Stand by for shorter library hours across B&NES from the end of this month. The Council’s libraries are going to have to bear their share of efforts by the local authority to save money across the board.
In Bath it’ll mean closing an hour earlier but other lilbraries elsewhere will be harder hit.
Even more financial savings will have to be made in future. B&NES is talking to ‘partner organisations’ ( not sure who exactly they are) in an effort to share services.
I think we can look forward to many more unpaid volunteers coming in to help keep things running.
Anyway – here’s the rest of the press release:
‘In order to continue to provide effective library services, Bath & North East Somerset Council is bringing in some changes to opening hours from October 31, 2016.
Visitor numbers are much lower early in the day and late in the evening, so by adjusting opening and closing times slightly to reflect this, it means all local libraries can be kept open on the same days as now.
The new opening hours will also be more consistent across all libraries, making it easier for customers to know when the libraries are open.
Cllr Martin Veal (Conservative, Bathavon North), Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “This is about ensuring services at all our libraries are maintained, sustainable and can be delivered within our current staff resource. The Council has to achieve significant financial savings over the next three years however – unlike some councils across the country – we are committed to retaining a library service.”
Bath & North East Somerset Council runs the following libraries:
Bath Central Library
Keynsham One Stop Shop and Library
Midsomer Norton Library
The Hub, Paulton
Radstock Library
Moorland Road Library
Weston Library
Saltford Library
Mobile Library Service
Details of the new opening hours are being advertised in all local libraries and can also be found here: http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/libraries-and-archives/library-locations-opening-times-and-information
The mobile library’s current opening hours will not change as part of this alteration to the main libraries and branch libraries.
During the times when the Library service is closed the service can still be accessed through the following:
· Call 01225 394041 (available during Council Connect opening hours);
· Visit www.bathnes.gov.uk/libraries for information about all services;
· Renew & reserve items online at www.librarieswest.org.uk (with your membership number and PIN code to hand)
Bath & North East Somerset Council will have to make further savings to the library service over the next three years. The Council has already started talking to partner organisations about sharing resources, and will be consulting with local communities to help design library services that meet the needs of each community.’
