The following items can be borrowed from the library:

There is also access to four computers.

The council hopes that communities where a library is to close will look at setting up a Community Library. Details of how this could be done can be found using the link on the left.

A draft EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT has been prepared. This can be viewed via the link on the left.

Bentham Library is threatened with closure and the residents of this thriving market town are in fighting mood. Rather than taking up arms, they are taking up their books and organising a "Read-in" on Saturday 5^th February.

Support for the campaign is widespread with Alan Bennett, author, playwright and actor, writing specially with his message that access to books for children will be reduced. Read Yorkshire Post Report. Also see the recent Guardian report via the link to the left.

Hilary Mantel, acclaimed author and Booker prize-winner, writing: "The closure of any public library is deplorable but Bentham is a particularly hard case" and citing the lack of public transport and distance to the proposed "core" libraries in Settle and Skipton. She writes: " How can it be reasonable or justified to cast communities like this into a cultural desert?" and
"I implore the local authority to take stock of what will be lost, and think again: be open-minded and give a lead in retaining for communities in North Yorkshire the resources that, in the first place, came from the public purse".

Her letter can be seen in full via the link on the left.

A local resident says:" North Yorkshire County Council proposals would deny access to library information services to all those living in the far west of the County. This runs contrary to NYCC claim that core libraries should be accessible and in thriving market towns. Bentham is a thriving market town which boasts the second largest sheep market in Britain.

We must maintain Bentham as a "core" library: current proposals make NYCC inaccessible"