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Sefton Council considers 10 library closures

08.10.12 | Joshua Farrington

Sefton Council is considering closing ten of its 13 libraries as it looks to save money on its annual budgets.

According to local newspaper reports, Sefton Council in Merseyside will discuss the option at a meeting of the council's cabinet on Thursday night, and decide whether the move would allow the council to continue providing the "comprehensive and efficient" library service it is legally bound to.

As the council battles with a £43m deficit, council chiefs will consider keeping three libraries in Southport, Maghull and Netherton, closing facilities in Aintree, Bootle, Crosby, Formby and other towns, saving up to £800,000.

Another option, preferred by councillors, will see them close seven libraries, leaving six open and saving the council around £450,000.

Keeping all of the council's libraries open with reduced hours is dismissed as "not sustainable" by the council officer's reports.

The council currently spends around £3.25m on library budgets. Reports show that 48,500 people used the library service there in the past 12 months. A consultation showed however that borrowing figures had declined by 21% over the past five years.

There will be a full public consultation following the council decision on Thursday before a final decision is made.

• budgets
• consultation
• Fight for Libraries
• Joshua Farrington
• libraries
• Merseyside
• Sefton Council