PEOPLE are being urged to support Norton library in a bid to save it from closure.

County councillor Elizabeth Shields, who represents Norton, told the town council that communities who wish to retain their library in some form would have to prove its worth as a centre or hub.

She said that North Yorkshire County Council was reviewing services across the area and looking at the possibility of one library for each district and borough.

“We have to work quickly as we only have two or three months to save our library,” she said.

“I am appealing for people in the town to get involved and if there is enough interest to set up a group to see what we can do with the building to keep it open.”

Coun Shields said ideas were needed on how the library could be used.

“There is a large car park and a kitchen area, which could be considered as a café and will provide an extra attraction,” she said.

“Although the opening hours have been reduced, the library is still well used, particularly by older people, but also mums with young children who use it to socialise and school pupils.”

Coun Shields said the library had been under threat for a couple of years, with previous suggestions put forward to merge Norton library with Malton.

“This was one of the reasons I stood for the county council as I feel so strongly about keeping a library in Norton,” she said.

“We have the bigger population and the town has a more scattered population who would find it difficult to get to Malton. I really feel we need a library here and should fight to keep it.”

Councillor Hugh Spencer said it would be difficult for young children to make their own way to Malton library.

“Perhaps leaflets could be sent to all the new developments which are being built to point out what services the library offers,” he said.

Norton mayor Councillor Ray King also suggested contacting the local schools and colleges to hear their views.

Phone Coun Shields on 01653 618474 or email elizabethshields@btconnect.com