A Bradford community centre is making a bid to save its local library from closure.
Bradford City Council announced in February 2016 that the branch based in the Thornbury Centre would be one of fourteen libraries across the district to be closed from 1st April 2017. However the Council has indicated a willingness to keep the libraries open if local communities can find volunteers to staff them.
The Thornbury Centre’ s 'Street Life' team is working to find such a group of people - but is up against a tight deadline as 1st April approaches.
Nicholas Clews, Chair of the Centre and local parish priest said, ‘Thornbury Library is a much loved feature of the local community and it would be a tragedy if it closed. Children in particular make good use of it. It is not just about providing entertainment. Having the ability to browse and borrow a range of books is vital to children’s educational development, to give them the best possible chance in life.'
According to the Council’s own website Thornbury Library issues 10,065 books a year, and receives 13,233 visits. As well as over 4,000 books and free internet access, the library offers regular story times, taster sessions for IT learners and access to information throughout the district.
Library users also have free access to the adjacent IT suite during library opening hours.
All those volunteering will be given the opportunity to train with existing llbrary staff at BMDC where they will be shown everything from maintaining the stacks to classification system. Alongside this volunteers will be supported to further existing skills and develop new transferable skills which they can take into paid work roles.
Anyone interested is being a volunteer librarian should contact David Holt on 01274 666649 or Dholt@thornburycentre.com
The Street Life Project was set up by the Thornbury Centre to help the people of the local community gain control over their own lives and to foster their self-belief to be part of bringing change in the lives of others and in their communities addressing issues they define as important.