CAMPAIGNERS hoping to save their libraries are hoping hundreds will join them as they take to the streets in protest.

Supporters of Southampton’s closure-threatened libraries plan to march through Southampton city centre on March 18 to highlight their plight.

They will be wearing black and carrying books.

This comes as a consultation on the issue ended on Friday with more than 3,000 responses.

Supporters will meet at the Bargate at 1pm and aim to arrive for a ‘read- in’ at the steps of the civic offices at about 1.30pm ahead of the next full council meeting.

In keeping with the library theme, protestors plan to sit and read in silence as councillors enter.

But organisers hope that library groups across Southampton and any residents who want to show their support will join in.

The protest comes after Labour city council chiefs launched a review which could see five libraries axed if community groups do not come forward to take them over.

Libraries at Cobbett Road in Bitterne, Millbrook, Weston, Thornhill and Burgess Road, as well as the mobile library, are at threat of closure.

The cash-strapped council – which recently approved 226 job losses – could save £303,000 a year, with 18 jobs lost as a result of the measure.

The Friends of Cobbett Road Library group came up with the idea, but supporters of Burgess Road, Weston, Portswood and Bitterne libraries have already pledged their involvement.

Supporters of the battle to save the libraries include wildlife television presenter Chris Packham and Southampton children’s author Ali Sparkes, both of whom used Cobbett Road Library as youngsters.

An online petition to save Cobbett Road Library has attracted 1,800 signatures so far and a further 540 people have signed one in support of keeping the Burgess Road facility.

As previously reported, children have also written nearly 50 postcards asking the council to save Cobbett Road Library.

“It’s Southampton people showing how important their libraries are,” said organiser Rachel Hickman, secretary of the Friends of Cobbett Road Library, who urged those whose libraries were not under threat to support the cause.

“There are more cuts coming. If we lose these libraries this time it will be someone else’s library next time.”

She argued that the council should be looking at what the libraries offer as community hubs and not just numbers of book issues, saying that in Cobbett Road’s case it was a base for 20 groups.

The council reiterated that all views and representations will be considered and taken into account before a final decision is made.

Council leisure and finance chief Cllr Stephen Barnes-Andrews has said he appreciates that people feel passionately about their local library but the needs of residents had changed and the council needed to find ways to deliver services in more cost-effective ways.