Volunteers to run Staffordshire libraries to save cash
More than half the libraries across Staffordshire are set to be run by volunteers in a bid to help save £1.3 million over the next three years.
Jobs are now at risk as Staffordshire County Council proposals would see community organisations take on 24 of the county's 43 libraries.
Police and health workers could also be invited to share the buildings in Cannock, South Staffordshire and Stafford.
The council insists that there are no plans to close buildings and want to meet a 'shifting demand and safeguard the service for the future'.
Under the proposals, which will go out for a 12-week consultation subject to the council's cabinet approval next week, the centres would be classed as either 'library local,' 'core' or 'extras'.
Those which are classed as 'local' including Brereton, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Norton Canes, Brewood, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Kinver, Penkridge, Baswich, Gnosall, Holmcroft and Rising Brook would be taken over by the community.
The council will continue to supply books and professional support, but organisations will decide on what activities to provide.
The 'core' libraries – which include Cannock, Rugeley, Codsall, Perton, Wombourne, Eccleshall, Stafford and Stone – will continue providing a range of county council services.
There will be four centres of excellence, or 'extras', in Lichfield, Tamworth, Burton and Newcastle, which will continuing providing the same levels of current services.
The changes are not anticipated to start until next year and could take until 2017 to be fully introduced, with bosses saying there has already been interest.
Councillor Mike Lawrence, cabinet member for children, localism and communities, confirmed there was a risk over jobs but it was too early to know the full impact of the changes.
There are currently 388 members of staff, the equivalent of 225 full-time posts in the library service.
Mr Lawrence said: "There are no plans to close any libraries and these changes are not simply about about saving money.
"It's fair to say that across the council we need to find new, more efficient ways of working, and we think the new approach will help to cut some costs. However, these proposals are about moving with the times so that we safeguard a much-loved service."
He added: "There is a risk there will be less people working in the library service.
Across the county visits to libraries have dropped by 12 per cent in three years.
