Families are battling to save a much-loved library from closure.
Westdene Library in Brighton has been earmarked for closure by Brighton and Hove City Council.
The local authority is consulting on the future of libraries in the city, with Hollingbury and Rottingdean's libraries also at risk of being closed.
Families in Brighton are planning to protest in a bid to save Westdene Library.
Alicia Buckingham, 36, is one of the protest organisers.
The mum, who lives near the library in Bankside, Westdene, says her son Charlie, four, has a strong connection to the library.
“Every time we walk into the library, Charlie’s eyes light up,” she said.
“It’s about more than reading - it’s about belonging and every child deserves that chance.
“Libraries aren’t luxuries, they’re lifelines. For Charlie and for every child in our community, we’re standing up to say: ‘Our library must stay open.’
“I organised this protest because children deserve the chance to dream big.
“Shutting the library shuts doors on their future and opportunities and interests they haven’t even had a chance to explore yet.
“Charlie loves reading and when we go to the library he usually grabs animal stories and encyclopaedias.
“The library is where his dreams start to take shape. Close it and close off possibilities.
“Charlie loves exploring how to save the world as he learns about endangered species - who knows where this fascination could take him with the right education and information at hand.”
The protest is due to take place on Tuesday, October 7, outside the library at 5.30pm.
Parents and children will wave banners showing their commitment to save Westdene Library, which is attached to Westdene Primary School.
Westdene Primary School head teacher Ian Lopatin shared his views on the library closure in a statement to parents.
“Over the past few months, I have been speaking with the library service regarding the consultation on the potential closure of Westdene Library,” he said.
“In a recent meeting, the head of the library service shared that Westdene has not received a high response to the consultation.
Read more:
- Man's anger at 'rude' letter telling him to remove items from grave
- Regency seafront building classed as 'dangerous structure'
- New Hove micropub gets the go-ahead
“I have strongly urged the council and the library service to give our community a chance to make our voices heard.
“I’m pleased to say that an additional community meeting has now been arranged: Tuesday, October 7, 5.30pm to 7pm at Westdene School Hall.
“This meeting is a vital opportunity for the Westdene community to show our support for keeping the library open.”
A 12-week public consultation period on the plans is underway, allowing residents to provide their views on the proposals.
The council's cabinet will make a final decision on December 11.
If approved, the libraries are set to be decommissioned in February or March next year.
Share