Amersham Library is one of eight libraries in Buckinghamshire which will be included in a money-saving scheme.
The new Library Flex model was announced by Buckinghamshire Council following a consultation between July and September last year.
Councillors approved the plans at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, January 2. Library Flex will introduce technology to increase opening hours and enable customers to use library services without the need for staff during quieter times.
Amersham Library will now pilot longer opening times, seven days a week. Open from 7am to 9pm on weekdays and 7am to 7pm on weekends, this marks an increase of 129 per cent.
However, the plans have initially reduced staffed hours by between 25 and 30 per cent, saving the council £555,000 per annum across the eight libraries, but at the expense of library staff.
The council claims in its decision details that making the cutbacks will “retain the libraries’ operational footprint in towns and villages” and will allow friends of libraries groups, local community organisations and other council services to use library space when no staff are on site.
Councillor Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for culture and leisure, said: “Whilst some of the drive for change arises from a need to make budget saving, one of our key priorities in designing the new service has been to ensure that staff are available at the times when they are most needed and to provide a service that is safe and inclusive.”
A report is set to be brought back to the council in six months for a review of the scheme’s effectiveness.
Photo: Amersham Library
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