THE FUTURE of village libraries has been cast into doubt.

A Kirklees Council plan to look at changing the way they are run has been revealed.

A series of briefings are taking place for councillors and staff and the subject is then expected to be opened up for public consultation.

The briefings, which are yet to be fully revealed, contain a list of libraries which have been earmarked for change.

It is believed Kirklees Council plans to hand control of some libraries to local voluntary groups.

And while the council may continue to manage some libraries, Kirklees Council was yesterday unable to rule out closures.

The council is encouraging residents to voice their opinions in a public consultation, which begins this week.

More details on the plan is expected to follow next week.

Holme Valley North councillors Terry Lyons and Edgar Holroyd-Doveton say they are concerned about the future of Honley Library.

Fears were raised during a Holme Valley North ward meeting on Monday.

Clr Lyons said: “People regularly use it for the computers and other services.

“There’s a reasonable number of people in there every day. There used to be people outside waiting for it to open.

“If it’s closed the nearest library will be Holmfirth and that’s a nonsense. They’ve taken enough away from us.”

Honley Library, on West Avenue, offers internet access, word processing and photocopying as well as the loan of books and CDs.

The library is also a meeting place for classes and voluntary groups.

Colin Bentley, 70, from Honley, uses Honley Library regularly.

Mr Bentley said: “If it closed it would be a poor show. It seems to be well used. I use it for the internet.

“I come every three weeks and my wife uses it more.

“I’d be happy to partake if it was given to the community.”

A spokesman for Kirklees Council said: “At this time of year the council embarks on the process of setting the budget for the coming year as part of the three-year budget plan to balance the books.

“The financial situation having not improved, there is a continuing need for us to achieve efficiencies from across the whole range of services and councillors will have some difficult decisions to make. As part of last year’s budget settlement, there was all-party agreement to continue to fund the library service whilst requiring officers to review provision.

“We know that different things are important to different people, and to help us consider our options about where we most need to spend and save, we’d like to know more about people’s priorities for public services.”

In 2009, there was a huge outcry when the council proposed shutting New Mill Library.

Hundreds fought the proposals but the library closed in the summer.

News of the Kirklees review comes as campaigners elsewhere won the latest legal battle over library closures.

A judge in London allowed challenges against plans to close libraries in Gloucestershire and Somerset.

The ruling follows a hearing at the High Court in Birmingham in September.

Somerset County Council wants to withdraw funding for 11 libraries while Gloucestershire County Council wants to close 10 in a bid to save money.

To comment on the Kirklees Council’s libraries plan email: consultation@kirklees.gov.uk or visit: http://youchoose.yougov.com/KirkleesMC/Home/Index/2011

THERE are 25 libraries spread across Kirklees, including the main Huddersfield Library:

Almondbury, Batley, Birkby and Fartown, Birstall, Deighton, Cleckheaton, Denby Dale, Dewsbury, Golcar, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Honley, Kirkburton, Kirkheaton, Lepton, Lindley, Marsden, Meltham, Mirfield, Rawthorpe, Shepley, Skelmanthorpe, Slaithwaite and Thornhill Lees.