LIBRARIES in Thurrock could close as part of a costcutting exercise by the council.

Thurrock Council has begun a month-long consultation with the public into how the library service can save £500,000.

One suggestion is to get volunteers to step forward to run the libraries and to seek funding to support them.

Others include reducing the number of libraries, closing the mobile library service, which has low usage, and sharing services between libraries.

Residents have already expressed concern at the possibility of losing the service.

Among Facebook users writing on the Thurrock Gazette website, Annette Columbine wrote: “Really! It’s disgusting. Libraries are an essential part of everybody's life

“Taking my girls there when they were young is what has influenced their love of reading now that they’re adults.”

Angie Warner wrote: “I love taking my little girl to the library.

“It’s our bit of mummy-anddaughter quality quiet time and we would really miss doing that. It’s a great service and should stay.”

Some changes have already taken place, including the sharing of some library services in South Ockendon and Chadwell St Mary, but the council says further savings are needed.

The online consultation will run until Sunday, February 15, and is available at www.thurrock.gov.uk/libraries

**

A SAVE Our Libraries Facebook group has been set up to preserve the library service.

Julie Sorrell-Wilde, 48, treasurer of Corringham Community Forum, who set up the page, said: “We’re quite devastated at the idea of losing our library.

"I’ve lived here since I was five years old and the library is the heart of our town centre and our community.”

The forum allows residents to access services, such as the fire service, in the libraries.

Ms Sorrell-Wilde added: “It’s vital for the community and all the people that use it – and I don’t support the idea of volunteers running it.

“Helping, yes. Taking over? No.”