Fleet Library escapes cuts but at what cost?

Fleet Library looks like it may escape the county council's axe to slash opening hours.

Hampshire has started a public consultation into proposed closures and cuts in opening hours at libraries across the county, to try and save nearly £450,000 a year.

While Fleet has been identified as one of 11 key libraries in the county, and will be left as it is, it will however be expected to take up the slack and fill the gaps left by other local libraries where the service has been cut.

Yateley library could lose four hours a week, Odiham could shut on Thursdays and Aldershot close one day a week.

Farnborough could however be spared, as another of the 11 key libraries.

The belt-tightening plans are so widespread that almost every other library in the county would be closed at least one day weekly to try and make the service more affordable.

Keith Chapman, member for culture and recreation, says changes to the system are inevitable.

"Changes to Hampshire's library and information service have, so far, been made to get the service functioning as a modern business model," he said.

"This next round of changes aims to address the wider financial pressures that every service is facing.

"We know how highly our library service is valued but making no changes is not an option."

Public consultation finishes on December 28.

Have your say!

The county council says it will look at our comments and feedback before the final decisions are made early next year.