HALF a million pounds would be spent on buying more books and computers for the county’s libraries as part of an alternative budget put forward by Labour councillors.

Worcestershire County Council’s Labour group has called for a cash boost to the county’s libraries including new books, e-books, tablets and the development of a new library app.

Councillor Robin Lunn, leader of the council’s Labour group, said: “For too long our libraries have seen their funding cut and a lack of investment in the number of books offered.

“Labour wish to boost both the availability of books, but also the IT services and the e-book offering available to the public.

“The library service needs to be allowed to flourish and market itself to new users.

“The years of funding cuts and retrenchment of this service needs to end as it is vital that people of all ages have access to the educational opportunities it offers.”

If accepted, Labour wants to spend £350,000 on new books, £100,000 on more laptops, tablets and the development of a new library app and £50,000 on marketing to promote libraries as high-tech meeting places.

Other proposed budget additions include more money to tackle “destructive and pervasive” drug use amongst youths and for greater education, help for the homeless through the Citizens Advice Bureau and improvements to transport to and from the county’s hospitals.

Labour also wants to spend money on introducing 20 miles per hour zones where needed in the country and plant more trees in a bid to tackle climate change.

Cllr Lunn also called on the government to end years of delay and properly fund adult social care.

Labour’s budget amendments will be discussed at County Hall on Thursday (February 13).