Protesters fight for local library

Protests have been held outside a council budget meeting at Guild Hall, Bath. It is due to the growing row over plans to relocate the central library.

The purpose built facility currently lies in the heart of the city, but now the council wants to move it to another building as part of cost-cutting measures - claiming it would save £800,000 a year.

They say it will meet the needs of all users - keeping services like quiet study areas, a wide range of books and upgraded technology.

There were about 300 protestors. It was a part of 3 separate protests - one against cuts in bus services, one about cuts in health services but the big one was changes to the library service.

Bath director Ken Loach is against the move and says that libraries are a great sign of a civilised society.

The councils say they want to ensure that that libraries are well suited to past, current and future users. This includes plenty of books, more modern technology, better PCs and high speed wifi.