'I'll do everything I can to save the libraries'

"I came here 15 years ago. I didn't speak a word of English", Hashmat reflects.

The former child refugee learnt English in his local library and has said he will now do "everything in my power" to save Langley Library in Slough from closure.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) he relied on his local libraries to learn the language when he arrived in Britain as a teenage asylum seeker from Afghanistan.

Now 30, he said he wanted his two-year-old daughter Haya to have the same opportunity and is campaigning to save the library, which is one of two that Slough Borough Council is consulting on plans to close.

The council previously said closing Langley and Cippenham libraries could save about £195,000.

At a meeting on 23 January, councillors blocked a bid to protect the two libraries, promising instead to "consider the consultation" and "protect existing resourcing levels".

Hashmat said he learned English, got good grades in school and studied civil engineering at university.

"That's all because of the public libraries," he said.

"I used to go on the weekends, after school, before school - every day. That's why I'm so passionate."

He said his daughter goes to the library twice a week, and when he told her they wanted to close it she cried.

"I will do everything in my power, I will protest, I will do everything to keep it open for the future of these children," he said.

Chandra Kondepudi, another Langley resident, said he wanted to keep the building open so his teenagers, in years 10 and 12 at school, could study.

He said he had launched a petition against the proposals "to protect the future of our children".

Slough Borough Council is currently asking residents for their opinions on the proposal in a public consultation set to end on 25 February.

Council leaders will then discuss the feedback and make a decision on 17 March.

The council previously said the consultation was about using library resources "in the most effective way" and that closing the two buildings could allow it to improve services elsewhere.

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