YOU don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. It could be a truism applied to the battle to save the county’s libraries.

They are no longer unwelcoming dusty bolt-holes.

A host of services and help is offered at the kind of rates – if not for free – that would not be afforded elsewhere.

It is the reason readers should sit up and pay attention to the string of community campaigns set to roll into action next week.

The county council’s money saving plan has ignited fury quite unlike anything seen in a long time.

Meanwhile, we learn a city solicitor is mounting a legal challenge to the scheme.

He believes the county is duty bound to provide a comprehensive library service.

By shutting the doors on a series of centres it most certainly will not.

We also feature an interview with writer Peter Hitchins who makes valid points against community run libraries.

While praising volunteer endeavour, these vital resources could never be run properly by unpaid hands.

As with many such projects, it would become the responsibility of a small number to keeping the cogs turning. Unrealistic.

It will be interesting to see how the county council reacts to the overwhelming outrage.