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Smaller libraries in Hampshire could be threatened with closure as part of the council's cost-cutting measures, http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/newshome/Small-libraries-could-close-across.... target="_blank">Portsmouth Today reports.
Councillor Margaret Snaith-Tempia, member for culture and recreation, told the paper she "could not rule out" closures among its 54 libraries as the service looks to save £1.3m from a budget of £18m. The council is currently in consultation over more than 60 jobs in its library service.
Snaith-Tempia said: "We have been spending more money than we have, and of course that can't continue. We are undertaking measures to reduce that spending. I want to protect our libraries, but work must be done. Two years ago, I would have said we will never close a library, but as things are now, we can't rule out the closure of some of our smaller ones."
She added: "We're not considering particular libraries yet. I hope it doesn't come to it. We will work hard to make sure it doesn't. But even if we can avoid it, it's hard to see things remaining as they are. We'd be looking at moving libraries from the buildings they're in now, to other premises."
When the council announced in May that www.thebookseller.com/news/118632-60-jobs-could-go-in-hampshire-library-... target="_blank">60 jobs could go in the review of the library service it said that no libraries would be closed.
Hampshire launched its £7m Winchester Discovery Centre in November 2007.