There are to be no cuts to Hollingbury library this year as it assures its worth through an array of services.

School visits, a toy checkout service, free internet and a Get Reading project with Carden Primary School are just some of the ways Hollingbury Library assists the community.

Speaking about the benefits, one assistant librarian said, “It’s things that people can’t afford that we take for granted”.

The library enables disaffected youths to continue their studies and even helps one homeless man to learn about his options.

The library officer said: “We prove that we are valued.”

However, the main road and a lack of volunteers to escort children across it prevent the library from having more contact with nearby schools.

Councillor Carol Theobald said that the three Patcham councillors were successful in gaining an extra half hour in the mornings for Patcham Library last year.

In the meantime The Bookseller magazine has launched a Facebook campaign opposing library cuts.

Editor-in-chief Neill Denny said: “Please use the site to see what is going on and update it with developments in your own area.”

Links to the Facebook campaign and a related Twitter account are included in the related links below.

by Natasha Browne