A CROSS-party group is due to meet today to discuss a progress vision of the future of libraries in Hampshire in the next five years.

The councillors had been tasked to come up with how the Hampshire Information Service will look in the next five years amid changing usage and falling funding.

It comes as jobs, mobile libraries and branches are facing the chop as part of swingeing £93million cuts to the county council’s budget.

As reported, three libraries including Milford-on-Sea, have seen their staff cut.

It is hoped it could follow in the footsteps of libraries in North Baddesley and Stanmore and be run by volunteers. Mobile stops are to be slashed by nearly a third – with those under threat including three in Fareham, six in Eastleigh, eight in Romsey, ten in Winchester and 26 in the New Forest.

The library outreach team, which promotes the use of the library service, is also to be disbanded with 27 full-time posts axed.