MORE strikes could be on the way at the New Forest's libraries as a dispute over job cuts continues.

Unison's two-day library strike last week was well-supported in the New Forest with Fordingbridge, New Milton and Lyndhurst libraries shut both days. Ringwood library was open for most of Thursday.

At Lymington, Unison members went on strike on Thursday, but the branchwas open between 1pm and 7pm. But the strike was held there throughout Friday. Mobile library services were hit on both days.

Unison spokesman James Smith said figures were not yet available for the number of library staff who went on strike throughout the county.

"We've been impressed with a great show of solidarity within the workers themselves," he said.

Thursday's demonstration in Winchester attracted more than 100 library staff who marched through the streets carrying placards and distributing leaflets.

On the picket lines, strikers received widespread support, say Unison.

Library staff are protesting at the proposed loss of 27 librarians' posts, with pay cuts of about £4,500 each for a further 17 staff, announced by employer Hampshire County Council in its bid to save £1.25 million.

Unison says all staff to lose their jobs are qualified librarians and it amounts to a de-professionalisation of the service.

Some librarians will stay but have to apply for non-qualified jobs on a lower pay scale.

Unison steward Steve Squibbs said: "What management are proposing will not just affect library staff, but will have a drastic impact on the standard of service that Hampshire residents receive. These cuts will mean a reduction in the levels of professional staffing by a massive 76 per cent in just three years.

"To say that members of the public won't notice any difference is living in cloud-cuckoo land."

He said some services provided at libraries could suffer because staff are already stretched to the limit.

"The real tragedy is that management seem to be doing their utmost to squander the knowledge, skills and experience that librarians have developed over years of service.

"The redundancies are a real waste, but the loss of salary will result in librarians leaving the service in droves. What kind of way is that to run a modern library service?"

James Smith said: "As far as we are concerned the door is always open to the council to talk to us to tell us how to end the dispute."

County councillor Margaret Snaith said costs had to be reduced. She was confident no compulsory redundancies would be made.