'Commitment' to keep county's libraries open

A consultation from Devon County Council to consider the future usage of libraries is set to run until 22 February

There are no plans to close libraries as "mounting financial pressures" are dealt with, council bosses have said.

Devon County Council (DCC) has launched a consultation asking for views about the future of the 50 libraries run on its behalf by the Libraries Unlimited charity.

Proposals include reducing and standardising opening hours, using technology to allow registered users to enter sites outside staffed times and the potential introduction of community managed libraries.

The consultation is set to run until 22 February and forms can be completed online, at local libraries or returned by post.

A DCC spokesperson said: "The consultation comes as the authority faces mounting financial pressures which means that the council must now look at how services are delivered.

"The library service budget has been reduced year-on-year and whilst efficiency savings have been made, the current model is no longer sustainable."

DCC said ideas being considered included grouping a number of libraries together within an area.

Each of these areas would have at least one larger library open Monday to Saturday.

It was also looking at the use of volunteers and community managed libraries, where organisations could take on day-to-day running with support from DCC and Libraries Unlimited.

Other proposals included the use of technology such as "open access" systems to allow registered users to enter libraries when staff are not present.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, cabinet member for libraries, said: "Devon's libraries are trusted spaces at the heart of our communities and we remain committed to keeping all 50 libraries open."

DCC said there were more than 113,000 active registered library users in Devon and last year they welcomed 2.6 million visits and hosted more than 14,000 events.