Library use rises as cuts to opening hours begin

The opening hours at Bradford's libraries have been cut by six hours a week

The number of visits to libraries in Bradford has increased despite plans to cut opening hours, according to the council.

Each of the council's 10 libraries has had its opening hours reduced by six hours a week, under changes introduced at the start of April.

Yet a spokesperson for the library service said the buildings had been "diversifying" to serve modern community needs and the result was that visitor numbers had increased over the past few years.

Christine May, the council's head of libraries, said the sites were "no longer just places to borrow books".

The council plans to save £175,000 from its library budget in the coming year

The libraries now shut earlier on Saturdays and changes have also been made to their operating hours during the week.

The decision to cut opening times was made following the end of a public consultation on the issue, which 1,656 people took part in.

Bradford Council said the cuts were part of a £175,000 savings plan.

However, a report presented to the council's executive said the number of events hosted at libraries had increased by 65% compared to pre-pandemic levels, and attendance at them had soared by 73%.

While overall visitor numbers rose by more than 15% between 2022 and 2024, the number of books borrowed also increased by 45% in the same period.

The top performing libraries overall for visitor numbers were the Keighley, Bingley and City branches.

'Growing importance'

According to the council report, the "significant increases in library visits and event attendance" reflects the "growing importance of libraries as hubs in their communities".

However, the report also noted that borrowing and computer use "appear to have reached a plateau".

Book lending had been "inevitably impacted by the low level of funding available for new stock".

More than £800,000 has been invested in improvements over the past five years, according to the council.

The majority of the money was spent on refurbishing 10 of the 12 branches.

"Libraries are no longer passive spaces," Ms May said.

"They're becoming creative and digital hubs, engaging people of all ages."

A new review of the library services will be launched in the summer, according to the council.

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