Library plans out this week

The Friends of Ansdell Library's read-in outside the building as part of their campaign to prevent the library's closure

But Lancashire County Council, which is looking to close 40 of its 74 branches in the face of massive savings needed, insists no firm decisions will be made until its September 8 cabinet meeting.

A council spokeswoman said: “Before anything happens in September there will be another public consultation, so we urge residents to make their feeling known while they have time. It is in the council’s interest to know how people feel in order for us to have all the information we need before we make a decision. No final decision will be made until September.”

The information being made available to the public tomorrow is the list of which county council-owned buildings, including libraries, being recommended to be retained. The council’s cabinet will look at these recommendations at its meeting on Thursday, May 12 and give its views on the proposals.

But the documents will go online for public perusal first, so this Friday residents will be able to see if their local libraries are being recommended to for saving – or axing.

In the week after the cabinet meeting on May 12, a 12-week public consultation will then be held, allowing residents to have their say.

It will include online comments but the council will be looking at another method for people to have their say as well. After this public consultation – the second to be held – decsions will be made in September.

Gatherings to protest at the threat of library closures across Fylde have been held at Ansdell, St Annes and Freckleton and Louise McLaren, chairman of the Friends of Ansdell Library, said: “It would have a massive effect on the well being of local residents who depend on it for information, social events and IT access as well as books.”