HISTORIC libraries could be shut down after a secret cost-cutting review was revealed.

Charing Cross, Westminster Reference, St James’s and Mayfair’s libraries could all be hit by a major shake-up. Westminster’s Archives in St Ann’s Street is expected to be dumped into storage while a detailed report about “alternative use potential” for library buildings has been drawn-up by officers. The most “cost effective” libraries are likely to survive the “transformation” plan that follows an internal review.

Labour Group leader Councillor Adam Hug said “Westminster Conservatives need to be open and honest about what the council is planning for the future of Westminster’s libraries.”

Council documents say the archives in Westminster Reference Library should be moved, adding: “It is proposed that the digitisation and off-site storage is explored and fully costed, with a view to repurposing the existing building. A feasibility study has been carried out to explore options for the future use of the site and required adaptations.”

The report said it didn’t make financial sense to continue with both Charing Cross and Westminster Reference libraries. “Charing Cross Library and Westmin­ster Reference Library sit 150 metres apart in the centre of the borough. This is not cost effective. Neither building is accessible, and while Charing Cross is not a listed building both are difficult to upgrade. Potential options to make Westminster Reference Library as accessible as possible have been costed at between £640k to £750k.”

The carbon emissions of all Westminster libraries has also been considered by the beancounters at city hall. More than 800 libraries have closed nationwide since the Conservative-Lib Dem government first began implementing austerity budgets in 2010.

The council’s libraries chief, Councillor Tim Barnes, said: “The suggestion that any decision has been taken to close any library to save money is simply wrong.

“There is a review of library facilities underway that is looking at how we can best serve Westminster residents. This includes consideration of how all our libraries, particu­larly the older buildings, can be brought up to modern standards for disabled access and carbon emissions.

“Westminster City Council invests more money in its libraries per resident than any other council in the country.

“It is correct that we are looking at what it might cost to expand the range of documents from the Westminster Archives that are available online. We want more people to be able to make use of the information we store to learn about their family stories, our local history and how buildings have developed over time.

“I am saddened that residents may fear losing services and staff fear losing their jobs.”

He added: “During the pandemic, the service continued to innovate with an extended virtual service with talks, clubs and events. Last year we opened a new Business Library in Victoria to support the economic recovery.

“There is now an online library service that thousands of residents used during lockdown while libraries were closed; again, this is one of the most developed services in the country with some 40,000 titles available for free to Westminster Library members on their phones, computers and other devices. That’s an amazing asset.”