ONE library faces closure and another could be handed over to the community under new proposals by Nottingham City Council.

Beechdale Library, which has long been earmarked for closure, is set to shut after all attempts to save it failed.

At the same time, there are plans for Wilford Library to be run by volunteers in a bid to avert its closure.

But Councillor Dave Trimble, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and customers at the city council, said he is looking to meet with people in Wilford to discuss the prospect of a community asset transfer, a government initiative launched 12 months ago.

It would involve people managing and staffing the library, with help from the council with issues such as applying for grants.

Coun Trimble said: "What we hope to try and do is get the Wilford Community Group around the table and start discussing things with them and see where it takes us.

"We were hoping to get that set up as soon as possible.

It is a bid to try and stop it from closure. One of the things about the community asset transfer is that they can apply for cash that we cannot.

"We check the state of the building before we give it over. We can give them expertise.

"The area committee would be working with organisations like this in the area."

He said improvements were in the pipeline for Bilborough Library after nearby Beechdale closes. "We need to update libraries," he said.

"We need to get much more computers and be more fit for the future. What we are saving we are trying to spend elsewhere. Recently, we have invested money in The Meadows Library and others."

Bill Roughton, of Wilford Community Group, said the idea of the community taking over Wilford Library would be debated at a group meeting on Monday.

He said: "I love the idea of a community asset transfer. I just cannot see people being public-spirited enough to run that library. We are already struggling to keep the bowls club afloat."

Grandmother-of-eight Brenda Peel, 72, of Beechdale, said closing Beechdale Library would create inconvenience for residents. "It is disgusting. In this area we have not got a lot of amenities. It's small but it is very much in demand.

"Bilborough Library is further away for people in Beechdale."

chris.birkle@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk