Merton Council is set to propose longer opening hours at two of its libraries.
Leader of Merton Council, Councillor Stephen Alambritis with staff at Donald Hope Library
Libraries expected to benefit from extended opening hours from January are Donald Hope Library in Colliers Wood and West Barnes Library.
It is proposed that, from January, Donald Hope Library will open Fridays from 9.30am – 7.00pm.
The council is also proposing that West Barnes Library opens for an additional half day on Wednesdays, but will be asking users and the local Friends group for their views on how these extra resources can be used.
Councillor Nick Draper, cabinet member for community and culture, said: “I am delighted that our good organisational and financial management means that we can extend opening hours at Colliers Wood and West Barnes libraries at no extra cost. We know how important libraries are to our residents and, despite these difficult economic times, we have fought hard to ensure that not a single library in Merton has closed whilst extending opening hours at all of our libraries. We will be consulting with our local friends’ groups to see what works best for the local community in each case.”
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Notes to editors
Merton Council runs seven award-winning libraries across the borough and here is why:
- Net increase of library opening hours in April 2011 at a time when many authorities were either closing or reducing opening hours of their libraries.
- The most efficient library service in London with customer satisfaction increasing year on year following the most recent Public Library User Survey (PLUS).
- Currently implementing a schools library membership scheme that will automatically join up every school child in Merton to their local library.
- Recently rolled out free wifi in all our libraries.
- Provide e-books and e-magazines.
- Winner of Local Government Chronicle (LGC) award for ‘Efficiency’ in 2012. The only library service to have received such an award.
- Highly commended in the Municipal Journal awards in 2012 for its ‘Workforce Transformation’.
- Winner of the Team London ‘Building Stronger Neighbourhoods’ award for its innovative volunteering model.
- Recognised as a volunteering good practice model by Volunteering England.
- Provide consultancy and peer support for other authorities on their library service models.
Current opening hours of Donald Hope Library:
Monday 9.30am to 7.00pm
Tuesday 9.30am to 7.00pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 9.30am to 7.00pm
Friday Closed
Saturday 9.30am to 5.00pm
Sunday Closed
Current opening hours of West Barnes Library:
Monday 9.30am to 7.00pm
Tuesday 9.30am to 7.00pm
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 9.30am to 7.00pm
Friday 9.30am to 7.00pm
Saturday 9.30am to 5.00pm
Sunday Closed