GRAPPENHALL and Great Sankey Libraries could close under sweeping plans revealed this week.

An independent body, reporting to Warrington Borough Council, says shutting those two and the mobile service will not only save money but help protect the service in the future.

The report of the library review board, tasked with finding savings in the budget, says these cuts and other moves such as cutting down on reference books and periodicals can save £180,000.

They also said a second option – to cut hours and staffing at all 13 libraries in the borough – would lead to a service ‘incapabale’ of working properly in the future.

The council’s executive board will now meet on Monday to consider the conclusions.

Martin Gaw, head of the library service, said: “The option is not an attractive one for any of us but we all know the circumstances we are in.”

Around 2,700 people are active users (people who go to the library at least twice a year) at Grappenhall and Great Sankey while 40,000 people use the whole service.

“This is about the library service not about library buildings.

“We believe we can improve the service. It is possible to reach more people with staff not having to open buildings for a limited number of hours a week,” he said.

Mr Gaw said that while the buildings may close, people could access the service at other sites.

He pointed to Woolston where library staff have had to cope with ‘huge’ demand since the service moved into the neighbourhood hub, based at Woolston Leisure Centre.

Bosses say they now want to hear from the public.

A consultation exercise will take place with public meetings and drop-in sessions before a final decision is made in the new year.