Archived decisions

LIBRARY OPENING HOURS : FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

1. One of the key reasons given by members of the public when surveyed for not making use of libraries is unsuitable opening hours and Hampshire is striving to meet the Public Library Standard on opening hours. The performance is improving with extra resources having been made available in 2004/05 to increase opening hours in 19 libraries.

2. The Executive Member has considered a report on opening hours which covered Easter, Sundays and Bank Holidays and Christmas and New Year. In the case of Easter it recommended that libraries be open to the public on Easter Saturday with effect from 2006 at minimal cost and as regards Sundays and Bank Holidays it recommended that a costed plan be developed which would enable the introduction of Sunday and selected Bank Holiday opening depending on local need in the light of town centres having become busier over the years due to shops opening. As regards Christmas and New Year it recommended that the current pattern of closing be maintained as traditionally this period is amongst the quietest times for the library service.

3. The Executive Member has approved the proposals as set out above together with authorising the Director of Recreation and Heritage to investigate a pilot scheme for evening opening in appropriate parts of the county.