Library services to be axed (From Gazette Series)

Library services to be axed

LIBRARIES in Gloucestershire face an uncertain future as two unknown facilities face the axe.

Last week Liberal Democrat county councillors claimed that the Conservative cabinet was secretly reviewing the county's libraries with the intention of closing two of them.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, former cabinet member for libraries and Liberal Democrat group leader, said the new Tory cabinet on Gloucestershire County Council was undoing all the developments his party had achieved when they were in office at Shire Hall.

He said: "Under the Lib Dems we extended library opening hours, boosted the book stock and increased DVDs and videos. The only plans the Tories have is to shut down libraries and cut funding for books.

"The cabinet member (for libraries) has refused to tell me which two libraries are to close. This is a disgrace, the cabinet member should come clean now and tell the public where the Tory axe will fall."

Lib Dem councillors claim the closures are part of the Tories' budget plans to axe public services in order to avoid raising council tax.

However, the ruling party has said that no decision has been made and before any library is closed a public consultation would be conducted.

Cllr Tony Hicks (Tory, Tetbury) said: "We are continuing the review started by the previous administration and our aim is to make funds available to improve libraries that are valued by their communities. This means that we may have to make difficult decisions about libraries that are not being used.

"The county council knows the important role that libraries play for people in the county. We are aware, however, that there are a number of libraries in the county that are not well used and we are in the process of reviewing libraries to tackle this problem."

He insisted that no decision has yet been made.

Added Cllr Hicks: "The draft budget indicates the possibility of closing two libraries but should this happen we would consult fully with staff and local people over any changes to library provision."