‘Build a new library’ say campaigners (From Bucks Free Press)

‘Build a new library’ say campaigners

10:35am Thursday 1st December 2005 in News

MICKLEFIELD not only deserves to keep its library it should get a new one.

Campaigners have shown library bosses plans for a new £500,000 library on the same site which they say is desperately needed.

Although they want to save their library, protestors say it needs a revamp after years of under-investment.

An architect has even drawn up plans for a two-storey building with space for 6,000 books.

Cllr Julia Wassell said plans include a small cinema on the top floor called the "Mickleodeon", which would also be a multipurpose room.

Campaigners are also demanding:
- A learning centre;

- A computer suite the current library only has one computer;

- A community information centre;

- Toilets and car parking.

Cllr Wassell said: "One of the problems is that membership of Micklefield only makes 1,500 books available and there is not much room to sit down.

"If we had a new facility membership would shoot up because everybody would want to use it."

Campaigners renamed themselves the Micklefield Library Action Group on Sunday to show their commitment to getting a new library.

They are looking to apply for a grant under the Community Libraries Programme, a new lottery programme for deprived areas with a potential £140 million funding pot.

A spokesman said: "We have experience in investing in these kind of resources."