PLANS which could see Wyre Forest libraries being shared with other services or relocated have been approved by Worcestershire County Council.

At a meeting in County Hall, cabinet discussed the progress of the countywide library service review. Recommendations were made to consult on the future of nine libraries included in the first phase, three of which were Stourport, Kidderminster and Bewdley libraries.

The proposals will see Stourport library relocated to the Civic Centre as part of the Stourport Forward regeneration project, which aims to pull a range of community services and organisations into the Wyre Forest District Council building.

Consultation will take place for three months from January. Independent Community and Health Concern county councillor Jim Parish, who is also a member of the Stourport Civic Steering Group, said he was “very pleased with the proposed move of the library into the civic after the building is transferred to the community in June 2012”.

He added: “The move ensures that this valuable service will remain in our town and will become an integrated part of the planned community services that will be housed at the civic."

Kidderminster Library however, could share its space with other community services, while Bewdley Library could be moved into the town’s museum. Consultation on both services will start in February.

The Libraries and Learning Service at County Hall has to make savings of 28 per cent or £1.8m but hopes to minimise cuts and closures.

Conservative councillor John Campion, the county council's cabinet member for localism and communities, said the changes to the libraries would create “a real community hub”.

He added: "Faced with having to make such significant savings it would be much easier to simply cut and close services until we reached the savings target.

“However, we really value the role libraries play in our communities, which is why we are being more innovative and creative in trying to make the savings in a way which ensure local people continue to have access to a comprehensive local library service.”