GERRARDS Cross has been told to 'get its act together' to help save the village library.

Buckinghamshire County Council has launched proposals to withdraw funding for staff at the Station Road facility, along with 13 other branch libraries (see link below).

It says it has to save £668,000 from the library budget over the next three years.

Peter Hardy, a county councillor for Gerrards Cross, said a community library is “much more positive” than closure, and hopes villagers will spring into action to rescue it.

He said: “I actually think the proposal in the consultation is positive, but it will require volunteers.

“I don't think the consultation is going to end with this proposal being withdrawn so we have to get our act together.

“It can become more of a community centre and would be open a bit longer... it could have a coffee shop.

“This is an opportunity to put the concept of the Big Society into practice.”

He said staffing took up most of the library's spending and this would have to be provided at “zero cost” to the council in future.

He thinks it could be a “slight disadvantage” that the library building is currently leased by BCC.

The council is hosting a meeting at the Memorial Centre in Gerrards Cross on December 14 at 7pm to discuss the proposals.