Cuts, but no closures, as Dorset County Council votes on changes to the Library network

1.56.11pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Aug 2007

Over a year and a half since cuts were first proposed, Dorset County Council has finally made the decision not to close rural libraries in Colehill, Corfe Mullen and Lytchett Matravers. Thanks to pressure from communities across Dorset, all 13 rural Library services are to be saved.

Local MP Annette Brooke recently criticised planned closures in an adjournment debate in Westminster, calling the review 'seriously flawed ' She also joined local residents from Lytchett Matravers and other communities from across Dorset to demonstrate outside County Hall in Dorchester.

Although local Libraries in the smaller communities have been saved, book funds have been slashed and opening hours have been cut in many of the town libraries which originally were to be left untouched. The Council is asking for communities to pay or volunteer time to increase the number of hours the Library is open. In Upton and Wimborne, opening hours have been cut by nearly a third and many local residents are unhappy.

Annette Brooke and local Liberal Democrat Councillors were opposed to any plans to cut our library service as the libraries in Mid Dorset and North Poole are much better used compared to some of the more rural Dorset communities. However the Conservatives, who control the County Council, voted through the cuts.

The only way to improve the current situation is encouraging more community involvement to avoid reducing the Libraries opening hours," said Annette Brooke MP. "If you are interested in helping your local Library by joining one of the "freinds of the library" supporters groups, please contact us and we will let them know," she added.