Changes to library opening hours to be decided next week

Monday, 23 September 2024 15:35

Bradford councillors will be asked to approve revised library opening hours at a meeting next week.

Bradford libraries have been consulting with the public, staff and unions on two options for reduced opening hours at nine Council-run libraries in the district, which includes Ilkley.

This is part of savings that have to be made as proposed in the Council’s budget proposals for 2024/5 and is to achieve savings of £175,000 in 2025/6 financial year.

The two options given in the consultation are outlined in the table below:

The council received 1,656 responses to the consultation with the clear preference being option two - earlier closing on Saturdays combined with additional reductions during the week.

Bradford Council’s Executive will be asked to approve the final proposals for changes to opening hours at Council-run libraries, some of which have been altered in response to the consultation . If approved, these changes will be implemented in time for full year savings from April 2025.

The opening hours at Hybrid and Community Managed libraries will not be impacted by this.

Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive member for Healthy People and Places, said:

I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and had their say on opening hours. We have been able to make an informed decision based on the information that our residents, who use the libraries service, provided.

“We don’t want to be having to make these changes but unfortunately, we have to make more savings and look at the services we provide and make some difficult decisions."

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