AN AMERICAN company could be brought in to run Croydon's libraries.

Council leader Mike Fisher has defended a decision to hold an early meeting with Library Systems Services Inc (LSSI) last week.

He said the summit, held by council chief executive Jon Rouse and his counterpart at Wandsworth Council, was "just a 30 minute chat".

Mr Fisher said he was not aware of the meeting until after it had taken place but stressed that Mr Rouse had made no arrangements before the cabinet took its decision last Monday to start a market testing exercise into obtaining interest from outside organisations to run Croydon's libraries.

Looking at outsourcing services is the council's response to public opposition to original plans to close six branch libraries in Old Coulsdon, South Norwood, Sanderstead, Norbury, Broad Green and Shirley.

LSSI says it wants to snap up 15 per cent of the library market in this country over the next five years and its UK vice-president, Stuart Fitzgerald, has said: "Our business depends on getting our service right in every branch."

Mr Fisher told the Advertiser: "I have no problem with the chief executive meeting with LSSI. I didn't know the meeting was going ahead but I am pleased that it did."

Mr Fisher said the council would be talking over the next few weeks to "a whole host of people" who could have the potential to run the library service. He added: "When you start market testing like this you don't have to be a genius to realise that LSSI are coming to talk to us."

At the cabinet meeting, Councillor Sara Bashford, cabinet member for culture and sport, denied that privatisation of the libraries was the council's main aim.

She said the council would be looking for interest not only from private companies but also from social enterprises, other local authorities or an in-house bid from existing staff.

Results of the exercise will be reported to the cabinet in September.

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council's Labour opposition, said: "Councillor Fisher's explanation sounds an highly unlikely tale but if we do have a leader who does not know what the chief executive is up to, it is a disturbing account of how the council is run under him."

Sally Ward-Lee, one of the leading campaigners defending Bradmore Green Library in Old Coulsdon, said she found it difficult to believe there had been no negotiations with anyone before the cabinet meeting.

She added: "We all think they have been dipping their toes in the water."