Leicester City Council is planning to close the city’s central library. Gemma Peplow spent a morning with its users

A constant stream of people trickles through the Central Lending Library on the quiet Wednesday morning of my visit.

From students poring over book lists and parents encouraging children to read, from pensioners enjoying a bit of quiet time to workers whiling away lunch hours – the Belvoir Street building is full of life.

This time next year, however, may be different.

The city council plans to merge the lending library with the reference library, in Bishop Street, saving it £228,000 each year.

Since the move was proposed in January, the Mercury has received dozens of letters from library users who have described it as "indefensible", "irresponsible" and "short-sighted."

On our visit, while most people we spoke to shared those views, a few said we had to accept cuts.

Anne Smith, of Northfields, Leicester, said: "I come about once a week just to pass the time.

"I don't like this idea. I like having separate libraries.

"I'm familiar with this place. I know where to go to find the books I want to read.

"It doesn't seem like five minutes since they did this one up. That was a waste of money."

A £35,000 revamp was completed two years ago.

Peter Moffatt, 44, of Aylestone, said: "I don't see the point of it. I don't know what they're thinking."

The merger will see the equivalent of 14 full-time posts cut.

The council is looking into the possibility of using the Belvoir Street building to replace the City Gallery, in Granby Street, as plans for a £2.4 million art gallery in New Walk are reconsidered.

Mike Brewer, 73, of Groby, has been using the library since the early 60s.

"I take books out occasionally and come down and do a bit of writing when I've got time to spare," he says.

"I've used the library in Bishop Street and I would have thought they need all the space for what's there.

"Once you get rid of something, it's very difficult to backtrack.

"Also, people are going to be out of work. It's quite frightening really."

One member, a 73-year-old of Northfields who did not want to give her name, said: "All the staff here are ever so friendly and really helpful.

"It's awful, this move. They've got a lovely kids' area here.

"I was speaking to a lady in her 80s who's been coming since her grandad used to bring her when she was small. She was really annoyed."

Sonia Borhara, 29, of Northfields, said her six-year-old son loved reading at the library.

"This is our library," she said. "It's a part of the city's history and there's a good variety of books here.

"I don't think the other library is big enough."

Despite the letters to the Mercury and the 55 people who registered opposition to the scheme – while two were in favour – during a council consultation, some do not mind the move.

Christopher Simpson, of Mountsorrel, said: "I've no objections in principle if there's going to be enough room.

"You've got to move with the times. Just because the library's been here for 100 years or whatever doesn't mean it shouldn't be somewhere else."

Linda Spik, 54, of Braunstone Town, said: "It's an interesting concept. They wouldn't be doing it if they didn't think it was feasible.

"Books are the same whatever library you go to."

Senior library assistant Julia Trant said staff were resigned to the move.

"We've got dedicated staff across the two sites and we're going to make sure it works," she said.