Library closures report 'flawed'

Leeds Council has outlined plans which could lead to the closure of 20 of the city's 53 libraries which the authority says will have "a negative impact for a small number" of residents.

A report A New Chapter says that there has been 10m of investment in libraries in recent years but some of the smaller ones are not well used.

It says that 700,000 a year could be saved by closing 20 libraries. Larger libraries would get increased opening hours and the mobile library service will be improved.

The report argues that there are too many library buildings and the cost of maintenance, repair or replacement is too high.

Double-staffing all 53 libraries would cost another 140,000.

The 20 libraries that could close – whose hours of opening ranges from eight hours a week to 40 – includes several in deprived areas of Leeds.

The 20 are: Allerton Bywater, Cow Close, Kirkstall, Rawdon, Swarcliffe, Armley Heights, Drighlington, Lofthouse, Richmond Hill, Swillington, Belle Isle, Holbeck, Methley, Scholes, Swinnow, Broad Lane, Ireland Wood, Osmondthorpe, Shadwell and Whinmoor.

Some are in a poor state of repair and would be costly to replace, including Swillington, Burley, Richmond Hill, Lofthouse, Scholes, Methley and Shadwell.

Others are subject to repeated vandalism such as Belle Isle and Swinnow, the report adds.

The council admits it will not know how much it could save until the outcome of consultations on the closure plans but based on draft plans the saving would be 700,000 in a year.

Last night the report was blasted by Conservative councillor John Procter, who said: "It has been presented in a flawed way, an amateurish way."

He said it was not clear what kind of service the closed libraries would be replaced with.

He said there was not enough detail to carry out meaningful consultation.

"This has nothing to do with cuts because no savings are identified."

In a statement, the council said the plans would see some libraries open for longer along with improved mobile library services and the development of cafes in some libraries.

"Leeds currently has 53 libraries, which in the financial year 2009/2010 received four million visits. Of those, 1.5 million visits were to just four of those libraries and 2.8 million visits were made to just 13 libraries," said a spokesman.

"The use of 20 of the 53 libraries has been falling steadily with some seeing declines in borrowing of 50 per cent year on year.

"These 20 libraries received just 132,000 visits in 12 months and due to their limited opening hours the result is over 1m of book stock which currently cannot be fully accessed."

Coun Adam Ogilvie, executive board member with responsibility for libraries, said: "This consultation would be all about giving the people of Leeds the chance to tell us what kind of library service they want.

"The advance of technology has seen people now able to access library services in a number of different ways and without even physically needing to visit a library building, so we want to offer people greater access to our services by adopting a modern approach which meets their needs.

"Should this consultation proposal go ahead it would be hugely important for as many people as possible to tell us what they think – their views are absolutely vital in making any change a success."

The plans will go before the executive board on Wednesday October 13.