DEVON’S libraries have seen a plot twist in their funding story after a move with “real intent” to secure them more cash.

All of Devon’s 50 libraries are undergoing a consultation that could see hours cut and residents asked to travel to a library elsewhere when the one in their home town or village is closed.

But a late finance re-write for libraries was revealed in Devon County Council’s budget, that was backed by its councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday, February 24.

Going into the meeting to confirm the council’s £839 million budget, libraries had been expected to find £650,000 in efficiency savings, but that has now been reversed.

The council said £225,000 would go to restoring the book fund back to its £500,000 level, and that an extra £425,000 had been found to support library delivery during any potential changes that could come about after the consultation on how they operate in the future.

The budget for libraries was due to fall from £7 million to nearly £6.5 million, but will now be kept over the higher figure.

Furthermore, the budget revealed that the council had identified £1 million to create a reserve for libraries and rural hubs that it said would “support genuine transformation and community-led improvement”.

Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin (Liberal Democrat, Torrington Rural) whose cabinet portfolio includes libraries, said the scale of responses to the consultation had been “incredible”.

“We’ve had 22,000 responses, which is one of the biggest to a Devon County Council consultation and four times more than the library consultation in 2006,” she said.

Cllr Cottle-Hunkin added that the £425,000 to support library delivery showed the administration was “serious about listening and responding to what communities tell us”, and that it meant the council would have the “flexibility to act responsibly and meaningfully to the consultation”.

“If we are serious about aspiration, literacy and opportunity, then investing in literacy resources is the right thing to do, and the creation of a £1 million reserve to support library transformation and rural hubs is not a small change but a real investment in doing things differently,” she said.

The consultation has stated that none of the county’s 50 libraries will close, but could be grouped into areas where at least one library would be open Monday to Saturday.

This so-called network model has angered some campaigners, though, because they feel that many residents won’t be able to travel to a neighbouring library, especially if they are elderly or vulnerable and rely on public transport.

However, the council has said it is also seeking views on the use of volunteers and community managed libraries, where local organisations could take on day-to-day running with support from the council and Libraries Unlimited.

And there are even potential proposals to use technology to allow registered users to enter libraries outside staffed times.

The consultation has closed, and the council will now analyse the responses.