Campaigners will descend upon County Hall next week to protest against plans that could see libraries run by volunteers or possibly axed.

The county council is looking for local community groups to take control of 11 libraries in Surrey, including Molesey library.

Under the proposals, the authority would continue to provide the buildings, stock and other resources.

The volunteers, meanwhile, would take over the day-to-day running of the facilities.

Those libraries for which no such arrangement can be made, however, could face the prospect of closure.

The county council has previously said that the plans would allow it to focus resources on busier libraries, as well as its virtual library service.

But library workers users and friends will lobby a meeting of the county council’s decision-making cabinet on July 26 with the message that communities need council libraries.

The lobby has been organised jointly between the Friends of Surrey Libraries and Surrey County Unison.

 

Paul Couchman, the trade union’s branch secretary, said: “Some of the libraries have started looking at the volunteer option – only because they feel they have a “gun to their heads” and do not want to lose their library altogether.

“They are not at all enthusiastic about losing their cherished paid library staff and fully support the campaign to keep them.

“The lobby of the council promises to be the biggest protest at County Hall in many years, with each library present aiming to get at least ten protesters there - one even suggested they may book a coach.”

Speaking in February, Denise Saliagopoulos – the county council’s cabinet member for community services – described the authority’s plans as “ a chance for Surrey to harness the power of localism”.

“We already have nearly 600 volunteers offering to work in our libraries each year who are a vital part of the service and these plans would allow them and others like them to take control and make libraries a truly local community resource.”