A CAMPAIGNER has warned that a public consultation is the last chance for residents to save a small library in Letchworth GC. Richard Harman, chairman of the Jackmans Improvement Group, is urging residents to attend two consultation events on the propos

A CAMPAIGNER has warned that a public consultation is the "last chance" for residents to save a small library in Letchworth GC.

Richard Harman, chairman of the Jackmans Improvement Group, is urging residents to attend two consultation events on the proposed closure of the estate's library.

Hertfordshire County Council wants to shut the library as part of a series of proposed changes to libraries across the county.

It is consulting the public via a series of roadshows and a public meeting.

Mr Harman said: "Come along to the meeting and give your support to keeping the library open.

"If no one turns up they'll think 'that's sorted' and close it down. This is the last chance everyone's going to have to do this.

"It's a good service to the people who use it on the estate.

"It will be a great loss to people on the estate if it goes. We've lost a lot of things on this estate, we've lost our secondary school and our pub. If the library goes it's like a kick in the teeth."

The public meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 31 from 7pm to 8.30pm at Jackmans Library.

The HCC roadshow will be calling at the library next week, on Tuesday, May 2 from 2pm to 4pm.

The proposed closure will also be discussed at a meeting of the Jackmans Improvement Group at 7pm on Monday, May 8 at Lannock School, which members of the public are welcome to attend.

Members of the public can also make their views known by filling in a questionnaire or customer comment card in their local library or by visiting www.hertsdirect.org

Consultation will finish on Saturday, May 27, and proposals will be considered by the HCC cabinet in July for implementation during 2006 and 2007.