Hampshire libraries struck by reduced opening hours as consultation launched
LIBRARIES that have escaped the axe of the county council will all see their opening hours reduced.
Following a consultation, Hampshire County Council announced yesterday that eight libraries will be closed for good on January 1, 2021.
Libraries in Elson, Lee-on-the-Solent, Horndean, Fair Oak, Blackfield, Lyndhurst, Odiham and South Ham will all be closed as the council looks to save £1.76m.
Further to these measures, the remaining libraries in Hampshire will have their opening hours reduced by an average of 20 per cent.
Now, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for recreation and heritage, Cllr Sean Woodward, has announced that a second consultation will be launched next week to determine how much each library’s opening hours will be cut.
Cllr Woodward said: ‘Our aim is to provide the best possible library service within our means – one that is fit for the future.
‘Although this means we must reduce costs it does not stop us from innovating and seizing new opportunities.
‘For example, while digital take-up was strong before lockdown, even more people of all ages have signed up to digital library services during the pandemic. People have responded very positively to the different ways of accessing library services through the innovative use of technology.’
The consultation will be launched on Monday, August 3, and will run for two weeks.
It is hoped that changes to opening hours will be carried out by January next year.
Support is also being withdrawn from the four community libraries in Hampshire.