"Parents and older people rely on it": Concern over Rugby library Facebook page merger
Library-users in Rugby are concerned about plans to merge the town’s dedicated information page on Facebook with Warwickshire.
The decision has been made by the Warwickshire County Council Comms Team & Libraries senior leaders to move to a single Facebook presence – the Warwickshire Library & Information Service page – from May 1.
Parent Joanne Gillibrand said: “The proposed move to merge the page into a wider Warwickshire model risks losing something that is deeply personal and local to Rugby.
"A library rooted in its own town understands its people, its needs and its identity. Once that local focus is diluted, it becomes much easier for communities like ours to be overlooked.
“This move could mean important events risk being missed, opportunities for learning and social connection may be reduced and our community could be sidelined in favour of larger, more centralised locations.”
She said it deserves to remain “local, visible and at the centre of our community life”.
Tracy Warren, who helps run a playgroup at Paddox Primary School, said: “A lot of parents use the library as first contact for activities, especially with the events they put on during the holidays for the children.
"It would be a shame for the town to lose its own, dedicated Facebook page. A lot of older people rely on the page too.”
Another woman from Rugby, who supplied her name to us, said: “I find the Facebook page very informative and up to date with what is going on.
"If you feel like me, then maybe email Warwickshire Libraries and say the Rugby Library page is great.”
We have contacted Warwickshire County Council for a comment.