SHORTLY after the first “consultation” exercise started earlier this year it was suggested to me that it was likely three of Bolton’s libraries would close.

When it was over we learned that the council’s preferred option is to axe five — Astley Bridge, Castle Hill, Highfield, Heaton and Oxford Grove.

I suppose it is possible that a couple of these will be reprieved to show that the council has been listening to the populace, but do not bet on it.

If “Option 1” goes through — as seems likely — the opening hours across the town’s library service will be reduced by 145 hours and the staffing reductions will be the equivalent of 12.85 full time posts.

This will save between £405,000 and £420,000 over the next two years.

Some of the surviving district libraries will lose some hours (Harwood, for instance, will see them reduced from 52 a week to 46), but others such as Farnworth, Little Lever and Westhoughton will continue to open for 46 hours.

The only bright spot in all this is that Bolton Central Library will extend its opening hours from 60.5 to 65, including Sunday.

According to the latest consultation document, existing users of the five threatened branches will have “access to alternative services”.

That means “neighbourhood collections, library link and alternative libraries”.

These “neighbourhood collections” would involve an initial small collection of popular fiction and nonfiction titles supplemented with additional new titles on a regular basis.

Possible venues are: Astley Bridge — Oldhams Estate UCAN centre or a local school.

Castle Hill — Tonge Moor UCAN Centre.

Heaton — location to be explored.

Highfield — within the Orchards Centre.

Oxford Grove — Halliwell UCAN Centre.

The detail seems a little fuzzy here, not least when you consider that the Tonge Moor UCAN Centre used to be a branch library.

Who will run these reduced services?

I suspect volunteers will be called on to sort things out if this plan is agreed in the face of admirable opposition by anti-closure campaigners.