A UNION boss has described plans to draft volunteers into libraries as "absolutely outrageous."

John McCormack, branch secretary of Unison in Redcar and Cleveland, said he was "totally opposed" to the plans by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

He has outlined his objections in a letter to the council's executive, which met to discuss the matter on Tuesday. According to Mr McCormack, bringing in volunteers would threaten jobs, result in a poor quality service and pose health and safety, legal and insurance complications.

"It's an absolutely outrageous idea. We are extremely concerned that volunteers will replace substantive posts," he said. "We have enough unemployment in this area, and people should be given proper jobs at a good rate of return."

The last time the council tried to introduce volunteers as a way of cutting costs, in 1998, the idea was blocked by the leisure and libraries committee, which felt that jobs would be put at risk.

The latest attempt follows a study by the Library Association and Government pressure. On a local level, it is felt that the introduction of new technology, such as the £84,000 UK Online Centre at Dormanstown Library, creates a demand for volunteer technology experts.

A report to the cabinet suggests volunteers could also be used to organise photographs and other source material, help out at story times and craft sessions, supervise homework clubs and work with the elderly.

It states: "It must be stressed that these proposals do not in any way advocate job substitution, but improving the service for users and staff alike."

The report acknowledges that measures would have to be introduced to guarantee proper training and management, maintain the quality of service, allow for reasonable reimbursement, and vet and insure volunteers.

It suggests that the libraries management team assumes overall responsibility for their recruitment, deployment and management and that day-to-day supervision be carried out by a specially appointed volunteer co-ordinator.

The Council Executive agreed to the recommendation that they would accept volunteers to help out in the borough's libraries on the understanding that the assisted librarians and did not become an alternative to paid, trained librarians