AN AGREEMENT has been reached in a bid to end the dispute between the council and library workers.

The long-running stand-off between Kent County Council and the library service has finally come to an end after both sides appeared to reach a compromise, bringing to an end a series of planned walkouts.

The decision has been welcomed by officials at Unison, the body representing library staff.

KCC cabinet member for community services Sarah Holder said: "It is now time to move forward and create a library service which reflects the changing demands of its users and recognises the habits of a new book-buying public."

The dispute initially broke out after the council announced its proposals to restructure the county's library service, claiming the move was not a cost-cutting exercise but would instead improve efficiency.

But officials from the union argued the plans were effectively a form of downgrading and in a ballot 76 per cent of members voted in favour of taking industrial action.

Under the new agreed settlement each of the council's 12 library districts will feature two new posts, with senior community librarians and community librarians taking over existing librarians' roles.

A review of the work, pay and grading of the customer services assistant role is due to be held in April next year.