Ten Hampshire libraries threatened with closure as council must save £1.76m
Ten libraries across Hampshire have been threatened with closure as the County Council looks to make savings of £1.76 million.
Thirty eight other libraries across the county could have their opening hours reduced.
Hampshire has one of the largest library services in the country, with a network of 48 council-run libraries employing 486 members of staff and 1,266 trained volunteers.
In addition, the county has four community-managed libraries.
The 10 libraries threatened with closure are:
Blackfield in the New Forest
Chineham in Basingstoke
Elson in Gosport
Emsworth in Havant
Fair Oak in Eastleigh
Horndean in East Hampshire
Lee-on-the-Solent in Gosport
Lyndhurst in the New Forest
Odiham in Hart
South Ham in Basingstoke
The County Council faces a budget shortfall of approximately £80 million by April 2021, due to Government cuts.
It says all areas are being reviewed to find the savings needed to bridge the current funding gap, despite increased demand for council services.
A 10-week public consultation began at midday on January 9 and will run until 11:59 on March 18 2020.
A number of drop-in sessions will take place across Hampshire over the next few months to give residents the opportunity to speak with County Council staff leading the consultation.
A decision will be made on the proposals in the summer of 2020, once public feedback has been considered.