16 Warks groups ask to take over running of local library

[dutchman]

Communities in Warwickshire say they are prepared to run every single library threatened with closure in the county themselves.



It follows a massive consultation into council plans to cut funding to nearly half in the country to try to save £2 million pounds.

Under the controversial proposals, 16 out of 34 sites would shut by 2014.

The ones at risk are:

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

Groups have now now applied to take over the running of every one of them and the council will now review their applications to see whether they should have a share of the £100,000 pot of cash it has put aside to help people wanting to go it alone.

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

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.

4,500 people took part in the consultation.

The plans will go to the council’s cabinet next month.