Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley Libraries saved by people power

Branches in Kirkbymoorside and Helmsley have both been reprieved in a change of heart by North Yorkshire County Council, as a result of petitions from outraged communities.

But the libraries in Malton and Norton will still shut, to be replaced by a joint facility at Stanley Harrison House near the railway station.

Branches across the county were under threat as county councillors tried to save £2 million from the libraries budget. But now the authority has agreed to continue the service and to work with community groups and organisations to increase usage of the premises. The move is due to be rubber-stamped by the executive next Tuesday.

County Coun Val Arnold, whose county division includes Helmsley and Kirkbymoorside, said yesterday: “I am delighted with the news. I have worked hard with the two consultation groups fighting for both libraries and I am very pleased that my efforts have been worthwhile.

“But there is much more work to be done and I shall be continuing to work with the groups to ensure we utilise the facilities at the libraries to the maximum benefit of the communities.”

County Coun Stephen Shaw, Norton’s representative at County Hall, said the decision to create one library to serve both towns was “a sensible move”.

Both existing libraries were not adequate for the level of usage and demand, and a new library centre would be to the advantage of the residents of Malton and Norton.

One of the campaigners for Helmsley library, Martin Vander Weyer, said: “I welcome the news unreservedly. I am sure it is a sensible re-think.”

However, county and Ryedale councillor, John Clark, who was involved in the Kirkbymoorside campaign, had some reservations.

He said: “It will depend on the availability of money and volunteers. But it does make closure of the libraries look less likely. I will watch the situation with some caution.”

County Coun Chris Metcalfe, the county’s executive member for the library and information service, said: “We have listened hard during this extensive consultation and feel heartened that our outstanding libraries are held in such high regard as centres of excellence for reading, learning and community engagement. For this reason we believe the solution we have now put together will help to sustain a vital service, shared across the county, while making the necessary savings.”

Coun Metcalfe said library hours may be reduced, but could be boosted by increasing the use of volunteers as well as organisations using them as a base.