THIRTEEN staff at Blackburn with Darwen library service face losing their jobs sparking fears for the future of branches around the borough.

They have been put on redundancy notice as part of the shake-up of services as the council seeks to make £31 million of further budget savings in response to cuts in their Whitehall grant.

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A review of the library service proposes replacing council staff with volunteers and installing self-service machines.

The borough has confirmed 13 part-time staff have been put on redundancy notice.

Tory group leader Mike Lee and his Liberal Democrat counterpart David Foster expressed concern at the possible impact on branch libraries.

Of the 13 affected, one has already started a trial elsewhere and the council is looking to find jobs for the others.

Borough library manager Kath Sutton said: “The council is doing its best to minimise redundancies as much as possible.

“All council services are currently under review and we want to try and preserve as many as possible.

“Like many libraries across the country, we have installed self-service systems to become more efficient.

“We do not want to see any staff in distress and would be happy to talk further with any worried about their futures.”

Norma Brown, Unison North West Regional Organiser said: “We are disappointed jobs are under threat in the library service and our members are worried about their futures.

“We will be working hard to to avoid any compulsory redundancies.

“We will work with the council to minimise the negative impact of cuts to libraries but inevitably there will be some worsening of the quality and accessibility of library services.”

Cllr Lee said: “I am concerned.

“I wonder if opening the Central Library in Blackburn on Sundays is a better use of resources than maintaining services at local branches like Livesey.”

Cllr Foster said: “I hope this is not the thin end of the wedge leading to closures.”