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Council plans library hours cut back across West Sussex

4:10pm Friday 29th January 2010 in


Three in four libraries in West Sussex could have their opening times slashed as part of a council bid to claw back cash.

It is hoped £200,000 will be saved by the plans, which includes axing 11 library positions across the county.

Council chiefs say the proposals, which has already been criticised for its possible impact on deprived wards, will create uniform library opening hours and ensure all libraries are open six days a week.

Most affected by the plans would be library users in Littlehampton who will have nine hours less a week to take out books and DVDs.

Readers in Goring, Worthing and Rustington, near Littlehampton, will also see their weekly opening hours cut by five hours.

Councillor James Walsh, who represents Littlehampton East, said he had grave concerns about the cuts proposed for the town.

He said: “Littlehampton has near to the library two of the most deprived wards in the county – River and Ham.

“For people without transport, access to the internet and books, the library is one of their main sources of contact with the outside world for knowledge and information. For some it is the only access they have to help them find employment."

Council documents indicate any cut positions would be achieved through 'vacancy management and redeployment' where possible.

Councillor Brad Watson, West Sussex County Council cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: “We have had a considerable variation in opening times, and we are planning to standardise the pattern they all follow.”

A review of mobile libraries will also take place, with possible savings of £60,000.

Members of the public can air their views on the proposals to senior library managers in two-hour drop-in surgeries held from Monday to February 17.

Copies of the proposals are also at West Sussex libraries until February 20.

Comments(13)

Carlos Roa says...
5:41pm Fri 29 Jan 10

Nobody wants to reduce the hours of the libraries, because it affects to the culture indirectly but, a saving of 200.000 pounds... it is to consider it.

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The Brighton Bear says...
5:42pm Fri 29 Jan 10

Shut all of the libraries and save even more money. Everyone is using the internet.

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Carlos Roa says...
5:45pm Fri 29 Jan 10

The Brighton Bear wrote:
Shut all of the libraries and save even more money. Everyone is using the internet.
Step by step. There is a big number of people who cannot use internet at this moment.
In ten years, we will see.

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Lil says...
6:40pm Fri 29 Jan 10

One of the most short sighted and blinkered things I have ever read, and that's compared to the high level of particularly myopic comments often littered on this website.

I would say why this is complete rubbish but I can't be bothered wasting my time any more.

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The Brighton Bear says...
6:48pm Fri 29 Jan 10

Lil wrote:
One of the most short sighted and blinkered things I have ever read, and that's compared to the high level of particularly myopic comments often littered on this website. I would say why this is complete rubbish but I can't be bothered wasting my time any more.
Good.

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Tye says...
8:06pm Fri 29 Jan 10

The Brighton Bear wrote:
Shut all of the libraries and save even more money. Everyone is using the internet.
Is it easier to just say the same thing as you did in an earlier version of this story rather than respond to those who disagree with you

PS I guess wikipedia is your idea of an encyclopedia :(

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worthinglogic says...
8:07pm Fri 29 Jan 10

Save money by closing libraries? WTF?? Oh yea, dumb people were always really good at making money weren't they.

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Gaz the great says...
9:24pm Fri 29 Jan 10

Just put up parking fees or council tax, i am sure they can afford it, well maybe they can't, but like, who cares.

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The Brighton Bear says...
10:11pm Fri 29 Jan 10

Tye wrote:
The Brighton Bear wrote: Shut all of the libraries and save even more money. Everyone is using the internet.
Is it easier to just say the same thing as you did in an earlier version of this story rather than respond to those who disagree with you PS I guess wikipedia is your idea of an encyclopedia :(
Wikipedia does have its limited uses but there are so many sources of reference available through the internet meaning that libraries have become redundant.

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Frankie's Post says...
10:39pm Fri 29 Jan 10

Libraries are a throwback to Victorian times when they were established by philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie in order to give the "poor" access to literature and learning which they would otherwise not have had. Nowadays no-one can truly claim to need libraries for contact with the outside world, as Cllr Walsh seems to think. UYes, we all like a free book but could we survive without them - of course we could. This is the 21st century, Cllr Walsh

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notaconspiracy says...
12:49pm Sat 30 Jan 10

They aren't CLOSING the libraries, eh, just reducing the opening hours.

I borrow three or four books from my local library most months and, if I need to visit at a slightly different time to reduce the chance of cuts in a VITAL service, then fair enough, I think.

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Tye says...
7:07am Sun 31 Jan 10

The Brighton Bear wrote:
Tye wrote:
The Brighton Bear wrote: Shut all of the libraries and save even more money. Everyone is using the internet.
Is it easier to just say the same thing as you did in an earlier version of this story rather than respond to those who disagree with you PS I guess wikipedia is your idea of an encyclopedia :(
Wikipedia does have its limited uses but there are so many sources of reference available through the internet meaning that libraries have become redundant.
I've never used Brightons hospitals, I believe you can shut the place down and save loadsamoney.

anyway medical knowledge can be picked up on the electric interweb - blue pills and cancer cures too!

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Frankie's Post says...
10:54am Sun 31 Jan 10

Tye wrote:
The Brighton Bear wrote:
Tye wrote:
The Brighton Bear wrote: Shut all of the libraries and save even more money. Everyone is using the internet.
Is it easier to just say the same thing as you did in an earlier version of this story rather than respond to those who disagree with you PS I guess wikipedia is your idea of an encyclopedia :(
Wikipedia does have its limited uses but there are so many sources of reference available through the internet meaning that libraries have become redundant.
I've never used Brightons hospitals, I believe you can shut the place down and save loadsamoney. anyway medical knowledge can be picked up on the electric interweb - blue pills and cancer cures too!
Not a fair comparison. Hospitals are essential, but can you really say the same about libraries? What would happen if you coudn't get a free book? I suppose you might go and buy it and then the local bookshops might have a chance of staying open!

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