Library services in the area are to become ‘community libraries’, where volunteers will run their own independent libraries, it has been revealed.

The three main libraries in Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton will continue to be run separately from this initiative and be managed by B&NES Council. Local independent libraries currently exist in Chew Stoke, Larkhall and Combe Hay.

Libraries locally that will be affected are Paulton, Radstock, Saltford, Weston and Moorland Road, Bath, as well as all rural and suburban areas currently visited by the mobile library.The Council says these plans are part of an ‘invest to save’ project, with a proposed upfront investment of £275,000 to bring community-focused libraries to areas that currently have difficulty accessing library services. It will mean that existing branch libraries will be moved on to this model.

A start-up fund of £5,000 per scheme will assist with the development of the community libraries, providing books from central stock and support interested groups with training and access to community services delivered by the Council. Local groups would be responsible for the running costs, staff and managing the volunteers.

Public meetings have already been held across the area and various community groups and Parish Councils have expressed interest in being considered. Further meetings will be held at area forums next month, to explain how the scheme coudl work in areas that have yet to express an interest.

Councillor Karen Warrington (Conservative, Clutton), Cabinet Member for Transformation and Customer Services, said: “This is not about the Council withdrawing support from local libraries – it’s about finding innovative solutions that can help keep our libraries open, and even expand them into new locations and new audiences. These ‘libraries’ will be independently run and could be shared spaces and literally be anywhere – a café, a hall, a health centre, or even a local shop.”Speaking in opposition, Councillor Richard Samuel (Walcot), Lib-Dem spokesperson for Customer Services, told the press this week: “These plans will infuriate many residents across Bath and North East Somerset, who rely on their local branch library or on the Council’s mobile library van. Very little detail is offered on how this transfer will work in practice, and the decision report leaves many questions unanswered, particularly in relation to the future of the current library buildings.“Once again, we see a Conservative proposal to reduce public services, with volunteers and town or parish councils being expected to step in. It seems very unfair that communities who may not have the capacity to take on such a project are likely to lose out.“The administration has already had to backtrack on their plans for Bath Central Library. We don’t want to see another botched process for the library service; they must listen to residents.”