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Proposed changes to opening hours for libraries in Basingstoke & Deane

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.

Basingstoke Discovery Centre

Basingstoke Discovery Centre is designated as a key library.

152

103 (68%)

49 (32%)

Feedback

Of the 49 disagreeing 15% suggested 11- 3 instead of 12 – 4 on Sunday.
30% wanted to keep 6 hours on Sunday by reducing hours during the week, but there was no consensus on how to do this.

Monday
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
Tuesday
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
Wednesday
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
Thursday
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
Friday
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
8.30am – 6.30pm
Saturday
8.30am – 4.30pm
8.30am – 4.30pm
8.30am – 4.30pm
Sunday
11am – 5pm
12 noon – 4pm
11am – 3pm
Total hours
64 hours
62 hours
62 hours

Comments

As the majority agreed with the proposals Sunday opening hours will reduce to 4 hours, but based on customer comments and staff feedback this will be 11 – 3, not 12 – 4 as originally proposed.

Chineham Library

Chineham is designated as a medium library.

41
30 (73%)
11 (27%)

Feedback

90% of the 11 that disagreed wanted to keep 2 late nights

Monday
Closed
Closed
Closed
Tuesday
9.30am-5pm
9.30am-5pm
9.30am-5pm
Wednesday
9.30am-5pm
9.30am-5pm
9.30am-5pm
Thursday
9.30am-7pm
9.30am-7pm
9.30am-7pm
Friday
9.30am-7pm
9.30am-5pm
9.30am-5pm
Saturday
9.30am-4pm
9.30am-4pm
9.30am-4pm
Total hours
40.5 hours
38.5 hours
38.5 hours

Comments

Of the few responses received 73% agreed with the change so, as a result, the proposed alteration will go forward for approval.

Tadley Library

Tadley is designated as a medium library.

194
77 (40%)
117 (60%)

Feedback

77% of those disagreeing wanted to keep the Tuesday morning session and of these 38% suggested doing this by closing on Saturday afternoon. 32% of the disagrees did not approve of the proposal to open at 9 rather than 9.30 - in fact only 2 responses were in favour of the earlier opening. 16% of the disagrees wanted to retain Friday late night.

Monday
9.30am-5pm
9am-5pm
9.30am – 5pm
Tuesday
9.30am-1pm
Closed
9.30am – 1pm
Wednesday
9.30am-7pm
9am-7pm
9.30am – 7pm
Thursday
9.30am-5pm
9am-5pm
9.30am – 5pm
Friday
9.30am-7pm
9am-5pm
9.30am – 5pm
Saturday
9.30am-4pm
9.30am-4pm
9.30am – 4pm
Total hours
44 hours
40.5 hours
42 hours

Comments

Based on customer feedback the Tuesday morning has been reinstated and the library will retain its 9.30 start rather than the proposed 9.00. Closing on Saturday afternoon instead to achieve the savings was considered but decided against as we did not consult on this option. The issue figures indicate that the library is relatively busy on Saturday afternoons (23 borrowers per hour before 1pm, 18 borrowers per hour after 1pm) and it is located next to a major supermarket. Other efficiencies have been identified as part of the consultation.

South Ham Library

South Ham is designated as a small library.

39

26 (67%)

13 (33%)

Feedback

Whilst the majority agreed with the proposal,11 of the 13 disagrees wanted to keep the late night. 6 suggested this be done by opening later.

Monday
Closed
Closed
Tuesday
9.30am-7pm
9.30am-5pm
Wednesday
9.30am-5pm
9.30am-5pm
Thursday
Closed
Closed
Friday
9.30am-5pm
9.30am-5pm
Saturday
9.30am-1pm
9.30am-1pm
Total hours
28 hours
26 hours

Comments

Of the few responses received 67% agreed with the change so as a result the original proposed alteration will go forward for approval. The current evening usage is low and customers still have other branches available to them in the area.

Whitchurch Library

Whitchurch is designated as a neighbourhood library.

Original proposal
83
18 (22%)
65 (78%)
Revised
33
29 (88%)
4 (12%)

Feedback

From original proposed change: 61% of disagrees wanted to retain the Friday morning opening as it coincided with the country market co-located in the building. 33% of disagrees wanted to retain the late night.

From revised proposals: only 4 disagreed, with no consensus

Monday
10am-5pm
1pm-5pm
1pm-5pm
Tuesday
Closed
Closed
Closed
Wednesday
10am-7pm
1pm-5pm
1pm-7pm
Thursday
Closed
9.30am-1pm
Closed
Friday
10am-5pm
1pm-5pm
10am-5pm
Saturday
9.30am-1pm
9.30am-1pm
10am-1pm
Total hours
26.5
19
20

Comments

In the original consultation, although the majority disagreed there were no alternatives suggested. However there was no support for Thursday opening in order to increase the number of sessions per week and on Friday mornings customers also attend the market. The revised solution adds an hour back addressing to some extent comments received on the relative size of the proposed cut here and now meets the 20 hour target for neighbourhood libraries.

Feedback from consultation on the revised proposal was very positive so this will go forward for approval.

Kingsclere Library

Kingsclere is designated as a neighbourhood library.
There were no proposed changes to opening hours.

Feedback

Thank you for not reducing opening hours or closing the library

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
1pm-5.30pm
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
1pm-5.30pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
10.30am-3pm
Total hours
13.5 hours

Comments

No changes as opening hours are already below the target set for neighbourhood libraries

Overton Library

Overton is designated as a neighbourhood library.
There are no changes proposed.

Feedback

Would like longer opening hours / another morning session
Pleased that there are no changes

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
2pm-7pm
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
2pm-7pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
9.30pm-1pm
Total hours
13.5 hours

Comments

No changes as opening hours are already below the target set for neighbourhood libraries and the library has recently been refurbished and is co-located with the community and local children’s centre

In this section…

Opening Hours Review