Libraries stay open – for fewer hours

It needs to make £150,000 savings in the library service’s budget for 2012/13, but all 22 of its static libraries will remain open.

Following the results of a review last year, the Cabinet resolved that savings would be achieved through: the reduction in the opening hours of 13 static libraries, saving £45,000. There would also be reorganisation of the mobile library service to focus on people who are unable to travel to a static library, and those in residential care, to obtain savings of £105,000. From Monday April 2, the opening hours will be reduced at Beechwood Road, Brighouse, Elland, Hebden Bridge, Hipperholme, King Cross, Mixenden, Northowram, Rastrick, Shelf, Skircoat, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden libraries.

Brighouse, Elland, Hebden Bridge, King Cross, Sowerby Bridge and Todmorden libraries will be open for a standard 37 hours a week; Rastrick Library for 30 hours a week; Beechwood Road, Hipperholme, Northowram and Skircoat libraries for 25 hours a week; and small changes will be made at Mixenden and Shelf libraries.