Wakefield Council consultation on library closures

Wakefield Council is starting a public consultation over plans which could see some libraries close.

Thirteen of its 25 libraries will definitely remain open but others could close unless community groups come forward to run them.

The council said these libraries were currently not "widely used".

A spokesman said the plan would result in the loss of 27 full time posts. The council has said it needs to save £40m by 2013.

The council said that, since 1992, visitor numbers at its library had fallen by 43% compared to 15% nationally.

Councillor David Dagger, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for libraries, said it was a chance "to give people the service they want, and will use, rather than the service they've got at the moment".

Libraries will remain open in Airedale, Castleford, Featherstone, Hemsworth, Horbury, Knottingley, Normanton, Ossett, Pontefract, Sandal, Stanley, South Elmsall and Wakefield city centre.

The 12-week consultation lasts until November when a report will be submitted to the council's cabinet.

If then approved, the plan would come into operation next spring.