KINGSCLERE villagers have been warned that their library will close in a matter of months unless a volunteer co-ordinator can be found to run it.

Giving an update on the under-threat library, parish council chairman Councillor Alan Denness said: “If we do not get a co-ordinator, the library will close on March 31. It hopefully would be replaced by a travelling unit – if we can find somewhere for it can park.”

He told that latest parish council meeting it is vital that someone is appointed as co-ordinator. He added that someone, who had previously been lined up for the post, had changed their mind after hearing what duties and responsibilities were involved.

Cllr Denness said: “Currently, there are three interested people and one of the council employees is arranging a meeting to come up and explain in full what the responsibilities of the co-ordinator will be. There is no point in doing anything until we have a co-ordinator.”

He told the parish council that a legal transfer of the facility will be looked at by village hall trustees and that costs, including the income and how much it takes to run the building, are currently being evaluated.

As previously reported in The Gazette, the library, in George Street, is one of three in Hampshire which was earlier this year earmarked for closure as part of a cost-cutting measure by Hampshire County Council.

If the responsibility for the library is signed over to the community, it is expected to save the council between £16,000 and £18,000 every year.