NEXT YEAR will be a black chapter for libraries across the borough and could see Halesowen Library close, a councillor has warned today.

Hayley Green and Cradley South Councillor Ken Turner is demanding answers from Dudley Council over a massive shortfall in the libraries budget.

Cllr Turner has demanded and not received assurances Halesowen Library, which has already been downsized in recent years, will not close.

Cllr Turner said: “It will be a massive blow to the town if any of our libraries in Halesowen close and what is happening in library services is very worrying.

“There is a £272,000 deficit in the budget for libraries and no-one is saying how this will be made up and I’ve asked for guarantees that Halesowen Library will not be closed and have had no denials.”

In a letter to Cllr Dave Tyler, the chairman of the regeneration, culture and adult education scrutiny committee, Cllr Turner also raised the prospect of vulnerable people missing out on vital services if cuts go ahead.

He said: “Computers in libraries are valuable assets to the disadvantaged providing them with the opportunity to use computers they can not afford at home.

“They can also register their claims for the oncoming Universal Credit which is only acceptable online.”

Sandwell, Dudley, and Wolverhampton councils were planning to merge library services to cut costs but the idea was shelved in the summer, ending the prospect of shared savings.

On January 9, Dudley Council will move its Halesowen housing offices into the library’s fifth floor which will also house a Citizens Advice Bureau.

This follows the controversial move three years ago to reduce the size of the library to make way for council staff.

A spokesman for Dudley Council said: “We have taken the decision to relocate Halesowen housing services within the Halesowen Library which has presented an opportunity to relocate with Citizens Advice Bureau.

“We have already relocated two area offices into local libraries and have found that this has been very well received by users.”