York libraries: Protesters rally against proposed funding cuts

Protesters outside York Explore library in Museum Street

Protesters gathered outside a city library ahead of a council vote on proposed funding cuts.

City of York Council has shared plans for library cuts totalling £600,000 over the next two years.

The unitary authority said the move was necessary due to "huge demands" on its budget - but stressed no libraries would close at this stage.

Critics fear the cuts could mean reduced opening hours and staff redundancies.

The Liberal Democrat opposition group on the council launched a petition opposing the proposed cuts, which has attracted 2,000 signatures.

On Thursday afternoon they staged a rally outside York Explore library in Museum Street, two hours before the start of the council's budget meeting.

They fear the cuts could result in library closures, leaving communities "without the library services that they rely on".

However, Councillor Katie Lomas told the BBC there was no suggestion that any library would close.

She said: "We are not anticipating any closures, what we are anticipating is a reduction in expenditure which is mirrored by every other service across the entire council."

York Explore runs 15 libraries in York on behalf of City of York Council.

Its chief executive Jenny Layfield said the cuts would have a "significant impact".

Jenny Layfield is the CEO at York Explore which runs the city's libraries

Ahead of Thursday's vote, the BBC spoke to people who use Tang Hall Explore Library to find out what the service meant to them.

Dila Williams, 39, who is completing a PhD in political science, has been using the library for years.

"I wanted an indoor space where I could spend time with my daughter," she said.

"Somewhere she's safe, warm and dry."

Lucy Riddle (right) said visiting the library made her feel part of the community

Lucy Riddle, 19, uses the library for work and said she felt it would be difficult to find a mutual space for people to meet and get their work done if the library was not there.

"Coming here, it makes you feel like you're a part of the community," she said.

"There's always five different things happening, whether it's children's story time or something for people with dementia."