West Berkshire residents unite to protest against library closure proposals

Residents from across West Berkshire demonstrate over plans to close all but one of district's libraries

CAMPAIGNERS from across West Berkshire descended on Newbury Library yesterday to form a mass protest against council proposals to close eight of the district’s nine libraries.

Yesterday’s protest was designed to show the council how impractical it would be if everyone from across West Berkshire only had access one library.

In a defiant display of community spirit, around sixty people - both young and old - gathered in the library and held up placards.

They then marched over to demonstrate outside the council’s offices in a bid to show councillors the “devastating impact” the closures would have on communities.

Seven-year-old Momo, from Newbury, was among the crowd.

She said: “I don’t want the libraries to close, it would make me sad.”

Her mother, Julie, said: “We’ve been taking Momo to the library since she was a year old and she loves reading books.

“The libraries are a vital part of our community and it would be a devastating loss if they were to close.”

For more reaction, see next week’s Newbury Weekly News.