Bishop's Castle Library hours may be cut

Other proposals include handing the library over to be run by Enterprise South West Shropshire.

Consultation has been launched on the future of Bishop's Castle Library, based at Enterprise House, as part of Shropshire Council's plan to trim £1.3 million from its libraries budget.

The ideas for Bishop's Castle Library have been put forward to secure the service's future.

According to plans put forward by Shropshire Council, the management of the library – which is run from Enterprise House – could be transferred from the authority to Enterprise South West Shropshire, which is already involved with several community initiatives in the area.

The alternative would see the library remain under the council's control – but would see opening hours reduced.

Consultation on the plans started on Monday – and people living in the town have been urged to have their say before the August 31 deadline.

The town's library was one of five earmarked to be offloaded by Shropshire Council last month as part of a major cost-cutting drive. Libraries in Broseley, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer and Shifnal were also included, while services in Craven Arms and Highley have already been handed over to community groups.

Earlier this year it emerged that Shropshire Council needed to make £1.3 million savings on its libraries budget.

Councillor Charlotte Barnes, Shropshire councillor for Bishop's Castle, said: "Bishop's Castle Library is a very important place in the town. User numbers are very high and its current location works well for people who use the library.

"I urge people to take part in this important consultation – this is our chance to make sure we have our say on this important facility and secure its future."

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council's cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, said: "Libraries are an integral part of the community.

"This is why we have been working extremely hard with our partners to ensure we can find sustainable solutions to enable libraries to continue to thrive for future generations to come.

"We very much look forward to hearing people's views on these proposals."

The proposals have been put forward following discussions between council chiefs and representatives of Bishop's Castle Town Council and Friends of Bishop's Castle Library.

Residents can pick up a copy of the consultation document at Bishop's Castle Library.

Comments can also be submitted online by going to shropshire.gov.uk/get-involved/ and searching for Bishop's Castle Library.