Following an extensive and heartfelt community campaign, councillors have voted to keep Newarthill library open.
The library in North Lanarkshire, Scotland had been earmarked for closure along with six others, but a community campaign – which included Big Issue columnist Damian Barr – has managed to prevent the closure of a much loved and used library.
Barr, who grew up in Newarthill, tweeted: “We saved the library that saved me!” Writing previously in The Big Issue, he said: “Newarthill Library was my sanctuary. I am only a writer now because I was a reader then and very specifically there. It costs almost nothing [to run] but means everything to the people using it. Libraries are a frontline service, not a luxury. They are the engines of social mobility.”
https://twitter.com/Damian_Barr/status/806922984392949760
Councillor Jim Logue, leader of North Lanarkshire council, said: “The local community have worked extremely hard to make the case for keeping Newarthill Library open and have fought an impressive campaign.
“Crucially, they have done a lot of work to increase usage of a much-loved community facility. We have listened carefully to their views and have decided to keep the library open.