Pupils protest against library closure plan

Pupils at Pendle Primary Academy have a held a readathon protest against plans to close Brierfield Library.
Staff and pupils at Pendle Primary Academy held a readathon in protest at the proposed closure of Brierfield Library. (S)Staff and pupils at Pendle Primary Academy held a readathon in protest at the proposed closure of Brierfield Library. (S)
Staff and pupils at Pendle Primary Academy held a readathon in protest at the proposed closure of Brierfield Library. (S)

During Monday’s assembly, each child read a book to raise awareness of the impending closure the library as part of Lancashire County Council’s savings.

Two artists who work at the library also came to talk to the children who are also planning a protest march with posters and placards.

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The children also intend to ask their parents to fill in a form registering their objections.

Staff and pupils at Pendle Primary Academy held a readathon in protest at the proposed closure of Brierfield Library. (S)Staff and pupils at Pendle Primary Academy held a readathon in protest at the proposed closure of Brierfield Library. (S)
Staff and pupils at Pendle Primary Academy held a readathon in protest at the proposed closure of Brierfield Library. (S)

Pupils queued up to give their thoughts on the closure. Hassan Nawaz said: “I go there to do my homework, where it’s nice and quiet.”

Sara Imtiaz said: “I like attending the community events. They have a good range of books to choose from.

“The library is really handy because it’s close to my house. I don’t want to have to travel for miles to borrow books.”

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Aiden Farmer said: “I can order books in to Brierfield Library so that I can read the latest Stuart Reid novels.”

Staff and pupils at Pendle Primary Academy held a readathon in protest at the proposed closure of Brierfield Library. (S)Staff and pupils at Pendle Primary Academy held a readathon in protest at the proposed closure of Brierfield Library. (S)
Staff and pupils at Pendle Primary Academy held a readathon in protest at the proposed closure of Brierfield Library. (S)

Eve Yates said: “I will be devastated if the library closes because I have gone there for a very long time. I would hate to say goodbye to all my favourite authors.”

Principal Simon Thompson added his thoughts, saying: “The closure of Brierfield library would represent a devastating loss to the resources available to the children of Brierfield - for many pupils at our academy, the library represents one of the main havens of learning that they can access in the evenings and weekends.”