Hundreds of residents have gathered to call for Charminster Library to reopen after months of closure.
Staff, library users, children and families joined the rally on June 12, with people aged from 2 to 94 turning out to show how much the library means to the local community.
The building has been closed since December 2025 after a partial ceiling collapse, and BCP Council has recently announced that asbestos removal work is due to begin at the end of June.
It is understood that no further funding has yet been committed for the remaining repairs needed to reopen the library, prompting residents and campaigners to continue pressing for action.
Gina Simmonds, who worked at Charminster Library for 30 years, said residents had shown the library is “part of the community”, while former colleague Kathy Woodford described the closure as “devastating”.
Library users said the building had offered a “safe place” for all generations, with Peter Webber saying people had “made friends for life here”.
Parents also spoke about the importance of events and programmes for young children, including Wiggle and Rhyme, school visits, Cubs activities and family sessions that helped new parents meet others locally.
Louise Norman, secretary of the Friends of Charminster Group, said the closure was having “a real effect” on people who rely on the service and the community space.
Councillor Sharon Carr-Brown said she was “overwhelmed” by the support, while Councillor Alasdair Keddie said the turnout showed the issue “cannot be ignored”.
Share us with your friends on social media, and have a listen to Bournemouth One online and on DAB for all your local news, traffic, jobs, weather, coastal info and more.
Register below for free regular updates via email.
