A best foot forward to save our libraries

Picture by Julian Brown 12/03/16

The group pictured before setting off on the Walk For The Library event which set off from St Annes Library, St Annes. — Picture by Julian Brown 12/03/16 The group pictured before setting off on the Walk For The Library event which set off from St Annes Library, St Annes.

Campaigners took to the streets to spread the message that Fylde libraries are under threat of closure.

Library users marched from St Annes Library to Lytham, via Ansdell, to raise awareness that three of the area’s five libraries face the axe.

In order to meet savage government budget cuts, Lancashire County Council proposes to close more than half of the county’s 74 libraries.

The Big Book Walk through south Fylde was led by the Friends of St Annes Library, two weeks after the Friends of Ansdell Library staged a ‘read-in’ to protest at the proposals.

Picture by Julian Brown 12/03/16

Louise Holt pictured with the youngest walker, Bronwyn Shannon aged 15 weeks at the Walk For The Library event which set off from St Annes Library, St Annes. — Picture by Julian Brown 12/03/16 Louise Holt pictured with the youngest walker, Bronwyn Shannon aged 15 weeks at the Walk For The Library event which set off from St Annes Library, St Annes.

The Ansdell Friends, who also took part in the walk, are following up with a public meeting tomorrow .

The walk started at St Annes Library – which dates back to 1906 – at 9.30am, arrived at Ansdell Library at approximately 11am, before reaching Lytham Library at around 1pm.

Stories and poems were read along the way and Pam Foster, secretary of the Friends of St Annes Library, said: “We will be fighting to keep St Annes Library open and organising other events similar to the Big Book Walk.

“We believe libraries are part of the fabric of our community and every effort must be made to save them from closure.