THE FATE of Kirklees’ libraries is closer to being determined, with the matter to be discussed by Cabinet again next month.

As part of cost-cutting measures, Kirklees Council is looking to move eight of the borough’s 24 libraries to community-managed models. These would be located at Mirfield, Honley, Meltham, Marsden, Kirkheaton, Skelmanthorpe, Denby Dale and Shepley.

Under the plan, the council would hand over control for day-to-day running, but the libraries would still have access to the council’s books, IT equipment and management support.

The plans have proved controversial, prompting thousands of residents to come together in a 3,120 signature-strong petition put to the local authority.

Earlier this year, Cynthia Collinson, Chair of the Friends of Mirfield Library, said that the library couldn’t run without the input of professional staff and added: “We volunteers can’t manage a library. We can put books in alphabetical order, we can organise coffee mornings but we don’t have the skills to manage a library.”

Another point of contention has been the loss of 47 jobs that would result from this change.

In February, the council began an “informal engagement” about the proposed changes, the findings of which will be presented at next month’s Cabinet meeting.