Library hours cut?

THREE libraries could be in line for shorter opening hours under new plans drawn up by county hall.

Great Harwood, Rishton and Oswaldtwistle library’s hours of operation are set to decrease, under the plans by Lancashire County Council, which is proposing a public consultation to seek people’s views.

Accrington library would see its hours remain the same, at 50 hours a week. If approved by cabinet at its meeting due to be held on Thursday, September 14, an eight-week consultation would begin on October 2 and run until November 26, before a final decision is taken in early 2018.

Great Harwood library’s hours would decrease from 35.5 to 34, five days a week, Rishton library would decrease from 35 to 34 hours five days a week and Oswaldtwistle would also decrease from 35.5 to 34 across five days.

County Coun Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, said the changes were part of making the service more ‘streamlined’. He said: “We’re proposing changes to when libraries will be open, and overall this would mean them being open for more hours in total across the county.”