Fears over switch to volunteer-run libraries

Residents in Leicester have expressed concerns over cost-cutting plans for volunteers to run libraries in the city.

Leicester City Council has proposed to transfer the running of libraries in Rushey Mead and Knighton to external organisations as part of a wider shake-up of community buildings which aims to save £2.1m a year.

However, users have told the BBC they fear no volunteers will be prepared to take over the buildings, which means they could be forced to close.

The council said the proposals did not amount to a closure programme and no decisions had been made.

A consultation on the proposal runs until 29 June.

The Knighton Library Group is campaigning for the council to rethink the proposal.

Spokesperson Amy Capelin said: "We are worried that it will impact on the service, and that the library might not be open as long.

"We are worried it won't be run by experienced, qualified librarians, and that if it isn't run well, it might not survive in the long term.

"Once it's gone, we're going to lose it forever and we really don't want that."

Rushey Mead resident Shashikala Jansari said: "This [the library] means my lifeline.

"My husband is not well and he can't hear so I've got nobody to talk to even at home and I come here and see my friends and feel happy."

Fellow library user Nishin Vyas said: "Our rates have gone up and they're going to go up again.

"We're not getting any facilities around here. Everything is cutbacks."

Assisstant city mayor Vi Dempster said: "This is not a closure programme.

"We have seen in Leicester that community buildings can be very successfully run by community groups, and we are asking local people to consider how they can work with us to take over these buildings.

"No decision has yet been made, but we have already had interest from local people in running a number of buildings.

"I would urge other groups to contact us if they also wish to make an expression of interest."

The libraries are among 11 buildings the council hopes to find volunteers to operate.

Under the plans, the authority would retain 12 sites, which would become "multi-service centres", and the city's Central Library.

Belgrave, Coleman and Netherhall neighbourhood centres could be transferred to community organisations, as well as the Braunstone Frith and Rushey Mead recreation centres.

The council said the Tudor Centre, in Mowmacre, the Eyres Monsell Community Centre, the Gilmorton Community Rooms and libraries in Evington, Knighton and Rushey Mead could also be offered to external organisations to run.

The St Matthews Centre could also close with the library moved to a nearby location and the Fosse Neighbourhood Centre in Newfoundpool could be sold off, the authority said.

The council said it would invest £1m in the 12 buildings it intends to keep - five of which, including the Beaumont Leys Library Hub and Highfields Library Hub, could have staffed opening for 40 hours a week.

Additional self-access hours would be offered on top of the 40 hours at Belgrave Library Hub, The Brite Centre Library Hub in Braunstone and St Barnabas Library Hub, the council added

It said the remaining seven sites could open for 30 hours a week.

They include Aylestone Library, Westcotes Library Hub, a relocated St Matthews Library and Thurnby Lodge Centre Hub.

Additional self-access hours are proposed for Hamilton Library Hub, New Parks Centre Hub, and Pork Pie Library Hub.

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