Newport Library 'vital to the town'

Even people who do not use the service have said it would be the "wrong decision" to close the library.

They called on town councillors and borough councillors to find a solution to keep it open.

Pensioner Yvonne Brown, of Donnington, who was visiting the town for the day said: "It would be the wrong decision to close it. It isn't just a library as I am sure people use it to carry out research and to use the computers.

"People do use the books, but it has everything in there and it's easy to get to having it in one place."

Mother-of-two, Michelle Cadman-Law, thinks downsizing the library is one way it could help. The 47-year-old, from Newport who works in a cafe, said: " personally do not use the library, but I know it gets used a lot. It is a great place for people, who might not have access to the internet or to computers to go and use those facilities.

"I know one of my sons used the library for research a few years ago and it really helped him.

"Maybe if the council were to reduce the space, or let other organisations use part of the library it would help – perhaps a smaller premises."

"But I do think the library should stay open."

Library volunteer for five years Mark Pearce, 60, of Maslan Crecent, in Tibberton, said: "I take books to housebound people, such as one lady, she is lonely enough as she is, she would be even more so without the library.

"Another lady is blind and relies on tapes from Newport Library."

"No way she can travel, she wouldn't be able to get to Wellington or Telford – she'd feel more alone."

Helena Patel, a pharmacist who lives on Beechfields Way, Newport, said: her children get through several books a week.

The 37-year-old said: "My son and daughter are both at Moorfield Primary School and are both disappointed to hear this, as they do get between six and ten books each week.

"It lays a really good foundation into the school and we wouldn't go to Telford.

"There a quite a few elderly people here, especially during the winter months - not a lot of people could travel up there.

"She added: "By and large I would see a big impact for toddlers as they have a big range of books for them to kick start before they join school."