PROPOSALS for Skipton Library are due to be discussed at a meeting of the town council next week.

Next Thursday's (jan 22) meeting of Skipton Town Council will include a presentation by North Yorkshire's assistant director, Julie Blaisdale, in addition to the setting of the council precept and budget.

It will be one of the last chances for those concerned about the proposals, which include the use of volunteers and a possible reduction in opening hours, to comment in public before the end of the three month consultation next month.

Objectors, co-ordinated by family interest website MooBaaKids, and including Craven born writers, Blake Morrison and Simon Beaufoy, fear changes will mean the degrading of a much valued service.

But the county council - which is consulting on changes to Skipton and smaller libraries, including Bentham, Ingleton, Settle and Cross Hills, until February 8, says savings have to be found as part of £167 million across the whole council budget.

Skipton town councillor, Eric Jaquin, urged anyone with concerns about the proposals to attend Thursday's council meeting in Skipton Town Hall.

Cllr Jaquin, who brought up the concerns of user groups at last month's area committee meeting of North Yorkshire County Council, said: "There have been many letters from individuals and user groups in the press, and this meeting will give Skipton residents the chance to express their views, and confirm the town council's formal response to the consultation."

Objections to changes to Skipton Library have been co-ordinated by the MooBaaKids website. Following the end of the consultation on February 8, a report with recommendations is due to go to county council in June for a decision, but changes are not expected to be adopted until early 2017.

Meanwhile, an additional drop in session is due to take place at Booths Supermarket, Settle, on Friday, January 23 from 10am to 12.30pm.

Comments can also be made on North Yorkshire County Council's website.

The full meeting of Skipton Town Council at Skipton Town Hall will take place on Thursday, January 22 from 7pm.