Budget cuts have been blamed for the threatened closure of some of the district’s libraries.

Added to this is the fact that we can now read books digitally, giving readers an alternative to setting out to use their local library.

While mobile services are being introduced to replace some libraries, for many people they are not as convenient as a library in a permanent place.

In some communities, the next generation of young readers may not have the pleasure of visiting places that are largely felt to be valuable community assets.

Libraries are part of the fabric of community life in many cities, towns and villages, and they offer a range of facilities, from reading groups to internet cafes.

Their importance to communities is evident in the strength of support shown by the campaigners who are gathering names on petitions to fight to keep their local libraries open.

Next month, the Women’s Institute will take a resolution to retain local libraries to their national conference in Liverpool.

Carol Ambler, North Yorkshire West chairman of current affairs for the WI, who is from Bradford, explains that the resolution will then be passed to the Government.

“Libraries are, I feel, the only place you can go in and sit down and either look for a book or use the computer where you are in peace outside your own home,” says Carol. “It is like an extension of your own home and I feel that is why it is important. Where else can you go?”

Carol believes one of the ways to save libraries is to use them for different things. To demonstrate this she recently set up a new WI branch, the North Yorkshire West WI, at the Carnegie Library in Harrogate.

“It’s a good place for people to meet. They have these brand new rooms which have been created in the basement for meetings,” says Carol.

“It shows we are trying to save libraries, and I think we all have to support the library in one way or another.”

In Rawdon, it appears campaigners are winning their battle, after Rawdon Library was recently given a 12-month reprieve by Leeds City Council to allow time to consider alternative ways of keeping it open.

Conservative Guiseley and Rawdon councillor Pat Latty, says the stay of execution has given the campaigners time to sit down and consider their options.

“I cannot tell you how delighted we all are. You never know, we may make a big difference,” she says. “We want to preserve all we can.”

In Bradford district, the battle goes on. By the end of next month, libraries in Addingham, Denholme, Heaton, Wilsden and Wrose are set to close to create a £70,000 saving for Bradford Council, but if campaigners have their way, they will keep the services open themselves.

Supporters of Addingham library, which is owned by the parish Council, are looking at running the library on a voluntary basis to stave off closure.

It was not so long ago that communities were fighting to save their local post offices. According to Craven’s Conservative Councillor Adrian Naylor, the local library is yet another rural community facility under threat, and it is one he is passionate about preserving.

Coun Naylor is actively trying to ensure that Addingham Library remains part of the Bradford library network if it is run by a community group.

“It should be future-proof, so as changes happen in Bradford they should also happen in Addingham at the same time,” he says.

He said the campaigners would also look to introduce IT facilities and possibly run computer courses.

“The library is in a building which I think was built in 1667. It has been the heart of the village for nearly 400 years and it used to be the old school house, so it has been a point of learning for centuries,” he says.