AROUND 400 people gathered outside a threatened library on Saturday to show their opposition to council plans.

Residents gathered on a green space outside Friern Barnet Library to take part in a silent reading event in a show of support for one of only two libraries in the borough threatened with closure.

The closure was outlined in the draft library strategy which was unveiled in March, and is set to be rolled together with North Finchley Library at a site in the artsdepot in Tally Ho Corner.

People also signed a petition demanding the facility, which they say is well used by residents and local schools, remains open.

So far 540 people have signed an online petition on Barnet Council’s website.

Resident Tamar Andrusier said: “Our children love Friern Barnet Library. They started coming to story-time with the librarian when they were two- years-old, arriving in their double buggy.

“Many homework topics have been researched there, from ancient Greece to the Blitz; and they now visit independently four times a week to borrow books, always chatting to school friends and neighbours while they’re there.

“Friern Barnet Library is not just a friendly, peaceful place to discover books or to use the computers. It is also an important and much-cherished centre for the community.”

Martin Russo, who is helping to co-ordinate the campaign, said Saturday’s event had been a “great success” and raised awareness of the situation among residents.

He told the Times Series: “Saturday was really good, I just hope it has the impact we want.

“There is a group of people looking at whether we can launch a bid for village green status for land next to the library. It’s been used by a lot of people for a long time and we don’t want to lose it to developers.”