COMMUNITIES in parts of North Yorkshire have rallied in an attempt to save their local libraries from closure.
Gargrave, Embsay, Bentham and Ingleton libraries, in the Craven district, could all be axed as North Yorkshire County Council looks to cut its budget for the area by £2.3 million over the next four years.
The authority has to reduce its library spending by £1.1 million during 2011/12 and is consulting on the proposed closures until February 28.
Coun Mark Wilson, who chairs Embsay with Eastby Parish Council, said the community still had to decide whether a community-led library would receive sufficient backing and has urged people to make their views known.
Irena Pritchard, a supporter of Bentham library, said: “It has the only public internet access point in town and serves many other purposes.”
Meanwhile, Alex Simpson, who chairs a committee formed to look at ways of maintaining a library in Gargrave, said they were “hell bent” on keeping a branch in the area.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here