Library opening hours to change

LIBRARIES in the Hampshire County Council area will begin to operate with shorter opening hours over the next three months.

As reported a total of 40 libraries will have their hours reduced by around 20 per cent, after a consultation to achieve savings of £1.76m. And eight libraries will close next year.

The council’s recreation boss, Cllr Sean Woodward, said: ‘Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views with us – our aim is to provide the best possible library service within our means and so it’s really important we understand how we can meet the needs of all Hampshire residents. This is why our proposals for new staffed opening times have differed slightly for each library, to ensure that each branch is open at the most appropriate times for its local community; and indeed, why we have changed some proposals at certain libraries following feedback that local people wanted more library access for their children at after-school times.’