Operning times changing in bid to save money
Some libraries across Ealing won't be open as long as they have been previously as part of a plan to cut costs.
From July, a total of 57 hours will be lost across 14 libraries, Northolt loses 10 hours a week, Southall more than seven and Hanwell and Perivale more than six.
Opening hours will be cut in the mornings and evenings, starting next month.
Wood End Library in Greenford, Northolt Leisure Centre Library and Ealing Hospital Library will stay as they are.
The council scrapped plans to shut Northfields, Hanwell, Perivale and Northolt Leisure Centre libraries last June after a major campaign by residents, but the mobile library did close.
The council says it has decided to shut libraries when they are least busy, as a way of contributing to the £428,000 savings needed by the service this year.
Cabinet member for Community Services and Safety, Councillor Ranjit Dheer, said:
“We are committed to our libraries and are investing in Hanwell and Perivale to give them a new lease of life. However, because of the severe budget cuts we continue to face we must reduce our running costs across all of our libraries.
''We are looking at a range of measures such as reducing management costs and are considering moving Southall Library to the Dominion Centre to lessen overheads, but some service changes are still necessary. Reducing opening hours at times when there is less demand is a sensible way of helping to save money without closing community libraries.”
A £2.2m investment was agreed by the council last month to refurbish Hanwell and Perivale libraries - work which is due to start later this year.
Arrangements will be made to ensure book clubs, which take place at the libraries, can still meet at the same time every four weeks.
Details of the changes are available on the council’s website at www.ealing.gov.uk/libraries
28th May 2012