ANOTHER one-day strike by Kent library staff was called off after talks aimed at resolving a dispute over a controversial shake-up resumed.

Both sides in the dispute agreed to continue their efforts to reach an agreement that would end the threat of industrial action.

Library staff across the county, who have already held a one-day strike, are concerned at county council plans they say would mean an inferior service to the public, reduce the number of professionally-qualified staff to deal with the public and downgrade the status of other staff.

Kent County Council insists its shake-up is aimed at improving the service but has angered staff with plans to introduce so-called community librarians.

A spokesman for Unison confirmed that talks were back on and both sides were negotiating to reach an agreement.

The move came after KCC put on hold the first stage of the re-structuring.

However, Unison made clear that it would go ahead with a strike on July 23 if it remained unsatisfied with progress.

KCC said it was pleased that unions had called off Monday’s strike, the second of three days of action that staff voted for.

The first of the strikes saw widespread disruption to libraries with several closed and others offering a reduced service.

Cath Anley, head of KCC libraries, spoke to KM-fm...