Barrow Library opening times set to change amid complaints
Last updated at 16:37, Tuesday, 06 November 2012
OPENING hours at Barrow Library are set to increase.
Cumbria County Council is carrying out a review to examine ways of transforming libraries to meet modern needs of users.
The review is ongoing and now recommendations have been made for Barrow Library to open on a Thursday afternoon. The library only opens until noon on a Thursday.
The county council’s local committee for Barrow is due to meet on Wednesday to decide whether or not to agree to the change of opening hours.
In a report prepared for the committee, Richard Parry, the council’s corporate director for adult and local services, said that changes to the library and more flexible staffing would allow the changes to be made without additional cost to the council.
He said: “In recent times the library service has explored other ways of delivering services outside its traditional hours – most notably on a Sunday. However, there has been a steady growth in complaints about when we are closed on Thursday afternoon.
“The library service review is a process aimed at bringing library services into the 21st century and addresses the issue of falling use.
“There has been extensive consultation and a key theme has been making services available in a way and at times when people want to use them. Improving opening times at Barrow Library was a clear message we received.”
Mr Parry said there had been confusion and dissatisfaction in the community about when the library is opened and that the changes would help to address this issue.
He said: “There are no material financial implications for the library service as staff will work flexibly to cover the extended opening hours within existing hours of work.
“The performance of Barrow Library will continue to be monitored and, if necessary, changes made to times, with the committee’s approval.
“This proposal offers value for money as services to the public are being extended, in line with the results of public consultation, within existing resources.”
The committee will make a decision on the proposals when it meets at the Nan Tait Centre in Barrow tomorrow at 10.15am.
First published at 16:24, Tuesday, 06 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
This is a good move, in a time when a lot of councils are closing libraries. Now let's see Ulverston open on Wednesday afternoons too. 1pm is too early. Why not 3pm?
Have your say
Not just the Library, I like to make use of the records office on my visits home to Barrow for research also the Dock museum, I was very disappointed recently when couldnt get access to either.
Posted by Keith Wallwork on 7 November 2012 at 13:21