Local libraries are facing the axe in a cost-cutting overhaul of book-lending services, it was announced this week.

Barons Court Library in North End Crescent is set to go, along with the mobile library run by Hammersmith and Fulham Council.

Sands End and Hammersmith Libraries will also be relocated, and the council is proposing to invest instead in two multi-purpose centres in the centre of Fulham and Hammersmith, in schemes similar to the new library at the Westfield shopping centre.

It is thought the move would save £300,000, some of which would be put back into libraries - including such as £80,000 for expanded services at Fulham Library - with the rest used to help pay off debt.

The new Shepherd's Bush facility, which includes study space, an employment bureau, wifi internet and PCs for public use, is heralded as 'a blueprint for the future of the library service itself' in a council statement.

Resident services leader Greg Smith said: "In the current financial climate, the days of small neighbourhood libraries, such as Barons Court and Sands End, which serve relatively small numbers of people, are coming to an end. Instead, we want to move to fewer, better, state-of-the-art town centre libraries that attract more customers and are more economical to operate."

The planned closures have already sparked opposition from residents who fear the revamped sites will be out of reach to those who depend on local services.

Patsy Heavey, who lives close to Barons Court Library in Stonor Road, said: "There aren't many things left in small communities like ours, but Barons Court Library is one of them and I use it quite a lot. It would be a shame if it was cut, and I know a lot of residents feel like that.

"We wouldn't be in walking distance of the places the council is proposing, which would be a shame for older people and people with young children."

The council claims the high cost of running local libraries equates to £10 per loan at Sands End, its least-used library, and £45 per loan at the mobile library.

But the figures were questioned Mike Cartwright, deputy leader of the Labour group, who criticised the Conservative administration for failing to announce its plans before the recent local election.

He said: "How it can cost £45 to issue a book in a mobile library beggars belief.

"They argue that they're selling assets to keep services going, but in the case of Barons Court Library, that service is going to go.

"We still think there's a role for traditional libraries. It's a big disappointment to me that having provided the new library in Shepherd's Bush, the administration have failed to provide it with any books."

An extra 20,000 books had to be ordered for the new library at Westfield after initial demand left the shelves understocked.

A homebound service delivering books to elderly and disabled residents will be retained under the plans.

A consultation is under way and comments can be submitted online here .