TAKING over Colehill Library “is not an option for us”, say the band of dedicated Friends who have seen three closure attempts in the last 10 years.

The 33-year-old building is one of 20 facing closure in April next year owing to Dorset Library Service (DLS) cuts – despite a six per cent rise in issues last year.

The Friends, who say the library is well used by children on their way home from the five first schools and one middle school, heard from DLS manager Tracy Long that they or the parish council could take it on for a peppercorn lease.

The net revenue budget is £29,000, but they could charge for books, she said. If not, the building would probably be sold and readers could use mobile libraries and ebooks instead.

One member said: “Taking ownership of our prefabricated building, which is neglected anyway, is not an option for us.

“Pushing a remote service is not going to benefit small children setting out with their reading. They won’t get to experience the joy of leafing through pages and learning their phonics with parents.”

Colehill contributed around 1,500 signatures to the 13,000 strong petition asking Dorset County council to reconsider the proposals at a budget meeting next Thursday.

Friends chairman Derek Henderson said: “We faced a challenge three or four years ago, but it was different.

“We are talking about a total cut-off without stock and without a card system.”

Colehill’s County, District and Parish councillor Janet Dover said the library, which opened after a 10 year fundraising campaign by residents, was in “mortal danger” and warned literacy levels and the sense of community would suffer if it closed.