Ryhall Residents Rally to Save Their Library

Ryhall Residents Rally to Save Their Library

Images: Rob Persani Rutland and Stamford Sound

www.rutlandandstamfordsound.co.uk

Ryhall residents are fighting to save their library, as Rutland County Council explores alternative options for library services in the east of the county.  A second drop-in session by the council's Living Well team on Friday saw protestors create homemade banners and posters, many featuring handprints representing the children who use the facility.  The council had hoped to convert the current building into a new community facility, but rising costs have forced them to reconsider.

The future of the library now hangs in the balance, and locals are determined to make their voices heard.  Charlotte Davis, a key member of the Save Ryhall Library group, explained their concerns.  "Our fear is that we may not get what we want, and that's to keep the library as it is," she said.  "So we've been looking at other options."

Inspired by successful community-managed libraries in neighbouring Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, the Save Ryhall Library group is exploring the possibility of taking over the facility themselves.  Davis and her team have already visited these community-run libraries, gaining valuable insights into their operations, finances, and the expanded services they offer.  "They've been incredibly helpful, passing on their paperwork, how their finances work," Davis explained. "And actually, it's been quite an inspiration because what they can offer as a community library is quite much more than we've ever had under RCC."

Despite the potential for a positive outcome through community management, the group remains committed to fighting for the library's future.  Their immediate focus is encouraging residents to participate in the Rutland County Council consultation and demonstrate the overwhelming community support for the library.  "We're still going to fight," Davis emphasised, highlighting the community's determination to retain this vital local resource.  The future of Ryhall Library now rests on the strength of community action and the ongoing consultation process.