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AXE to fall on FIVE libraries
FIVE village libraries in Calderdale are almost certain to close in September – and more could follow, council chiefs revealed today.
Rising costs and dwindling numbers of readers have made libraries at Sowerby, West Vale, Luddenden Foot, Pellon and Cornholme, in Todmorden, unviable.
Together, the branch libraries have only a little over 500 borrowers and the cost of issuing books varies from 1.21 to 6.19 per item.
Calderdale Council intends to replace them with a mobile service.
Amanda Byrne, who has cabinet responsibility for community services, told the Courier today that closing libraries was not something the council took lightly.
"We have been studying the issue for some time and consulting extensively with users about what changes could be made to improve the service," said Coun Byrne.
"If these closures take place, it will be incumbent on the council to provide alternatives and halt the decline in the use of those libraries that remain open."
Nearly 1.5 million is being spent on refurbishing libraries in Hebden Bridge, Brighouse, Shelf and King Cross.
"At the end of the day, we will still be running more libraries per head of population than almost any other council," said Coun Byrne (Con, Sowerby Bridge).
"The important thing is that there will be fewer of them but providing a much higher standard of service."
Figures to be put to the cabinet next week, which recommends the closure of the five, will show that the council presently runs 27 libraries, which is one for every 7,196 residents in Calderdale.
Bradford Council has 31 – one for every 15,412 residents – and Kirklees has 23, which is one for every 17,095 people.
According to community services director Rose Wheeler, library use nationally is shrinking and a detailed review has shown that another five community libraries also provide "questionable value for money."
Southowram and Stainland libraries are to be carefully monitored during the next year and Greetland, Walsden and Akroyd, at Boothtown, Halifax, are expected to be given a two-year breathing space.
The closure of Cornholme, Luddenden Foot, Pellon, Sowerby and West Vale would save the council about 30,000 a year.
"A replacement mobile library service to these communities is achievable within current mobile library timetables and is therefore cost neutral," she said in a report to the cabinet.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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