Readers react to news that books from City Library will be moved to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

Lib Deb Coun Niall Hodson outside Sunderland Central Library.

The news that thousands of books are set to move to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens by the end of the year, leaving the City Library building vacant, has caused a big stir among readers.

Sunderland City Council has also confirmed that the renowned Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art is looking for a new home - rumoured to be in the National Glass Centre.

The authority says the decision comes down to government cuts, which has seen it axe nine libraries and warn that further closures cannot be ruled out.

Now Wearside’s Liberal Democrats have called into question proposals, which they say are being handled in internal discussions behind closed doors.

Coun Niall Hodson, for Millfield and Thornholme, said: “People are rightly alarmed by these plans. “It is hard to see how the City Library and Museum wouldn’t suffer from being forced to share premises and losing so much space for books, computers, and exhibitions.

Coun John Kelly however argued that the move is the “continuing rationalisation of council services”, with the authority needing to save another £74million by 2019.

Coun Kelly added: “Future alternative uses for the City Library building are currently under consideration.”

On the Echo’s Facebook page, Pauline ‘Bowden’ Peel wrote: “Disgusting what a waste of money.”