DETAILED DESIGNS to modify Ross library have been unveiled by Herefordshire Council officials, at a public meeting held on Tuesday afternoon in the library's Dennis Potter Room.

Around 30 local people and town councillors attended the meeting, to discuss what one resident said will produce "a hotch-potch that the people of Ross won't like".

At the heart of the plans is the decision to move the county council's customer services from Swan House, which the council rents, to what is now the Dennis Potter Room. An earlier scheme, which included the building of an extension, was deemed too costly; but the plans and positioning of the customer services facilities – which will include dedicated counters and four meeting rooms – is unchanged.

Other new features will include a 'multifunction' exhibition area that will be larger than the current Dennis Potter Room, and redesigned shelving in the main library area.

Arguing the council's case, Andy Tector, Head of Special Projects, underlined the need to save money on the eve of the government's announcement of cuts. "By using one building to deliver two services, we can use fewer staff."

Elinor Kelly, Chair of the Ross Library Development Group, said, "We've accepted the decision to bring customer services into the library, but there's still a lot to be worked out."

More details in next week's Ross Gazette.