OPPOSITION to the closure of 12 Devon libraries is active and growing. Kingsteignton residents turned out in force on Saturday to demonstrate against the proposed closure, with almost 100 people assembling in front of the library, despite the pouring rain and chilling wind. 'People wanted to be actively involved in doing something about the proposed closure,' said Carolyn Moist, co-ordinator of the Kingsteignton protest group against library closure. The group plans to protest outside the library each Saturday morning, to make their views known to all. 'There was a lovely atmosphere,' said Mrs Moist. 'All ages were there, from children to the elderly. It showed how shocked and unhappy the entire range of library users were at the sudden news that the county council planned to close our library. Cars beeped their support as they passed our demonstration, and lots of people cheered.' The Kingsteignton demonstration was advertised on posters round the village. The posters attracted still more people to join the campaign to keep the library open. Most of them have written letters of protest to council leader Cllr Brian Greenslade or County Cllr John Smith. The demonstration was attended by many district and parish councillors, including Cllrs Mike Walters, Joan Lambert, Jill Morris, Edna Wickham, Vic Bateman and Prue Merchant. Kingsteignton Parish Council has already written to Cllr Greenslade to condemn the proposed library closure. The letter said what a big impact the loss of the library would have on the village. It explained that many shops in Kingsteignton have closed down in recent years, and the library closure would be 'the last straw'. Kingskerswell Parish Council has also written to the county council. Its letter is addressed to Cllr Sheila Hobden. It expresses concern that members were not officially informed of the proposal to close Kingskerswell library. 'Every member present at the parish council meeting spoke against the proposed closure,' the letter continues. 'A resolution to strongly oppose the closure of Kingskerswell Public Library was carried unanimously'. The Kingskerswell councillors have also asked to be supplied with the details of how much it costs to run the Kingskerswell Library.
