BAILDON Youth Council has surveyed students on proposed changes to the town's library which could see it close or become a voluntary project.

Its spokesman Megan Carson said she and fellow members of the councillors quizzed fellow pupils at Titus Salt School and got 295 respondents to their questionnaire - discovering that 60 per cent of Baildon youngsters who use the library would be upset and if it closed.

"The majority of our respondents were between the ages of 14 and 17, however other ages are represented and have been included in this analysis," states the survey to be delivered to Bradford City Hall.

Bradford Council's ruling Labour group has proposed shutting 17 libraries across the district, including Baildon library, unless they can be taken over by volunteer groups.

The youth council's report states: "We found that 44 per cent of the young people who lived in Baildon, as well as 14 per cent of the people who do not live in the area, had either visited themselves or know someone who has visited Baildon Library, showing that it is used not only by people within the Baildon community, but those who do not live in the area have also used the services available there.

"Our research shows young people who live in Baildon use this area as a social space to meet with friends and feel safe while doing so."

It concludes: "We should do everything we can to ensure that it stays open and becomes a community-run library as opposed to closing down completely. Full closure would be hard-hitting and upsetting for the whole community."

Hale youth worker Michaela Baker supports BYC and praised its work.

She said: "They decided to put together a questionnaire and disseminated it around school then collected and analysed all the results themselves.

"They are true advocates for young people in Baildon and their opinions will be heard by influential decision makers."

Councillor Debbie Davies (Con, Baildon) also praised the BYC.

"Fantastic that they did this piece of work - greater direct consultation than BMDC have done," she said.

"I'd thought of the library as a social space for older people which prevents loneliness without people having to ask for help, but hadn't really thought of it as a safe, indoor space for teenagers to meet.

"The report also says school work would suffer if the library was to close which is very concerning."

Bradford Council executive member Susan Hinchcliffe is spearheading library reforms and will be speaking at a public consultation on Baildon Library's future at 6pm on Tuesday, February 2.

"Baildon Youth Council have done a really thoughtful piece of work which I welcome and will include as a submission to the consultation on libraries," she said.