Campaigner Shirley Burnham has launched a new bid to save Swindon’s community libraries.

Mrs Burnham said she believes at least half of the borough’s libraries are under threat from Swindon Council’s planned cutbacks.

She has launched the petition after the council began a review into all of its spending, which is due to be concluded in September.

The following month the council is due to publish its emergency mid-term budget in response to central government funding cuts.

The council expects to have to save between £30m and £40m during the next few years.

Mrs Burnham, 61, said: “How can the council get a library strategy done and passed through the council by October?

“We know they are hard-up so we would like to have the issue debated before they decide anything.”

She said there were proven ways of saving money that have been successful in other boroughs but that these were not being considered by Swindon Council at the moment.

“These issues must be debated openly and decisions not taken behind closed doors,” she said.

“We therefore call on the leaders of all Swindon’s other political groups to support our campaign.

“We’ve seen what you receive in allowances and expenses and expect you to work hard for us.

“Before a single small library is threatened or a paid staff member lost, the library users – a majority of whom are the elderly, disabled, disadvantaged, unemployed and very young – urge you to focus on their needs and stand up for them.

“It’s not about ‘my library’, it’s about ‘our libraries’.”

Under Swindon Council’s new petitions scheme, an issue can automatically be debated at a full council meeting if there are enough signatories to a petition about it.

Mrs Burnham started campaigning in 2008 to save Old Town Library in Victoria Road.

The library was due to close completely but is now set to move to a new ‘cultural hub’ at the Arts Centre in Devizes Road.

Councillor Garry Perkins, Swindon Council’s cabinet member for arts and culture, said all areas of spending in the council were under review but nothing had been discussed regarding libraries specifically.

He said: “We are more than happy to engage with the community about this.”

Copies of the new petition can be found at Newsdesk in Cavendish Square, Top Drug in Wood Street, and Earle’s newsagents in Newport Street.

Anyone who would like to help with the petition should contact Mrs Burnham by writing to 6 Arundel Close, Swindon, SN3 1JG, or e-mail shirleyburnham mail@yahoo.com.