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Proposed changes to opening hours for libraries in Fareham Borough

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.

Fareham Library

Fareham is designated as a key library.
There are no proposed changes.

Number of responses
28

Feedback

There were a variety of responses including pleasure that there will be no change to the hours at Fareham, displeasure at proposals to cut opening hours elsewhere, request for Sunday opening, request for opening on Christmas Eve, and a suggestion to reduce hours at the key libraries to keep Stanmore and North Baddesley open.

Day Opening hours
Monday 9.30am-7pm
Tuesday 9.30am-5pm
Wednesday 9.30am-5pm
Thursday 9.30am-7pm
Friday 9.30am-7pm
Saturday 9.30am-4pm
Total hours 50 hours

Comments

Fareham is designated as a key library and no changes to opening hours are proposed.

 

Lockswood Library

Lockswood is designated as a medium library.
No proposed changes.

Number of responses
15

Feedback

The majority of the responses were pleased that there would be no change, but there were requests for longer opening hours and a comment that the library is too small

Day Opening hours
Monday Closed
Tuesday 9.30am-5pm
Wednesday 9.30am-5pm
Thursday 9.30am-7pm
Friday 9.30am-5pm
Saturday 9.30am - 1pm
Total hours 35.5 hours

Comments

For its floor space Lockswood is the busiest library in Hampshire. The opening hours will not be reduced as currently they just meet the target set for a library of this category and it is already stretched beyond its physical capacity for customers.

 

Portchester Library

Portchester is designated as a medium library.

Number of responses Agree with proposal Disagree
59 45 (76%) 14 (24%)

Feedback

Of the 14 responses which disagreed with the proposals, 64% wanted the library to remain open on Tuesday. There was no consensus on how to do this, but suggestions included closing the late night, closing over lunch and having two half days.

Day Current hours Proposed hours
Monday 9.30am-7pm 9.30am-7pm
Tuesday 9-.30am-1pm Closed
Wednesday 9.30am-5pm 9.30am-5pm
Thursday 9.30am-5pm 9.30am-5pm
Friday 9.30am-5pm 9.30am-5pm
Saturday 9.30am-1pm 9.30am-1pm
Total hours 39 hours 35.5 hours

Comments

As there was a low number of responses and 76% of these agreed with the change, the original proposed alteration will go forward for approval.

 

Stubbington Library

Stubbington is designated as a medium library.

Number of responses Agree with proposal Disagree
107 76 (71%) 31 (29%)

Feedback

The views of those who disagreed with the proposals were equally split between wanting to retain Wednesday morning (39%) and wanting to retain the Friday late night (39%), but there was no consensus on how to achieve either.

Day Current hours Proposed hours
Monday 9.30am-7pm 9am-7pm
Tuesday 9.30am-5pm 9am-5pm
Wednesday 9.30am-1pm Closed
Thursday 9.30am-5pm 9am-5pm
Friday 9.30am-7pm 9am-5pm
Saturday 9.30am-1pm 9.30am-1pm
Total hours 41 hours 37.5 hours

Comments

As 71% of the responses agreed with the change, the original proposed alteration will go forward for approval.