SLAITHWAITE residents and community groups are being invited to volunteer to run their village library.

Kirklees Council, which is responsible for library services, has announced a six-week consultation period starting on Monday.

It is asking residents and groups to volunteer to man Slaithwaite Library themselves.

The future of local library services is under threat as the council looks for areas to make cutbacks to non-essential services.

Slaithwaite is not the only village where the future of the library is in the balance. Golcar Library started its consultation process last Monday and this will run until Saturday, April 14.

Five other village libraries will also be taking a similar route. They are: Shepley, Denby Dale, Honley, Kirkheaton and Lepton. Details of the consultation process for these five have yet to be announced.

Kirklees Council’s proposal for all these libraries is that it would provide guidance to interested community groups and individuals, including training, a regular supply of books, maintenance of public access computers and additional support, but the library would be run by volunteers.

At the end of each consultation period, all expressions of interest will then be considered followed by detailed discussions with interested parties.

Kirklees Council Cabinet Member Clr Shabir Pandor said: “The consultation period for Slaithwaite Library provides community groups with the opportunity to express their interest in running this library.

“Kirklees Council, with the support of all political parties, wants to ensure that we keep all our libraries open.”

For the first three weeks of the Slaithwaite consultation, people will be able to fill in a survey on a touch screen at the Britannia Road library. Throughout the full six-week period, which ends on April 21, cards will be available for people to log their interest.

Opening times are: Monday: 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5pm; Tuesday: closed; Wednesday: 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5pm; Thursday: 2pm to 7.30pm; Friday: 10am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 5pm; Saturday: 10am to 12.30pm.