UPTON Library could be under threat as council cutbacks start to bite.

As public spending is slashed, Worcestershire County Council is faced with making savings of up to £70 million over the next four years.

Libraries are one of several areas set to be hit, with the council wanting to save £1.8 million - 28 per cent - from its annual spend of £6.2 million.

Each of the county’s 21 libraries has been given a preliminary assessment and assigned one of four potential “outcomes”.

These are:- 1) Remaining largely the same and incorporating other services.

2) Library is integrated into services run by other public agencies, eg town/parish councils, voluntary organisations and private sector partners.

3) Existing library, alongside other services, is run in partnership or wholly by the local community.

4) Library service replaced by greater use of technology such as e books, mobile services and community library “collection points”.

It is the latter two potential outcomes that have been assigned to Upton and so a public consultation will now take place on the library’s future.

WCC says the pace of such consultations will be determined by the interest of local communities in putting forward “community-led solutions” and identifying further options.

In a report to cabinet, portfolio holder Paul Campion spoke of a “radical re-defining” of the library network to create a bespoke service.

“The vision for libraries is that they are at the heart of localism within communities,” it states. “They are no longer just a uniform service provided by the council. They are embedded and shaped by the local community.”

Coun Bob Bullock, the local representative, is urging parish councils to get together and discuss the matter with WCC.

Addressing Upton Town Council on Tuesday evening, Coun Bullock said he had already asked for a detailed breakdown of the library’s running costs.

“I have been making a strong case to leave Upton Library alone and, if there are improvements to be made in areas, get it improved,” he said.

Upton’s mayor Andrea Morgan said: “Our library is well-used by the public and we cannot afford to lose it. I think the fact that we also have the hub and the police station in the same building should be a major factor in looking at keeping it open.”

* Malvern Library has been earmarked as one of those that will incorporate other services.