DEVON'S library service must be sustainable - that's the view of one Devon County Councillor as a consultation period on the future of the county's libraries gets under way.

The 13-week consultation is exploring proposals to create a network of 22 'Devon Centres' at the county's busiest libraries, which account for nearly 80% of the Council's total library usage - and Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for the library service, hopes the period throws up a number of “sustainable” solutions.

He said: “Libraries are well-loved and highly valued by local communities, but we need to find the most sustainable way for them to continue in future.

“We all want a library service which provides a safe, welcoming space within our communities as well as providing access to high quality information and promoting a love of reading.

“We're keen to develop a set of proposals which ensure that libraries deliver the huge potential they can offer to support local needs.

“This consultation is an opportunity for people to give us their views and suggestions on how they would like these important services continue while also reducing costs.”

The 13-week consultation is exploring proposals to create a network of 22 'Devon Centres' at the county's busiest libraries, which account for nearly 80% of the Council's total library usage.

The County Council wants to hear from local communities to identify how 28 smaller libraries could be sustained in future.

A series of drop in sessions will be held at libraries across the county between April 28 and June 25 to give people an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposals.

The proposals are in response to the changing ways people are using libraries and budget reductions facing the Council to find £1.5 million in savings over the next three years.

The consultation will run until July 17 and a definitive set of proposals will go before the County Council's Cabinet in September.