Beechdale Library petition handed to Lord Mayor

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 20th Jul 2009

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GROUP in Nottingham has handed a petition to the City Council, strongly opposing the proposed closure of Beechdale Road Library.

The petition, which contained almost 2000 signatures, was handed to the Lord Mayor by Leen Valley councillors, Gary Long and Alex Foster.

Cllr Foster said: "It's clear that there is strong feeling in the area in favour of keeping the library. Many local residents see the library as a vital part of the community."

Closure was first considered in response to an enquiry by St John Ambulance, who expressed an interest in buying the site. But, whilst campaigning to save the library, local Liberal Democrats uncovered the truth that St John Ambulance had never made a formal offer to buy the building.

Now the City Council is telling residents that they are still considering closing the library if usage figures do not improve. Cllr Foster continued: "It's really important that the residents who want to keep the library make full use of the facilities. Go and borrow a book today and support your local library. The library has an excellent summer reading scheme for young people."