An initiative to allow communities to take over the running of their local libraries is set for a decision by Surrey County Council's Cabinet.

The plans are part of the county council's aim to keep all 52 of its libraries open despite the fact other local authorities are closing branches across the country due to financial constraints.

Under Surrey's plans, volunteers will be able to take over the day to day running of ten libraries*, saving £300,000 a year, while the county council continues to provide everything else including the building, stock, computer equipment, as well as free Wi-Fi in all libraries.

These ten branches account for just 7% of library visits countywide. They were ranked lowest in a league table of libraries as part of a public value review. A recent audit of these calculations confirmed their positions in the table.

David Hodge, Deputy Leader of Surrey County Council, said: "Our aim is to keep all of Surrey's 52 libraries open but we need residents' help to achieve this. Our plans mean we can focus resources on continuing to run more popular libraries while investing in the latest technologies to make them better.

"Community groups have responded to this opportunity and come up with some excellent ideas for running local libraries already, proving local people can provide the best solutions for their communities."

If the plans are agreed the county council will continue to support the community-run libraries. For example, where volunteers want to extend opening hours the county council will cover additional running costs such as utilities. Self service desks will also be provided as well as training for volunteers.

The council has held a series of talks with users of all 10 libraries offered for community partnership. Ideas people have suggested to meet local needs include tailoring opening times to meet the commuter rush and providing a parcel collection service for people at work during the day.

The county council's Cabinet will meet on 27th September to decide on the plans for community-partnered libraries.

The report to Cabinet recommends the ten pilot community-run libraries operate for the financial year 2012-13 so their success can be assessed. Only then will the council consider extending the offer to nine more which are Ash, Caterham Hill, Frimley Green, Hersham, Horsley, Knaphill, Lightwater, Shepperton and West Byfleet.

The 33 remaining branches currently account for 85% of the county's libraries service which Surrey County Council will continue to run as a core service

* The ten libraries being offered for communities to run were identified following an assessment of various factors including use, cost and proximity to another library.

The ten libraries are: Bagshot, Bramley, Byfleet, Ewell Court, Lingfield, New Haw, Stoneleigh, Tattenhams, Virginia Water and Warlingham. Plans for an 11th library, Molesey, to be run by the community were withdrawn because it is in a key position for Surrey residents.