Two North Yorkshire MPs have urged Hambleton District Council to look favourably on requests for assistance from volunteer-run community libraries.
Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, and Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond, want the council to grant the new libraries additional business rates relief to help them get established.
Public libraries in Thirsk, Easingwold, Bedale and Stokesley are in the process of being transferred from North Yorkshire County Council ownership and control to community groups made up of volunteers.
The district council has previously said it is unlikely to grant 100 per cent rate relief as and when the new library group make applications.
The new library groups are entitled to 80 per cent relief because they are charities but Hambleton has the freedom to grant discretionary relief on top up to 100 per cent.
In a joint statement, the two MPs said: "We believe the new volunteer groups taking on the not inconsiderable task of running these community facilities should be given every possible assistance.
"We hope that Hambleton we look at each application on their individual merits and do what it can to extend this relief so the new libraries can get a flying start."
The MPs believe the council's policy on discretionary business rate relief and its established methodology for scoring applications does allow the council to help the libraries without setting an precedent or acting illegally.
They also point out that according to the council's own figures, granting the full relief would only cost the authority an additional £10,000 a year.
They add: "Hambleton is a very well run authority with a commendable financial record. However, this modest amount would seem to be an appropriate contribution to these valued community facilities and, in addition, fits well with the authority's declared priority of enhancing the health and wellbeing of its residents and helping its market towns to thrive."