Bawtry library drew a mixture of locals, campaigners, authors and celebrities on Saturday Library lovers up and down the UK have gathered at their local branches to campaign against a series of planned closures.
The fairy cakes were on the library counter at Bawtry library, near Doncaster, laid on for the members who were weighed down with their full quota of books to discreetly make their point.
As protests go, the gathering in Bawtry was a civilised one.
But, as the children got on with colouring at one end of the village library, a brutalist bunker that is typical of many across the country, the quiet chatter among the grown-ups was laced with seething anger.
This is one of 14 branches in Doncaster that was earmarked for closure at a council meeting on Friday night, and the issue has stirred the kinds of passions that have rarely been seen in these traditionally sedate centres of literature and learning.
Three days ago, Peter Davies, the Mayor of Doncaster walked out of a stormy meeting after heated exchanges about the subject with local residents.
His position made him the subject of scathing remarks as friends and neighbours gathered on Saturday.
Lesley Garrett Soprano“The idea that everyone in this country can't have ready access to free literature is completely abhorrent”
"I'm a member of the library," says Glyn Morgan, who moved to the village 14 years ago. "I'm now retired and I use the library a lot - for reading books, I've had DVDs out and I've also done research into hobbies.
"Bawtry library is really the centre of our little town. It's the only facility that we've got and it's so important.
"I've never been interested in politics or what the council does, but this has really affected me."
Councils like Doncaster argue that their funding will be cut by central government by an average of 26% across the country over the next four years, and something has got to give.
Would it be better to close a library or an old peoples' home, a service for the disabled or mental health provision?
Most conversations in Bawtry included phrases like: "I know the council has to make cuts but..." Some say they could cut hours, or close only the most underused branches.
"Nobody's unrealistic, we know cuts have to be made," says children's author Helena Pielichaty, who gave a reading in the library.
"They seem to be going for libraries, and all the arts, as a soft target. Life isn't worth living without those things, and those are the things I pay my taxes for."
Kate Le Vann is k
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