Proposed changes to opening hours for libraries in East Hampshire

We have a key library in each district council area across Hampshire. This library will be a central hub, supporting the smaller libraries in the district. Our goal is for the 11 key libraries to be open for at least 50 hours per week, 6 days a week.

The other libraries in each district have been designated as large, medium, small or neighbourhood. Each designation has a minimum number of opening hours and all will be closed at least one day a week.

Petersfield Library

Petersfield is designated as a key library.
No proposed changes.

Number of responses
55

Feedback

Most comments expressed pleasure that there would be no change to Petersfield opening hours although 6 asked when the opening hours would be increased to the goal of 50+ hours for key libraries. 3 responses wanted longer hours on Saturday.

Day	Opening hours
Monday	9am-5pm
Tuesday	9am-5pm
Wednesday	9am-7pm
Thursday	9am-5pm
Friday	9.30am-7pm
Saturday	9am-1pm
Total hours	47.5 hours

Comments

No change to opening hours as designated a key library and the opening hours are below the goal of 50+ hours for key libraries

Alton Library

Alton is designated as a large library.

Number of responses	Agree with proposal	Disagree
318	152 (42%)	207 (58%)

Feedback

80% of those who disagreed wanted to keep 2 late nights at least and 81% suggested opening later, i.e. they did not want the proposed 9am opening. 34 responses suggested that Alton should be the key library for East Hampshire rather than Petersfield. Responses were received from Alton Town Council and East Hampshire District Council also providing justification why Alton should be the key library for East Hampshire.

Day	Current hours	Proposed hours	Hours from 1 April 2012
Monday	9.30am-5pm	9am-5pm	9.30am-5pm
Tuesday	9.30am-7pm	9am-7pm	9.30am-7pm
Wednesday	9.30am-1pm	Closed	Closed
Thursday	9.30am-7pm	9am-5pm	9.30am-7pm
Friday	9.30am-7pm	9am-5pm	9.30am-5pm
Saturday	9.30am-4pm	9am-4pm	9.30am-5pm
Total hours	46	41

Comments

In response to feedback the proposal is to put back the more popular Thursday late night by returning to opening at 9.30. Saturday will be extended to 5pm to further improve access for working people and to avoid reducing the opening hours by more than the original 5 hours.

Bordon Library

Bordon is designated as a small library.

Number of responses	Agree with proposal	Disagree
67	36 (54%)	31 (46% )

Feedback

All who disagreed wanted to keep the late night. There was a variety of suggestions on how to achieve this, but 17 suggestions (55%) related to opening later, 11 of which suggested opening later on the same day as the late night.

Day	Current hours	Proposed hours	Revised proposal
Monday	9.30am-5pm	9.30am-5pm	9.30am-5pm
Tuesday	9.30am-5pm	9.30am-5pm	9.30am-5pm
Wednesday	Closed	Closed	Closed
Thursday	9.30am-7pm	9.30am-5pm	11am-7pm
Friday	9.30am-5pm	9.30am-5pm	9.30am-5pm
Saturday	9.30am-1pm	9.30am-1pm	9.30am-1pm
Total hours	35.5	33.5	34

Comments

Although there was a small majority in agreement with the proposed changes 100% of those disagreeing wanted to retain a late night and there was a consensus on how to do this. Therefore the Thursday late night will be reinstated by opening at 11 rather than 9.30; these opening hours reflect the pattern of hours previous to May 2011

Grayshott Library

Grayshott is designated as a neighbourhood library.

Number of responses	Agree with proposal	Disagree
53	41 (77%)	12 (23%)

Feedback

The majority view of the 12 who disagreed was to retain a late night, but there was no consensus on how to do this or which day should be kept as the late night. The Parish Council response was not happy about the loss of the late night.

Day	Current hours	Proposed hours
Monday	Closed	Closed
Tuesday	10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm	10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm
Wednesday	Closed	Closed
Thursday	10am-1pm &2pm-5pm	10am-1pm &2pm-5pm
Friday	2pm-7pm	2pm-5pm
Saturday	Closed	Closed
Total hours	17	15

Comments

As 77% agreed with the original proposed changes and there was no consensus for alternative suggestions, the original proposal will be put forward for approval.

Horndean Library

Horndean is designated as a neighbourhood library.

Number of responses	Agree with proposal	Disagree
132	26 (20%)	106 (80%)

Feedback

56% of people who disagreed wanted to retain the late night. There was no clear consensus on how to do this, although 7 responses said don’t open on Tuesday.

Day	Current hours	Proposed hours	Revised proposal
Monday	2pm-5pm	2pm-5pm	Retain current opening hours
Tuesday	Closed	10am-1pm	Retain current opening hours
Wednesday	10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm	10am-1pm	Retain current opening hours
Thursday	2pm-5pm	2pm-5pm	Retain current opening hours
Friday	2pm-7pm	2pm-5pm	Retain current opening hours
Saturday	Closed	Closed	Retain current opening hours
Total hours	17	15

Comments

The current opening hours were the result of consultation in September 2010 and will be retained as the savings required can be made through efficiencies identified as part of the consultation.

Liphook Library

Liphook is designated as a neighbourhood library.

Number of responses	Agree with proposal	Disagree
118	68 (58%)	50 (42%)

Feedback

71% of those who disagreed wanted to keep the late night, but there were only a few suggestions and no consensus for alternative ways of reducing the opening hours.

Day	Current hours	Proposed hours	Revised proposal
Monday	2pm-5pm	2pm-5pm	Retain current opening hours
Tuesday	Closed	Closed	Retain current opening hours
Wednesday	9.30am-1pm	9.30am-1pm	Retain current opening hours
Thursday	Closed	2pm-5pm	Retain current opening hours
Friday	9.30am-1pm & 2pm-7pm	9.30am-1pm	Retain current opening hours
Saturday	9.30am-1pm	9.30am-1pm	Retain current opening hours
Total Hours	18.5 hours	16.5 hours

Comments

The current opening hours will be retained as Liphook does not meet the target number of hours for neighbourhood libraries and the savings required can be made through efficiencies identified as part of the consultation.