Supporters of a library threatened with closure last year are urging people to attend a meeting to help protect its future.

Rawdon Library was earmarked for closure by Leeds City Council, but was given a reprieve to assess its viability.

Since then, volunteers from the Friends of Rawdon Library have received training to keep it open on Thursdays and now they are hoping to rally more support from library users to “ensure a viable and exciting future”.

The Friends’ group is hosting a community event at the library at 1.15pm on Saturday, February 25, to discuss ideas to use the library as a community centre.

June Longley, from the group, says they have been working with local councillors to try to find solutions and to safeguard the library’s future.

“Libraries are changing and we believe Rawdon library can flourish if it reflects these changes,” she said. “We also see a future for the building as a lively community centre for learning, arts and social activities.”

The Friends plan to survey local people to find out what activities and events they would like. As part of this process there will be a meeting to discuss ideas and possibilities, with activities suggested for the library including a film club, art classes, adult education classes, a cafe, craft activities, board games sessions, art exhibitions, computer instruction, a local and family history groups, guided local walks, talks and lectures, a children’s literature festival, poetry readings and creative writing classes.

The Friends hope as many local people as possible will go along for the meeting, even if only to complete the survey.