Warwickshire libraries at risk of closure named

It’s now been revealed which of Warwickshire’s 34 libraries may have to close because of council funding cuts.



Under the proposals, 16 could shut to save £2 million by 2014 – which are as follows:

* Baddesley
* Bedworth Heath
* Bidford on Avon
* Binley Woods
* Bulkington
* Camp Hill
* Dordon
* Dunchurch
* Harbury
* Hartshill
* Henley in Arden
* Keresley
* Kineton
* Kingsbury
* Studley
* Water Orton

The other 18 libraries – including the county’s largest in towns like Leamington and Rugby – would remain open, but might have to reduce their opening hours.

There will also be a number of job losses, although figures are yet to be determined.

Councillor Colin Hayfield, who’s Warwickshire’s Portfolio Holder for Libraries, said:

“We must question the practicalities and public value of trying to maintain 34 separate library buildings when integrating and co-locating some of them with other local services would be more cost-effective.”

“A review has been carried out of all 34 and careful consideration has been given to a number of factors including the number of visits and issues per hour.”

Around 250,000 people in Warwickshire have a library card, and there were around 2,500,000 visits to libraries in the county last year.

However, that’s fallen by around 150,000 each year over the last few years – and officials say a move to put more content online, which would also save money, would be in step with the times.

A formal public consultation on the proposals will begin in March.

In response, Councillor John Whitehouse from the council’s Liberal Democrat group said: “The closure of any library must be the last resort option on the table, and we need to stimulate the widest possible debate about more constructive alternatives.”

“We urge individual residents and local communities to get involved fully in this consultation.”

Strange, I always thought Binley and Keresley were part of Coventry?