Authors join fight against plans to close 10 Hampshire libraries

A group of authors have joined the fight against plans to close 10 libraries in Hampshire, saying the proposals would be disastrous for local communities and would affect children's learning.

The County Council must make savings of £80 million by April 2021, due to Government cuts.

Under the proposals, it is hoping to save £1.76 million of that through library closures and reducing opening hours of the 38 which would remain open.

The authors met with Councillor Sean Woodward on Monday to voice their opposition.

Many say they owe their career to local libraries, with reading firing their imagination.

The authors displayed copies of their work outside the council offices in Winchester and handed over a letter signed by more than 70 authors who live, work or were brought up in the county.

A 10-week public consultation is underway, with local residents being urged to give their views, before a decision is made in the summer.