Ilfracombe People reported back in July that some local libraries would have a reduction in opening hours as a result of government spending cutbacks. And now the new opening times have been released.

In North Devon, Combe Martin, Lynton and Braunton Library have been hit the hardest, with Combe Martin open for 10 hours a week instead of 19 and Lynton open for just 6. Braunton opening hours have also been slashed from 37 hours a week to 21. Ilfracombe Library have lost 7 hours and will be open for 33 hours a week. 

The cuts have been made after a public consultation earlier in the year by Devon County Council who explain that the new opening hours "will reflect the public's pattern of usage, and have been designed fairly to satisfy the majority of library users" and that "where reductions in hours have had to be be made, the Council has looked at the least busy times, deciding for example to close at 6pm rather than 7pm when fewer people have used them."

In addition to the consultation responses, population size; how the local communities use their libraries; how close they are to other nearby libraries; and the cost of providing the service have all been taken into account by the council. Social factors such as deprivation have also influenced the new opening hours.

Over 8000 people responded to the public consultation documents and many library users said that they would like earlier opening than the current 9.30am start, and for some libraries to remain open over lunchtimes, so that people can fit in visits with their lifestyles. Others said that they sometimes use more than one library, and so in areas where there are a cluster of libraries relatively close by, the Council has designed the new times to complement each other.

The new opening hours will come in to effect on Monday 26th September and will see Ilfracombe Library open from 9am instead of 9.30am 5 days a week. However, they will now be closed on Monday afternoons and all day Wednesday, as well as losing their late night opening on a Tuesday. Thursday late night opening will run until 6pm instead of 6.30pm. 

Combe Martin Library will still be open the same four days a week; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday but for a shorter amount of time. Lynton Library will be open for just two hours a day on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. 

For more details on the new opening hours visit the Devon County Council Libraries page.