PRESSURE around a potential reduction in the number of librarians across Devon has ramped up after campaigners urged local politicians to scrutinise the process.

Members of the public raised concerns about the consultation that is underway by Libraries Unlimited, the organisation that runs Devon’s 50 libraries, which could see librarian numbers cut.

The move comes just months after Devon County Council agreed extra funding for libraries, and also opted to maintain their existing set-up and operating hours in response to huge opposition against proposed changes.

The county council has no involvement in the current librarian consultation, which is being conducted entirely by Libraries Unlimited. It was also reiterated that the council could not comment on it because it was being conducted by an independent entity.

“I’m not calling the Libraries Unlimited consultation ‘rubbish’, but if these proposals go ahead, every library will suffer and every community will be diminished and small rural libraries vanish,” said Marilyn Spidell, secretary of the Ottery Library Friends.

She highlighted that Devon County Council, while not being directly involved in the consultation, still had a statutory duty to secure a comprehensive and efficient library service.

“Without supervisors, libraries stop, because it is they who bring libraries to life; supervisors are the heartbeat of the service, they know the books, the people, they connect with schools, community groups, and volunteers,” she said.

Councillor Jess Bailey (Independent, Otter Valley) said people value their local libraires and the staff that make them work, something that came out loud and clear in the consultation the county council ran earlier this year.

“But there is now a [proposed] Devon-wide restructuring with the key role of library supervisor set to be removed,” she said.

“I find this concerning as we listened to what communities told us; people wanted opening hours protected but our consultation told us more than that, it told us why people value their libraries.

“Supervisors know their communities, volunteers, and know the people who use libraries and build relationships and understand what their communities need.

“Supervisors are absolutely key for making libraries the brilliant, welcoming and vibrant places they are.”

The corporate infrastructure and regulatory services committee, which heard the debate about the consultation, agreed to add the issue to its work programme, meaning it will begin work to assess the issue and then debate it more fully at a future meeting.

Separately from the meeting, the union, Unison said it was representing library staff, and that it had reps and branch officers who were supporting members employed by Libraries Unlimited during this “difficult time”.

“Unison expects to receive the outcome of the consultation in around two weeks’ time and will be discussing the decisions with our members at that time,” a spokesperson added.

Libraries Unlimited has previously said: “This is an internal staff consultation and therefore whilst the consultation is ongoing it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.

“We can confirm that staffed opening hours will be unaffected. There is no involvement from Devon County Council.”