Residents of Stony Stratford, England Clear Shelves to Save Library

Townspeople organized a protest through Facebook to prevent the closure of their beloved public library.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on January 18 2011

The public library in Stony Stratford, England typically holds 16,000 volumes of books. But now the shelves are completely bare—and the effect of all those empty walls is almost frightening.

That’s exactly what the booklovers of this small country town intended. When residents got wind that the government in nearby Milton Keynes was considering shutting down the library due to a budget shortfall, they decided to rally together and take action.

“In theory the closure is only out for consultation,” Robert Gifford, chair of the town council, told The Guardian, “but if we sit back it will be too late. One man stopped me in the street and said, ‘The library is the one place where you find five-year-olds and 90-year-olds together, and it’s where young people learn to be proper citizens’. It’s crazy even to consider closing it.”

The townspeople launched a campaign on Facebook, encouraging every town resident to take out the maximum of 15 books, with the goal of emptying the shelves completely by closing time last Saturday. They managed to complete the task with 24 hours to spare.

We’re not sure how many of the townspeople have read their rentals (latecomers likely got stuck with manuals on car repairs and animal husbandry), but we’re betting the late fees alone will go a long way towards making up that shortfall. And hopefully, the government has learned its lesson to keep its hands off the residents’ beloved books.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Weird,

Liked this? You'll love these, too:

Molly O’Neill’s Epic Road Trip to Discover the Heart of America’s Food Culture

Food writer Molly O'Neill talks about America's food culture and traditions, and the cross-country road trip she took to find the best recipes in the country for her book, "One Big Table." Read More
20 Memoirs and Biographies that Show the Creative Mind at Work

These 20 books about artists, inventors, actors, and other creative individuals illustrate the creative process so that you can awaken your own muse. Read More
Good News Brief: Business Innovation and Ethics

A round-up of the latest research on ethical businesses, innovative start-ups, and other positive signs for the American economy. Read More
Five Self-Taught Artists and Inventors Who Changed the World

You don't need a college degree to become successful. Learn about these five self-taught artists, writers, and inventors. Read More
The World’s Most Bizarre and Unusual Festivals and Events

If you're planning to travel this year, here are some strange and unique celebrations worth planning a trip around. Read More