CAMPAIGNERS have issued a desperate plea for people to rally together and save Walton Library from closing.
The library, which is part of Walton Primary School, is one of 12 that could close by March next year after Wakefield Council announced it would no longer run it.
But villager Colin Moran has urged people to form a steering group that would take on the running of the library.
Parish councillors and the school’s headteacher David Dickinson have backed the campaign.
Mr Moran said: “Closing the library seems nonsense when you consider it is brand new and part of the school. It’s important something is done about it but we don’t have much time.”
Mr Moran hopes to bring together a group of people who could register as a charity, set up a bank account and draw up a business plan.
He said: “In the long term we’d need people willing to volunteer as assistant librarians, but initially we need people with experience dealing with local government and bureaucracy to work as a team.”
Mr Dickinson, who took over as headteacher this term, said: “Having a library attached to the school is a very important resource. It’d be tragic for us if it closed. The children love to use it during the school day and we see it as fundamental for the provision we’re offering at the school.”
The council have given groups until the end of October to apply to take on libraries on a voluntary basis.
They would have to supply their own books and staff, but could apply for up to £12,000 of a council grant offered to voluntary groups for libraries.
To help, email cmoran@nahtwf.force9.co.uk
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