‘I completely understand how she feels’

Councillor John Kelly, Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture, said: “We have had expressions of interest from a number of community groups who are interested in running library buildings as community venues, which would also offer books and digital library services.

“Following an initial meeting, we are going to be working closely with these groups over the next few weeks to help them develop their ideas further.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to find a solution which will allow library buildings in areas where there is a community interest in running them to stay open as community venues with access to library books, wherever this is possible.

“We would also ask any community groups who missed the meeting but are interested in running their local library as a community venue to get in touch.

“The proposed changes reflect the unprecedented cuts to our budget since 2010 as a result of Government austerity measures and cost pressures.

“Over the same period the number of people visiting our libraries has fallen by more than half. In 2011/12, there were over a million visits to libraries. By 2015/16, this had dropped to just over 500,000.

“But it also takes account of the fact that people have changed their reading habits, partly because of the internet and ebooks, but also because books are now much cheaper than they used to be.

“This is about delivering the best library services we possibly can to reflect

“This is a very difficult time for the council and for everbody” COUN JOHN KELLY

changing demands within the reduced budget we have available.

“Nationally and locally there aren’t as many people using traditional library services in the same way they once did and we need to continue evolving our own library service to reflect this.

“More people are now accessing digital resources including eBooks on their phones and computers.

“The approach we’re taking reflects the shift in the way people use libraries and the fall in demand at the same time as helping achieving the savings we need to make by 2020.

“I completely understand how Elsie is feeling, this is a very difficult time for the council and for everybody in our city.

“While we’ve had contacts in other parts of the city from groups and possible volunteers, we’ve had not any contact about Bunny Hill.

“If people are interested in helping to run a community library in Bunnyhill then we’d be interested in hearing from them.”

Any community groups who are interested in running their local library building as a community venue, which would also offer books and digital library services, can contact Marie Brett at marie. brett@sunderland.gov.uk.