WEST Devon libraries are likely to be affected by money-saving measures being imposed by Devon County Council, it was announced last week.

The council is to consult on proposals for the service, which includes turning Tavistock and Okehampton libraries, among 22 others in the county, into 'Devon Centres'.

The county is also encouraging communities to come forward with ideas on how the 28 smaller libraries in the county that are less well used or close to larger libraries, including those facilities at Chagford, Moretonhampstead and Princetown, can be sustained in the future.

The council said there had been a decline in traditional book lending and a rise in the popularity of online and e-reader technologies. This, plus the council's need to save £1.7-million by 2017, is influencing its current thinking on what the future of the service may look like.

The council said the proposed 'Devon Centres' would form the backbone of the county's future library provision, offering high quality services to encourage reading, support access to information and learning and promote access to wider cultural activity alongside a wider range of complementary community services.

Libraries serving smaller communities fall within a proposal to encourage ideas from local communities.

Plans for some towns include a league of friends group taking on the running of its library as part of the charity's intention to expand its services, and there are several community-led library services in operation with or independent of the council's support, including as community hub and a library within a community shop.

In addition, the council is proposing to continue to reduce its management and support costs and develop new ways to maintain the reach of its current library service, but at less cost — even after recent efficiency changes involving mobile libraries, the council said the service was still expensive to run.

It wants to make services to residents of residential homes more personalised as well as more cost effective, identify how the council's use of technology can be improved to widen access to the library service and continue to seek new sources of income and external funding.

Cllr Roger Croad, the council's cabinet member with responsibility for the library service, said: 'Changes in the way people use libraries, and in what they expect of the service, is also driving this consideration of what a future library service might look like.

'These proposals would see a consolidation of the service focusing on a network of enhanced Devon Centres, with resources and support to community-led initiatives.

'We know that, at their best, libraries have tremendous potential to support people of all ages to develop their skills and knowledge.  

'We think these proposals represent the best opportunity to maximise the potential of libraries to support local communities in the future. Of course, we are continuing to reduce costs in other ways, in our management and support of the service.

'Over coming months we will be going out to communities to engage them in thinking about how they can maintain a local service, with as much support from the council as we can give.

'I would encourage local residents, groups and organisations to give us their views and to put forward any other ideas or suggestions they have.

'The council will put the proposals out for public consultation over the next three months, to gauge public reaction and kick-start local conversations about possible community-led solutions.

The council will announce firm proposals in the autumn, followed by further engagement with local communities.

Details of the proposals and consultation will be available online from mid April at http://www.toughchoices.co.uk">www.toughchoices.co.uk