ORGANISATIONS can now formally bid to run one of the library buildings which are due to close.

However, this did not go down to well online.

The council officially announced community groups could submit plans to take over one of six of the borough’s libraries earmarked for closure.

As well as telling the media, the council floated the idea on Twitter to a storm of opinion, all saying one thing.

The resounding message to the council from Twitter users was ‘we want libraries’ as hundreds of people trolled Bury Council’s Twitter account.

The council asked: “Could you turn a former library into a valued community asset?”

Users, including Steve Fletcher, who wrote: “A book/magazine short-term lend & return type facility sounds good. Could do with a snappier name I suppose.”

Jason Mervyn Hibbs, added: “I’ve an idea about a free-to-access hub of the world’s knowledge and literature. A catalogue of human thought and expression. A library.”

Steve Dyke said: “You could turn it back into a library. That’s a valued community asset.”

At the time of writing the council had not responded to any tweets about the libraries.

To apply to run one of the former libraries you will need to submit a formal expression of interest and a business plan before Monday, October 2.

A guide is available online and at libraries to help with funding, applying for charitable status and volunteering. Call David Thomas on 0161 253 7455 or email NeighbourhoodEngagement@bury.gov.uk.

The libraries which you can apply to run are:

- Coronation Road Community Centre and Library

- Dumers Lane community Centre and Library

- Topping Fold Community Centre and Library

-Tottington Library

- Unsworth Library

-Whitefield Library and Adult Learning Centre