VILLAGERS have just two weeks to save their libraries as council bosses prepare to make a final decision on the closure of four sites.
Branch services at Lynemouth, Ellington and Hadston are under threat as Northumberland County Council strives to make debt-solving cutbacks.
At a public meeting called to grill councillors over the proposals, residents promised a fightback but exp
ressed fears the plans were 'a done deal'.
County Hall's executive board will vote whether to shut down the branches, along with eight others in Northumberland, at a meeting on November 6.
Parish leaders have demanded a rethink, claiming their libraries are among the most frequently used small facilities in the county.
Cath Davidson, chairman of Lynemouth Parish Council, reported that over 20 per cent of the coastal coalfields' population were regular visitors.
"Our services are well used and would be a big miss," she said.
"We are fighting for our libraries but also every other library. We don't what to see any community lose out.
"We're told that there are alternative libraries at Widdrington Station and Ashington but the County are withdrawing public transport all the time. The services from here are very poor."
Ellington Library, which is open for 11 hours a week, Hadston and Lynemouth are all used as Internet access point in the villages.
Local schools also use the facilities during weekly lessons.
Jean Scott, Chairman of Cresswell Parish Council, said: "This campaign will come down to people power.
"We need to make our voices heard because that's the strongest thing we have."
George Jackson, Chairman of Ellington and Linton Parish Council, added: "As a community we should be saying enough is enough and fight all the way.
"We have very little here in the way of facilities yet we could lose what little we have from this Council."
Speaking at the meeting, the County's Executive member for children's services Jim Wright told residents that no decision had been taken on the libraries' future.
"There are a number of options available for these branches," he said.
"At Ellington these include gifting the library to the community so it can be run by volunteers.
"There is no done deal here. I have no idea how the Executive will vote next month.
