LIBRARY campaigners have vowed to seek a legal challenge if they have to in their fight to save Dorset’s threatened Libraries.

With nine of the county’s libraries faced with the loss of Dorset County Council funding, the campaign group Ad Lib (the Association of Friends of Dorset Libraries) has been given a boost by legal victories for library challenges elsewhere in the country.

Last week library campaigners fighting the potential closure of libraries in Gloucestershire were granted permission to challenge the council’s plans.

Residents bidding to save five libraries in the Isle of Wight have also been granted legal aid to fight their cause.

Acting chairman of Ad Lib Tim Lee said: “We’d much rather that the fight to save our libraries did not end up in court but we’ll seek the protection of the law if we have to.

“As avoiding court action would be so easy, we hope we won’t see Dorset County Council wasting taxpayers’ money on such an unnecessary fight.

“Its leaders keep telling us how important it is to save money, so why take the risk of a legal challenge when there’s no need to do so?”

Ad Lib committee member Rob Hynds, who is chairman of the friends of Burton Bradstock library, added: “The leading firm of public interest solicitors – who are acting for our opposite numbers in the Isle of Wight – have, at our request, also been keeping an eye on what’s happening here.

“Our supporters are making sure that they are fully up to speed on this protracted campaign.

“But, as Tim Lee has said, we would much rather win our argument in the council chamber than in court.”

Councillors at Dorset County Council will vote next Thursday on two options on the future of Dorset’s libraries as the authority seeks to save £800,000.

One option proposes withdrawing funding to nine of its 34 libraries and the other suggests making savings across the service – such as cutting the book fund and staff – in order to keep all of the libraries open.

Ad Lib are calling on library supporters to write to council leader Angus Campbell at County Hall, urging him to ask for a free vote so the final decision is not decided on party lines.

Mr Lee said: “We want all our councillors to be allowed to vote according to their consciences.

“This is no time for Mr Campbell to resort to twisting the arms of councillors to make them vote for closures.”

"Service is no longer affordable"

Hilary Cox, the county council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “Dorset is currently among the best-served county areas in England in terms of libraries per 1,000 population, but unfortunately, the service we have today is no longer affordable.

“Meeting our statutory obligations, as set out in the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act, is central to the provision and arrangements for Dorset libraries.

“Proposals have been the subject of an extensive public consultation period over three months, and the proposals amended as a result of this feedback.

“At their meeting on 21 July, county councillors will have two clear options to consider, both in terms of the future provision of the library service and making the required level of savings.

“Both options have undergone a thorough equalities impact assessment to ensure obligations are met.”