No offers to take on Shawbury Library as it faces the axe
The future of Shawbury's library remains in the balance after nobody came forward to take it over.
Shropshire Council has now confirmed it will be holding further consultation to allow people to suggest ways of how Shawbury Library can be run.
The unitary authority is looking to transfer the management of the library to someone else as part of cost-cutting measures.
An initial consultation has already been held where several organisations in the village ruled themselves out of taking it over.
Shawbury Parish Council said it doesn't have the resources, including the money.
Jack Wilson, clerk to the parish council, said for it to take over the library would mean having to increase the precept, which it is reluctant to do. Meanwhile, the village hall committee and RAF Shawbury have also ruled themselves out.
Shropshire Council said alternative provision, for example via a mobile library service, would need to be considered if no one came forward and the current library had to close.
Neil Willcox, Shropshire Council's local commissioning manager, said: "No-one has come forward yet to run the existing library.
"Any changes to local library provision will be subject to a six-week formal public consultation.
"During this time organisations and local residents will have a further opportunity to provide comments and to suggest new approaches to the management of the library."
Michael Lewis, Shropshire Council's library service manager, added: "
In making any proposal, the council has to take into account the relatively low levels of use at Shawbury Library."
Kevin Richards, who organised a petition to keep Shawbury Library open, said it was one of only a few village libraries left so would seem a natural one to close.
Community groups are being sought by Shropshire Council to run libraries at Albrighton, Bayston Hill, Broseley, Cleobury Mortimer, Church Stretton, Ellesmere, Gobowen, Much Wenlock, Pontesbury, Shawbury, Shifnal and Wem. Meanwhile, the management of Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch libraries are being reviewed.
