(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Rockrimmon Library permanently closed on Sunday, Dec. 1, after multiple efforts by members of the community to keep it open. On Saturday, Nov. 30, hundreds of people gathered to issue a final plea to the Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees to reverse the decision.

The “Save Rockrimmon Library Group” hosted a “Not Saying Goodbye” rally on Saturday. “It’s not surprising to me at all that all this community would come together for something as important as their library,” said Karla Powers, a Rockrimmon Library Advocate. “This is really the center of our community up here.”

The board of trustees has said they are focusing on the sustainability of the entire district, and to save money they chose to not renew the lease for the Rockrimmon location, saying it is the most expensive lease in the district.

Many have protested the board’s decision and several Colorado Springs City Council members joined the community’s fight. They pushed for the board to keep the library open for another year until a more concrete plan could be made.

“It is possible to work together for a solution,” said Kat Gayle, Chief Legal Counsel for Integrity Matters. “And considering that this group has come together in one month with pledges of over $60,000, with volunteer commitments of over 100 hours a week, we could do this. We can keep this library open certainly for the year that we would like to work on a viable alternative.”

FOX21 News reached out to the Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees for a comment and as of the time of this article have not received a response. Previously, the board has insisted the library would close.