VOLUNTEERS are to be called in to help keep Ludgershall’s library open for business at the Memorial Hall after drastic cuts have been imposed on the service countywide.

Faced with unprecedented budget cuts Wiltshire libraries have already lost four senior librarian posts in the past few weeks, with the remaining professionals spread more thinly than before and responsible for more libraries.

To reduce operating costs by 12 per cent the county’s unitary council says it wants to work with local communities to ensure all 31 libraries stay open and five mobile libraries keep on running.

Cabinet member for libraries, John Thomson, said: “In the current financial climate we cannot continue operating the library service in its current format. “We are looking at innovative ways of keeping all 31 of our libraries open and to do this we will need the help of the local community.

“We are asking them to join us in helping to keep all our libraries open.”

The council is also proposing that Tidworth library, at the TLC, operates with new core opening hours.

Under the proposals new ‘self-service’ technology would be introduced to all libraries.

This would require a one-off investment, which would need full council approval, but would produce year-on-year savings.