Alan Bennett joins fight for library (UK)

"A campaign to save a Yorkshire library from closure in the wake of spending cuts has attracted the support of Alan Bennett who spends much of his leisure time away from London in the village where it is based. The playwright and author has sent a message of support to his neighbours in Bentham, North Yorkshire, claiming that shutting reading rooms that promote child literacy is "child abuse". Protesters will underline the accusation during a banner waving protest outside and a "read in" in the library on Saturday. Many small libraries in North Yorkshire are under threat because of Government cuts and a consultation process is under way on cutting small branches and providing the service from a number of core libraries. Organisers say support for their campaign is widespread including that of Alan Bennett, who has a house in the area. The nearest alternative branch is Settle, which is 12 miles away, or Skipton, which is 40 minutes drive away"