SPELLING OUT FEARS FOR OUR LIBRARIES

A consultation into plans to cut the opening hours of many of Kent’s libraries concludes later this month - with council bosses needing to save £1 million.

Under the strategy, libraries will be grouped according to an assessment of how well used they are throughout the day with their opening hours being adjusted based on the number of people coming through the doors.

Ashford library could see its hours cut from 55 a week to 42, Dartford could be reduced to 42 from 57 and Maidstone to 42 from 55.

Some, primarily smaller outlets, however, will see an increase.

In a statement, the county council said it had to respond to changes in the way people used libraries, coupled with financial pressures.

The authority has been forced to slash millions from Details of the changes proposed can be accessed on Kent County Council’s website at kent.gov.uk/lrastrategy.

There you can see just what changes are proposed for your local library.

The final in a series of dropin events take place up until the consultation closing date at midnight on Tuesday, January 29 with events in Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Margate and Ramsgate. its budgets over recent years as a result of cuts to central government funding.

It said: “Kent is a changing county and how people use services is changing. We cannot ignore the financial pressure on all county council services.”

It comes after a prolonged drop in the use of libraries over the last decade, fuelled by discounted best-sellers, online resources and e-readers.

However, reading charity Beanstalk believes youngsters in particular will be affected by the proposed changes. It explained: “We believe strongly in the concept of libraries and the important role they play in getting more books in the hands of children.

“Research shows one in eight disadvantaged children in the UK don’t own a single book.

“Libraries help give these children the opportunity to access a world of books and stories for free, helping them thrive in reading and their education.

“That’s why Beanstalk has recently partnered with ASCEL (Association of Senior Children’s and Education Librarians) to make sure we can work closely with libraries and their staff in the community and ensure our volunteers are bringing the magical world of books to more children.”

And they are far from alone in voicing their anxieties.