A BOOK-LOVER has set up a petition to stop Hockley’s library being closed.

Essex County Council is reviewing the library service in the county, earmarking some for closure and asking community groups to take-over the running of others.

Under the proposals, residents in Hockley will need to run the library themselves if they want to keep the service.

Megan Hemmings, 33, from Hockley, is creating a petition to campaign for the council to keep running the library.

She said: “Although I think Hockley Library is a place to be proud of, it is so much more than just a place to borrow books.”

The library is currently used by children and the elderly, as well as groups such as Rhyme Time, Nitter Natter and book groups. Local children also have their artwork displayed there and is a main source of computer access.

Megan said: “It’s unbelievable the support we’ve received. Under the proposals, we will lose digital access, have limited stock and have staff that won’t be based at the library.

“I use the library, my mum uses it and we have always taken our children to the library.

“I worry members of the community will be isolated without it.”

She said she thinks this downscaling of Hockley’s library is a “slippery slope to closure”.

Megan’s petition has been approved and went live on Tuesday November 20.

Paper copies of the petition will be available at various places around Hockley, such as British Legion, Sunrise Health Food Shop, Hildale dance school, Hockley social centre behind the library and more.

Hockley parish councillor Steve Chelmsford said: “It’s a well used library that I agree should be fully funded with a full-time librarian.

“The petition is a good idea - to eventually lose the library, I wouldn’t like at all. It would be devastating.”