THE FUTURE of another village library is to be debated this week.
Lepton Library is inviting villagers to get involved with the running of their library as part of a six-week consultation period which began this week.
Kirklees Council hopes to provide guidance to help communities run their own libraries.
The programme, which affects several libraries within the local authority, was announced as part of the council’s budget cuts.
In May, the council drew up plans to cut the number of paid staff at Honley, Golcar, Slaithwaite, Lepton, Kirkheaton, Denby Dale and Shepley libraries.
But Kirklees has pledged to provide books, computer maintenance and other resources for village libraries.
Villagers can express their interest in becoming involved using the touch screen computers or comments cards available at the library on Highgate Lane, Lepton.
More detailed discussions with interested parties are expected to follow.
Kirklees Council cabinet member Clr Shabir Pandor said: “We are looking at new ways of working with communities and Lepton Library is the latest location where we are speaking with people to find out how they would like to get involved.
“There are no plans to close libraries in Kirklees and we want to work with residents and groups who have expressed support for maintaining library services in order to continue to provide a quality service in the community.”
Honley and Shepley libraries have already invited their communities to get involved.
