CUTS to library opening hours and the mobile library service have been announced in Calderdale.
The council has proposed changes for Brighouse, Rastrick, Elland libraries and other libraries throughout the borough.
And there will be major changes to Calderdale’s mobile provision.
The council says it needs to make savings of £150,000 in the library service’s budget for 2012/13, but has pledged that all 22 of its static libraries will remain open.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Clr Pauline Nash, said: “Faced with tough budget decisions, Calderdale Council is doing all it can to keep libraries open.
“However, we do need to make significant savings and we have done our best to ensure that library users will still have the opportunity to enjoy the facilities.”
Following the results of the Libraries Review consultation last October, Calderdale’s Cabinet has resolved that the savings will be achieved through:
Reduction in the opening hours of 13 static libraries, saving £45,000
Reorganisation of the mobile library service to focus on people who are unable to travel to a static library and those in residential care to achieve savings of £105,000.
It means that from April 2 Brighouse and Elland libraries will be open 37 hours a week.
Brighouse – Monday 10-6pm, Tuesday 10am-5pm, closed Wednesday, Thursday 10am-5pm, Friday 10am-6.30pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Closed Sunday.
Elland – Monday and Tuesday 10am-5pm, Wednesday 10am-12pm, Thursday 10am-6pm, Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. Closed Sundays.
Rastrick Library will open for 30 hours a week while Hipperholme, will open for 25 hours a week.
The last day for the mobile library service as it currently operates will be Friday March 30.
It will be replaced with the Home Library Service for people who are unable to travel to a static library due to mobility or health issues, and people in residential care.
The provision faced the axe but instead the authority decided to focus on taking it to those who are housebound.
