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Ahead of this week's Comprehensive Spending Review, expected to impose stringent budget cuts on local councils, four more library authorities have announced cutbacks to their library service.
Nottinghamshire council is lopping 75% of its £1.6m annual book budget for libraries and cutting opening hours at close to half its 60 libraries, a Nottingham Post http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/Libraries-set-lose-cash-new-books... ning-hours/article-2751691-detail/article.html" target="_blank">report states.
Over 80 full-time equivalent posts are set to go at the library service, as the 28 libraries with fewer than 35,000 visits per week are turned into "community partnership" libraries open eight to 10 hours per week in a bid to save £3.3m over four years.
Meanwhile two libraries and the mobile service could go in Warrington, says the http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/8451626.Final_chapter_for_three... raries_/" target="_blank">Warrington Guardian.
The council is considering the move, together with cutting back on its reference books, in a bid to save £180,000. Martin Gaw, head of the library service, told the newspaper: "The option is not an attractive one for any of us but we all know the circumstances we are in."
The news comes after the recent announcement that 20 Leeds libraries could be axed as part of a shake-up of the library service. As http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/20-Leeds-libraries-face-axe.6... 54" target="_blank">reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, under proposals, 20 of the city's smaller libraries could be closed, from a current network of 53. The council is to consult over the next few months before a final decision is taken next year.
Richmond council is also to consult on its libraries, according to a http://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/news/8432859.Library_users_f... major_shake_up_of_services/ Jp" target="_blank">report in the Richmond and Twickenham Times.
Councillor Pamela Fleming, Richmond Council's cabinet member for communities, said: "It would be silly to say there might not be some reductions [in library staff]. Like all boroughs Richmond is facing a challenging financial situation and this means that we have to look at how we can provide services in a different way that is better value for money."