PROTESTERS fighting plans for a revamp of Hampshire's libraries were today due to hand over a petition of more than 10,000 signatures to county council bosses.

Members of public service union Unison collected the signatures as part of their campaign against proposals to cut 27 jobs and force pay cuts of up to £4,500 on 17 other staff.

Union chiefs say the changes will lead to what they are calling the "de-professionalisation" of the county's library service because under-qualified people will be running Hampshire's libraries.

After the changes were announced in March, Unison members voted for strike action over the plans with libraries in Winchester, Fareham, Lee-on-the-Solent, Hythe, Totton, Lyndhurst, Ringwood and New Milton all shutting for two days in protests at the cuts.

Unison shop steward and library assistant Steve Squibbs said: "The fact that 10,000 Hampshire residents have supported the campaign by signing our petition is evidence that people value what is an excellent public service.

"The knowledge, experience and skills of qualified librarians are being carelessly tossed aside.'' Earlier this month the union also launched a national campaign aimed at securing the long-term future of librarians in the UK, and asking the Government to invest in libraries and employ properly trained staff.

Hampshire County Council leader Councillor Ken Thornber said: "This library restructure is essential to the continuing transformation of the library service and to prevent library closures, avoid cuts in opening hours and reductions in the book fund. We should not forget that part of the reasons for economies is the vast overspend on adult social care and a need for all of our departments to make a contribution to the savings plans."

The petition was due to be handed over to Richard Ward, head of library and information services, and Yinnon Ezra, head of recreation and heritage, outside Hampshire County Council's Ashburton Court headquarters in Winchester.