Joint Action for Herefordshire Libraries has expressed deep concerns about the plans Herefordshire Council is discussing at their meeting on Thursday, June 28th. They will be joining with other campaigners at 9am at the Shire Hall to show the strength of their feelings.

Herefordshire Council cabinet is meeting to decide whether libraries, museums and archives should be put out to tender and become outsourced services.

They will be discussing a recently released report which outlines the council’s continued support for museums, libraries and archives with a commitment to continue with current standards including opening times and no closures.

The report also includes an investment in Hereford Library of up to £230k along with a series of measures to support the long term viability of the services.

One of the measures includes exploring the possibility of the services being operated by an external partner, in a similar way to how the Courtyard and Halo run arts and leisure facilities in the county. The services cost £1.7m to run and this presents an opportunity for sharing costs whilst keeping current service levels or even developing them further to meet changing customer demands and needs.

UNISON has also expressed concerns about the plans. A spokesperson for UNISON said that the organisation was reassured to hear about the investment in Hereford Library and the Black and White House and that there will be no reduction in the services for the rest of the financial year, instead maintaining ‘Current Standards.’

However they added that they are saddened to note that this is really only on the proviso that the outsourcing process is commenced.

County archive supporters are demanding that council leaders protect jobs and improve investment at the records centre.

Friends of Herefordshire Archives say any reductions in staff would put the service at risk and they ask residents to raise their fears with their local councillors.

Jane Adams, Friends of Herefordshire Archives chairman, says any reduction in skilled staff risks losing these vitally important services.

She said: “The council has legal obligations to store and preserve archives in its care, to ensure members of the public have access to them and to promote their use for community benefit.

“We urge all councillors to ensure all these duties continue to be met.”

Campaigners will be lobbying the cabinet outside Shire Hall at 9am on June 28 – and Ms Adams is calling on supporters to join in to show their support.

She added: “The Archives service will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in July this year.