TIME is running out for volunteers to save a local library from facing its last chapter.

Unless more volunteers respond to an appeal soon to help keep Thornbury Library open, it will close on April 1.

Bradford Council announced in February last year that the branch based in the Thornbury Centre in Leeds Old Road would be one of fourteen libraries across the district to shut unless local communities could find enough helpers to staff them.

But the take-up at Thornbury Library has been “a bit slow so far” according to parish priest and chairman of the Thornbury Centre, Father Nicholas Clews.

Father Clews said the Council had indicated a willingness to keep the library open if enough volunteers can be found and the community centre was doing its best.

The Thornbury Centre’s Street Life team has been working to rally help from the community but is up against a tight deadline as April 1 approaches, added Father Clews.

The Street Life Project was set up by the Centre to help people in the local community gain control over their own lives and be confident in being part of bringing change into the lives of others and into their communities by tackling issues important to them, such as saving the library.

Father Clews said: “Thornbury Library is a much loved feature of the local community and it would be a tragedy if it closed. It would be a crying shame.”

According to the Council’s website Thornbury Library issues 10,065 books a year and receives 13,233 visits. As well as having more than 4,000 books and free internet access, the library also runs regular story times, taster sessions for IT learners and access to information throughout the district.

Everyone who volunteers will be given the opportunity to train with the Council’s existing library staff.

David Holt from The Street Life Project added: “We’ve got about nine volunteers so far and I’d be happier with 18 if we can. We have to be open a certain number of hours and would split them up between everyone. Ideally shifts of two hours a week would be good. We don’t want to let the library go.”

Anyone interested is being a volunteer librarian should contact David Holt on 01274 666649 or email Dholt@thornburycentre.com

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