New chapter for library after survey
A campaign to save Moorland Road Library from closure has been resulted in more than 260 people completing a survey giving ideas on how to keep it open. After hearing plans that Bath and North East Somerset Council is set to close the ‘much loved’ library in March 2019, a group of local residents have stepped forward in a bid to save it. The campaigners put together a survey and asked members of the public for suggestions on how to keep the library open as a community-run facility. More than 260 people responded to the survey and now campaigners are more determined than ever to open it as a community library, which will be managed by volunteers and funded through fundraising events. Campaigners for the library, which is now a charity called Moorland Road Community Library, have read every sugges- tion and ideas from the surveys and said they are hoping to put a lot of them into place. Chair of the community library group, Liz Hearn, said many people suggested continuing and expanding events for both children and adults and using the library as a community hub. She said: “We believe that the library belongs at the very heart of our community and the fantastic survey response shows how much people love our library and want to save it. “We share the concern and sadness expressed by some about the loss of professional librarians but sadly, the decision to close the library has already been taken by the council and other branch libraries in our area are already making the transition to become volunteer-run. “However, the good news is that we will continue to offer Libraries West services including book reservations, and our volunteers will be fully trained.” Alice Boden, who is a supporter of the Save Moorland Road Library, said: “The huge support shown by our community has made us even more determined to keep it open. “This library will be run by our community, for our community, and more volunteers are always welcome to join us.” More information can be found on the website www.moorlandroadcommunitylibrary.com or the Facebook page Moorland Road Community Library Volunteers.