Supporters of Gargrave Library are looking at a three-year business plan to keep it open.

Residents were told last week that the support group set up in January to fight proposals to close the library would need specialised help if it was to go forward.

The meeting in the village hall also heard that without a business plan approved by North Yorkshire County Council, the library would close for good in March next year.

Around 30 residents heard Mike Palin, of the Gargrave Library Support Group, describe how hopes had been raised and later dashed over offers of support from the county council.

The group learnt last month that the library had been classed the lowest category three, which meant it could still be taken over by the community, but council support was to be downgraded. Libraries, including Skipton Library, were put in the highest category, but would still suffer a reduction in opening hours.

Mr Palin said the will was still there to fight for the library, but that a three-year business plan would have to be submitted to the county council by October and approved.

And he warned in order for that to be put together, the group would need more help from others, with skills in running small businesses, fundraising and organisational skills to put teams of volunteers together to run the library.

“In order for the group to continue, it needs to be reconstituted and with people with the skills needed to run the library as a small business,” he said.

Mr Palin said on a positive note, the group had been given the support of both the parish council and the village hall committee and that for the first year at least, around half of the funding needed to keep it open on a basic level had been met.

He estimated for the library to run at its most basic, it would cost £6,500 per year; around £10,500 for medium level and rising to £22,000 per year, if the village was to employ professional help.

One resident asked if it was possible that the library could charge people to borrow books as a way of raising money, but was told although voluntary donations were a possibility, charging would not be allowed.

The group was offered the help of one resident, with expertise in small businesses, but still appealed for more help.