LIBRARY chiefs could be preparing to shut facilities in Gloucestershire in a bid to save cash, according to a leading councillor.

Jeremy Hilton's fears follow an announcement from Shire Hall that the number of people visiting its libraries has fallen by more than 50,000 year-on-year.

Council bosses say fewer people are visiting libraries despite their efforts to provide new services.

With the authority under pressure to save cash, it announced earlier this month its stocks of new books would be reduced to save more than £200,000.

Now Councillor Antonia Noble, cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, has suggested that further cuts could be made. She said: "Our figures show a drop in library usage over the past few years despite efforts to attract new customers.

"We remain committed to providing a library service but in the changing world we live in we have to be sure that we're providing services in the best possible way.

"Absolutely no decisions have been made on the future funding of libraries, however, like every single council service, this will be looked at when we're making decisions about our budget in October." Mr Hilton, the council's Liberal Democrat group leader and former cabinet member for libraries, said: "I am worried Antonia Noble is softening up the public for cuts and closures of libraries in Gloucestershire.

"Already she has hacked into the book fund and now she is using global figures as an excuse to stop investment in our libraries.

"In actual fact, three new libraries that I commissioned continue to see increase usage.

"In the last year, Cirencester has had a 37 per cent increase in footfall, Longlevens is nine per cent up and Bishop's Cleeve has seen a seven per cent increase. The message is clear, investment in modern facilities and new services works."

Figures released by Shire Hall show that while footfall at some libraries is up, overall numbers have fallen.

In 2008/09, 2,966,415 visits were made but in 2009/10 this fell to 2,905,187 – down 61,228.

Between April and July this year, figures stood at 957,633 visits, down 53,895 on the same period last year.

The number of visitors refers to people who use a service, such as borrowing a book, CD, DVD or using a computer.

It does not include those who do not use their library card when, for example, reading a newspaper.

The council released its figures in response to a government report revealing a drop in library footfall nationally.

The two libraries with a large increase in visitors, Cirencester and Brockworth, have both undergone recent major refurbishment work.