Ross-on-Wye Library, along with other libraries in the market towns of Herefordshire, and Hereford city, won a reprieve at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, October 13th.

Members of the Herefordshire Council Cabinet voted to accept the proposal called option three for the future operation of customer services and libraries across the county. Option three called for the retaining of the library service in Hereford City and five market towns and the transfer of customer services to a centralised face to face service in Hereford.

The library service has been under threat ever since the County Council had to make huge cuts to their budgets. Natalia Silver, assistant director for communities, told the cabinet that she is not aware of a single county council which has not had to consider cutting or closing their library service.

She added, "All County Councils are going through similar, challenging changes."

Councillors said that savings had been clearly identified in option three, although some costs would be incurred, including upgrading technology.

At the end of the meeting Councillors were reminded that there are still more savings which need to be made.

Members of the Joint Action for Herefordshire Libraries Group which attended the meeting at the Shire hall in Herefordshire pledged to continue to work together to save the libraries.

They are extremely concerned that cuts still have to be made and are aware that this is an agreement for just over a year.

Chris Forester, of Kington Town Council, told the Ross Gazette, “We must stand together for all the libraries in the county.”

Jan Falkiner of Ross-on-Wye Library Development Group said if one library were to close it would have a 'domino' effect. She said, "That is why we have to stand together and why it is so important that people continue to show their support for the library service by visiting their library.”