Library plans to be looked at again (From This is Hampshire)
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Library plans to be looked at again
8:10am Wednesday 16th November 2011 in News
Stock image of a library
COUNTY chiefs are rethinking plans to cut opening hours at five libraries after being brought to book by readers.
Hampshire County Council is proposing to close two libraries and slash opening hours at 36 others as part of controversial plans to save £2.4m.
But just five weeks into a three-month consultation, library bosses have acknowledged proposed cuts might cause problems in Alresford, Eastleigh, Totton, Whitchurch and Leigh Park but say the total number of hours will still be reduced by eight per cent.
In Totton, the council has dropped a proposal to close the library on Wednesday mornings after protests it would reduce trade for the weekly market. Instead the council is now proposing to shut the library on Saturday afternoons.
Meanwhile in Eastleigh, the proposed new all-day closure on Monday has been changed after locals called for the library to remain open six days a week. Now the council is proposing it should close half an hour earlier on weekdays.
In Alresford, the council has spared late-night Friday openings from the axe and will instead open slightly later on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings.
More than 2,000 have so far responded to the public consultation which ends on December 28.
Councillor Keith Chapman, executive member for culture and recreation, said: “I want to thank the public for their constructive comments on our proposals. An early analysis of the feedback showed a clear need to alter the opening hours at five libraries to suit customer requirements better.2 Other plans include closing libraries in Stanmore, Winchester and North Baddesley unless volunteers come forward to run them.
Winchester city councillors Lucille Thompson and Jamie Scott, who represent St Luke ward in Winchester, have spearheaded a campaign to save the library in Stanmore, one of the most deprived parts of the city.
Cllr Scott chaired a meeting in The Carrol youth centre involving interested parties from both the council and local residents.
Conservative Cllr Scott said: “We don’t want to see the library close in Stanmore. It would be a shame to lose such a vital facility in our community. Young and old enjoy reading.”
The discussion included the current low-use, possible alternative premises, a mobile library and university students volunteering to staff the library.
Comments(16)
BMWDellboy
says...
9:22am Wed 16 Nov 11
eurogordi
says...
9:22am Wed 16 Nov 11
freemantlegirl2
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9:26am Wed 16 Nov 11
Bagamn
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10:00am Wed 16 Nov 11
Elgy
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10:11am Wed 16 Nov 11
OSPREYSAINT
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10:46am Wed 16 Nov 11
freemantlegirl2 wrote:However where will the money come from? They will just have to cut costs elsewhere. My opinion is that when bureacracy costs more than the services, they should look to cut out the bureaucrats, not the services.
Agree with all of the above, public consultation is vital and they've come up with solutions and compromises that suit everyone. We all appreciate cuts have to be made but communities shouldn't be unduly penalised and libraries are a huge asset.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
10:47am Wed 16 Nov 11
Elgy wrote:Then it is pointless posting rubbish comments like this as they won't be read anyway!
People in Southampton can't read anyway.
Scrutinizer
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11:01am Wed 16 Nov 11
From the Edge
says...
11:35am Wed 16 Nov 11
OSPREYSAINT wrote:You could the Big Society Bank to fund libraries.
freemantlegirl2 wrote:However where will the money come from? They will just have to cut costs elsewhere. My opinion is that when bureacracy costs more than the services, they should look to cut out the bureaucrats, not the services.
Agree with all of the above, public consultation is vital and they've come up with solutions and compromises that suit everyone. We all appreciate cuts have to be made but communities shouldn't be unduly penalised and libraries are a huge asset.
OSPREYSAINT
says...
12:35pm Wed 16 Nov 11
From the Edge wrote:Does the Big Society actually exist yet or is that just a Tory dream? Would there be any interest in the Bank?
OSPREYSAINT wrote:You could the Big Society Bank to fund libraries.
freemantlegirl2 wrote:However where will the money come from? They will just have to cut costs elsewhere. My opinion is that when bureacracy costs more than the services, they should look to cut out the bureaucrats, not the services.
Agree with all of the above, public consultation is vital and they've come up with solutions and compromises that suit everyone. We all appreciate cuts have to be made but communities shouldn't be unduly penalised and libraries are a huge asset.
Goldenwight
says...
1:06pm Wed 16 Nov 11
I certainly agree with some of the other comments. Libraries are an important community resource- they need to be open when the community can use them, and I have responded to the survey on this point. It is particularly distressing that plans were afoot to restrict evening and weekend opening in a number of libraries (the plan to close Havant Library on a Sunday has not been altered, by the way) whilst keeping them open during 'office hours' when the majority of the population can't access them.
From the Edge
says...
1:46pm Wed 16 Nov 11
OSPREYSAINT wrote:I was being a tad sarcastic, however I have heard a lot about of BS coming from the Tories both locally and nationally however I don't think any of it actually was to do with the Big Society.
From the Edge wrote:Does the Big Society actually exist yet or is that just a Tory dream? Would there be any interest in the Bank?
OSPREYSAINT wrote:You could the Big Society Bank to fund libraries.
freemantlegirl2 wrote:However where will the money come from? They will just have to cut costs elsewhere. My opinion is that when bureacracy costs more than the services, they should look to cut out the bureaucrats, not the services.
Agree with all of the above, public consultation is vital and they've come up with solutions and compromises that suit everyone. We all appreciate cuts have to be made but communities shouldn't be unduly penalised and libraries are a huge asset.
As for interest, I sense a distinct lack of it from the citizens of the UK
Charmian
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7:35pm Wed 16 Nov 11
Elgy wrote:If you actually bothered to read the article, you would see it about Hampshire county council and not Southampton city council. All you have achieved is to make yourself look stupid and ignorant.
People in Southampton can't read anyway.
Solomon's Boot
says...
9:34am Thu 17 Nov 11
Elgy wrote:Hahaaaa, LOVE it, Egly!!! :-))))
People in Southampton can't read anyway.
Scrutinizer
says...
10:10am Thu 17 Nov 11
Charmian wrote:Yes, Charmian! And you'd think he could at least spell his name correctly, ie. algae - which just about defines his level of intelligence!, Don't you think? ;-)
Elgy wrote: People in Southampton can't read anyway.If you actually bothered to read the article, you would see it about Hampshire county council and not Southampton city council. All you have achieved is to make yourself look stupid and ignorant.
From the Edge says...
8:24am Wed 16 Nov 11
A refreshing for change from a local authority, never mind though we in Southampon can be proud because Royston won't close any privately run leisure facilities.