Each of Walsall’s 16 libraries is to shut on Mondays, including the town’s Central Library, saving the local authority £130,000 every year until 2012 and resulting in seven posts being made redundant.

A council spokesman said some libraries would instead open on days they had previously been shut and most of the redundancies were expected to be voluntary. “Members from Walsall Council agreed on proposals to change the opening hours of the borough’s libraries to save £130,000 a year for the next three years,” he said.

“Under the budget recommendations, around seven equivalent posts in library services will be made redundant.

“Most, if not all, posts will be absorbed through the council’s voluntary redundancy scheme.”

The move, which comes into effect on April 6, was attacked by Coun Tim Oliver, leader of the authority’s opposition Labour group. He said: “We have to question the wisdom of this, especially at a time when many Walsall residents will have more time on their hands due to the credit crunch.

“This shows why Walsall Labour voted against the Conservative budget in council and we have to worry what other details from the small print will come to light over the coming weeks.”

Pheasey, Rushall and Walsall Wood libraries will now open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 4pm. Beechdale library will open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 5.30pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.

New Invention library will open on Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm and Pleck Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.

Darlaston library will now open on Wednesdays and Bloxwich Library on Thursdays.

Both venues had previously been closed on those days.

The Central Library in Walsall Town Centre will remain open from Tuesday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm