Library campaigners who say cuts to services in the county have left staff demoralised are calling on Herefordshire Council to reject outsourcing.

Joint Action for Herefordshire Libraries chairman Mark Ferrero said workers had felt undervalued for years and feared the threat of closure or being contracted out.

He said tens of thousands of people still use the libraries counties ever year and they are vital to the economy, education, health, and wellbeing of local residents.

“Public libraries are popular. They belong to all of us,” he said.

“They are an asset, not a cost. We want them to prosper and grow so they can realise their full potential to benefit us all.

“Yet for years our libraries have been undervalued, repeatedly cut, and threatened with closure or contracting out.

“This has demoralised dedicated library staff, and worried library users.

“Councils up and down the country have now come to realise that contracting out libraries has been a costly mistake.

“New research by the Association of Public Service Excellence clearly shows that councils across the country have realised this and are now taking outsourced services back in house.”

He said the group was now calling on the new county council administration to reject the outsourcing policy of the past.

“We have undertaken to work with Herefordshire council, the NHS and social care services on a new, long-term strategy for sustaining and growing the library service so that it can help us achieve our shared vision for a better quality of life for people of all ages.

“Libraries have huge potential to do so.

“We want to see that potential fully realised in Herefordshire.”

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said they recognise the value of of museums, libraries and archives and plans to retain the opening of all its facilities.

“The council has continued to invest in these services through the Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre, The Masters House in Ledbury, and ongoing investment in Hereford, Ross and Leominster libraries,” she said.

“The Cabinet decision taken in June 2018 was to explore the potential of the museum, library and archive services and their sites, and outsourcing was one of a number of options to be considered and assessed. An update on progress will be presented to the new Cabinet Member in July with a view to deciding on the next stage of the process.”