COUNCILLORS are concerned Bromsgrove libraries will become unmanned as a new scheme is set to be rolled out across the district.

Bromsgrove, Hagley and Rubery are part of the next phase in Worcestershire County Council’s Libraries Unlocked scheme.

The rollout will see libraries offering longer opening hours, but they won’t always be staffed.

Users with a Libraries Unlocked membership will need a library card to enter the building outside normal opening hours and will be able to access services from 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday.

Cllr Marcus Hart, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for communities said many residents are unable to visit libraries during the usual 9am to 5pm opening hours.

The scheme has already been trialled at Droitwich and Stourport which Cllr Hart says has been ‘very positive’.

However, Councillor for Rubery North, Peter McDonald, said there is a serious threat the county council will convert the libraries into totally unmanned.

He said: “It is crazy to replace librarians with machines, they provide vital services that cannot be completely replicated by technological solutions.

“On-site employees provide vital functions which are not always recognised.

“There are many risks associated with unmanned libraries such as, dealing with violence or aggression, antisocial behaviour, vandalism, accidents and ill-health, safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons, dealing with accidents, incidents, and emergency situations.

“Without librarians on site to help and assist where needed could well endanger people’s wellbeing and significantly impact.”

Stourbridge News: Cllr Esther Gray outside Rubery Library. Cllr Esther Gray outside Rubery Library. (Image: Esther Gray.)

Councillor for Rubery South, Esther Gray, said: “It’s not enough to say we can do everything digitally, what about the people that can’t do things digitally? What about deaf and blind people – how will they deal with it?

“I’m very concerned.

“The people of Rubery often feel overlooked. People can feel safe in a big library such as Bromsgrove but in Rubery library, we are tucked away out of sight.

“We need more investment in the library to renew it.”

Cllr Marcus Hart said: “We can confirm that Bromsgrove, Rubery, and Hagley are part of the next planned stage of Libraries Unlocked roll out this Autumn and, once implemented, library customers and local community organisations will be able to use the library outside of its current opening hours if they upgrade to free Libraries Unlocked membership.

“Under these proposals, Bromsgrove, Rubery and Hagley libraries will be open 72 hours a week, increasing opening hours by 50 per cent at Bromsgrove Library and over 100 per cent at Rubery and Hagley libraries.”

There are also discussions around the rollout of the programme at Wythall and Alvechurch libraries but it’s yet to be confirmed.

Those aged under 16 will not be able to use Libraries Unlocked unless they are accompanied by an adult.

Cllr Hart added: “We have already received feedback from customers on the times of day they think work best for Libraries Unlocked hours and are consulting with library staff to seek their views.

“Final Libraries Unlocked opening hours and core staffing hours for each site will be finalised closer to the second phase starting.”