Protests aimed at staving off closures

The Yorkshire Post revealed last month that a total of 65 libraries have been earmarked for closure across the region – one in five of Yorkshire’s current total.

The biggest closure programmes are centred around North Yorkshire and Doncaster, with Leeds City Council still consulting on plans to withdraw funding from around 20 of its libraries.

All three authorities say they want to see local residents take on the running of some of their smaller libraries, and North Yorkshire County Council leader John Weighell told the Yorkshire Post he remained hopeful that not all 23 libraries from which he planned to withdraw funding would close.

He said: “It is very gratifying that people have come out in such large numbers to really stand up for libraries. What we have now got to look for is more innovative ways of running the library service to keep it going.

“The overwhelming opinion from people is that they are quite happy to keep their library services going as long as there is some professional help from the council and it does not just walk away.

“But we will be still looking at making savings. I expect a considerable number of these 23 libraries to be still open in more than a year’s time.”

His words followed a huge wave of protest across the county to his original closure plans, with similar outcry in Doncaster. Both councils have since delayed their cuts in an attempt to buy more time.

Libraries are also due to close in Bradford and Barnsley this year.

But even in those districts where no closures have yet been announced, spending on library services is being scaled back with staff cuts, reduced opening hours and less spending on new books and mobile services all agreed.

More closures are expected to be announced when several more authorities complete reviews of their own library services.