Protesters step up libraries fight

Campaigners have vowed to continue in a desperate bid to save a Black Country library from the axe.

Dudley Wood Library is to close its doors along with four others in the borough under plans put forward by council chiefs.

Dudley Council has backed the proposals to close Dudley Wood, Quarry Bank, Amblecote, Wall Heath and Woodside libraries, claiming the cash saved would be used for a £2.3 million scheme to update services, including remodelling of the Wordsley Green Library.

Members said it would also allow investment in a new library at Brierley Hill.

But devastated residents said the moves would tear apart communities and force children and elderly book lovers to travel miles to the nearest facility.

Campaigners fighting to save Dudley Wood Library have now vowed to keep fighting against the proposals which, despite being rubber-stamped by council bosses, have been called in for further investigation before the scheme can go ahead.

Under the plans, a link library would be created in Dudley Wood's place but campaigners claim stock would be dramatically reduced from 11,000 books down to 1,500.

Jane Jesson, who uses the library regularly, said 700 people had already signed their names to a petition in a bid to keep the site open.

"A small library like Dudley Wood cannot be compared to bigger ones. The staff provide a personal one-to-one service which you can't get at bigger libraries.

"This library is particularly used by children and the elderly who need this kind of service. A lot of people would be left devastated if it closed.

"We already have around 700 names on a petition but it is still out so we expect more to be added."

Dudley South MP Ian Pearson has stepped into the row over the closures, and will be visiting Dudley Wood library on Friday in a bid to show his support.

Pictured at the front with the petitions campaigners are Brian Genner and Donna Evans-Hadley with MP Lynda Waltho and Cllr Bryan Cotterill.

By Victoria Nash