Northampton woman pleads with council to keep library doors open amid fears parents will lose activities for children

This week cash-strapped council chiefs revealed a series of early budget proposals they say will save the authority £9.6 million. The measures are a prelude to a far greater series of cuts due to be announced in December. Among them, Northamptonshire County Council has announced plans to "redesign" library services across the county, putting up to 28 at risk.

Pregnant, Rebecca Canuti, 37 of Duston uses her local library about three times a week with her two-year-old daughter, Robyn where they attend Rhyme Time, Bounce and Rhyme and the health visitor.

When she first moved to Duston she didn't know any other mums and didn't have a lot of money but now has made 'lifelong friends', who she met when Robyn was six weeks old.

She said: "I didn't know anyone who had children. When you have a new baby it can be quite daunting going out.

"I turned up when Robyn was six weeks old and [I was] shattered and everyone at the library was really really lovely.

"Through the library, I have made a great network of friends. They thoroughly enjoy using it. It's a meeting place. What I like as well is the people who work there know my little girls name."

Rebecca fears when her second baby is born in December, her child will not experience the library.

"The Duston Library, among others, was a huge lifesaver when I had my first daughter. I didn’t know any other mum’s and didn’t have a lot of money. The free activities like Rhyme Time, Bounce and Rhyme and Messy Play have been a godsend, as well as all the lovely books.

"Two-and-a-half years later we are still regulars and I want to take my second daughter when she’s born in December.

"I feel there will be a lot of mums and children that will miss out. There is no other free alternative."