Bentham Library Protest - press release

BENTHAM LIBRARY    PROTEST  READ-IN   on SAT  5^th  FEB

Bentham Library is threatened with closure and the residents of this thriving market town are in fighting mood. Rather than taking up arms, they are taking up their books and organising a “Read-in” on Saturday 5^th February .

Support for the campaign is widespread with Alan Bennett, author, playwright and actor, writing specially with his message: “ Closing Libraries is Child Abuse”

 and Hilary Mantel, acclaimed author and Booker prize-winner, writing: ”The closure of any public library is deplorable but Bentham is a particularly hard case” and citing the lack of public transport and distance to the proposed “core” libraries in Settle and Skipton. She writes: “ How can it be reasonable or justified to cast communities like this into a cultural desert?”  and

”I implore the local authority to take stock of what will be lost, and think again: be open-minded and give a lead in retaining for communities in North Yorkshire the resources that, in the first place, came from the public purse”.

A local resident says;” North Yorkshire County Council proposals would deny access to library information services to all those living in the far west of the County. This runs contrary to NYCC claim that core libraries should be accessible and  in thriving market towns. Bentham is a thriving market town which boasts the second largest  sheep market in Britain.

We must maintain Bentham as a “core” library:  current proposals make NYCC  inaccessible”

Please support us and join the “read-in “ for a fun morning

For further info ring: Irena Pritchard on 015242  61076

Read-in   Sat 5^th  Feb  10am – 1pm at Bentham library, High Bentham  LA2 7JU

on corner of Main St and Robin Lane

PS There will also be a local council- led  public meeting to discuss the future of Bentham  Library with NYCC reps and Library Action group members  on Wed 14^th Feb 7pm at Bentham Town Hall (The” ballroom”)