Bradford children's author says access to libraries must be protected
A decision is due next week on changes to the opening hours of all 10 of the district's council-run libraries
Plans to reduce the opening hours of libraries across Bradford could get the go-ahead next week.
Hundreds of people have had their say on the plans which would affect all 10 council-run libraries, including the one in the city centre.
It's one of several cost-saving measures which the council says are needed to prevent the authority effectively going bankrupt.
But Bradford children’s author Jenny York says libraries provide a vital service and should be protected:
“I think the libraries do a brilliant job promoting reading for children, and it’s incredibly important for children to get into reading.
“It improves their mental health and it’s just lots and lots of fun. And when I go into schools and explain that to children, they get on board.
“They’re doing story time sessions to create a love of books, they have art sessions for people that maybe are isolated in the community. The computer banks are always full of people looking for jobs. The ladies and gentlemen that work there are friendly and kind. And they’re just a great community hub.
“They’re doing a lot of things in the community that you can’t really put a price on. If they reduce the time that libraries are open they will reduce accessibility, and I think it’s such a valuable service it’s critical to be increasing that accessibility.”
The consultation asked library users if they would prefer libraries to close for an hour over lunch or open later/close earlier.
More than 1,600 people had their say, with the majority choosing the option of closing earlier or opening later.
The council’s Executive Board will meet on Tuesday to make a decision.
If approved, the changes would be introduced in April.
Here is an outline of the planned changes at each of the effected libraries:
Bingley, Eccleshill & Ilkley:
Friday opening hours changed to 9am-noon (currently opens from 9am to 5pm) and Saturday opening hours changed to 9.30am to 4.30pm (from 9am to 5pm).
Keighley:
A noon closure on Friday and Saturday hours changed to 9am -4pm (down from 9am-5pm).
Laisterdyke:
Wednesday hours changed to 9.30am-12.30pm (currently 9.30am-2pm) and Friday hours of 9.30am-12.30pm (currently 9.30am-5pm)
Manningham:
Initial proposals were to close all day on Friday, but after the consultation the reduced hours will now be spread out to earlier closures on Wednesday (closing at 5pm instead of 7pm), Friday (closing 2pm instead of 5pm) and Saturday (3.30pm instead of 4pm).
Shipley:
Half day closing on Monday (9am-noon instead of 9am-5pm) and earlier closing on Saturday (4pm instead of 5pm).
Wibsey:
Library will not open on Wednesdays (currently opens from 9.30am to 2pm), closes at 4pm instead of 5pm on Friday, and 3.30pm instead of 4pm on Saturday.
Wyke:
Half day opening on Monday (12.30pm closure instead of 5pm) and 12.30pm closure on Wednesday instead of 2pm.
City Library:
City Library was not earmarked for any reduced hours but responses during the consultation suggested the biggest library in the district should take its share of the cuts. The city centre library will open an hour later (10am instead of 9am) on Saturdays.