Small rural and remote public libraries in Western Australia could be forced to close under proposed cuts to services, the board of the State Library has been warned.

The ABC has learnt that the board is considering stopping all services it provides to 232 public libraries, as it grapples with State Government demands to cut its costs.

Public Libraries WA president Michelle Brennand said the State Library was the backbone for many of the public library services in local communities and any cut to the assistance provided would have a massive impact on the public.

She said the State Library provided about three million books and resources and about 12 per cent of the funding to local public libraries.

"The State Library plays a crucial part in delivering public library services across Western Australia," she said.

"There's public libraries out there that rely 100 per cent on the funding and the resources that the State Library provides, so the result is going to be very catastrophic for some ... put simply if you lose books, you lose libraries. "

She warned public libraries in regional areas would be hardest hit by any reduction in services provided by the State Library because they would have nothing without that support.

Libraries 'integral social fabric' of community

Ms Brennand was concerned that in many cases local governments would not be in a position to pick up the funding shortfall if the State Library cut services.

"I think it's going to put enormous pressure on local government budgets," she said.

"There will be some local governments that can do it ...but there's a lot of local governments that we already know that are facing financial sustainability issues so there's some real challenges there, particularly for rural and remote [areas].

"They've got no money, they will not be able to fund those libraries."

Nationals MP Vince Catania said public libraries in towns across WA played an integral role in the community, particularly by giving the elderly and children access to resources they would not otherwise have.

"A lot of people don't have access to the internet, a lot of people don't have the ability to afford to download books ... or training or any other programs so it's important that we do keep our local libraries in our smaller towns, and towns in general in regional WA," he said.

"So to cut any funding means that local governments will have to bear the cost and it's already difficult for local governments that provide that service and for the State Government to walk away would be a great shame and really hurt the integral social fabric of a community if they can't provide that service."

The ABC has learnt that the State Library's proposal to also stop services to metropolitan libraries would impact on ordering, delivery of materials, training and online enquiry services.

While services have already been reducing in recent years, such a decision would bring a complete end to exchanges and the van delivery service.

Public libraries would be forced to cover the costs of sending inter-library loans and organise the transportation.

The State Library declined to comment and has previously said the board's papers and its discussions were "confidential".

The ABC understands board members have been told that because of the significant impact on services, any final decision on any cuts would require approval from the Arts Minister John Day and Cabinet.

Treasurer Mike Nahan said on Friday that no final decisions had been made.