THERE are just days left for residents to have their say on the future of closure-threatened libraries in Southampton.

Five libraries could be axed if community groups do not come forward to take them over after Labour council chiefs launched a review.

So far more than 3,000 people have responded to consultation on the proposals, which ends on Friday, and civic chiefs have urged more people to have their say.

Community campaigners are fighting any potential closures, with TV naturalist Chris Packham joining the battle to save the library he used as a youngster, Cobbett Road.

Mobile library Cobbett Road, Millbrook, Weston, Thornhill and Burgess Road, as well as the mobile library, are all at threat of closure.

The measures could save the cash-strapped council – which recently approved 226 job losses – £303,000 a year, with 18 jobs lost as a result.

Labour council chiefs have insisted that they do not want the libraries to close, but want community groups to come forward and take them over.

Council leisure and finances czar Stephen Barnes-Andrews said: “I know that there are many people out there who feel really passionately about their local library, but the needs of local people and what they expect from a library service have changed over the years.

“Undeniably, we do need to find ways to deliver our services in more cost-effective ways, but this is the first step of a longer journey and we need people to tell us what they want their library service to look like by completing the questionnaire.”

However, campaigners fear that is an unrealistic goal and will just result in the closure of the facilities.

Last week Springwatch star Mr Packham, who grew up in Southampton, spoke passionately about saving Cobbett Road Library.

He told a meeting: “It will be a travesty if this city is without its libraries as at some stage in the future its populace will be poorer on that account.

“Stand up and shout above the noise.”

More than 1,800 people have signed an online petition calling on council chiefs to save Cobbett Road Library, while more than 540 have signed one to save Burgess Road.

The potential closure of the libraries could have a knock-on effect for groups using the facilities.

Community Playlink manager Pam McCune said closing Burgess Road could be “devastating” for the charity and leave it without a home.

Consultation on the future of the libraries ends on Friday, and residents can have their say by completing an online questionnaire at or picking up printed copies in libraries, council housing offices and the Gateway building in Guildhall Square.