BATTLE lines could soon be drawn up over the future of Ludlow library.

Shropshire Council is soon to begin a consultation about the future of its six hub libraries including Ludlow.

Alternatives for the future could include transferring the libraries to community organisations or other providers as has been done in other south Shropshire towns including Bishop's Castle.

Another possibility could be moving the library to become a shared facility as has been the case in Church Stretton where moving the library from the town centre to the school is the subject of a judicial review.

There could also be the option of seeing if Ludlow Town Council is willing to take over the library.

However, the Ludlow Library also serves as a base for the county Museum Resource Centre, local jobcentre and has an exhibition area and art gallery.

Andy Boddington, who represents Ludlow North on Shropshire Council, has made his position clear ahead of the consultation.

“I don’t think it helps that we are set to spend time looking at transferring these libraries to communities or local councils,” said Andy Boddington.

“The six hub libraries provide an integrated service that can’t easily be split up. I cannot see how we can retain that with more than one hub provider, not without creating a lot of bureaucracy to oversee any future arrangement.

“We have seen with the commissioning of youth services that Shropshire Council can make the process of change more complex than need be.

“In Church Stretton, the council’s decision to move the library site and manage it differently will soon be examined in the high court. There is a better example at Bishop’s Castle, where the transition to a community-run library seems to be going well.

“But Bishop’s Castle is community library, not a major facility like Ludlow.

“The county’s six hub libraries should be run by a single service provider. That provider will have a track record of delivering services. It will show a clear understanding of the importance of libraries and customer service centres to our communities.”