THE library services of Okehampton, Chagford and Moretonhampstead could change following a cost cutting consultation by Devon County Council. The 13-week consultation is exploring proposals to create a network of 22 'Devon Centres' at the county's busiest libraries, which account for nearly 80% of the council's total library usage. It is planned for Okehampton Library to be developed into a 'Devon Centre'. The process would include identifying other services which could share the library space, and where appropriate, staff. The council is also looking to hear from communities to identify how 28 smaller libraries could be sustained in future. This includes the communities of Chagford and Moretonhampstead. Ideas being floated to run these smaller libraries include volunteer-run libraries, raising a community's local tax precept to maintain existing services or locating the library with other community facilities. No single model has been proposed due to the council recognising each of the 28 communities with smaller libraries will have different needs and aspirations for their local library service. A series of drop-in sessions will be held at the libraries on Tuesday, May 20 to give people an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposals. The Moretonhampstead sessions runs from 10am to noon, with the Chagford session running from 1pm to 3pm and the Okehampton session from 4pm to 6pm. Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council's cabinet member with responsibility for the library service, said: 'Libraries are well-loved and highly valued by local communities but we need to find the most sustainable way for them to continue in future. 'We all want a library service which provides a safe, welcoming space within our communities as well as providing access to high quality information and promoting a love of reading. 'We're keen to develop a set of proposals which ensure that libraries deliver the huge potential they can offer to support local needs. This consultation is an opportunity for people to give us their views and suggestions on how they would like these important services to continue while also reducing costs.' The council is looking to shave £1.5-million from its library budget over the next three years. Book lending remains a core service of the library with more than 138,000 people using Devon libraries in 2012/13 but more people are using the service to access reading material and information online and in new formats. Libraries are also playing an increasing role in supporting communities through initiatives such as Books on Prescription and Free Fridays. The consultation will run until July 17 and a definitive set of proposals will go before the county council's cabinet in September. Information on the consultation is available at http://www.toughchoices.co.uk">www.toughchoices.co.uk as well as in libraries and through the mobile library service and ideas and comments can be emailed to [email protected]">[email protected]