LIBRARY users staged a read-in protest at Borehamwood Library today to highlight impending service cuts by Hertfordshire County Council.

Organiser Louise Aldridge, of Cardinal Avenue, and members of the public joined the protest on one of the last Fridays the Elstree Way library is open.

She hopes to put pressure on the county council to make a commitment that they will reverse changes to opening-times once the economic climate improves and funds become available.

County Hall will slash hours by almost 40 per cent on July 4, meaning the service will be closed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, completely shut on Fridays, and will stay open until 7pm on weekdays, instead of 8pm previously.

Mrs Aldridge said: “We’re here to show the county councillors that this matters. We want the initial decision to be reconsidered especially when the library moves to the new location as part of the new village hall.

“Library users have been affected ranging from students who are here today studying for their exams and older people who like to come in and read the newspapers.

“I want the council to be open and honest about the figures of people using the library.

“Some honest consultation of the public would have been useful. People are very concerned about the cuts in hours and we hope today will make a difference.”

Accountant Jane Blatchford, 56, from Borehamwood, said: "It's quite a tragedy that the hours will be cut.

"It's a shame as people will only realise the value of it when it's gone.

"Where else can you just drop in and read a magazine or newspaper for free?

"There are also story-telling sessions that encourage parents to bring along children to work here.

"We have an area here that is socially deprived so everything should be done to encourage literacy and libraries do that."

Town councillor, Kerri Prince, 18, said: "Teenagers often need somewhere else to go and here it is ideal and quiet for them to revise.

"I have used the library when I was revising and cutting down the hours is a terrible result for students."

Councillor Ann Harrison (Labour, Cowley Hill) said: “Students will particularly be hit by the cuts in hours. They come here to do their homework, to get away from perhaps a busy house so they can concentrate.

“The decision is absurd and there definitely needs to be a re-think.”

However, a council spokesperson said this week: “While many councils have closed library branches completely, all 47 of Hertfordshire's branch libraries have remained open, despite extreme financial pressures.

“We consider that it is very important for our residents to be able to access a library. That’s why we have staggered the new timetable so that when your local library isn't open, a nearby branch will be."