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Halifax volunteers save 99-year-old library from closure

The Old Library Trustees Heather Rigg, Sue Russell, Sue Herbert and Mike BarnesThe Old Library
Trustees received the keys to the Old Library after the council transferred it to them

Halifax residents have rallied together to save a 99-year-old library from closure.

The Old Library in Skircoat Green Road, described as the first purpose-built library in Halifax, was earmarked to close permanently during the pandemic.

A group of volunteers formed to take over the library and submitted a business case to the council last year.

A community asset transfer case was approved and the library will reopen on Saturday after being shut since 2020.

Mike Barnes, one of the library trustees, said years of hard work had been put in to save the library.

"The reason for it closing was that there were other libraries nearby and this was an old building that needed repairs," he said.

"With Covid and the council's difficult financial situation, it could not afford to keep the doors open."

He said the campaign to retain the library had begun with only "around half a dozen local people getting together".

The Old Library Library interiorThe Old Library
The Old Library in Skircoat Green Road needed a "facelift", according to volunteers

Mr Barnes said people valued the library for many reasons, as it had acted as a community hub for people of all ages to enjoy.

"It was used as a meeting place, somewhere for parents to get together and a space for children to access books," he added.

Therefore, the volunteers decided to submit a business case, to get the library transferred over to them.

They worked out that they would need around £14,000 each year to run it and had to prove they could raise the funds.

The Old Library Volunteer at the Old LibraryThe Old Library
Volunteers will serve coffee and cake at the library

Mr Barnes said: "Scarily enough, it went through and then we had the challenge of giving the place a facelift with new floors, roof repairs and a lick of paint."

He said they have had fundraisers and open days at the library "where we actually had to kick people out because they didn't want to leave!

"The next step is opening properly on Saturday."

The Old Library will also have a small café run by volunteers, offering coffee, tea and homemade traybakes.

"We have had unbelievable support from the community and volunteers to make this a success," Mr Barnes continued.

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