Proposed reduction in opening hours for some North Devon Libraries

There will be no library closures in Devon following a major public consultation, residents have been assured. All fifty of Devon's public libraries will remain open. 

However, opening hours in some areas are being reduced and staffing efficiencies introduced in line with the results of the consultation. This will save up to £850,000 in a full year. 

Residents in some areas will see their libraries open for longer-but Ilfracombe, Combe Martin, Lynton and Braunton libraries will all have their hours reduced in the new proposal.

If the new proposal is implemented Ilfracombe Library opening hours will be cut from 40 hours a week to 33, while Combe Martin Library will have their opening hours slashed to almost half-just 10 hours a week instead of the current 19. Lynton Library will lose over half of their current 12 and a half hours and will be open for just 6 hours a week and Braunton 21 hours instead of the current 37.

These decisions are not yet final and county councillors will discuss the revision of opening hours next week to fit in with patterns of use at each library.

In addition to the consultation responses, population size; how the local communities use their libraries; how close they are to other nearby libraries; and the cost of providing the service have all been taken into account by the council. Social factors such as deprivation have also influenced the Council's proposed new opening hours. 

A wider review of Devon's library service is well underway as part of plans aimed at reducing Council costs. A staff restructure is expected to reduce the overall number of managers, and further efficiencies are being made by sharing some back office services with neighbouring authorities.

"We are committed to keeping our libraries open and have the public's support to do so." said Cabinet Member Councillor Roger Croad. "However savings do have to be made, which is why we already taking necessary steps to minimise costs where we can, including a review of our current opening hours. We know when people most prefer to use their libraries and are proposing new opening hours to accommodate this." 

The Council will be publishing the revised opening times in coming months, with the new hours to be phased in gradually between September 2011 and March 2012. 

To show your support for our local library pop along to the Ilfracombe branch on Wednesday 13th July between 10.30am and 12.30pm when Friends of Ilfracombe Library will be holding a coffee morning and sale of ex-library books. Have a coffee and a slice of cake for only £1, then browse the huge selection of bargain books starting from as little as 40p!