2,450 sign Morecambe Library petition

Around 2,450 people signed the Arndale Centre petition hoping to stop plans for Morecambe to become a self-service ‘satellite library’.

There has been a public outcry since Lancashire County Council revealed plans to sell off many of its buildings and reduce services, affecting Morecambe Library and other local centres.

Bolton-le-Sands, Carnforth and Silverdale libraries were also on a list of properties likely to be sold off under new proposals.

Balmoral Children’s Centre, Poulton Children’s Centre and Heysham Children and Young People’s Centres all face closure, alongside Barton Road, Firbank and Ryelands centres in Lancaster.

A Lancashire County Council report is due to be published this Friday with the results of a public consultation into the plans.

The cuts were proposed because the county council needs to save £200m by 2020/21, blaming ongoing government cuts to its budget and rising demand for services.

Sarah Harrison, manager of the Arndale Centre will hand the petition to Lancashire County Council.

She said: “The response has been overwhelming.

“The library is a service that’s much needed in the community.

“It’s important that we keep it the way it is.

“It’s the staff in there who make the experience for service users.

“The little old lady who gets a book out then comes and sits in the Arndale, she might not have anybody else to talk to apart from the librarian.

“They’re taking away certain things in the community that we’ve grown up with.”