Cabinet members have chosen to press ahead with cuts to the library service in Redcar and Cleveland despite opposition from residents and some councillors.

A report said the proposals would enable the council to make the significant budget savings required of the borough’s libraries and would deliver a “comprehensive, efficient and fit for purpose” service.

The final agreed changes will mean:

  • Brotton Library and Roseberry Library, in Redcar, which have fewest visitors, will close in May
  • New management and operational arrangements for Grangetown Library, with the building being run by a local charity, although the statutory library service will remain albeit with some book and computer reductions
  • Dormanstown Library to be staffed by volunteers in partnership with the council, although a statutory service will remain 
  • A voluntary and community sector organisation sought to run Laburnum Library, in Redcar, although a statutory book lending offer will remain and a self-service machine installed
  • Reduced opening hours from next month, including at Redcar, Guisborough and South Bank, with libraries in Marske, Saltburn, Skelton and Ormesby no longer opening on a Saturday.

Late fees payable on books are also being removed.

A 13 week public consultation began in November after plans were published to make £400,000 worth of savings, with 877 responses being received by the council to a survey.

Strong views were expressed in respect over potential closures with many people feeling libraries should be protected, although some agreed with reducing the number in order to save money.

The council said it received interest from 112 people who would like to become a library volunteer, while a number of organisations indicated that they would be interested in taking over Laburnum or Dormanstown Library buildings.

Former councillor Alison Barnes, a member of the Friends of Laburnum Library, said: “We want to keep the library as it is, we do not want any of the library services to be withdrawn.”

The group said in a statement some people would not feel confident to use self-service machines without staff being on hand to support them.

It also said volunteers were not trained librarians and could not offer any advice on books or any other council services, while there would be no computers for the public to use. 

Councillor Malcolm Head suggested the local authority had “jumped the gun” and said it was not yet known who exactly would run the library.

Brotton ward councillor Barry Hunt said his concern was what would replace its library, it being proposed that a ‘pop up’ facility could be housed in a church building.

Dormanstown resident Chris Powlay made a passionate speech in defence of its library, calling for a rethink of the proposals.

He said: “A library without a librarian is worthless.”

Mr Powlay described worsening rates of adult literacy in the area, adding: “We know it is all about saving money, but is it a cost that we can really justify?”

Council leader Alec Brown said he had “deep sympathy” for residents wanting to keep the status quo, but the local authority had to “play the hand we are dealt” while balancing its budget.

He said his administration had inherited an £8m overspend and there was no low-hanging fruit left to pick off.

Cllr Brown suggested local communities could enhance the offer being provided in some libraries and it could be a “positive, not a negative”.

Councillor Jemma Joy, who chairs the council’s climate and environment scrutiny committee, asked if there was a contingency plan if community involvement with some libraries could not be agreed, with Cllr Brown saying they would be “kept as is” if interest from groups to operate them was not firmed up.

Councillor Karen King, who chairs the children and families scrutiny committee, said: “Let’s not remove the magic people will remember as a child of engaging with [library] staff and taking home a new book to enjoy.”

Councillor Glyn Nightingale, who chairs the resources scrutiny committee, said the council should “park” its plans and there needed to be a look at the wider picture and the resources available to it.

But deputy leader, Councillor Carrie Richardson said “semi-tough” decisions were needed with the council in an “impossible position”.

She also pointed out that Redcar was getting a new library in the High Street with Government Town Deal funding.

The council currently provides a physical library service in 13 buildings, providing access to a range of books, meeting spaces, computers, printing and wi-fi internet, as well as events and activities.

The future vision includes physical and “digital” libraries, along with outreach and engagement “where you can encounter the library through ‘pop ups’ within your community or where the library reaches out to you because you cannot otherwise easily access it”.

There will be a redesigned and improved home delivery service, launching in April, and expanding into care homes.

The library service will be newly marketed to current users and non-users, while a micro website will detail everything on offer and include a more user-friendly interface.

There will also be an increase in new book stock and an increase in the budget to buy these.