The local Midsomer councillor in B&NES Councillor Shaun Hughes is urging residents to protect the library.

He posted that the main council has already said they will cut £126,000 from Midsomer Norton and Keynsham libraries and says already existing vacancies are not being filled.

Cllr Hughes wrote: "Our libraries provide much more than just books they also provide numerous community services and I am very concerned about any cuts that would effect our local school children, blue badge holders, residents with other mobility restrictions, our elderly and residents within our SEND community who need face to face support.

"There is now a public consultation, please offer your support to our fantastic library services in Midsomer Norton. "

B&NES announced earlier this week that they have opened a consultation into what happens next to local library services.

At the council budget meeting held in February, Bath & North East Somerset Council agreed what they call "significant investment " to enable a review of the way the Libraries Information and Advice service is operated as well as to carry out repairs and redecoration at Bath Central Library.

They wrote: " It forms the first stage of its commitment to listen to communities before any changes are made. The outcomes will help the council decide how to use the funding to improve library and information services."

Anyone visiting Bath Central Library, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton Library, Information and Advice centres or Bath One Stop Shop until March 26 will be invited to complete the survey when leaving.

The survey can also be taken online HERE: [L]https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/respond-our-libraries-information-advice-services-one-stop-shops-customer-survey [L+] or by telephone on 01225 39 40 41..L]

The Library Information and Advice Service will also be running a targeted short online survey and focus groups this spring for young people aged between 11 and 18, and a survey of parents and guardians of younger children, to ask for their views on the libraries, digital services and events.