Penryn Library could stay open in spite of Cornwall Council cuts if Penryn Town Council negotiations are successful.

The town council has resolved to set aside £20,000 to negotiate the transfer of the library building in return for taking responsibility for running the service, which faces the axe as part of Cornwall Council’s £196 million programme of cuts.

As well as taking over the running of the library service, the town council would be able to move its offices, plus the One Stop Shop which it already runs, into the library building to save money on renting its current headquarters in Upper Market Street.

Town clerk Michelle Davey told councillors that council staff would be trained to operate the library alongside their One Stop Shop and council duties, meaning no extra staff would be needed, and the opening times for the library could actually be increased from their current 14 and a half hours a week.

Speaking during a pre-budget discussion at Penryn Town Council last week, Councillor John Langan said: “So we take it over, move into it, and keep it open all the time? Good idea.”

Councillor Mark Snowdon wondered if it would be possible |to have a public toilet available in the building, and added that “even |if it’s little used, there are |real benefits in taking it over, including the office.”

He added: “The only problem is that the office is currently in the centre of town [and not at the bottom end] but years ago it was in Broad Street.

“To save the money we are paying on Saracen House and take over that building, it would be a real asset.”

Councillor John Langan wondered if it would be feasible to house the library collection in the current town museum, and allow the museum to expand into the current library, and Councillor Mary May raised the possibility of opening “a small art gallery”.

Miss Davey told councillors that due to its proximity to Falmouth the library was “at considerable risk of closure”, while Councillor Snowdon said he thought “there is a real chance we’ll get it.”

The council will vote on its final budget, including the library, at next month’s meeting.