CAMPAIGNERS are calling on council chiefs to stop cutbacks to Calne Library after an announcement was made that staff hours were to be reduced.

Hundreds of people have signed a petition in an attempt to put a halt to anymore Wiltshire Council cuts to the library at the junction between Church Street and the A4.

It was recently announced that the library would become the first in Wiltshire to trial a system allowing it to operate with no staff on duty and that some workers would have their hours cut.

Petition organiser Melissa Loveday, 37, of Anchor Road, said: “I really hope members of the community will sign the petition to show the council, and those who can stop these changes from happening, just how much our library matters to us.

“I rely on the great book selection, especially for kids, and the Noisy Friday sessions with my children and would hate to lose it.

“When I asked my daughter what she loves about her library, the first thing she said was 'the librarians who are so nice to me.'

“Let's keep it the welcoming, friendly place we know and love.”

The library is due to undergo refurbishment work later this year, which will see a swipe card system and CCTV installed, allowing it to be opened without having staff on duty.

Wiltshire Council have stressed that the pilot scheme to introduce unmanned opening hours will not mean the library will be closed more often nor will there be a reduction of currently running sessions such as Noisy Friday.

The former sub editor of magazine House Beautiful started the petition on Tuesday, March 29 and has already amassed 355 signatures.

The mother of two added: “I am hoping the Calne community will come together to show we will not stand for this. It is a popular hub in the community with the Noisy Friday sessions always jam packed.

“It would be a shame to lose these sessions and the staff as they set our children up for a life of loving books and a thirst for knowledge.

“I have taken my daughter to the library, wherever we have lived, nearly every week since six months old and she is now five.

"I fear these changes will make our lovely, welcoming library full of a great selection of books and DVDs a derelict wasteland that no longer feels safe for families.

“Why Wiltshire Council wants to destroy such a well-used service in the heart of our community is beyond me.”

To see the petition go to www.change.org/p/wiltshire-council-save-calne-library-from-government-cuts.