Library opening hours cut

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LIBRARY opening times are being cut and at other times will run with reduced staff levels as part of cost-cutting measures.

Worcestershire County Council announced last year it would have to cut opening times as part of efforts to trim £1.8million from the library service's budget. As part of the cuts programme 28 to 30 full-time jobs across Worcestershire are expected to be lost.

Usage figures have been analysed to ensure the changes do not impact on the libraries' busiest times.

In Redditch the Market Place library is having its opening times cut by two and a half hours a week closing an hour earlier on Thursdays and half an hour earlier on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. But during quiet periods between 9am and 10am every morning, 4pm and 5pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 6pm and 7pm on Mondays and Thursdays the library will be open but with reduced staff levels.

Residents will still be able to use the self-service computers to borrow and return books, access computers and online services but other activities will not be available.

Woodrow Library is losing just one hour, closing at 1pm instead of 2pm on Saturdays while Alvechurch will see its opening times cut by two hours a week closing on Mondays at 5.30pm instead of 7.30pm and at 5pm on Tuesdays but staying opening half an hour later on Saturdays.

Wythall Library will be open four hours a week less. Self-service hours will not operate at these libraries as staff numbers are already low.

The changes are due to come into force from Monday, April 2.

Coun John Campion, responsible for the county's libraries and learning service, said the changes were about trying to find a balance between meeting the harsh but unavoidable reality of having to make savings while continuing to provide services in local communities.

"This is a type of small change that allows us to continue with a comprehensive library service across the county and although reducing opening hours in some of our libraries isn't something we've done lightly, it's clear that a slight reduction in service is better than complete and outright closures. We believe these measures will ensure we achieve our financial objectives in a way which inflicts the least disruption to our valued library users."

New opening times from Monday, April 2

Alvechurch:

Mon

9am - 1pm, 2pm - 5.30pm

Tues

9am - 1pm, 2pm - 5.30pm

Wed

CLOSED

Thur

2pm - 5.30pm

Fri

9am - 1pm, 2pm - 5.30pm

Sat

10am - 1pm, 2pm - 4pm

Redditch:

Mon

9am – 7pm

Tues

9am – 7pm

Wed

9am – 5am

Thur

9am – 7pm

Fri

9am – 5pm

Sat

9am – 5pm

Woodrow:

Monday

9am - 5.30pm

Tuesday

9am - 2.30pm

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

9am - 5.30pm

Friday

11.30am - 5.30pm

Saturday

9am - 1pm

Wythall:

Mon

9.30am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm

Tues

9.30am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm

Wed

9.30am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm

Thur

CLOSED

Fri

9.30am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm

Sat

9.30am - 1pm, 2pm - 4pm

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