'Stealth closures': Essex groups back away from volunteer-run libraries

Council has cancelled 25 branch closures, but still wants to hand others to volunteers. A number of community groups now say they were cornered into showing interest

Community groups in Coggeshall, Chigwell, Harlow and Holland-on-Sea have withdrawn expressions of interest in taking over libraries in Essex, claiming that the council has publicly misrepresented their requests for more information as support for the controversial plans.

In November, Essex county council announced plans to close 25 of the county’s 74 branch libraries, as well as handing a further 19 to volunteers and 15 to run in partnership schemes. After months of protests throughout the county, the council announced last month that all branches will remain open for the next five years.

Continue reading...