Library supporters are rallying to save their community facility.
And a public meeting has been set for people wanting to help save Heckmondwike Library.
The Friends of Heckmondwike Library group have launched a petition and organised the meeting in a bid to get support to save the service and the building for community use.
They are among several communities Kirklees-wide which are rallying to save library services in the light of government cuts to Kirklees Council's budget.
The council has to make £69m of savings by 2017 and councillors will consider an option to reduce its 26 libraries to just two plus the home delivery service.
It could mean the loss of 100 jobs and the loss of community facilities unless communities step forward to take them over.
John Appleyard and Dr Aleaxandra Bulloch from the Friends of Heckmondwike Library said: “The group are concerned that Heckmondwike will lose its only civic building if it closes which will also mean job losses.
“In addition to traditional loan services and photocopying/fax, the library has special loan collections of quick reads, graphic novels, and a local history and reference collection.
“Heckmondwike Library provides free public computer access which is constantly in demand, and hosts basic IT skills courses, local speakers, craft groups, conversation groups and an under-fives group.
“Heckmondwike has no other centre for citizens advice, job centre or drop-ins for assisted job searches. A job centre outreach service and facilities such as utility bill payments, issuing of Kirklees passports, gateway to care enquiries and blue badge application are all currently offered by the library and are necessities for our local population.”
The public meeting will take place in the library on Tuesday, January 13 at 6pm. All are welcome to attend.
