SOMERSET'S libraries could become local community hubs for a range of public services under changes that would mean a cut in the number of paid staff and volunteers drafted in to fill the gap.

A new strategy - the result of a long awaited review of the service - also recommends libraries are provided on the basis of need, demand and value for money and that the service as a whole is responsive to and supported by local communities.

Under the proposed changes, library services would be reconfigured to make them more efficient, sustainable and effective.

In a report to the county council's scrutiny committee this week, learning disabilities director David Dick said service cost had to be balanced with service benefit.

Increased use of electronic self-service in libraries and active encouragement of electronic access to services and ebooks are among the measures outlined.

Extending partnerships with other authorities and more cross boundary working could also be explored.

Mr Dick said libraries were in a unique position to take on an increased role as community hubs because they had high public footfall, were used by a wide range of the population, were highly regarded public spaces and were spread in population centres across the county.

"Library services will need rebranding as customer access hubs, while maintaining their own clarity of purpose," said Mr Dick.

"Giving Somerset citizens more reasons to visit their library will increase footfall, increase transactions and increase income."

The use of library buildings could be maximised through shared use and co-location with other services which, as well as making possible efficiency savings, could lead to increased opening hours.

The new strategy recommends that the strong network of Friends of Library groups and local interest should be encouraged to run, fund and support their libraries.

But the new proposals would involve making a total of £860,000 of savings over three years and would require a reduction in the number of paid staff.

On the plus side, the spending on books - normally £200,000 - would be increased by an extra £250,000 over the next two years.

Mr Dick said consultations with the Friends of Somerset Libraries (FOSL) stakeholders and staff had raised some concerns.

These included the potential loss of libraries' unique identity, the use of volunteers and the lack of local capacity to deliver the changes in some areas.

The new strategy comes after the county council lost a judicial review into controversial proposals to close 11 of its 34 libraries - including Watchet and Porlock - and axe four of its six mobile routes, as well as reducing opening hours.

The cuts had to be abandoned following a High Court ruling that concluded the authority had failed to take account of their impact on vulnerable people.

It has since carried out an equalities assessment as part of the review of the service.

FOSL chairman Peter Murphy and treasurer John Irven - both from Watchet and both key members of Watchet Library Friends - spoke at the scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Murphy said he was pleased that the review did not propose library closures.

And he also described the engagement that FOSL had in the process as constructive.

But he said one of the strands of the new strategy involved working with communities and this could not be successful if there was a threat of closure in the event of failure or lack of capacity to run local libraries.

Mr Murphy said a recent Government report recognised that volunteer-run libraries had limitations and must not become closure by stealth.

And while broadly supporting the new strategy, FOSL leaders are concerned about the £860,000 savings proposed, questioning if the changes are deliverable with the level of budget cuts proposed.

Mr Murphy said the scrutiny committee had been asked to review and consider reducing the targeted savings.

In a statement issued after the meeting, cabinet member responsible for libraries Cllr David Hall said there were a huge number of people across Somerset willing to become more involved with supporting their libraries and he wanted to encourage more people to come forward.

"We are living in tight financial times and we should not lose sight of that," he said.

"I believe this strategy will both save money and create a library service fit for the future.

"The library service is important and that is why I fully support the proposal to invest an extra £250,000 into the book fund to meet the public's demand for the latest books."

The new strategy will be considered by the council's cabinet on Wednesday (December 12).