Fears for rural libraries as consultation begins
Northumberland County CouncilChanges to library services would mean "significant reductions" in staffing hours at several rural branches, opponents have claimed.
Northumberland County Council is proposing reducing hours at some of its 29 libraries as part of a reorganisation of the service.
Iain Hamilton, who lives in Blyth, said libraries were "so important" and he was worried about staff job losses.
The council said there would be no library closures or compulsory redundancies but the consultation would help provide an "up to date offer".
Under the proposals, the council's seven largest libraries in places like Berwick, Alnwick and Hexham would be open for 45 hours a week.
Below that would be seven "primary" libraries in each area, such as Rothbury, Haltwhistle and Wooler, that would have 28 hours.
Wooler would go from 38 to 28 hours weekly.
Conservative Councillor Mark Mather, who represents Wooler, is concerned about plans to cut the town's facility's opening hours, calling it "a real hive of activity".
"It serves a huge rural area and for some, going to the library may be the only interaction they have with others that week," he said.
"The kids feel so comfortable there, fantastic staff, the benefit to the community is huge."
The council would also staff seven "secondary" libraries in villages open for 12 hours weekly, with a further eight libraries run by volunteers.
Although the proposals would see some libraries losing hours, others, like Ponteland, Amble and Rothbury would be open longer.
Mark MatherLabour MP for Hexham Joe Morris said the changes meant "in reality, significant reductions in staffing hours at several libraries across the west of Northumberland".
His concerns included Prudhoe library which, under the proposals, would lose 16 and a half hours of opening time and Kielder, which he said was "facing the loss of its hours entirely".
Iain Hamilton from Blyth was worried the proposals might mean reductions in the number of library staff across Northumberland.
"I use the library now and again but my Mum and my aunt go twice a week and the lasses that work in there say their jobs aren't guaranteed," he said.
"Libraries are a social thing, bit of chat for people, they're so important".
In a statement, Northumberland County Council said it was "proud of our library service and the brilliant staff and volunteers who run it".
A spokesperson added: "It is important to make sure we are providing the up to date offer residents want, which is why we are holding this large scale consultation.
"The feedback we receive will help us mould the service to make it even better."
The consultation on the changes ends on 13 April.
