Revised plans for Lincolnshire's threatened libraries to be unveiled

REVISED plans for Lincolnshire's library service are to be revealed on Friday.

Under initial proposals, 30 libraries across the county were under threat of closure if community groups didn't come forward to take on the running of them.

Following a period of consultation, 42 expressions of interest were received by the authority to take over 24 of the sites.

And now, fresh plans will be published on the county council's website on Friday.

Lincolnshire County Council's leader, Councillor Martin Hill, said: "Plans are still being finalised at this stage, but there are key areas being looked at as a result of the feedback we've had.

"One thing that was clear was that rural communities valued their mobile service, so the possibility of providing more stops than originally planned is being explored.

"Opening hours are also being reviewed because access to services was seen as important.

"So far we've had 42 expressions of interest from local councils, community groups and other organisations willing to take over local libraries or create a new community-run facility.

"There were concerns about the viability of these community-run libraries, so increasing the amount of professional advice they receive is being looked at.

"An extension of the deadline for these applications is also being considered so that the few communities that have yet to come forward have a second chance to do so.

"It's also important that those stepping forward have sufficient time to develop a sound business case.

"Once the executive has received the final proposals and considered the advice of our professional libraries' staff, we'll take a decision on the best way forward."

A total of six communities didn't put forward an expression of interest in running their library. This includes the library in Sutton on Sea, where volunteers currently help to extend the service provision.

Councillor for Alford and Sutton on Sea, Steve Palmer, said: "I am an ex-librarian and a volunteer in one of my local libraries that have not expressed an interest, because we are not convinced we can raise the money every year to pay for the running costs of this library.

"While we are prepared to assist professional staff or to run the library with extra hours as we do now, and have been for the past two years, we also have the experience to know what would be required of us to run the whole kit and caboodle.

"Most of the volunteers are retired and with the best will in the world retired people will do what they feel comfortable doing and no more.

"We are heading for a volunteer overload situation and authorities need to realise that volunteers can only do so much. To have volunteers replace people and put them out of work is morally unacceptable."

Figures provided by Lincolnshire Independents, following a Freedom Of Information request, show the annual costs involved with running the facility at Sutton on Sea library would be in the region of £8,406.