COST-cutting measures could see Malvern Library sharing space with the town’s job centre.

Worcestershire County Council needs to save 28 per cent – about £1.8 million – from its libraries and learning service budget and is looking at how this can be achieved without affecting services.

It has announced plans for the Job Centre Plus to move from its own premises in Portland Road and into the library, in Graham Road.

Consultation sessions where residents and library users can view the proposals and have their say are being held at the library next week, before a planning application is submitted later in December.

The move would generate additional income through hosting the job centre, although it is not known how much as the information is considered “commercially sensitive”.

The library already hosts Malvern Customer Service Centre and registration services and Coun John Campion, cabinet member for libraries and learning, said the approach was consistent with other libraries that are sharing space to reduce overheads.

“In Worcestershire we have thought about things differently to ensure we can continue to deliver a comprehensive library service across the county,” he said.

“We can't avoid the savings which need to be made but we are committed to achieving these in a way which maintains services for local people.

“The plans have sought to keep any impact on the library service, in terms of number of books and other resources, to an absolute minimum and actually many visitors will see benefits in having all libraryrelated services on the same floor and other local services under one roof.”

Engagement sessions are being held at the library between 10am-noon on Tuesday, 2-4pm on Wednesday and 5-7pm on Thursday.