them.

Protester Karl Grubb said about 200 people had signed a petition which will be handed to council chiefs.

A report on the consultation will be submitted to the council's cabinet.

'Close to my heart'

Mr Grubb's local library in Outwood is among those facing closure.

He said: "This is an issue that is very close to my heart.

"Libraries provide a very important service. Hopefully we can to do something to stop the closures."

The council said libraries facing closure were currently not "widely used".

It said the plan would result in the loss of 27 full time posts. The council needs to save £40m by 2013.

The council said that, since 1992, visitor numbers at its library had fallen by 43% compared to 15% nationally.

Libraries will remain open in Airedale, Castleford, Featherstone, Hemsworth, Horbury, Knottingley, Normanton, Ossett, Pontefract, Sandal, Stanley, South Elmsall and Wakefield city centre.