Leeds City Council to close 13 libraries

The council plans to replace the libraries with mobile services

Thirteen libraries in Leeds are to close as part of a major shake-up of the service.

Leeds City Council plans to replace them with mobile services and extend opening hours at many of the city's remaining libraries.

The future of one library is still under review, and the council will look at transferring ownership of two others to the community.

A decision on the closures was made by the executive board on Wednesday.

The 13 libraries to be closed are: Allerton Bywater, Armley Heights, Belle Isle, Broad Lane, Swillington, Holbeck, Ireland Wood, Kirkstall, Lofthouse, Osmondthorpe, Richmond Hill, Swarcliffe and Swinnow.

The council will explore the possibility of keeping Rawdon library open and transferring Cow Close and Drighlington to community use.

According to the council, mobile libraries would offer "state-of-art new facilities direct to the heart of communities and to the doorstep of users of all ages with new routes and stops all over the city".