Proposed changes to opening hours for libraries in Basingstoke & Deane

Basingstoke Discovery Centre

Basingstoke Discovery Centre is designated as a key library.

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.

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.

Feedback

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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