PEOPLE have gathered to protest against controversial plans which could see the closure of Rubery Library.

The Advertiser previously reported that library users were told to ‘use it or lose it’ by the county council as the authority needs to save £800,000.

The future of some of Worcestershire’s smaller libraries such as Rubery hangs in the balance after the county council launched a consultation into the whole shape and size of the library structure.

While bigger libraries are unlikely to change, some of the county’s smaller libraries could close if their need is not proved.

The area’s county councillor Peter McDonald, who has launched a petition, is urging locals to show their support for the building.

Speaking after the protest, he said: "Libraries are the cornerstones of a healthy community.

"It gives people the opportunity to find jobs, explore medical research, experience new ideas, get lost in wonderful stories, while at the same time providing a sense of place for gathering as well as educating our young.

"The library reflects the diversity and character, and the needs and expectations of the community. Those needs and expectations are often extensive, and the services invaluable.

"However, the Tory controlled council treat us all with contempt and are more interested in selling off the land the library is housed on, than they are in educating our children and the wellbeing of residents."

He added: "It was only a year ago the county council came up with the barmy idea and ridiculous proposal to relocate Rubery Library to St Chad's Church.

"Now once again the library is under threat of closure even though after last year’s consultation with the public the hours of the library were reduced making it viable and removed any threat of closure."

A final decision on the structure of the county’s libraries will most likely be made in spring 2019.

The county council is required by law to provide a library service but the authority says no guidelines are available which show what the service should look like – including how many libraries it must run.