Reduced library opening times to come into force

The council said the plan would see all of the 43 council-run libraries stay open

Opening hours at libraries across Derbyshire will be reduced later this month - but they will open at weekends.

The library service strategy unveiled by Derbyshire County Council in July aims to save £625,000 over the next four years.

The changes, which were agreed after a 12-week public consultation, come into force on 31 March and will see all 43 council-run libraries open for at least 16 hours per week.

Opening times will vary across all libraries but the authority confirmed they will all open on Saturdays, with all but the smallest opening until 18:00 once a week.

On average, libraries in the county will have their hours reduced by 10%.

The council said the revised hours were intended to ensure branches were open when most people used them.

Council leader Barry Lewis said: "Revised opening times are just a part of the picture and there are elements we hope will be welcomed, like removing certain charges for reserving books.

"It is so important that despite our well-documented budget pressures we continue to provide a strong, modern, accessible library service to all our residents and communities and we are confident the changes we are making will ensure the service as a whole goes from strength to strength for years to come."

Reservation charges for book and talking book requests, where the item is either in print or in stock in Derbyshire libraries, are being ended, as are charges for borrowing talking books.

As exact opening times vary, users are asked to check their local library for details.