A PETITION launched to save Penarth Library has been signed by more than 1,800 people and delivered to the Vale Council.

In November the Vale Council announced that it was launching a consultation into the future of library services across the Vale.

The council announced that budget cuts were “leaving it with no alternative but to look at new ways to provide services”.

After the petition was launched the leader of the Vale Council, councillor Neil Moore, described reports that Penarth Library could be closed as “scaremongering” and said “this is not what is being proposed at all”.

He added that the Vale Council was looking to make “unprecedented cuts” and save £15million, and would be “finding ways to work smarter, more efficiently and effectively” in the way it delivers services, but that there were no plans to close Penarth Library.

In a letter to the Penarth Times Marjorie Lasebikan, who launched the petition after concerns were raised about the future of the 109-year old facility, said: “The petitions signed by yourselves have been collected and personally handed in to the ‘Consultation, Corporate and Customer Services', Vale of Glamorgan Council, Barry on December 12.

“There were 1,855 signatures with many views and opinions that I hope will be taken on board by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

“As a further bit of information: The site for the library was given to the people of Penarth by The Right Honourable Lord Windsor in 1904 and Andrew Carnegie provided £4000 for its erection.”

Marcus Payne, senior librarian at Penarth Library, said there had been a “very good response” to the consultation into the future of library services.

He added that the petition had encouraged people to take part in the consultation.

“It has certainly helped to raise the profile of the library,” he said.

Marjorie, who had urged local residents to sign the petition to show their support for the library, added that she agreed with a written statement by John Griffiths AM regarding public libraries in Wales.

“His last paragraph shows his intention to ensure that people all over Wales benefit from a strong, resilient library service, responsive to public need, well managed, demonstrating financial efficiency and professionally run,” she said.

The consultation into the future of library services across the Vale closed on Sunday, December 15, and the review is set to be completed by March 2014.