A senior Librarian at Herefordshire Council has told the Ross Gazette of her disappointment in the service cuts but expressed relief that cuts were not as deep as first thought.

Jan Nesaratnam, Senior Reader Services Librarian: "Compared to May we've gained a lot. It looked like there was going to be a 75% reduction in library budgets. Originally, only Hereford was to survive with the market town being 'alternative provision'– at no cost to the Council.

"The cut is painful but it's a much smaller cut than we originally thought and more in line with what we were expecting in February's budget. We've already had cut backs in staffing of 36% and hours of 18% and we are hopeful this will be included."

Herefordshire Council Cabinet decided, last week, to reduce the Ross Library service by 30%. When the news broke in May that Ross Library faced a 75% budget reduction there was a huge groundswell of local support.

At the time, a source close to the library called it "the domesday scenario" comparing it to Beeching's closure of the railways. The Mayor of Ross, Councillor Chris Bartrum described the possibility of closure, after much investment, "madness", and MP Jesse Norman called a public meeting in Ross for local people to give their views. Jan thinks the local support has seen Ross stave off further cuts – Ledbury, Kington and Bromyard have been cut by 50%.

Jan said: "A lot of it has been down to the reaction of the public. The consultation in Ross had a high response.

"Part of the strategy has been giving the Council solutions. We've had a lot of support from local members and from Roger Phillips. We're realistic about finances. We've never been naive but the library service has always been on top of its budget. These savings are based on more sound mathematics."Jan will be involved in the process of determining new opening hours, which are likely to come in effect in January.

She said: "We will look at the usage and which groups use the library at different times.

"The library used to be closed on a Monday and if it went back to being that again it wouldn't be the end of the world. It's never nice to reduce hours but we're realistic."

Plans are now in motion to use the library more and secure more community involvement. There is currently a display of art work created by John Kyrle students in the Dennis Potter Room and last Tuesday the library hosted a musical performance featuring students from John Kyrle High School to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the library (see page 7).

Jan said: "Public support and engagement in the service is important. We work well with the local community. Author Michael Rosen said that he saw Ross Library as the model for the future."

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.