Residents support Burngreave Library

Story: Lisa Swift

Residents, families and children flocked to Burngreave Library on 8th February to support their local library and celebrate National Libraries Day.

Byron Wood Parents Group ran activities for children, while Burngreave Tenants and Residents Association and supporters of the Save Burngreave Library Campaign provided cakes, biscuits and refreshments. The event was also supported by Pye Bank Parents Group and the Burngreave Messenger, and showed how important the library is to people in Burngreave.

One mother at the event, Halima Ahmed said, “I have a child with Downs Syndrome, it is really important that she can mix with other children, so that we can increase understanding between children. The library is a good place for her to meet children from other schools.”

Rayan said, “It is important that the library doesn’t close because kids need to read and get books for homework.”

Idil Arab said, “I love the library because you can do your homework on the laptop, and you can learn a lot from the books they have.”

Keeping the library open

Burngreave TARA submitted a plan to the Council on behalf of local residents in January, which proposed fundraising to keep the library open with current staff. The Council accepted the plan, and this prevented the library being closed in April. Save Burngreave Library Group are now meeting regularly to plan fundraising activities. The library will continue with its current opening hours until September 2014 when the Group will need to have funds in place to keep it staffed. The group hopes the library will remain staffed by Council employees after September, funded by the community and donations.

The group have said they will not be running the library directly, and will be working to keep it a Council-run service. Save Burngreave Library Group is supported by local primary schools and will be part of Burngreave Tenants and Residents Association (TARA) who will be managing any money that is collected for the library. Margaret Williams, Secretary of Burngreave TARA said, “We are raising money for staff at the Library, because we know the library needs to be a professional service so it can help and support local residents and children.”

Library moves to Sorby House

Burngreave Library is moving to Sorby House in March and will reopen on the ground floor, next to the new Housing Office on 7th April.

Residents have told the Council they are not happy with the move, but the Council said it will save money,

“Moving the Library into the building ultimately saves tax payers’ money. The library and housing office functions are being relocated into Sorby House as it is no longer financially viable to continue to run them in separate buildings. Sheffield City Council is currently in negotiations with Sheffield College regarding the proposed use of the Burngreave Housing Office and Library buildings following vacation by the Council.”

Baby Time restarts at Burngreave Library, Sorby House, Monday 14th April, 10-11am. All babies, parents and carers welcome.

Make a donation or get involved

If you would like to help Save Burngreave Library Group to keep the library open you can join the group, or organise a fundraising event or make a donation.

Contact Burngreave Tenants and Residents Association 07983 921 653 Monday-Friday 10am—4pm, burngreavetara@gmail.com or the Burngreave Messenger 242 0564, mailt:mail@burngreavemessenger.org

Or visit http://burngreavelibrary.wordpress.com to make a donation.

Fundraising events