A COUNCILLOR has invited locals to protest against plans for cuts to a library in Worcester.

City councillor Richard Udall warned of the impact that the potential cuts would have on St John's Library, in Worcester.

He called on those who oppose the proposals to make their feelings known to county council cabinet member Lucy Hodgson, when she visits the library between 3pm and 5pm on December 7.

Worcestershire County Council intends to slash £1million from its library budget by the end of the financial year in 2021, as a result of cuts to local government funding.

Cllr Udall, who represents St John's, said: "The library is the anchor of the local community, it is a community centre for the village in the city.

"It is used by many local residents every day and provides a first class service.

"It has brilliant staff and it is an important local treasure - the jewel in the crown of St John’s. Any threat to the library will be firmly resisted."

The councillor added a council survey was being used as a justification to cut the service.

He said: "We need as many people as possible to respond to the survey and answer question ten, which asks for other ideas, with the words 'no cuts to the library service'.

"We have it within our power to send a clear message to the Conservatives that St John’s people value their local library.

“They clearly have an agenda, an agenda which involves reduction of hours and sacking staff.

"Both would be unacceptable and both would need to be resisted.

“They also want highly qualified library staff to take on other duties, perhaps they want them to drive buses or repair pot holes, their suggestions for cuts are simply crazy and cannot be implemented."

Some of the proposed cuts outlined in the survey are: reducing hours, axing staff, handing libraries over to communities, co-locating them with other services, making them available to businesses to hire, getting staff to provide other local services.

County councillor Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for communities, said: "The role of libraries within local communities has been changing now for over a decade.

"A lot of good work has already been done to get communities in Worcestershire more involved so that services at local libraries can be sustained for the benefit of everyone.

"It's more important than ever before that communities come together and get more involved to ensure provision can be maintained at libraries. We also need to look at more co-location of libraries and sharing space with other organisations so services remain at the heart of our communities."

St John's and Warndon libraries were ranked in the bottom seven least needed libraries in a county council review of Worcestershire’s 23 libraries.

Fill out the survey, which closes on February 2, on bit.ly/2zoVJyE