A petition calling for Hoylake Library to be saved has amassed almost 700 signatures in a matter of days.
It emerged last week that the branch is among 11 across the borough that will close unless community organisations can be found to take them over.
The library proposals would save the cash-strapped authority – which has a hole of £27 million in its budget for 2022/23 – £814k a year.
The petition can be found at https://www.change.org/p/wirral-council-save-hoylake-library?redirect=false
Organiser Clare O’Grady told West Kirby Today: “The people of Hoylake, from young families to the older generation, all access and make use of the library as one of the only free spaces that people can learn and be part of the community.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to has been very upset about the idea of losing their library and are willing to do whatever it takes to keep it as they have previously when it was under threat.
“We call upon the community to contact MP Margaret Greenwood and other local councillors, to support us in keeping the library open.
“Also offers of support to volunteer in keeping the library running would be welcomed.
“I wondered about whether other community groups could meet in the upstairs space for a small contribution.
“It could be a real community hub again and a very well used space if given the opportunity.”
Under the preferred option being recommended for approval by councillors, there would be four main sites at West Kirby, Birkenhead, Wallasey and Bebington, open six days a week.
A further four community libraries in Heswall, Moreton, Upton and Eastham would be open from Monday to Friday.
There would also be five self-service (unstaffed) sites at Leasowe Millennium Centre, Beechwood, Ridgeway, St James Centre and Seacombe Children’s Centre.
The council is also proposing an electric vehicle library with 3,000 books which would provide a mobile service in areas where buildings close.
The digital library e-reader service and school library service would continue.
The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee on Tuesday 18 January.
If approved, a further consultation will take place in February and March, with the outcome to be reported to the committee later this year.
You can read the report here: https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=956&MId=9051
