Library to close.
 

There was a meeting of Church Kirk Residents Association last night in which the news was given that the County Council intend to close Church Library in May of this year. Naturally, those attending this meeting were up in arms about this. The excuse given for the closure was the low usage of the library but I suspect the real reason is cost cutting and centralization, which as we know from other public services, usually results in greater costs and poorer delivery.

I know we don’t have much left in Church now, other than a few eyesores, so this is going to come as a real blow. However, it may well be that other libraries in Hyndburn – other than Accy – may be about to suffer the same fate. Does anyone know anything else about the Council’s Library policy for Hyndburn?

Re: Library to close.
 

That’s bad news Tealeaf. I wonder if this will result in another hole in the ground or the building just becoming derelict.

Re: Library to close.
 

In Ray Bradbury's classic 'Fahrenheit 451' The Fireman Captain Beatty explains it this way, "Give the people contests they win by remembering the words to more popular songs.... Don't give them slippery stuff like philosophy or sociology to tie things up with. That way lies melancholy."
In Bradbury's future, books are illegal and happily so--citizens are too busy watching their wall-sized televisions and listening to their in-ear "seashell" radios to care about the loss of good literature.
By the way our TV is 36" widescreen with DVD and surround sound - yippy!

Re: Library to close.
 

It is not a very attractive building so it will probably end up being pulled down but with some of the rubble left behind in order to compliment the land across the road. I believe that to be England's oldest derelict site and, of course, a visual metaphor for HBC.

Re: Library to close.
 

still prefare a book ... what a disaster for church as you say "t" there aint much else in church....thought they were trying to revamp it with the canal.etc:?hope no more close am a member of ossy library but not heard anything.

Re: Library to close.
 

I’d agree with that Tealeaf, it’s the remains of the school I find most depressing, they could have at least cleared the footings and levelled the land and put it under a decent bit of turf rather than the bomb site look that been left to us. It’s an insult to the generations of us that went there.

I heard recently that a family friend who as lived in the same house for near on sixty years is looking to move because of the state of the area.

Re: Library to close.
 

Its a sad day when a comminity is about to loose one of its few high spots because the council is hellbent on centralisation. What is to happen to those of the older generation who like to read and borrow books? Are the expected to go into Accy to get a book? Would Ozzy library be next and if there are ones in GH and Rishton will they suffer the same fate? Again it appears to be sod what the public want lets give them what we want and if they dont like it then its tough! Better leave it there before I start off on one.

Re: Library to close.
 

I didn't even know there was a library in Church.

It's closure is very sad.:(

Re: Library to close.
 

Re: Library to close.
 

You're right.

If I was resident of Church I'd be up in arms, partly because Church is very often lumped in with Ossy, yet deserves to have it's own unique identity. After all Church Kirk was the most important landmark in the area when Oswaldtwistle was little more than a bog.

By the way I'm not a Gobbinlander, as I was born in Whalley.;)

Re: Library to close.
 

Anyway, it looks like Church will be one of five libraries to close in Lancs, according to today's LET website:

http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/la...TTOPNEWS0.html


Church is the only one within Hyndburn. Looks like we've been pi**ed on again.

Re: Library to close.
 

I always thought you was................:D

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So other than the Kirk, what's left?

Re: Library to close.
 

:( The Stag Welli Pioneer etc and the sports centre. :(

Re: Library to close.
 

The new fire station is technically in Church, but the sports centre is technically in Accy, although everyone, including the council, assumes it is in Church. I assume it is because the entrance (off Henry Street), but not the building, is in Church.

Re: Library to close.
 

:confused: You have confused me no end now :confused:

Re: Library to close.
 

Wow I worked in Church for years and I never knew there was a library there. I often used the ones in Clayton, Rishton & Gt. Harwood when I worked there so how come I missed the one in Church? :confused:

Re: Library to close.
 

Re: Library to close.
 

It’s off Church Street between the Cross Guns and the Play Ground, or if your older than that Between the Cross Guns and Bradley Street. The photo is looking back across were Bradley Street was. The Red brick building is the back of the Library.

Re: Library to close.
 

Libraries are the domain of the County Council so absolutely nothing to do with Hyndburn Borough Council, from what I understand. So, not something we can blame on the Council this time.

Re: Library to close.
 

That is so sad. It was the first library I joined, when I was 3. The librarian insisted I show her that I could read before she'd let me join, because she said I was too young. I have spent many happy hours in the children's library section, helping to foster a lifelong love of books. It was very much a part of my life, and I think it is a crying shame that it is closing.

If they want to knock something down in Church, make it that appalling eyesore that Express Gifts put up.

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Re: Library to close.
 

Just how long a go was it Park. The chippy and newsagents was there when I left Accrington altogether back in 72/73. The next time I saw it the whole street oppisit my house had disappeared......

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Yeah, I am not sure when but they ripped the school down and half of Church Street. It looks totally different today obviously, perhaps not as dark and gloomy than it did, but I think I preferred it the old way.

Re: Library to close.
 

Even if it was dark and gloomy it was the carerecter thats lost.