A TWO-YEAR-OLD is among hundreds of Bakersfield residents pleading for the city council to reconsider its plans to close the local library.
Frank Richmond, with help from his mother, constructed a letter to express how much he enjoys his weekly visits to Bakersfield Library, in Watson Avenue.
Frank handed the letter over to Dales ward Councillor Gul Nawaz Khan at the library today, December 14, who will then present the letter to the city council on his behalf.
In his letter two-and-a-half-year-old Frank wrote: "I really like the library. It is near my house. I talk about it a lot and when I get home and I read the books. If it goes, I will really miss it."
Frank signed the letter with his hand print and asked other local children to show their support by doing the same. When the letter was handed over it consisted of more than 100 hand prints.
His mother Sarah, who is a trainee primary school teacher, said Frank particularly enjoys his Wednesday Tots Time sessions at the library with his father.
Sarah, 39, said: "This library is a very popular place among local people. They have a Tots Time session and a homework club and the staff are particularly helpful. Libraries get children reading and help their education. It is so important for kids to have a service like this where they can come and get some books and I cannot emphasise this enough."
Simon Smith, 42, of Hereford Road, regularly takes his two children to the library.
Simon said: "It would be a shame to lose this library. It is only small but it provides a good service. The kids have been coming here since they were toddlers. My wife uses it too."
Nottingham City Council says it faces a further £55m of cuts in the next two years ahead of its announcement of its 2014/15 budget.
Mick Flower, 60, of Swains Avenue, has borrowed 208 books from the library in the last two-and-a-half-years since he retired.
Mick said: "I think it would be a tragedy if we lose what is really Bakersfield's only public amenity. We could use libraries elsewhere but it doesn't cost that much to run this one. It is such a brilliant service, it is up to date and the staff have been incredibly helpful. I know a lot of people use this library."
Mick added that he is hoping to hand a petition containing around 1,000 signatures against the closure to the city council's portfolio holder for Leisure and Culture, Councillor David Trimble, on Wednesday, December 18.
Former Sneinton councillor Ali Asghar, who lives in Bakersfield, has also set up a petition. He hopes to collect around 600 signatures before handing it to leader of the city council, Jon Collins.
Councillor Khan said the library costs the council £27,000 to run each year.
Councillor Khan said: "It is a big asset for the young children and I am not in favour of it closing. Even the parents and elderly people really enjoy the books. For me, it is a good help for the children with their education."
Local residents are being consulted on what they think about the library becoming voluntary run before any final decisions are made.
FRANKS LETTER TO NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL:
To the people I think want to close our library
Every Wednesday morning at about 10.15 I remind my Dad to put my shoes on - we really should be going. If we're late we'll miss the start of my Tots Time session with Josh and Jean at Bakersfield Library. It might not sound that important right? Just a small library, a few mums and dads, some little ones and some songs... So why does it matter to me?
When I get through the door I always run to the cuddly lion sitting on a small red chair. I growl at him, give him a cuddle and have a sit down. Looking around, I can see who's here – all my pals and some new friends too. I say hello – move my fingers in a wave and chat to the little girl next to me. She likes singing too. And then the music starts – 'Teddy Bear swings on the swing', 'Five Fat Sausages' – they're my favourites! I've learnt ALL the words AND know ALL the moves. I've found out how to share the toys and can take it in turns to stroke the snappy crocodile. I even get a certificate and some books for coming – I always show my sister – I'm so proud of what I've learnt to do and I LOVE books. I sit reading them at home and chat about what's happening in the pictures.
I really like the library. It's near my house and I don't have many other places to go to. I talk about it a lot. When I get home I read the books Josh and Jean have given me and the ones I've borrowed. Dad told me the library might close. If it goes, I will really miss it and I'm sure that my pals will too. Because it's our place.
I'm signing this with my handprint and my Dad will help me write my name. I'm inviting all of my pals and the bigger children, like my sister, to do the same so that you know how worried we all are.
From Frank (age 2 and a half)
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