YORK’S libraries will not be closed after the city’s political chiefs made a “long-term” promise to keep them open.

City of York Council’s ruling Liberal Democrats have vowed the 14 libraries it runs will not face closure as they battle to make budget savings, in the face of opposition claims the service would be under threat.

Some of North Yorkshire County Council’s libraries could be axed or run by local communities as the authority tries to shave £2 million off its budget for this area over the next four years.

But York’s council leader, Andrew Waller, said the city’s libraries would be safe from the cash squeeze, both in 2011/12 and when budgets for future years are thrashed out.

“Currently, York has 14 libraries, and under our plans there will remain 14 libraries,” said Coun Waller.

“That is a long-term commitment because we believe libraries are important for the community, especially for internet access.

“We reject any reduction in the number of libraries in York, and in fact we will continue with the roll-out of the Explore centre model to get more people using their local service.

“While there is no doubt savings will need to be made across the council, there are alternatives to closing libraries which I am sure people would rather we pursued.”

But Labour’s leisure and culture spokeswoman, Coun Sonja Crisp, said she did not see the commitment as “unequivocal” and believed York’s library service will ultimately be threatened with cuts.

“Liberal Democrats gave us a pledge to scrap tuition fees, and look what happened there,” she said.

“The hand dealt to us by the coalition Government and local Liberal Democrat waste means reductions of some sort are inevitable, whether that means library budgets, services or staff.”