A LIBRARY threatened with losing its employees is one of the most cost-efficient in Kirklees.

New figures unveiled by the Examiner show that Shepley Library costs the taxpayer less per visitor than many centres which are not facing the prospect of staff cuts.

Kirklees Council unveiled a controversial plan earlier this year to withdraw paid staff from seven of its 26 libraries.

Officials hope that volunteers will come forward to replace professionals at the centres in Slaithwaite, Golcar, Honley, Kirkheaton, Lepton, Shepley and Denby Dale.

But figures uncovered by the Examiner using the Freedom of Information Act show that Shepley is the fifth most cost-efficient library in Kirklees.

Last year the council spent £26,133 on the centre, which was visited 25,048 times – £1.04 per visit.

Only Deighton, Lindley, Birstall and Thornhill Lees provided better value for money for the taxpayer.

But several libraries which are not threatened with losing staff cost significantly more than Shepley per customer.

Heckmondwike Library cost the council £1.52 per visitor in 2011/12, Holmfirth’s figure was £1.89 and Skelmanthorpe’s was £2.14.

Chris Marks, of Friends of Shepley Library and Information Centre, said she wasn’t surprised by the results.

“The figures show just how popular and well-used Shepley is,” she said.

“People come from other rural areas like Marsden to do their blue badge applications because they can park outside for free.

“The Citizens’ Advice Bureau runs sessions from the library as well so it isn’t simply a rural library.”

See next page for full table of library costs to find out how efficient your local library is

Clr Christine Smith, who represents the area on Kirklees, agreed yesterday.

“I know Shepley Library is very cost-effective and myself and my party colleague Adrian Murphy put some extra resources into the library,” said the Kirkburton Conservative.

“Since New Mill Library closed some people from there are coming up to Shepley to use the library here.”

Clr Kath Pinnock, who leads the opposition Lib Dems on Kirklees, said: “The figures demonstrate what we’ve been saying – just because a library is small doesn’t mean it’s not value for money.

“Some of the libraries under threat are good value for money.”

But the Cleckheaton Lib Dem added that Kirklees should protect all libraries.

“No library should close because there ought to be a library in all communities.”

Clr Andrew Cooper, who leads the opposition Greens, believes the figures undermine the council’s case for removing paid staff.

“It just shows that the rationale for picking libraries is unsound,” said the Newsome man.

Kirklees cabinet member for resources Clr Shabir Pandor said the public spending squeeze had forced the council to consider volunteer-run libraries.

“There are no plans to cut the library budget in the current medium term financial plan, although the council has been under unprecedented financial constraints for the past two years and this will continue for the foreseeable future,” said the Labour man.

“It is clear that services offered by our 26 libraries in Kirklees are very much valued by our residents and as a council we are committed to ensuring that our library services can continue.

“We need to ensure that they can be sustained and part of this will be working with residents and groups who have expressed support for maintaining library services to find ways of continuing providing a high quality service in those communities.”

Of the other six libraries which could lose their paid staff, Denby Dale is the 12th most cost-efficient in Kirklees, with taxpayers spending £1.48 on each visit last year.

Golcar was 16th, Slaithwaite 21st, Honley 23rd, Lepton 25th and Kirkheaton 26th.