Andover Library

Andover is designated as a key library.

Feedback

The majority of responses were pleased that there were no changes proposed. 2 responses suggested closing on Sunday which is statistically a busy session popular with families, others asked when the library would be open for at least 50 hours per week as it was designated a key library and asked for self service (our ambition in due course).

Comments

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

Romsey Library

Romsey is designated as a large library.

Feedback

The majority agreed with the proposed changes. Of the disagrees 26% wanted to keep the Tuesday late night and 53% wanted to retain opening on Wednesday morning. Suggestions on how to do this varied from closing for a half day on a different day of the week to opening later or closing earlier.

Comments

As 66% of the responses agreed with the change, the original proposed alteration will go forward for approval, thereby rationalising the morning openings and closing at quieter times.

North Baddesley Library

This review has shown that:

• North Baddesley Library is one of the least well used libraries in Hampshire with an average of 163 borrowers per month
• Its book issues have declined by 33% over the last five years, more than most other libraries in Hampshire
• Only 7.3% of people who live in North Baddesley actually borrow from the library
• It is within the catchment area for Romsey Library
• 28% of North Baddesley’s customers use other Hampshire libraries or the library website.
• We estimate that a further 20% of customers use libraries in Southampton
• It costs approximately £35,000 a year to run the library

What does this mean for North Baddesley Library?

We know that North Baddesley Library is much loved by those customers who do use it, but we do not feel it is viable for it to continue to be run by Hampshire’s Library Service. We are therefore keen to enter into discussions with local groups or organisations who might be interested in taking over full responsibility for running North Baddesley Library, with support from the Library Service.

We realise these discussions might take some time and we have set a deadline of 28 December 2011 for any groups to come forward. If we cannot agree arrangements to transfer the running of North Baddesley Library to a local group by June 2012 then it is likely to close in September 2012.

A member of the Library Service’s Management Team visited North Baddesley Library to discuss these proposals.