THE threat of closure hanging over Ross Library may have been lifted. A report due to go before Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet tomorrow (Thursday) recommends the service be retained.

The library has been under threat of closure for over a year and Clare Llewellyn West, chair of Joint Action for Herefordshire Libraries, said: “The scrutiny committee met last week to consider the options for cash savings in libraries and customer services. This is an ongoing threat although we would argue they have already been cut to the bone.

“Natalia Silver, assistant director for communities, presented a report with options for the savings she has been tasked to make with the recommendation that the council retains the library service in Hereford city and the five market towns. She worked hard to steer councillors towards a moderate and creative response but our optimism is not high.

“As we see it, faced with funding cuts, there are two basic options for Herefordshire’s libraries: cut expenditure or increase income. Herefordshire Library Service is already known to be one of the most cost-effective in the country. There is little left that can be cut now without fatally damaging the service.

“We have learnt over and over again that people care about their libraries and do not want to lose the service and we asked the Scrutiny Committee to recommend that cost savings are made by continuing to combine council services using libraries as multi-service hubs and by identifying more opportunities to generate income.”

A decision on the future of Ross-on-Wye Library and other customer services and libraries across the county will be made at the Cabinet meeting at 2pm at the Shire Hall in Hereford.