Ashmore Park Library Comment

Councillor Phil Bateman said "Its interesting that there is a body of opinion that would like to see Ashmore Park Library opened for longer periods. A constituent recently contacted me stating that on a recent visit to the library a fellow customer told him that I was debating about altering the opening times Ashmore Park Library, for the convenience of members who work.

He said that the library was open till o'clock two nights a week as well as opening all day Saturday. When he was working he found those hours very convenient.

The constituent also commented that the present opening hours were very useful for pensioners, they can collect their pensions and call in the library at a time many of them prefer, (early morning).
.
He suggested that if there was a debate taking place about the opening times then if they are to be altered why not open on a Wednesday? The staff, who by the way are so cheerful and helpful, tell him they have to work at Pendeford when Ashmore is closed, My constituent can't see why a library as busy as Ashmore Park should have to close for the convenience of other areas. I think that my constituent Mr Fletcher has asked a pretty good set of questions so I have raised his request with the Library Chiefs.

This is the response that Mr Fletcher and I have received "Thank you for your email enquiry to Cllr Bateman which has been passed to me for a response. The question of opening times of libraries generally has been raised because one of the national Public Library Standards is to increase hours open outside 9 to 5. I am in discussion with senior staff to undertake a pilot exercise in 3 or 4 libraries across the City which would rearrange hours open to users by including more after 5, or on Saturdays, but at no extra cost to the service. The reason for the pilot is to determine whether libraries increase their book issues and user visits or whether usage decreases, before any final decisions can be made by Council. It has not yet been decided which libraries will undertake this exercise, although it is unlikely to be until Spring, when lighter evenings are here, as this will encourage more users to venture out. There are no plans to open Ashmore Park on Wednesdays as this would involve a significant amount of extra staffing for the library – there is only one member of staff on duty at Ashmore Park on Wednesdays, which is why they are asked to work at another location, usually Pendeford."



Councillor Phil Bateman further adds " So what is readers responses to these issues, I would love to receive them so why not write and let me see your comments."