The Save Braunton Library campaign is calling for the URGENT RE-CLASSIFICATION of Braunton Library from a “smaller and less-well used” library to a “medium to large” library and be given the opportunity to engage in an appropriate consultation.
Ben Hewitt of Save Braunton Library said: “Local people want to take part in a fair and open consultation about the future of Braunton. Local people think that we are being treated unfairly because of Braunton’s technical village status, labelling our library “smaller and less well-used”. This ignores the fact we have more active users than other “medium to large” libraries.”
The Save Braunton Library campaign is putting forward a submission to Devon County council asking to review the categorization of Braunton and cites evidence including usage figures. The submission also highlights the fact that special status has already been granted to Holsworthy, where the Countyis looking at potential schemes which could deliver the Devon Centre model there. The submission will be handed to County Councillor Roger Croad (Cabinet Member for Community and Environment services) at a Public Meeting in Braunton on Wednesday 28th May in Braunton.
Local author Tim Kevan said “Braunton as a community is more than willing to engage in meaningful discussions as to how we can take the Devon Centre model forward on a basis of how we extend and not diminish its Library service. We believe that the weight of evidence to support a reclassification is substantial and we request that Devon County Council moves swiftly to give Braunton Library the status it warrants. This will allow a meaningful consultation about how we move forward to secure a positive future for this valuable resource.”
You can read the submission to Devon County Council here.
About ‘Save Braunton Library’
Save Braunton Library is a community-led campaign that brings together local people concerned about the future of their library and helps raise their voice and concerns. The first community meeting of Save Braunton Library was held on Wednesday 21st May.
Support to reclassify Braunton Library
Peter Heaton-Jones (Conservative candidate): “Braunton cannot be placed in the same category as libraries in the sparsely-populated rural areas, and yet this approach is being adopted by the consultation.”
Mark Cann (Labour Candidate): “Braunton Library is a cornerstone of the local community and I’m hopeful that with concerted public pressure we can save Braunton Library and I’m happy to be a part of that campaign”
Nick Harvey MP (Liberal Democrat): “Libraries provide a vital community service both for leisure and educational purposes. Any moves to close or rationalize Braunton Library is clearly a retrograde step”
Veronica Henry (Local Author): “Closing Braunton library would be an act of shortsighted savagery. Going to the local library should be every child’s right, and that right should be there for all of their life. Libraries should be at the heart of a community, not expelled from it.”
