Five Warwickshire library buildings earmarked for sale

A protest outside Dordon Library showed support during the consultation process

Five library buildings have been earmarked to be sold in 2012 in a report by Warwickshire County Council.

The proposals are the latest step in the council's programme to cut £2m from the £7.4m libraries budget over the next three years.

If agreed, Baddesley Ensor, Bedworth Heath, Binley Woods, Kingsbury and Studley library buildings would be sold.

Eleven other libraries could be replaced by community-led services.

The Conservative-run council plans to cease operating 16 of the 34 library buildings it currently operates.

During the consultation process, groups submitted business cases to run the 16 libraries as community-operated services.

The report makes clear that the total bids for capital funding in these were in excess of the funds available.

Of the proposals, Bulkington, Dunchurch, Harbury, Henley-in Arden, Keresley, Kineton and Water Orton are recommended to be replaced with a community-run library in their existing buildings.

Plans are being discussed to provide a community-run library in alternative premises in Bidford-on-Avon, Binley Woods and Camp Hill.

The report's recommendations for replacement services include a community-run library in Baddesley Ensor Village Hall, a self-service library in Bedworth Heath Community Centre, a library within a Community Hub in Hartshill, a joint school and public library in Kingsbury School and a community-run library in Studley Village Hall.

Dordon library will close and could be replaced with a community-run library and dance school in its existing building.

The report will be discussed by councillors on 10 October.