Petition launched to stop Newport library closures (From South Wales Argus)

Petition launched to stop Newport library closures

5:20pm Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in Gwent news

A PETITION has been launched to save Maindee and Stow Hill libraries in Newport from closure.

The online petition calls the £58,000 saving for closing the two libraries “meagre” – saying Newport needs the “cornerstones of the community”.

No decision has yet been made – residents have until Friday to get in comments on the proposals.

Newport council cabinet member Debbie Wilcox has said that the closures are necessary so the authority can continue providing an excellent service to all residents.

Petition supporter, father of one and Maindee library user Ben Loughton, 30, said cuts were hitting the “average citizen in the teeth”, and expressed concerns about any closure’s effect on children’s education.

Petition supporter Jan Townsend, of Leicester Road, said her father took her to Maindee library when she was five years old.

She commended the service at the library, and said there were often queues to use the computers at the back. More than 100 people have already signed the online petition, which can be found at http://bit.ly/11GLrnu

A Facebook group has also been launched and can be found at: http://on.fb.me/WcQDMa

For more information on the proposals visit www.newport.gov.uk/have yoursay