Campaign launched to save popular Anlaby Park Library
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save a library threatened with closure.
Anlaby Park Library has been earmarked for closure as part of budget proposals put forward by Hull City Council's ruling Labour group.
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Next chapter: Protesters outside the library. Pictures: Rob Stebbing.
The building in The Greenway, west Hull, is due to celebrate its 50th anniversary as a library next year.
Before that, it was used a recreation and social club, having originally been opened in 1915.
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Barbara Bourne, 76, runs a knitting group at the library every Tuesday.
She is one of the organisers behind a petition calling on councillors to rethink the closure plans.
"I am absolutely appalled at the idea of the library closing," said Mrs Bourne.
"The council is talking about creating these new civic titles of Sheriff and High Steward yet at the same time it is proposing to close something like this, which is really at the heart of our local community.
"What good will all these titles do for people who use the library regularly?"
Mrs Bourne, of Legarde Avenue, launched the knitting group last year after attending a series of local history lectures at the library.
"The place was absolutely packed for the talks and we were invited to fill in a feedback leaflet," she said.
"I filled it in, saying how fantastic it had been and suggesting there should be more events held there. The library staff got back in touch to ask if I would be interested in setting up a group and it went from there.
"All the ladies who come live locally and we all really enjoy a friendly afternoon together.
"As our group proves, it's not just a library. It's a focal point for the area because there are no other community facilities nearby.
"I've sat on health and police bodies in the past and know that most of the public spending in this city is skewed towards east Hull.
"Now they seem determined to remove another public facility in west Hull."
Mrs Bourne added: "The old Labour Party would be appalled by the idea of closing a public library.
"Libraries were originally intended to educate the workers. This just seems to be so wrong."
Local historian Chris Mead has researched the story of the development of the Anlaby Park housing estate and its library.
He said: "It seems such a shame when I know staff and people who use the library regularly were looking forward to celebrating its 50th anniversary next year.
"I sincerely hope it does not close."
Deputy council leader Councillor Daren Hale blamed Government funding cuts for the proposed closure.
He said a mobile library service would cover the area in future.
9 Comments
by profanity
Sunday, February 10 2013, 3:03PM
“Yes. Spellcheck would be useful. I reyallizes that now.”
by profanity
Sunday, February 10 2013, 3:02PM
“WE DON'T NEED LIBRARIES ANY MORE.
I can't get the font any bigger than that - so sorry septua and octo-genarians if you have to don the specs to read it.
I'm 50 and binned my home Library as soon as I discovered Google.
Stop going shopping in Supermarkets at the weekends and start relaising that the world has moved on.
Steam is out. Stream is in.”
by CCitizen
Saturday, February 09 2013, 4:58PM
“More demise and death of the Hull we all know and used to love. There is no single aspect of what used to make Britain great left that has not been cut, devalued, under-subscribed or overstretched. We are expected to earn less but pay more for all the essentials. We did not vote for this lunatic government, we are paying for a war that we didn't want (no change in history there then) and we are being outrageously dumped on from a great height day after day. National Health, education, policing, social care all with slashed budgets because our pay rises and pensions are being spent on.......... a high speed railway system. Small business folding, chain stores folding, services axed, pay frozen, tax increased, fuel increased, food bills increased. What next?”
by farfutavision
Saturday, February 09 2013, 2:55PM
“fredflinty, I mentioned nothing about closing rape centres, touchy you are. Neither did I say 62k would save a library, I merely pointed out wasted funds when they are closing community libraries. I have written to the government who will I am absolutely sure tell me to take it up with my local council as they have previously when I have written about a local issue. I do have an issue with Hull Council as it is an appalling council, like I have stated with no vision.”
by Guildhalldog
Saturday, February 09 2013, 1:18PM
“Good to see the Lid Dems in the photo doing the first work of of the year whipping up hype. They would be better off sorting a budget out that would save all the services without any cuts and that's what everyone should be looking for this year. Can the Lib Dems make a budget with no cuts at all saving jobs and all services??? Maybe they could work with the union bosses doing that but looking who's in charge of them I don't see that happening.”
by localvoice
Saturday, February 09 2013, 1:02PM
“In West Hull we have to wake up and smell the coffee, this government that everybody says they did not vote for have implemented the biggest cuts in any council in the country's lifetime. We are all it it together the coalition said well its our turn to take a hit on our communities because protesting about a library when all other services are being slashed and burned makes us all realise that unless your a millionaire getting a 40,000 pounds tax rebate that Tories and Lib dems are going to do even more harm to us all. Looking at the picture I hope you will understand that after the 2015 general election the Tories will cut your winter fuel allowance and your bus pass, makes you think what next with this lot. Mr Brady and co must have the worst councillors job going making decisions that impact on us all, I wish the library would or could stay open but ?”
by fredflinty
Saturday, February 09 2013, 12:38PM
“farfutavision,
You are mad if you think £62k can save a library, Try writing to the Government instead of blaming Cllr Brady for destroying Hull it's the Government who have taken away the money,
suppose you would rather see a rape crisis centre close as long as it's not on your doorstep.”
by LittleHobbit
Saturday, February 09 2013, 12:17PM
“I would agree about the library not closing, it is a lovely little library. Although I now rarely use it, I most certainly did regularly when I lived in west Hull. Placed where it is, it covers a large area and is something of a community centre as well as a library. Councillors please think again, people need these places for recreation, there is more to life than the constant saving of money.
I was interested to hear about a knitting circle being run there and although I am a competent knitter, I would be interested in a crochet group if anyone knows where I could locate one.”
by farfutavision
Saturday, February 09 2013, 8:01AM
“We absolutely must NOT let this library be closed down and replaced with a mobile service. Dear god alive, the world is going mad around us. The library plays a huge role in the community. Back off Mr. Brady. You are happy to spend £62000 on non essential faff teaching people how to recycle, that money not even spent on a Hull based company, and then have the gall to close community services on your doorstep. The city council is a joke and needs to be replaced with people who have vision and community management skills, both clearly lacking right now. I ask you Mr. Brady stop destroying Hull and look at restoring it.”