Organisations selected to partner with Barnet Council on a major upheaval of library services have now been named.

Through the first half of 2017, the council will be transforming its libraries throughout the borough in order to save £2.2 million as part of a wider programme of spending cuts.

Following a procurement process, community service NW7 Hub will operate Mill Hill library, which is currently closed until the week of January 9 2017.

The closure will allow the council to put changes in place which will see libraries shrunk to create space for private renting and, most controversially, a reduction in the number of staffed hours at some libraries.

NW7 Hub trustee Chris Wong said: “As a local group we are delighted to have been chosen as the preferred partner for Mill Hill Library.

“We look forward to delivering a valued service to our community and alongside it developing a range of additional activities which will enhance life in Mill Hill for all age groups.

READ MORE: Barnet Society and residents stage 'read-in' at Chipping Barnet library to protest Barnet Council reducing services in 2017

“Working with local people will be key to our success and meeting supporters in the new year will help launch our exciting vision for the NW7 Hub Library.”

Charity Kisharon, in partnership with Mencap, is set to operate Childs Hill library and Inclusion Barnet will operate both East Barnet and South Friern libraries.

East Barnet and South Friern libraries will close until mid-March on January 30 while Childs Hill will be closed on January 2 and reopen in early February.

These ‘partnership libraries’ will be officially launch on April 1 2017 while other borough libraries will be relaunched with money-saving changes under full council control.

Chair of the children, education and libraries committee Cllr Reuben Thompstone said: “I have been really impressed with the quality of the organisations who came forward to run our partnership libraries.

“Community-run libraries are already proving their worth across the country and will form a vital part of our strategy to keep all 14 of our libraries open.

“We look forward to developing plans with each of them as we move forward.”

Chipping Barnet library, which will not be a ‘partnership library’ is currently closed for changes to be made – angering the residents who frequently use its services and would have to do without.

At a ‘read-in’ protest to the closures earlier this month, residents and members of Barnet Society decried the council’s cuts to staffing at libraries and the reduction of services and space.

Jane Elms, who brought a placard reading “Shame on you, Barnet Council”, said: “We’re paying the price for Barnet’s six-year freeze on council tax when we know many residents would be happy to pay more.

“What is so upsetting is the council doesn’t even seem to care there are so many children whose parents can’t afford to buy books, and whose homes lack internet access and space to work on computers.”