The fight to save Oswaldtwistle Library has seen petitions, meetings and feelings running high, as with many other libraries under threat throughout the county.

Meetings have taken place on a regular basis at the town’s Civic Centre and a committee was formed and chaired by local businessman, Chris Brindle. The group, with the acronym S.O.U.L. (Save our unique library) has gathered pace and they are looking for volunteers to help with the running of the building should they manage to save it.

Chris’s initiative would be known as “The Oswaldtwistle Lamp” and it is hoped Lancashire County Council will allow them to still run the building as a library. If this is not possible initially Chris told me:

“We are looking at an alternative idea based on a charity called book cycle. The idea is that books are donated from individuals or a network of book cycle organisations, publishers etc. People can choose any three books and make a donation for them and they are theirs to keep. It’s an idea that seems to work very well for them; so much so that they are inundated with books and now export some to Africa from their surplus.”

Chris is going to visit the charity on Tuesday (5^th July), along with fellow committee member Wendy Sanderson who runs the current readers group at Oswaldtwistle Library at present.

Chris went on to say:

“We plan to keep all of the existing library meetings going, but are hoping that new small groups will come and use the facility. Our mandate is to keep the library open as a place of education, information and community interaction.”

As current staff would probably be assimilated into surrounding libraries, volunteers would be needed to make this work. One of the former library assistants has agreed to train these people as necessary.

The quest for volunteers is now on. Chris reckons that there need to be enough to man the facility for 100 hours per week for this to work. This can be 50 people offering to do just two hours per week or 10 people offering 10 hours per week and Chris feels it will be a mixture of both.

Anyone interested in learning more, or indeed volunteering, should contact Chris at chrisbrindle75@hotmail.com or this publication at editorial@acornnews.co.uk and we will pass your comments on to Chris.

Ideally the people of Oswaldtwistle would rather their library was not under threat but if this idea enables it to still be run as a library and a place for community to meet then it really needs your help.

If you would like to see a PDF detailing Chris's vision for The Oswaldtwistle Lamp please click here.

© Peter Jones 2016

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Save Oswaldtwistle Library

Library is not simply a place to borrow books. One may also borrow cd’s and jigsaws

Wallcharts, educational and/or entertainment, are sold @ £1 each per A3 chart.

Community notices and bus timetables etc. are on display.

Mother’s and young children have readings And led sing songs etc. every Tuesday morning.

Computer literacy classes are run for members.

Internet use and printing can be available.

Supervised attendance by children with Special needs on  Mondays.

Occasional arts and crafts appearances by Professionals.

Christmas and other times the year artistes and choirs entertain.

Friends meet and keep up to date.

Some fresh editions of newspapers are available.

The county would prefer that the library be taken over by the community; e.g. volunteers or private arrangement to be discussed.

While this seems a good idea it appears that this only works in a few cases countrywide.

When church library was closed members were told that Oswaldtwistle library was nearby.

Closure of Mellor library has been ended due to a petition.

Other items being discussed at present are the Council’s timings of matters and answers to many questions relating to available figures.

So as you can see, the closure is not simply cessation of book-lending so the fact that many are using ebooks is not totally relevant.

Alban Hall