New opening times for Nuneaton and Bedworth libraries7

[dutchman]

New opening hours have been announced for the main libraries in Nuneaton and Bedworth after hundreds of borrowers had their say.



More than 800 people responded to county council questionnaires at libraries and online saying when they would prefer the two town centre libraries to open.

County councillor Colin Hayfield, cabinet member for libraries at Shire Hall, said: “The level of engagement from the public has been exceptional from the initial consultation as to how we could transformthe service and make the necessary savings, to the level of response to this questionnaire.

“Thousands of our customers have voted on the hours that would best suit the way that they use their library.”

Nuneaton and Bedworth’s main libraries have survived the biggest shake-up in the history of the library service in Warwickshire, but opening hours are to be reduced to save money.

Around £2million has to be cut from its budget in a major cost cutting exercise brought about by a massive reduction in cash from central government.

Several libraries have been closed, others moved into schools and community centres and 14, including Bulkington, are now run by volunteers.

Stockingford library is now the only other one in the borough still managed by the county council, but its opening hours will correspond with those of the Stockingford Early Years Centre and were not affected by the consultation.

Questionnaires on the opening hours put forward two options based on known usage, such as loans and visits per hour, along with other relevant factors, such as market days.

Of the hundreds of people who responded, a narrow majority voted for the option ultimately chosen for Bedworth Library.

A more decisive 63 per cent selected the preferred opening hours for Nuneaton Library which will be one of only three in the county to open on Sundays as people requested.

Cllr Hayfield said: “As well as the opening hours, work is also progressing very well on the transferring of the 14 libraries to be managed by the community and some are already up and running.”

He added: “The county council has worked alongside volunteers and , once again, the level of community engagement has been incredible.”

Nuneaton library will open from 10am until 6pm on Mondays, from 9am until 6pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 9am until 5pm on Fridays, between 9am and 4pm on Saturdays and 11am until 3pm on Sundays.

Bedworth Libaries’ new opening hours are: From 9.30am until 5pm on Mondays, Tuesdays,Wednesdays and Fridays and from 9.30am until 2.30pm on Saturdays. The library will be closed on Thursdays and Sundays.